CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

February 24, 2024

Frank Klopas

Press Conference

Chicago 2, Philadelphia 2

Q. First of all, congrats on getting a point in Philly, tough place to play. Your thoughts on the result and the performance, a great performance on the road in a difficult place.

FRANK KLOPAS: Yeah, I think I feel really good about the points. I felt that our team showed a lot of character and great spirit, team spirit. And you know, that's what I told the group after the game.

I mean, they are down a little bit, obviously, because they felt that they left points on the table but that's a good feeling to have. They are disappointed that we didn't get all three points but to be fair, you know, in the end, they had some chances. Also we had a big chance, also, in the end to win the game.

Difficult place to play, but I'm proud of our guys. I think they came out. We got a point to start the season in a positive way, and I would just have to, you know, have a safe trip back, regroup and get ready for our home opener.

Q. Seeing Brian come out with that level of aggression and the confidence to take that kind of shot and score it in the 39th, how did that make you feel, as you've seen his growth?

FRANK KLOPAS: I think it's great to see and good to take that initiative. It's something that we've talked to him about that he needs to have a bigger impact in the final third with his ability and quality.

It's great to see him taking that initiative and taking shots from the outside and finishing plays, because I think he has that ability to do so. He needs to do it more often and he needs to have that kind of impact in games, and it was great. I'm really happy for him. As.

You can see, I've been with him now over four years and I've seen his growth. This is a big step for us and one of the things that we talked to him about from last year, one is just runs after the ball, getting in good spots and obviously just taking more initiative on himself and finishing plays off. It was great to see that tonight. Fantastic goal.

Q. What did you think about the referees today?

FRANK KLOPAS: Why you guys trying to get me in trouble? Look, I think that they did their best. I think the referee was good. You know, a little bit in the end with the time, eight minutes extra, we played until 11.

But overall I think the guys did a very, very good job, and that's the only thing I can say. We're happy. They are professionals and they did their best and I think they did a good job.

Q. Was there any short-term update on Andrew Gutman, and how do you think Chase Gasper did coming in on a weird circumstance?

FRANK KLOPAS: Yeah, he started, it was difficult for him because the game started and now, you know, right away, you've got to come in the game. Hasn't had an opportunity to warm up a little bit. I thought he did really well into the game. And then obviously, he doesn't have the -- I would say, the game fitness, yet. He's improving all the time. So you can just see it, like, late in the game as he got a little bit more fatigued. You know, we had to make that sub.

But I think coming in in a difficult moment, I felt he did a really good job, and he just need to get more minutes to get his full fitness, and we know that. He's a pro and an experienced guy, and I thought he came in and did a good job.

Q. I wanted to ask about the new guys, Hugo coming in starting, I think he played well, Kellyn coming off the bench, Arigoni, as well. What are your thoughts on all those guys? And Gastón Gimenez, what are your thoughts on his performance?

FRANK KLOPAS: Yeah, with the new players, I think they have improved the team, a much-improved team, and you can just see, for me, the competition has helped in every position. I think that they are very good players, and we've just got to get them.

I think Arigoni has been here longer with us, so you can see he's going to keep improving within every match. Hugo is a very good player. He's been fit. He really didn't miss much, and he came in one week with us, and I think his ability, he came in right away and ready to contribute.

With Kellyn, it was important to get him minutes, and he's getting sharper every day, and I think another week, we should get him, maybe not a hundred percent, but close to that.

So I'm extremely happy with all those guys. Gastón had a very good game. And overall it was a very good team performance. Because you don't come here to get -- you get a point; we thought a really good performance from the group, and that's what we got tonight.