CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

October 27, 2021

Jonathan Bornstein

Press Conference

New York City 1, Chicago 0

Q. How would you evaluate the team's performance, and also, how are you feeling? I saw Gaga kind of knocked you on the head a little bit. How are you feeling, and how do you think the team played this evening?

JONATHAN BORNSTEIN: First and foremost, I feel physically good. I just took a little hit to the head a little. But you know, normal -- normal stuff.

To be honest I'm extremely proud of the group. I think although we gave up a PK that leads to a loss, 1-0, I think the team has been progressively doing a lot better, and a really positive feeling within the group over the last few games.

And I think tonight, guys left it all out on the field going down 1-0, we still tried to push the game and come back into it. Have that late, late header with Luka that maybe if it goes in one of the sides, it's a goal. But extremely proud of the group. I think we've been fighting, battling, and you know, we never put our arms down and we never give up. Trying to finish the season off strong. That's the most important thing.

Q. What's it like playing on a field that small as a pro player, and where does Yankee Stadium rank as like the weirdest place you've played in your career that you've played a football match?

JONATHAN BORNSTEIN: Honestly the field was pretty good out there. You take away kind of the shape of the stadium, the shape of the field on the stadium, I think it was a very good surface which leads to good football. I thought overall you saw a very attractive style of soccer from both teams.

I try not to even notice the field is a little bit different. I think both teams have to deal with the same conditions. But you know, I try not to think about it.

Q. You've gotten a chance to see Gabriel Slonina now play in a number of matches. How would you assess how he's done coming on to the side now in the last eight or nines games, and how would you assess his growth leading the back line?

JONATHAN BORNSTEIN: Yeah, I think the kid's an animal out there. He's extremely professional. Every single game, he leaves everything on the line. He's doing all the things right in training. And in the games, also, you can see his confidence is extremely high, and I think that just comes with being disciplined and doing what you need to get yourself better and ready for each game.

And so I've been extremely proud of him the way he's not only reacted but the way he's responded every single game, getting better, and I can only talk well of the guy.

So I'm proud of the way he's been able to come on and contribute so much to the team, and there's no doubt that if he says on this path, he's going to have a huge career front of him.

Q. Have you been given any clarity whether you're going to be back next season? Are you hoping to be back next season?

JONATHAN BORNSTEIN: Hoping to. You know, within that, trying to just see where that leads when it -- when there's something there signed and ready, then we'll know. I'm hoping to, yes.

Q. So I guess just to piggyback on that question, I know there's still a game left. But I mean, so you do want to continue on and to play next season, whether it's with the Fire or, you know, maybe somewhere else?

JONATHAN BORNSTEIN: Yeah, easily I want to continue to keep my career going. Physically I feel very good. I'm going to be 37 on November 7, which is the last game of the season. I think physically, I can still go. And so I would love for my career to keep going. I want to play as long as I can. In the past I've said I've want to play until I'm 40. That's still my goal. Be the new Tom Brady of soccer/football. That's my goal.

We'll see how it goes. As a professional player, you consistently need to be taking care of your body, resting, eating well, doing all the things right off the field and then preparing yourself on the field as well.

That's my goal. If it's here in Chicago, I'd love that. I love the city. I love this team. I think this team has so much potential, and I love the fans and would love to continue with this club for time to come.