CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 16, 2021

Carlos Teran

Press Conference

Q. This stretch of road games and home games, is this a stretch where you can turn your season around?

CARLOS TERÁN: Yes, of course, I think in this sport, every break is good both for the team and for the coaching staff, and it's good emotionally and physically. And so I think from here, we can do things the right way and come out strong. It's a great opportunity having four home games in a row or having that stretch with the four home games where we can get three points from each of those games.

Now we just have to work hard and take advantage so that we can take advantage of that situation.

Q. So being here in the team where you're not playing poorly, you're playing very well but maybe the results aren't quite catching up and being what you want, what is more difficult in this moment? Is it more physical tactic?

CARLOS TERÁN: Mentality has a lot to do with it. I think that when you're coming into it, you have to get used to a lot of things. You get used to a new type of football, you get used to the MLS which is very physical, very competitive and demands 100 percent from you both mentally and physically.

So I think mentally it's very important to keep that strong attitude, to keep that strong mentality, always trying to get better and always trying to improve yourself and have that winning mentality at all times.

Q. We had some comments from some Colombian players who said that the Colombian players don't always get the opportunities or get enough opportunities, and then you have on the other hand players like Yimmi Chará who were called up to the national team. How do you see the Colombian player and for growth as players and for brother of Colombian football?

CARLOS TERÁN: I think that Colombian football is growing a lot and it's growing very quickly. And so I don't think it's a secret that maybe in our country there are not a lot of opportunities, but we are going out there and everyone is improving and everything is growing so that when we get out, we're becoming well known and when we are able to leave the country, we are known as players who have a lot to give and who can bring a lot to the team and help as it keeps growing.

Q. You've had limited opportunities to break into the team between injuries and then not being selected when you are on the bench or fit to play. How frustrating has that been to you and what have Rafa and the other coaches told you about what you need to do to get minutes?

CARLOS TERÁN: Yes, it's true that I have not necessarily been available. I haven't had the luck to always be available to the coach and for the team. So due to some injuries and things like that, but I think that everyone has really demonstrated that they back me up, both the team and the coach. They really had my back and I just need to be prepared. I just need to work hard so that when my opportunity comes, I can give them what they expect of me because they have demonstrated that they really support me and I just need to be ready so that when I come back, I can show them that their faith in me has been worth it and respond the way that they expect me to respond.

So I think all of my teammates have really shown that they have faith in me, the coaches have shown that they have faith in me, and I just need to be ready so that I can demonstrate that their faith in me has paid off.

Q. You haven't played a lot; how much do you think that's hurting your growth and development as a player right now and how do you keep progressing despite that?

CARLOS TERÁN: This is a career in which there are always injuries and there's always adversity. I think that it's on you to keep that strong mentality and to just keep looking forward and be prepared for these things that happen. Everyone gets injured. Everyone gets hurt, and that's where you can see our professionalism and the way we take care of ourselves and the way we look ahead and keep our strong mental aspect going so that we can come back even stronger and face all of these adversity that are going to happen that are going to show up at one point or another.

Q. In Colombia you played with a guy who will be getting here in January, Jhon Durán. What kind of player and person is he that will be joining the Fire next year?

CARLOS TERÁN: Yes, in Colombia I had the opportunity to play on the same team with Jhon Durán and we are also from the same academy. We played together. I think he is a great player and he has a lot of potential and he's a great person. I think when he comes, he's really going to bring a lot to this great group that we are forming and that we are working on working together. He is a wonderful teammate, and like I said, he is a great player and an even better person, so it's going to be good.