CHICAGO (March 16, 2024) – Chicago Fire FC (1-2-1, 4 points) came from behind with three goals in 15 minutes, including two in second-half stoppage time, to defeat CF Montréal at Soldier Field. Following the big win, Head Coach Frank Klopas, Midfielder Kellyn Acosta, and Forward Hugo Cuypers spoke with the media.
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the comeback victory…
“I’ll start with that: what a game. It's good to be on the other side of games like this, you know? Obviously, the start was one thing and the finish was another thing. So it was obviously a difficult start for us to fall behind right away with two PKs early in the game, it's not the start that we wanted. We wanted to come out and really bring energy from the start and press them. You can see what the wind can do, even in the first half with us, the adjustment with the backline, maybe we could have dropped a little bit deeper at moments. And then we scored the goal right before the half and then, again, it's a difficult one because you give up the third goal, but I sensed there was a big belief. I think we pushed the game, we made the moves that we needed to make, I believe. We brought energy onto the field with the changes; there was a big belief within the group all the way to the end and, you know, scored three goals after we came from behind. They don't call it the Windy City for nothing, I guess, to finish it like that.
But it's one of those memorable games that will be hard to forget. And I feel it's a game that can kind of change the season around for us because it would have been difficult if it's the other way around. I think we need to enjoy this. I told the guys, at moments, we always need to be even keeled; but moments like this, we need to enjoy because the guys put a lot into this game, tremendous belief. And I think the biggest takeaway for me, it's like I told the guys, I quoted Winston Churchill where he said, ‘Never give up. Never ever, ever give up.’ And I think this just goes to a good point. There was a huge belief and the guys left everything on the field. It's great to be here and now talking about the victory and instead of saying something else, because it would have been more difficult. But I'm really proud of the group and our fans. You know, the fans never gave up, you know?”
On the significance of strong performances at key moments…
“No, 100 percent and, you know, it's always difficult when you go behind like we did. And then we needed to provide more support with Hugo (Cuypers) at times, he worked extremely hard. And I felt Koutsi (Georgios Koutsias) and Tom (Barlow) and all the guys – I mean, we made a sub for Carlos that came in, obviously with Toby (Tobias Salquist) with the yellow card. Carlos (Terán) is a guy that hasn't played in a long time, but I felt at that moment if we're going to press higher on the field to try to push the game and take some risks, his athleticism and his pace, but also every time the ball goes out, you know, he's a threat with his throw-ins and stuff like that. It's almost like a corner, no matter where it is on the field. The guy’s, it's amazing, so it's good to have him back.
But more than all, it's just the victory and the belief within the group. I think that was huge for me, the fan base got behind us, they never gave up. I think they got excited as we were pushing the game. You felt the energy level and it's a big factor, because the guys feed off that. Our fans were huge, they’ve always been huge and it was great to reward them with a game like this, one to remember.”
On his 50th victory as Chicago Fire FC Head Coach…
“Victory 50? I wish it was a little bit more to match my age. I didn't even know, thanks for reminding me. I really don't. I just know that myself, my mentality, I think whether a player or when I stepped in to coach is, you know, always trying to win games. And I think for me, you can just see also with the moves that we made today, we were very positive, attack-minded moves, and we needed to do that. So yeah, it's great. Fifty, I don't think about it, you know? Now I know, thank you. Let's keep going.”
On maintaining the momentum from the team’s first win…
“Yeah, I think that's a great question and a great point. Like I said, I think games like this and moments like this, they could be turning points for our team, you know? Because even though we played well enough, and I told the group all week long, it's games that everyone expects you to win become the most difficult games to play. And you can just see how, not because we weren't ready and stuff like that, but it's a different kind of pressure on the group. Now you're expected at home, we needed to win the game. It was almost a must-win early on against a good team. I take nothing away from Montreal and they’ve proven that. But if you looked at the schedule and the teams that we played early on, you know, before they played the first matches, you would say, okay, this is a game that we need to take maximum points. So it becomes really difficult and the expectations are like that for the team.
So, the way we came back and the way, the character and the mentality of the guys, it's a turning point. And I think the guys have to believe, you know, that's also a big thing. And I think when we do certain things and we talk about it and you have success, it builds confidence and more belief within the group. In the end for me, it's the one thing I said, it's never give up in matches, because anything can happen. And I think this is the kind of mentality and attitude we want to have as a team. And obviously we can help also by the players that we bring in, because then the guys can sense, are we pushing the game, you know, that we win? And I know every situation is different, and maybe this game required things like that, but I just think we need to enjoy the moment, come back next week. The next two games are difficult ones on the road. But I think we need to carry this feeling and the attitude and what we put into this game in every game that we play, and I think we will be fine. You know, we have to assess how the guys are – we’ll be missing, I think, Shaq, he’s going away with the national team. We wish him a safe trip but it's all about the team.”
