QUOTE SHEET
Chicago Fire FC 2:2 Montreal Impact
Match Recap
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky
On the importance of the team battling back and earning a point against Montreal…
“It's never easy on the road. You all know that. It's never easy when you get, out of nothing, get a goal like this and then there was a really good reaction of the team. I think in general they pushed well. We pushed, could have gone both sides, but at the end of the day we take the point. But it was a good reaction, which is important.”
On Robert Berić's form and what it means to the team to have a person in that kind of goal-scoring form…
“That's what every team needs, right? A guy who scores, who knows where the goal is. And we knew that when we brought Robert in. I think it wasn't an easy year overall for everyone, for sure not for him as well. He had a little bit of a dry period. But I think it's important that you always keep believing and always keep working. And he's a striker who has proven goal-scoring records over the years. They know where the goal is. If they have a little dry period, they don't have to doubt. It's important to work, keep working. And yeah, I'm very happy for him and I'm happy for the team.”
On how he rates Francisco Calvo’s performance against Montreal…
“Yeah, I mean, I have to see the game again and see the details, but overall the feeling I have now from him, and I also told him that on the way back in, is that this is what I want. I want you to be that solid defender, that defender who wins these challenges, who steps in front players, who win the headers. And I think he has done a good job in that. Then obviously, I have to look at certain details he can probably do better, but I think that was a strong performance with the ball. Like I told him as well, keep it simple with the ball. I think there is just one or two moments where he can improve, but I think that was, again, that was a step in the right direction for him and I'm happy with his performance.”
Chicago Fire FC Forward Robert Berić
On dealing with the upcoming quantity of games, both physically and mentally…
“I mean, like you said, it's going to be challenging. We have to be professionals. We have to be able to take care of our bodies. We have to make a good regeneration after every game, have a good sleep, rest at home, and going from game to game to try to be in the best shape.”
On keeping his confidence when he wasn’t scoring to now have scored in five consecutive games…
“I mean, it's always nice to score a goal, but I always say, it's even nicer to win, you know? So I mean, when I’m scoring goals it’s the work of the whole team, so I'm thankful for that, that the team is helping me, that I'm helping the team. So we just have to try to keep winning and being good, having a good energy for every next game that's coming.”
On whether he has done anything differently to now be on a scoring streak…
“As I say, I think, well, we as a team, we progress. We feel each other much more on the pitch. I think we get to know, get to slowly know each other more. And then I also know what to expect in the moments on the pitch, what kind of ball, where to move. So I think it's the progress of the whole team and as you can see also how we play, I think we are making progress from game to game and I think this is the main reason.”
Chicago Fire FC Defender Francisco Calvo
On the Chicago Fire picking up his contract option for another year and his impact on the team both on and off the field…
“Well, to start with the option that they give me for one more year, I'm just really happy, really happy, really excited to be back next year with the team. The Chicago Fire, since I came here, they opened the doors like I'm part of the family. So this club shows that it’s family, just like everything is together, everything is getting better and better. I'm really happy to be part of this amazing club.”
“I think I just try to do my best every time I step on the field. Outside of the field, I just try to push my teammates, try to keep the team always together and just fight for our goals. But first of all, it's to get to playoffs and then we'll see what happens.”
On the importance of earning a point against Montreal knowing there is a tough upcoming trip against Sporting Kansas City…
“It's important. It's important always when you get on the road (to get a point). It's not easy to travel. You don't have too much time to rest. It's not easy to get points on the road. But when you get one, it's good. It's good. I mean, we're taking some good points at home, but when we travel we need to stay compact, try to play our football. We had a couple of chances that we could win the game. But football is how it is, and now we need to rest and go to Kansas.”
On his goal…
“It was a corner kick and then the play just kept going and then I just stayed in the area. And then it was a good cross, the keeper touched the ball and I got a header. Actually, I thought it was going out in the beginning, but then thank God it just got in and then we could tie the game.”
On how head coach Raphael Wicky has helped him with his game…
“I mean, about Rapha I just have amazing words for him because, first of all, he's a fantastic person. He's an incredible coach, and he just wants me to improve, I mean, to get better day by day. He pushes me because he knows that I have a lot of things to give personally and to the team. So I just appreciate every word, every push he gives me, even if he screams at me, I really appreciate that. So I just have a lot of respect for him and I think together we can do a lot of good things for this club.”
