CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 20, 2023

Arnaud Souquet

Press Conference

Q. Just wanted to ask, since your transition from France to MLS, how has the transition been? You've been a regular starter for the team, and you've also scored a goal, created a couple of assists. How has that transition phase been like for you?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: At the beginning, I discover a new league with a new environment, and I feel good but I need time to understand the league, how the player plays, and because there are small difference with Europe. And after the first or two, first game, I feel good. I did a good assist for Kei and for another striker. A pity we don't have a good result, and this is for now the problem because we work a lot.

We give everything on the field, but sometimes you miss, maybe, something to win the game or to get points.

Q. And what has helped you be successful in the League since you've arrived?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: I work a lot and my teammates help me to feel good on the field. At the beginning, the language was hard because it's sometimes difficult to speak and understand the game in the same times. But now, I think it's different and I can -- I can use my experience to help the young player and the team to be better in the future.

Q. Very curious, what have you done differently in your transition from Montpellier to the Chicago Fire that you might not have been doing earlier on in your career? You've made some changes, and at this point, you've had the opportunity to really make an impact quickly on this team.

ARNAUD SOUQUET: I think the most transition with the French league is the game -- not because sometimes it's hard to play in Europe, too. But here, maybe it's different. Tactically, it's different. There are a lot of space here, and a lot of players ran a lot, speed acceleration, rhythm is high, in the first half, especially.

And the second half it was different. Sometimes we need to maybe keep the ball, keep possession, to be better, to -- yes, to keep the ball and create more situation, and sometimes you want to play directly forward and it's hard for me to understand that because in Europe, sometimes you have a lot of time with the ball, and here it's very different.

But I think we work a lot to be better on that point, and I think it's good for the future.

Q. In terms of you personally, how has your adjustment been? Having to make that adjustment, I know the family is now back in Europe, but understanding the needs both professionally and personally while you're in Chicago?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: I think I'm feeling very good now in Chicago because I have time to see the city, to spend good time with my family but right now my family is in Europe so I'm alone. But I work a lot on the training center to be better every time. And sometimes, you need maybe a little time to feel the change between Europe and the United States, because it's a new life, a new chapter in your life, and it's hard for everybody to change their life like this.

Q. And have you enjoyed that change or has that been a change that's had some rocky starts?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: No, I very enjoy the changes. It's like a dream for me. Just I would like to win a lot of games because this is the most important in football is the final result. Now, you miss some points.

But we have a good quality in the group, and I told you before, we work a lot to give a lot on the field. And I hope the next game against Portland and the next game against Kansas, we take a point.

Q. My question is, you're talking about the team and the rhythm that is faster. I want to ask you this question separately, I know Messi is coming to MLS?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: Really?

Q. Did you know Messi when he was over there playing, or did you have any advice on him coming to this league that is playing faster?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: I already play against Messi, and everybody knows the player and the picture of the football. I think he's a good picture for the MLS because he's a great -- maybe he's the most best player in the world right now. He just won a World Cup, and I hope we can see the best Messi we can do on the field.

But we will see, it's after a long season in France and the World Cup, so maybe he needs time to play. But for sure to the MLS and to this club, Miami, I think it's a good opportunity to be better and especially for the MLS, too, just before the World Cup. So I think it's a good opportunity.

Q. And my other question is, the Chicago Fire, you are watching a lot of young players that are on the team, their roles. What is your opinion and how do you get along with them?

ARNAUD SOUQUET: I think with the young player, we need time because we cannot -- we cannot ask the same work like a whole player -- not whole player, but with experience.

Many times because some players, sometimes they are good, sometimes they are not good. And this thing is hard in football. It stays the same level all the game, and to the young player, we need to help us to be better. And they work a lot but sometimes they need more to be professional in your attitude and what they do outside the field, and this is the most important thing for a young player.

But there are a lot of quality in the young player, and we can help to be better every day. And I think maybe during the season, we will see our potential.