BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Aug. 16, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II (8-7-9-4) earned an additional point following a 2-2 draw against NYCFC II (9-11-3-0). Luka Prpa scored his third goal in three consecutive matches, while Billy Hency added a team-leading sixth goal. Mihajlo Mišković made two saves to end the shootout and win it for Chicago.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier and midfielder Alex Monis shared their thoughts on the draw and shootout win following the conclusion of the action.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier
On the change in mentality after conceding a late equalizer…
“Those shootouts after games can change the mood from five minutes before to five minutes after. Of course, at the end of the game, it was even a challenge, a little bit, for the coaching staff to say okay, let's go now, okay guys, PK, let's go. They were all rallying about the past. I said, let’s forget the past, let's go, let's think about the PKs and let's try to win one more point and to get back to fifth in the standings.
Again, another win under PKs. That's good, but that's definitely a point we lost today. And we need to control our emotions better. We cannot afford to finish 10 players on the field, that's definitely not acceptable. We need to finish as 11 to fight together to get the results. That's a lot of frustration. But we keep moving and we'll take the second point. Like I always say, it's not as good as three points but it's better than one. Yeah, frustration is the word.”
On the improved play of Lamonth Rochester…
“He's a player that needs a little bit of time to transition. He comes from Jamaica, he adjusted, he is getting better and better. He’s more and more comfortable in the country, in the city, in the Club, with his teammates. I think he's naturally playing with more confidence and definitely a solid game from him on the left.”
On an improvement in shootout results…
“That's a big deal in this league, the PKs, because we are speaking about four points that we won from the PKs. We already lost some points but if we are positive, we think about the four points that we gained from the PKs. But yes, we work on that; it’s a whole thing during the week, we work on that. But again, it's not just shooting PKs, what we do at practice, it’s definitely having the players think about the method behind what the ‘keeper doesn't like and where we should try to target and how we can. There are many ways to shoot a PK – what are the ways that the goalkeepers don't like, then we try to definitively rationalize it. It's not just a piece of magic and luck, it's a lot of work in practice.”
Chicago Fire FC II Midfielder Alex Monis
On his overall thoughts on the team's performance…
“I think it was a good performance from the team, obviously frustrating to not close it out and get the three points. But I think there's positives to take away and we'll obviously watch film and look at what we need to work out for next week.”
On his involvement on the attacking end in the match…
“Yeah, I just try and make some runs in behind and get in good areas. My teammates are always making good runs, so I know that they're going to be there. And luckily, with the cross it connected with Billy Hency and he got the goal. ”
On how he is approaching his contract expiring at the end of the season…
“I think it's just taking it game by game and training session by training session. Continuing to work hard, having a good attitude and taking advantage of my opportunities with the team.”
On his performance playing as a winger…
“Yeah, definitely getting in those wide areas is going to help me when I'm crossing the ball and finding opportunities to get assists. But also when I come inside I can also take shots and cut in like I did against Cincinnati. So I think it's about just finding a variation of ways to get assists or score goals and just continue to do that.”
On being able to play with the first team whenever the opportunity presents itself…
“Definitely. Whenever the chance comes, I'll try and take my opportunity, like I did last season and we'll just continue to work until then.”