On the significance of overcoming a two-goal deficit…
“Yeah, it’s huge because I think when we gave up those late goals, the question with everybody even in this room was like, you know, here we go with the team in the past because we have leads. But in the end, you have to look at the game. Even though we gave up goals, we created two or three good chances in those games. So it was not a team that was sitting back, that we weren't aggressive. That's the thing that I looked at. I mean to score going back down 3-1 and to come back and score three goals, it's huge, because it gives the team confidence.
Now on the other hand, we have to address certain things without the ball because I felt that we gave up, the goals we gave up, we need to address that because we're not going to win, I don't think every game is going to be like this. And I don't think we can be giving up two or three goals a game and expect to get results. So, enjoy the moment but there's a lot of work left. But it's a lot easier to go and push the guys when you get a result like this.”
On entertaining the fans…
“I always do because I am a passionate person, I love the team and I don't hide it. I want to win every freaking game and I care about the Club just like the fans. I want to win and I'm proud of the group because we have a good group. It's easy for me to say, but then I think a performance like that really talks about the attitudes and the mentality and the character of the team that we've tried to change and with the guys that we brought in.”
On overcoming slow starts…
“I think the first one, it's a good question because it's something that we discussed all week also with the staff and with the coaches. Because, you look at the last game in Columbus, we had a really good start, 15-20 minutes, and then the second half we didn’t. So our main emphasis, I mean, to start with this game, I said the first 10 minutes, we're going to come out and press really high, just set the tone early. And it was the same thing with the second half, but it's one thing to say and do, because we said that and then we're down 2-0 already. So, I mean, that's the thing. So, I think the way we come out, the way we want to press and the way we want to be aggressive, maybe sets the tone early. It's something that we've talked about, how we can help the team and maybe kind of change the approach in the games or in the second half. So it's something we talked about. It doesn't always work out, because obviously it became a little bit difficult when going behind.
I think with the break, I think you rely on the team. I think the important thing is, like the home games, we can’t be dropping points at home. It was a difficult one against Cincy and now we have to find somewhere on the road to go get points, and that's the important thing. So, you try to build a team, I think most teams go through that when they have that international break. I don't know how many, I think Shaq, I know that we have Guti with the Olympic team and Brady and Kellyn and Gaston at times. So we don't know. I think we have a squad that we have to deal with moments like that. But I think it's so important that the home games are crucial, that we get max points in those home matches.”
On the decision to bring three center forwards into the match in the second half…
“Oh no, I did and it's a thought process. I'm not a guy that just, I don't know, maybe you do that in Vegas, but not here. It's a thought process. The thing is with Koutsi, Koutsias last year, when we played 3-4-3, we used him as a winger. We did that quite a few times, even in New England, and he does a really good job joining in as a second forward. And then we brought him in for that because I think that he could join in. Once we brought Tom in and they got the red card, and then I think it was a really smart move from us because we kept only the two center backs, we played four across the middle with Maren and then Allan, Guti as a 10 and we played really narrow with the front three guys to really be supportive. And we needed to get more crosses in at that point. Koutsi's a guy that can come, he's good as a second forward, but also wide at times; he's not your natural winger, so to speak, but he will do the work and he does a really good job just to make those runs, to come inside where he can support Hugo.
And I think with the card, I think we had the three guys there, we put Tom at that point. There's a thought process behind it and that's what it was. We kept Guti as a 10, we played almost 2-4-1-3 really narrow and we needed to occupy, almost keep those guys and we needed to get more crosses in. And that's what I was really thinking at that time, to keep Shaq or when I took Shaq out or either Guti, I know he's going with the national team. But you know, he would have helped if I had someone natural on the left to get some more crosses in. So it worked out in the end. So I don't know, all our staff look like geniuses now, I guess. The Windy City, man. Throw the ball in the net, put it up there.”
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Kellyn Acosta
On the conditions of the match ending with a game winner in stoppage time…
“That was pretty epic, pretty crazy. The match had a bit of everything I would say but it was a good result so we’ll take it. In the midst of adversity we find out who we really are. I think for us going down 2-0 was difficult, you know it’s one of those things where you can just fall over and the game can go from 2-0 to 3-0 to 4-0 and so on and so forth. Getting that goal from Maren [Haile-Selassie], right before the half sparks a life into us, 2-1 going into the half is huge and kind of regrouping in the locker room. And then obviously, the third goal was kind of a gut punch but the guys were resilient, were persistent. We kept creating chaos in a sense where we try to be on the front foot and try to make things happen. In the end we were able to create some opportunities and score some goals and get the win so we’re happy with the result.”
On the game-winning goal…
“I mean, I don’t know what to tell you to be honest. I think that was Chris Brady’s first assist so congrats to Chris. I mean for me it was just about getting the ball in the mixed zone basically and create some things. I had some balls that I found in the back post and if I’m being fully transparent that’s what I tried to do again.
