CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

March 30, 2022

Wyatt Omsberg

Press Conference

Q. Just now we talked to Ezra, and he said that the right center back job is your job to lose right now. What does that mean to hear your coach say that, and just how would you evaluate your performance so far, four games into the season?

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, I've been pretty happy with it. I think as a group we've been really solid. But him saying that or anyone saying that really does mean a whole lot to me. I think there's competition every day, pretty much every spot on the field with this team. I don't take it for granted and I will continue to work hard every day to keep earning that spot and training in the games. So, yeah, regardless of what anyone says, I'm just going to keep competing, keep playing and hopefully we'll continue to put on good performances.

Q. We talked about how healthy competition is good for a team so everybody can reach their best level. From a player's perspective, is that a cliché or is that really a true thing, and is it ever a bad thing to have competition on a team?

WYATT OMSBERG: I don't see how it can be a bad thing. I think it brings out the best in everybody. I think if you don't have competition, sometimes you might get a little bit lackadaisical and you might take things for granted. Like I said on this team we have competition at pretty much every spot, healthy competition, not anything that's bad. But I think it just pushes everyone to be better. Pushes the guys who are playing to try to keep their spots. Pushes the guys who aren't playing to prove they should be on the field as well.

Q. When you were coming into the season, what were the skills and characteristics you wanted to show Ezra and the coaching staff about what you can do and what do you feel like you've done well so far to be able to earn a spot in the lineup and seems like you're going to be able to keep it.

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, I think Ezra and C.J. and as a group, we talked about being hard-working and hard-nosed. I wanted to show that and that I can do that and I can be someone who is dependable and works hard and also makes things hard for the other team.

Regardless of how the game is going, I think as a back four and me individually, we want to make it as hard as possible for other teams to get chances to score. That was something that was big for me, to be as tough as possible and to prove my toughness and to prove that I'm dependable and hard working.

Q. Do you ever feel amazed by Slonina, how fast he's evolving and just how fast he's developing, given his age and how he's handling it all?

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, everyone says it but he's a special kid. His mentality for a 17-year-old is unbelievable. He is literally the hardest-working guy on the team, is always working and always trying to get better. Has an amazing attitude and for somebody who is 17, watching him play, you don't think that he's 17. He commands the box. He's vocal. He demands the best out of everyone. You know, the sky is the limit for him. Everyone knows that. As long as he keeps working, which I know he's going to do, the sky is the limit for him.

Q. You guys have played four games and Ezra has been the coach since November. How well would you say everybody knows each other? And from your perspective, when did you realize that it clicks that a team knows each other; that they have discovered everything that there is to know about everybody so that they can succeed?

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, I think we are still getting to know each other a little bit but for this stage in the season, we are at a great spot on the field and off the field. I think the guys that we brought in gelled straightaway. They were all, you know, willing to buy into what Ezra said and to the culture that we were trying to create. So they have adjusted really, really well. I think we probably have some more to grow because there are a lot of new guys who haven't been here for too long, and maybe we'll add a couple more. Everyone has done a good job, the returning guys, and especially guys who have come in and gelled really well. We have to keep moving forward with that mentality.

Q. During your year, you've gone on a couple loans to Forward Madison and Tulsa for developmental purposes. How much value did that give to you get game action even if it wasn't with the first team that you were with? How much value does that provide and I guess continuing that point, I don't think you're going to be on Fire II, but how much value will that experience have for players getting game minutes there for their development?

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, for me it was huge. I came in just having college soccer under my belt in Minnesota and the second of the year I spent a bulk of the season with Forward Madison. It was really big for my development, my confidence and just getting used to the pro game.

I think for a lot of these young kids, we have obviously a very young team, a lot of the homegrowns are 18, 19, 20 years old, so it will be really important for them to take advantage of those games and continue their development. It's kind of a perfect spot for them where they will be able to show what they can do and help them adjust to a higher level.

Q. Your thoughts on the match with Dallas?

WYATT OMSBERG: Yeah, we are excited. We've obviously been missing some players for a week and a half but we have continued to do the same things. I think we have had solid preparation, and we will just look to keep the momentum going and put out another solid performance in front of our fans on Saturday.