Chicago Fire FC head coach Raphael Wicky, midfielder Elliot Collier, and defender Francisco Calvo offer their thoughts on the Fire's 2-0 defeat against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Soldier Field.
The Fire next travel to take on D.C. United on Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m. CT.
Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky
On another disappointing result…
"Yeah, I mean, you said it right, this is a frustrating game again. This is very disappointing right now because, again, we were in the game, we had good moments, we had to suffer a bit but we knew that. You go into every game in the MLS and you suffer a bit because the teams are very balanced. We also know that, in the moments when things don't go well, it's not always going to be pretty. So we went with that mindset into the game and we were in the game at halftime and then, yeah, two goals again. So that is very frustrating. I need to watch the game again and make myself a clear picture."
On the reason behind conceding goals early during a losing streak…
"I mean, I can't give you right now an answer to that. It is true that we struggled after the New England game to actually lead and then put up chances up front. I think at one point, it's a little bit of a mental thing, probably, it's in your head, but we just have to put this out. You start every game 0-0, you have the same chances, same possibilities and we just have to go in there and believe that we are a team that could lead. Look, it's a tough loss, it's a frustrating loss, but we gotta clean things up, we gotta look what we need to change because we probably need to change things; not everything, but we probably need to change certain things. And then, we have another possibility next Thursday and we have to go in there with the best mindset we have and with a positive mindset that we are always capable of beating these teams. That's the only way, that's the only way I want to work."
On if it is difficult to get the team to buy in during the losing streak…
"I mean, it's always easier when you win. When you win, everything is easier and that helps obviously. But I don't believe that the team is not buying in what we want. First of all, we don't really ask anything different than last season. We're not trying to do different things in that season, we try to continue and have continuity in what we do, in the system we play and the way we play. Unfortunately, we were hit with five, six injuries, which hit us hard. We still have a good team on the field, we still had a good team on the field also in the first three games, but the injuries hit you hard and then you try keeping what you did. Unfortunately, we didn't get the results. Now we need to get our heads clear as soon as possible and quick as possible."
On evaluating the progress after 27 games at the helm…
"Well, result-wise, I'm not going to deny, result-wise, we always say is not good enough. I know that and we know that and we are very disappointed in that. We think that we are building a really good team here, we are happy with our roster when everyone is there. We think we have a very competitive roster, a good mix of young and old, dynamic players. I believe in that, we believe in that. But of course, at the end of the day, we need the results and those results are not here, those wins are not here and that's why, of course, right now we're not happy with where we are. We will keep believing in what we do and keep working."
On the motivation behind changes in the starting lineup…
"Those were tactical changes. Look, like I said, I think we have a pretty competitive roster when everyone's back. I mean, everyone will be back hopefully soon, beside Stanislav Ivanov, who is out for longer. But after that, this is the norm, and I think that's the only way how a team can get better, if you have this competition and you have possibilities to change players, to rotate players. These were tactical changes, no other reason, that's it, and I think that's the norm in every football team - you don't play every time with the same 11 guys."
On the progress of Fabian Herbers…
"Fabi trained with us last week. Not full, the whole week, so after quite a long injury now, I think he needs these next three days to train fully with the team again, continue to look good. So hopefully, these things go well so that he can be in the roster on Thursday. But again, we have to see day by the day how he comes back because now, from rehab training, individual training, into group training, to full team training, is obviously every time a jump. He was in for two, three days, maybe two days last week fully, he looked good and we hope that now Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday he can even do more and do everything and then, and hopefully be with us against DC."
Chicago Fire FC Midfielder Elliot Collier
On his evaluation of the team's performance following today’s result…
“Obviously it's not the start that we wanted to have. A lot of the goals that we are letting in are set pieces. So that's something that we need to work on, improve on. Frankly it is not good enough on our end.”
On starting today and his mission for today’s match…
“So they play a 4-4-2 diamond, so we're trying to expose them wide. So it was kind of our mission. Obviously we didn't do a good enough job in there today, so we just got to get back to work and continue to work on our game.”
On the mood in the locker room after the game…
“Obviously losing is frustrating. So of course we're all frustrated, but it doesn't stop us from continuing to work. It's a long season, so we're just going to get back to it, you know, we just got to work harder and continue to work on our game.”
On being booed after the game and message to the fans that are frustrated…
“I mean if I was a fan, I would be, you know. They have the right to boo us when we haven't got the results. So all we can do is continue to improve, and keep working, and give everything that we got.”
On if he believes in what the team is working towards...
“Yes, yes. 100%. I believe in the style that we're trying to play and everything that we're trying to do. I believe in everything that the coaches are trying to get us to play and, you know, football is a cruel game and sometimes it doesn't work out. We got a lot of things that we got to improve on, especially those set pieces. But no, 100%. I believe in what we're doing and just going to keep working harder to bring that forward.”
Chicago Fire FC Defender Francisco Calvo
On his evaluation of the team so far this season…
“Me as a captain, as a player, we take the responsibility. We made a decision on the field, you know, I think, I don't know. We don't want to make excuses or nothing, just things are not happening right now for us. We need to try to change this. It is always the same things, it's always the same. Since last year, I have come here, sit in this chair, and say the same thing week by week, because these four games are really not good enough for us. We need to change something.”
On the frustration of the supporters, and his message to the fans…
“No, no I would just tell them to try to be with us, nobody steps on the field and tries to lose, you know, we don't want to lose. We just want to give everything to the fans. They come here, we respect them a lot. I’d just try to tell them to be with us, you know. We, together, we want to get out of this, and I just tell them to keep coming. Keep holding our backs and trust me, we're just giving everything. We just try to give them good results and we will give them a good result soon.”
On why the team continues to struggle…
“Right now, I don't have too many answers, you know. We need to watch the game again. Like I said before, we as the players, we take responsibility for this. We need to change something, I don't know if it's attitude, if it is decisions on the field, but we need to change something. That's all I can say because I don't have too many answers right now.”
On the decisions and changes that need to be made by Raphael Wicky…
“Of course, because he has the personality to do that. He is the boss. We have to respect the changes that he's going to make, and I say again, we need to accept, and you know, take responsibility for our mistakes and for the bad moments that we’re living in right now.”
