CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

April 28, 2021

Przemyslaw Frankowski

Press Conference

Q. You had a pretty strong preseason and you've had a very solid start to the season so far. What's behind that, and what has motivated you to hit the ground running?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: I'm always motivated every day. I don't need any special motivation. It's just how I start every day. I want to give everything to the team that I can. It's just the way I play, and that's how I want to play always.

Q. How would you evaluate the play of the attackers so far, considering especially that there's been so many injuries? How would you evaluate the front line of this team right now?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: No doubt that injuries really make it difficult for us. We are really looking forward to our boys coming back from the injury list. There's no doubt that this is a good offensive team, but they are looking forward to us to create situations.

We understand that sometimes despite the best effort that there's only one or two situations, and this is not always converted into goals, but we are really trying hard to make it happen, and it will be better with every game of the season.

Q. I know that your English is actually pretty good. I wondered, the process of learning it, how hard has it been for you? What's been the hardest part of learning a new language in a new country, and how good is your English out there on the field communicating with your teammates?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: Well, you know, as far as playing, on the field, locker room, there is no problem with communication. It's just my attempt to be a hundred percent before I give you my interview in English because you know how it goes; sometimes careless words would create problems for later. I don't want to go that way. But I'm sure that soon enough I will be able to talk to you in English even in interviews with the media.

Q. There was a previous question about cooperation with the attack line, but I want to ask also about the cooperation between your formation and the defense, especially Boris Sekulic playing on wing. How does it work? How good is the cooperation between your part of the game and the defense?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: Well, you know, I think that communication between me and especially Boris Sekulic is really good, and the number show that. But I really think that this is one of the focuses of the game where we talk well, we understand each other very well, so I think -- I cannot talk about the other wing, but with him, really, really well. It goes really well.

Q. You must be aware that in the Polish national team there was a change in the person responsible for selecting the players. Did the new guy reach out to you? And how do you see your chance to see play in the EURO games? I'm sure this is one of your goals, but how do you see it, and did anything happen so far?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: No, the answer is no. There was no contact as of yet with the new coach. However, what can I say; of course this is one of my goals. This is part of my ambitions, and definitely I would very much like to play these games.

However, what can I do? Whatever is going to happen will happen. I do my best. I work as hard as I can, both during trainings and every week when we play another game and to give my best. I can only hope that it will come to fruition, but so far it's not really up to me. I do my best.

Q. You've been in Chicago now for a few years, and I know you guys last year I think moved into a house. Kind of curious how you've adjusted to living in the area now for a few years.

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: Well, I used to live -- that's right, we moved to another place close to the outskirts of the city. We used to live close to downtown. However, with the second kid born, we decided to move a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. It's more quiet, more green over there. But generally I'm very happy. We're very happy with both places, both the place close to downtown Chicago and the new place.

One thing we are missing is friends and family visiting us, but with the COVID situation obviously it is not possible, but we are hoping that it will blow away soon enough and people will be able to visit us. That's the only missing part. But otherwise everything is really fine.

Q. I remember that very memorable game in Orlando where you won 5-2 and two goals were your own, but ever since, your games away from Chicago are not that successful. It's pretty bad so far. With a game coming up against a team that's had two losses, maybe that's a chance for you. What's the talk in the locker room about these losses way from your home turf?

PRZEMYSLAW FRANKOWSKI: Well, it's not really a talk of the locker room to tell you the truth, but we've been thinking about it, and it's really -- I don't have any easy answers why we are not successful in our games away from Chicago. But this is something that we actively think about, and maybe it's a little bit of luck of it or some other things, but there is no doubt that in order to move to the playoffs, and this is really our goal, we have to start winning our games away from Chicago.

This coming Saturday is a good chance for us, but generally we know that bringing the three points for wins outside Chicago is something we are looking forward to. Even if we don't win all of them immediately, getting some points while playing away will be a good start. But really this is something very much on our mind.