An early goal from Maren Haile-Selassie and a late goal from Fabian Herbers helped Chicago Fire FC secure a 2-1 victory over MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC at SeatGeek Stadium on Tuesday night. Following the match, Head Coach Frank Klopas, Herbers, and defender Wyatt Omsberg offered their thoughts on the win. Read their quotes in full below.
Chicago Fire FC Quotes
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Frank Klopas
On the performance of the team...
"Look, there are moments where we could have been better with the ball at certain moments, because I think at the beginning, we knew that they're a team that pressed really well. We talked about, you know, once we win it, to play quick out of pressure to have options vertically, where we can play. But I thought that the guys, as the match went on, I think got stronger. I felt they worked extremely hard all the way to the end. And it was just a great team win tonight, obviously.
A special night, also, personally, for me to have an opportunity to come back on the field. I think I don't have any dark hair anymore; by the end, I'll have zero. But it was really special because, you know, when I look on the bench, and I have C.J. Brown – that we played together – Zach Thornton, you know, these are legends of the club. And so many people that care and it's just a great feeling and an honor. And then, we wanted to do well for the club. And knowing that also Jesse Marsch was here, Chris Armas, Logan Pause, Evan Whitfield, who works also for the club. They came and it was really something special, because they came in the locker room. These are all guys that have put on this jersey and they're great players – they meant so much. So, it was really – all that put together with what happened last night – it was a huge and important win for the club and they showed a lot of character because this is a good St. Louis team."
On having a short amount of time to prepare for the match...
"Difficult, you know, obviously difficult because like I said, when you're in this business, you know, I've been there on the other side. So, I know what it feels like. On the human side, you have relationships with people that you spend two years, that are very good people. So emotionally, yeah, it's not a great feeling. And then you have a really short time to prepare. And for me, the only thing that I really focused on is like, be very clear with certain things to the team. Give them confidence, give them belief, and let them come out and show that on the field. And the most important thing was just to compete and leave everything on the field. That's what I said before. I mean, obviously, we talked about some things tactically which they did, but more than anything, you can't overdo it. There was a lot the last couple of days and sometimes the less we say and do, and the more we can build team chemistry and unity and belief, is better than, like I read from one coach, 1,000 hours of tactics. Good team chemistry and mentality within the group and culture goes way more than anything I could have done in the field for like an hour."
On what St. Louis may do differently on Saturday...
"You know, they might, they play obviously, in some different formations. You know, they can play in the diamond, they played in 4-2-2-2. I don't think a team is gonna really change their identity. You know, there's a core that you can just see there. They like to play very direct. They're a team that they position very well to win second balls. They're a good counter attacking team, but they also have some special players. If you give them space and time, you know, they can hurt you.
So, they'll probably look at the tape. I mean, obviously, we'll adjust some things also and we can have a different look, because depending with some injuries of players that might be available for Saturday, but I don't think they're going to change too much as far as their identity as a team, you know, their style of play. And what I saw tonight, maybe some players are back from injuries, they might present different problems. But overall, what we saw tonight, we can expect Saturday."
On whether St. Louis underestimated the team...
"I don't think so. I think they have some injuries. I saw a pretty good team there. You can see the results that they've had throughout the season. I think it's a very good team. But you can see also that, if you look at our roster, we didn't have the full team either. If you look at players that have been starting – for me, it really doesn't matter if Rafa Czichos is out or Carlos Téran is out. I don't believe in one player making the difference on the field. I believe within the team, because if I put all the emphasis on Shaqiri, what happens if Shaqiri misses the game? Is the team going to crumble or they're going to come to [play]? It's all about the team for me.
The team played great today. Team spirit, they fought to the end, we grew stronger toward the end. And yeah, we found a way. We gave up a goal obviously but we found a way to close it out. So, I don't know what else to say to answer your question. I don't think they underestimated us. I think they're a team that, I believe they tried to win the game. And don't forget, they only played one half, less than a half, in Dallas because it was rained out. So, you know, they should have been fresher."
On the significance of the win to the team's confidence...