This time though I had some St. Patrick’s Day luck, the wind was able to take it and for me it was one of those things that when it left my foot I was almost upset with myself like ‘Dang I kind of blew an opportunity.’ Then I realized like this might have a chance, I saw the ‘keeper take two steps and I’m like this really might have a chance, and yeah, I mean he came out and it went over his head and the rest was history. Excited for my first goal with the club, and I’m more excited for the win.”
On if Tim Howard would be proud of that goal…
“I think so, I mean his was a little bit further. I think it might’ve been even windier that day up in Everton, so maybe if he’s looking hopefully I made him proud.”
On the goals being spread across the squad…
“A thing about us is, in the games, we’re creating more and more opportunities. I mean we have to shoutout Hugo [Cuypers] and his first goal for the club, a guy that we want to create more opportunities for so I was happy to have him on the score sheet. Guti again, a name that everyone’s familiar with. I’m happy that he’s gotten on the scoresheet as well. Maren has been dangerous on the right side and he rewarded himself today with a goal. I thought collectively as a group, we’re creating opportunities but it’s about having a full game, a complete game and we need to show up in the defensive realm. Looking back in the past four games we’ve given up, I think six goals on set pieces if we’re counting throw-ins, so for us that’s just a mental game where we need to be concentrated in those moments because they can have you win a game or lose a game.
Today we were on the better end of it but I think for us, if we’re being honest with ourselves, that’s definitely something we can show up so I think collectively, we’re super happy with the win but we have to keep building and keep going.”
On how much the wind played a factor on the game-winning goal…
“I think it was a combination of the wind and the goalkeeper's fingertips. I think the first step that he took and the wind kind of pushing it allowed for it to have a chance to go in. But yeah, I think it’s a combination of or more so maybe just the shot was just a great shot.”
On the reaction of the fanbase after the win…
“It was a long time coming. I think everyone’s been disappointed with the run of results that we’ve had in the first few games, and this is for them. They’re coming out on their Saturdays, St Patrick’s Day weekend to see us and watch us play. I know it was a chaotic game but an exciting one and hopefully this is the first of many. We need them out there, they’re our twelfth men and women so I think having that energy and that excitement in the stadium is huge and hopefully we can continue making them proud.”
On the mentality of the team during stoppage time…
“Keep going. I think in this league something we’ve seen is a lot of goals happen in the 90-plus minute and that’s when teams either cower and lose concentration or teams can take it to them and be positive in those moments.
For us, if you put the ball in the box anything can happen, we saw on the third goal from Hugo [Cuypers] it was a little bit of chaos but sometimes you get a little bit of luck, but it’s also not luck, we were pretty persistent and adamant of what we wanted to do to get back in the game. In putting the balls in [Georgios] Koutsias had a big chance, unfortunately wasn’t able to capitalize on that.
But I think in those moments when you’re down and your back is against the wall you just gotta keep going, keep pushing and being persistent and having that belief. I think if you look in everyone’s eyes, obviously the game was tough. We were down 3-1, but in everyone’s eyes we had that belief that we can get back into this game. Take it one goal at a time we were able to bounce back and score three straight and end up winning the game. Like I said, we’re excited for the win and now the most important thing is to rest and recover and focus on New England.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Hugo Cuypers
On how he’s feeling after the game...
“Great, man. I mean, the whole end of the game was just crazy, especially after conceding two goals in the first three games and the additional time and they were complaining about all the minutes that they were adding and I mean today it's with a little bit of luck in our favor. So I’m happy about it.”
On scoring his first goal in Chicago...
“It feels great, but I mean, I don't doubt it and I just tried to do my thing you know. A little bit unlucky last week. During the game today, the ball was set on the line and I just do my thing and sometimes it does go in, sometimes it doesn't. So happy I could help.”
On if there is a sense of relief after scoring his first goal...
“No, like I just said, week in week out I just try to do my job and score as many as I can to help the team and I'm really happy that I could do my job today.”
On how he feels he is integrating himself with the team...
“It's always challenging when you miss preseason because the guys have been together a long time. Especially coming from Europe, I had already half a season behind me. And so it's not a secret that I had to adapt and I'm still adapting but I think I feel much better week after week. And I think you guys can see that on the pitch as well. I hope it can continue that way in the following weeks.”
On the connection with the fans...
“It really helped us and I mean, without them, I don't think we have the same result when away. It's really a team effort. And when I say team, it's the whole Club.”
On if the red card and stoppage time helped in the win...
“Of course it did, I didn't see the red card but the red card plus the penalty got us right back in the game and with two-three with the fans pushing us, I mean, it was just a matter of having some luck this time on our side.”
On his experience in windy conditions...
“This one is the craziest one, I confirm.”
On the team spirit at halftime and what changed over the final 45 minutes...
“I mean one of our core values as a team, and we tell each other before every game, is that we stick together no matter what happens and yeah, I mean, there’s not a more difficult ways to start a game than being two goals behind after ten minutes and the goal obviously helped. But like we say, week in week out we just stick together and we did it.”
