Bridgeview, lll. (Sept. 15, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC II (9-8-10-4) earned a point against Orlando City B (12-10-5-2) in a 1-1 draw Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium. Sergio Oregel, Jr. scored the Fire’s lone goal of the match off Dylan Borso’s first assist of the year. Wilfredo Rivera tallied the equalizer for Orlando to help them earn an additional point after a 3-4 shootout win. The draw helped Chicago edge closer toward a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
After the match, Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier and defender Andreas Ueland discussed the result and the team’s quest for a postseason spot.
Chicago Fire FC II Head Coach Ludovic Taillandier
On the mood in the locker room following the draw…“Look, of course, winning the shootout [would make it] a certainty to advance. But look, there is just a little bit more to do. We'll finish the job next week. That's what we told the players; it's enough to stay positive. Didn't lose the game today.
We did a good first half, I felt. In general, we were in control. Second half, way more difficult, we dropped definitely, less pressure on the ball. And they have a few players that can definitely break you. Then, of course, when you go on 1-0 up, you hope to hold the result all the way to the end. But I think they are a good team and they deserved, definitely, to come back in the game. We'll finish the job next week. We’ll be positive and we will advance to playoff next week.”
On maintaining composure through a playoff run…
“Yeah, I thought we started the game with good energy, with confidence, a level of composure that was good in a game like this one. Like we told the players, we are still in control, we have our destiny in hand. We will see but we are maybe one win away from the playoffs, then it's important for us to build from that composure and to keep [going]. Even though we cannot lie, it will be an important game next week, definitely, there's nothing to hide. But you know, the composure is there. I think that this group has a level of confidence that allows us to be very positive for next week.”
On Dylan Borso’s first start…
“That's great. That's always great for a club like ours to witness the debut of a young player that was in the Academy for many years. It's always very rewarding. I like this feeling, when you help a little bit on the way of a young player. But he helped himself; I didn't help much other than just putting the best players on the field. That's my job and he was definitely one of them since last week. He is doing well – he’s young, we have to be also patient because when you're young, you're not the most consistent, of course. But he did definitely a great game last game and this game was good.”
On the choice to start Billy Hency as a wingback…
“Yeah, we had Omari Glasgow come back from international duty with a problem with his hamstring and could not play today and that's why. But Billy can do it. Billy is able to play different positions. He’s a very smart player that can definitely adapt.”
On motivation for the final match of the season…
“Like I said, in this league, when you lose the shootout, you feel like you lost the game. But in any other league in the world, we didn't lose the game – I mean, we tied. Definitely, there are things that we need to do better but it was not a bad game. I don't have a very negative feeling about it. I think the players are very disappointed with the shootout, of course; that gives you a taste of loss, but that's not a loss. Again, one more game to win, and we'll be in the playoffs; we need to be positive.”
On reconciling the development of players with a playoff push…
“It's both, it's both. This team is about giving time of play to the first team players as the first mission. Second, this team is here to help the Academy, in the end of the Academy, to help the best young players of the Club to develop. In general, it is not one or the other. I don't see that this way. I think developing winning is almost as important; there is no choice to make here.”
Chicago Fire FC Defender Andreas Ueland
On having to get a result next weekend to clinch a playoff spot…“Yeah, absolutely. We're still in a decent position. It's up to us going into this last game against Huntsville. We know that we have to take some points and we're all motivated to do it.”
On his experience with different center back partners…
“It's been somewhat consistent. I like Noah as a great partner and when I play next to Justin that's also awesome. When Kendall is with us that's also, I’m used to playing with all of them. So whether we play in a three back or the four back it doesn't really matter and I enjoy playing with all of them.”
On the emotions following the draw…
“Yeah, we started off the game in a really good way, played a lot of good soccer and then got a goal. And naturally, we sit back a little bit and they get kind of a lucky goal there. And that takes a little bit of the fire out of us, but we're able to hang in. And then going into the penalties, anything can happen, really, it's like a 50/50. And unfortunately, they won that one, but it happens and we're just ready to go get points next week.”
On making long ball passes throughout the match…
“We analyzed how they play and knew that there was space on the side so when Charlie makes those runs up there, I'm trying to find them behind. So yes, definitely like something we plan before the game.”
On balancing preserving a lead and not sitting too far back…
“It's tough because they pinned us back. So it's sometimes difficult to bounce out of that and get some pressure on them. And I thought we could have done a better job at that, honestly, but we got to watch video and see what we can improve.”
On motivation heading into next weekend's match against Huntsville…
“Orlando's a great team. So credit to them, we got a point and we know that it's up to us. We're not dependent on any other team. So we're going into this game ready to crush them, honestly.”