"I have a lot of confidence. It's always great. You put them in a situation like that and we started with a win. We've always put, as a club, a big emphasis on the Open Cup. You know, I talked to the team a little tactically but I also had the video team put together a little video, 45 seconds, in a short time to talk about, for the players to understand what this means to us. We're one of three teams, obviously – it's us, Kansas City and Seattle that have won four U.S. Open Cups – and a short video to really highlight the ones that we won. And in the end, it says '2023.' And I told the guys, the journey has started already. This is the second game. I said, 'Hey, let's make history and lift one together with the Cup.'
So, this was a really difficult match. We came out ahead and we're not going to expect any of the other ones to be any easy. But in order to achieve something, nothing's going to come easy. I think we have to work extremely hard, we know that. And it's not one or two players – we have to do it as a team and we have to rely on the team.
So yeah, it's special. It's special, but we have to move on. Tomorrow is another day. We can't dwell on it too long, we've got to be even keeled. If we would have won the MLS Cup, we'd still be celebrating now. Unfortunately not, we've got a long way before that, the end of the season, to get there. So, it's just one game. It's great, we move on but we got to also be realistic and down to earth and kind of continue to work, because we have also a long way to go."
On the status of Rafael Czichos and Carlos Téran...
"I think they're very close, they're telling me that they will be ready. But then we'll see. On the other side also, we have Jairo Torres that's been training, so I think he will be available to give us minutes and that's another very quality player that we've missed for a long time. I mean, he's a Designated Player, a great kid, so much quality. Unfortunately, when you have one injury, sometimes you want to come back [too quickly]. He wants to help the team so much and do so much and repay the trust that we put on him. But then, you know, he is rushing it and he's had some setbacks. But he's looked great in training and I think he will be available, so that's another quality player that we have to be smart to bring him along. So, those three guys can be, I know Jairo is going to be ready, Torres will be ready. If you know the other two, especially the way that St. Louis plays, it'll be huge.
But I did feel that Pineda, Mauri Pineda and Wyatt – Mauri Pineda, I think came in, in a difficult game, because the kid hasn't played. I put him in the back, he was incredible tonight. I take my hat off. I love Mauri and I think he had a lot of confidence going in.
But also, the two in front of our back four. I mean, Gaston Giménez and Federico Navarro, this is, for me, the best games that I've seen them play – Gaston was really incredible tonight. And I don't know what this guy, Kei Kamara man, I think he's drinking some Greek olive oil because, I don't know, it looks like he's 25, running like 25. Not what his age is so he must be lying to everyone. So yeah, overall, it's a great performance, man. Let's hope they're healthy, those guys."
Chicago Fire FC Defender Wyatt Omsberg
On the difficulty of defending St. Louis in the second half…
“I think we were pretty well prepared for the game. We know what type of team they are. They're direct, they're physical. So we came in knowing what to expect from them. And I thought, you know, we started out the game really well and that kind of set the tone for the full 90 minutes. So I thought our start was really important, and we won a lot of first and second balls, which set the tone for the rest of the game.”
On the coaching change and playing a game 24 hours after…
“Yeah, I think there's never going to be a good time for these types of things. But I think in some ways, yeah, it was kind of nice to just be like ‘alright, we got a game like let's just turn the page and focus on the game.’ And I think everyone at the Club, all the players are so comfortable with Frank (Klopas) and the rest of the staff. We know we're in really good hands.
So we will miss Ezra and Junior a lot and it's unfortunate but we wish them the best. And everyone's so comfortable with Frank, and you can tell how much he loves the Club. It means so much to him. So just in the pregame talk today, he really got us going. Especially this competition means so much to him, to the Club. You see how many people are back supporting us. So this game meant a lot and our full focus was on it. We got the job done.”
On playing back-to-back games and working his way back to the starting 11…
“I feel good. It's great to get back on the field in the first team. This was the goal. Since I got hurt, you know, looking forward, I knew it was gonna be a long process, but my goal was, you know, get back with the first team and get games in and I don't think it's perfect. I think I still have some improvement to do, for sure. But it's getting there and I feel like every time I play with the second team, the first team, the more time goes on, the more comfortable I'm getting, the more confident I’m getting. I still have some way to go but feeling like I'm getting back to myself again.”
