CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 7, 2021

Brian Gutierrez

Press Conference

Columbus 2, Chicago 0

Q. You've had a lot of milestones this season, just how would you evaluate your 2021 season personally?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Well, I think this 2021 season, it's been, I mean, baby steps towards like what I set as last year's goals. Like getting more minutes, starting games. I think it's been a good progressive season for me.

Q. In your relatively young career, you're about to have your third head coach as the team as the club is looking to hire somebody new. What kind of qualities are you looking for and do you want to see in the next head coach of the club?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: I think these past two coaches gave a lot of confidence for me. I think they were strict, passionate and that's what you want from a coach. Discipline, passion towards the game, and willingness to be, always be a winner. So that's what I see as the new coach and I think it will be good for the club.

Q. On that note, this season and last season, you had pretty much the same group of teammates with a couple of changes. Next year is looks like the team will be very different. What do you expect that to be like for you this off-season when you are going to be seeing a lot of your teammates probably heading for the exits?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: I'm pleased with the core group we have right now and excited for the new teammates, meeting them and seeing their qualities on the field, and just excited for next season. It's going to be a big one for us.

Q. I believe you and Gaga and Rodríguez are about to leave for U20 camp. What does it mean for you to be part of a team like that and wear the colors of your country?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: It's the biggest excitement for me and my teammates. It's going to be our first camp in two years since the pandemic. It's an honor to represent the country and excited for these three games in México and excited for this tournament.

Q. There have been a lot of home grown signings the halftime few years, and Gaga has emerged as a big part of the team for the future and you have as well. What's that like to be part of a movement of home grown players giving people some reason for optimism?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: I think it's a big step, signing all these home growns. I think it's good for us. It gives us motivation and motivation towards the next future people that are coming. I think it's excitement and it's an honor to represent this club and it's an honor to represent my hometown.

Q. Is your foot issue done and are you glad you don't have to deal with that any more?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: It is all cleaned up. It was muscle strain on my ankle and it was just an annoying injury. I think it's cleaned up. The medical staff helped me a lot and everything is better.