CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH VELJKO PAUNOVIC
On the result:
"I think that we played a great game against a very good team. We deserved more, for sure, and of course I would say that during the game many, many mistakes happened. But for us, we just want to encourage our guys to keep working hard and keep the spirit that we had today in the game, and keep believing. For us, it's important that we are still building. We are a team under construction, a team that will continue working hard and believe. That's where we are, and that spirit and identity of being a tough team to beat, a team that plays every game until the end; a team that is getting better in every game during the season. We will get there, for sure."
On being shut out:
"I think we did a great job today. We had a very good team in front of us. We played well, we defended well, we created chances, we had opportunities, and that's the spirit that we have to keep. We just tell the guys, they did great, and we are proud of them and keep on working. Keep on working. Next game, next game."
On the shot that hit the crossbar:
"It was fantastic. Our guys, they figured out how to take advantage of the space created by moving Rodrigo to the side, and the shot is a piece of art. It was really a great, great shot. But the thing is, it would be better if it ended in the net."
CHICAGO FIRE GOALKEEPER SEAN JOHNSON
On the defensive effort:
"Everyone was committed to defending for the entire match. We wanted to make it very difficult for them to break us down. They are a talented team attacking, especially from the wide areas combining and going forward. To allow only one shot on goal was great for us, and shows how far we've come along this year. Hopefully we can keep building."
On getting his first start of the season:
"It felt great. It's a long year and the feeling of playing at night under the lights is one that's hard to describe. It's good to be back out there, and I'm just trying to do what I can to help the team win; that's the most important thing. Three games now on the road, [that was a] tough stretch for us, but it's time to bunker down when we come back home and prepare for Houston to get a win."
On rebounding and getting ready for Houston:
"It's important for guys to spread the message that we have two days to prepare for our next game. This game is behind us now. We'll learn from our mistakes and move on. I thought that overall we have something really good to build on, and now we're starting to develop that confidence to really go on and push. We have to come out on Saturday with the mentality that we're going to dictate the play at home. It's going to be a good matchup, with them coming off a good result at home. We have to be prepared to come out and better their energy."
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFIELDER RAZVAN COCIS
On the defensive effort:
"We did a good job defensively, besides allowing the one goal. We wanted to close them down because they are very dangerous with [Sacha] Kljestan and [Bradley] Wright-Phillips in the middle. We gave them some space on the wings to play and it showed that they were not very comfortable playing like that. It's a positive thing and we have to stick to this same spirit for the next game. I know we can do better."
On going home after a long road trip:
"We are happy to go back home and heal, and with the support from our fans I know we can get a win against Houston. Then starting from there, we can start to win more."