On Chris Armas, Jesse Marsch and Logan Pause returning and the motivation it had on the group…
"It was really cool to have him back. They just talked to us briefly in the locker room. And I think it just speaks to the passion that everybody at this Club has. There's so much history here. There's so much tradition, especially in this tournament. And we know what everyone expects out of us. We know what the fans expect. So it was cool to see that firsthand. And you know, we're just gonna keep pushing and keep trying to win trophies, keep trying to win games.”
On his relationship with Mauricio Pineda…
“Yeah, I mean, Mauricio and I have played together for four or five years now. So we're very comfortable with each other I think. And I think we complement each other pretty well. He's such a versatile player and can kind of fit in anywhere and he's a really good player. So pretty easy to play next to, he communicates really well. Does a lot of things really well. So yeah, it was pretty easy for him to slide in. And yeah, I think we'll keep going, there's a lot of competition at center back and all across the field but you know, we've got a very full team, very complete team. I think we showed that tonight. Maybe in years past we didn't have the deepest roster but I think this year we've got a little bit of a deeper roster and can make these games happen.”
On the team's relationship on and off the pitch…
“Yeah, I think I've been at the Club for four or five years now. And I think this locker room is the closest that I've been a part of. I think in years past it hasn't been as close as this year. So it's a very cohesive group. Everybody's hard working. And so you know, it hasn't been the brightest start for us, even in MLS play, but this is a step in the right direction. And we're gonna keep pushing and hopefully turn it around and make it happen going forward in league play, and keep pushing in this tournament as well.”
Chicago Fire Midfielder Fabian Herbers
On what his emotions have been in the last 48 hours…
"If you have experienced these decisions it's never easy as a player because you've worked with these guys for one-and-a-half years, and you get to know them on a human level. So I wish them all the best, Ezra and Junior. But at the same time it's part of the business and we have to keep going as players. We have to adjust to the new situation and I think the guys did a good job of that today. We didn't play super pretty today but I think we put in the work and we showed the fans what the team is about and that we still have some fire left in us.”
On Frank Klopas’s reaction and words to the quick turnaround…
“Frank is a super passionate guy. He loves the Club. He just wants the best for the Club. And he’s always with his heart, in every moment, in every training session, in every pregame speech, so it was more about the motivation today less about, like, tactics, or really knowing what St. Louis is all about. Or how do we want to press or how do we want to build up. No, it was just about the fight. Because it was a Cup game and I think Frank did a good job transmitting that passion towards us and I think the guys did a good job on the field, portraying that.”
On what it was like coming into an attacking role and scoring a goal….
“Yeah, they put me as a right winger. I think when Shaqiri came off Guti went to the 10 and then Chris went out to the left side. I've played it before, I think in the very first game of the season against NYCFC I played a little bit at the wing position as well and scored a goal there as well. So it was good to get on the scoresheet, it always feels good. To get the game winner here today was good. I think when we had the ball on the left side when the goal happened, kind of a messy ball in, they played it under pressure back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper took a little bit of a longer touch. A little bit of a missed touch for him. And then Guti was able to steal it and pass it to me and I didn't have too much work left to pass it into the empty net.”
On if he felt like he competed and left everything on the field and what can be improved on in the next game…
“I think we definitely did that. I mean, it was a Cup fight. The guys put in a shift. Luckily we went up early in the game, which obviously helped us. Going forward, we got to two-zero and I feel like we could have done a better job, maybe sometimes keeping the ball a little bit longer to put St. Louis under pressure. Kind of what we did when the second goal happened. I think we could have done that a couple more times in the second half. Still unfortunate or unlucky to concede in the last minutes of the game. A set piece again that's still something we have to work on. But on the positive note, I think it's about advancing in those Cup games and that's what we did today. So I'm happy and proud of the guys.”
