CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

April 3, 2024

Gaston Gimenez

Press Conference

Q. Since this is your fifth year in Chicago, how is everything going in terms of the feelings, the level, everything, do you think it's the same or different from the previous season?

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: Yes, it's my fifth year in Chicago and about how things are going, everything is going well. Most of the players, we have the same base of players from last year. So we have a really good foundation. And new players came in but they adapted really, really quickly to the rest of the team.

So now we're working together and we're just in search of that victory that will kind of push us past, that will give us the confidence to keep moving forward and have a good season. And we're definitely going in search of those three points at home against Houston. And we're going to do everything possible in order to get that victory.

Q. After six games, where the results are not expected, how do you perceive the team's performance so far and how are you feeling personally?

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: Well, you did mention after six games already that results haven't been the ones we've been looking for. They haven't been the best result. But another thing is that we -- not only have the results been great, but we dropped games where we certainly deserved much more than that.

That's the way football is. It's not to say that because you deserve it you get the points. But that's the reality we've been facing.

But really taking out the game against Atlanta, which was a little bit different we have been going into games doing things well, doing the right things. And we are on our way to be able to build a good season if we keep doing the things the way we have been doing.

And personally, I'm still looking for that best version of myself, both on and off the field. I'm going out there and helping as much as I can doing what I can at every moment with the expectation that I need to be doing more. And I'm going to be doing more to help the team get to the level that it needs to be.

Q. Playing Houston this weekend, expectations going against a very good squad that last year when you guys played them in the Open Cup didn't go your way. So curious how you're feeling ahead of the weekend.

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: It's a bit different to what it was last year. The moments are different. The timing is different. Each game is different from one game to the other. So for this game, we expect to follow our game plan, to have the ball, to move it around from side to side, to be the protagonist and push forward in this game.

So, as I said, each moment is different, each game is different. And we just are expecting to go out there and do things right.

Q. (Question in Spanish)

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: It has not been a lot of time to be able to work everything together. They don't have a whole lot of time here with us and they're also getting used to the league. They haven't played for a very long time in the league. So it is taking some time.

Everyone takes a different amount of time to adapt. Some people take longer. Some people take less time. And really what I've seen is they've been doing a great job. They've been doing things well.

The reality is that they're here to help us, and even with the group they've adapted really well within the team. So now I know, as a team, together, we could do things much better. And they came in to help us to improve as a team and to help us move forward, the ones of us that have already been here for a while.

And the reality is they've done well with us, we trust them. They're doing a great job. They've been helping us. And we look forward to continuing to do that.

Q. (Question in Spanish)

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: Playing alongside Javi and Herbers, with Javi it's been a long time since we played together. And he has the ability to play in so many different positions. He can play my position. He can play on the outside. He can play on the wing.

And so really we are really lucky to have a player like him who can play so many different positions and play them so well. For me it's a pleasure to play with him. He is someone who can help the team in so many ways.

I can't say what people say when they watch him on TV or when they see him in the stadium. You can see what he does, the way he moves and how he helps us. So really he helps us a ton, because he helps us solve a ton of different problems.

Q. You are now considered a veteran on this team. Like, you're very young but now you've been on the team for a really long time. How are you living in this moment under Frank Klopas? How are you showing the players around you, the young players, the importance of winning, winning at home, not dropping those points, as a veteran who has been with the team for quite a long time now?

GASTÓN GIMÉNEZ: Yeah, I think that that's the most important thing, as you said. First is the team, and then after that is everything that might be personal or individual. So if I'm on the bench -- or if I'm on the field, then I'm on the field and I give everything I have. If I'm not there, then from wherever I am, I need to support and do what's best for the team, which is the most important.

So on the field, I try to be an example with actions. I'm not so much a player that talks a lot, but I always try to be an example with my actions and help the team with whatever needs to be done, whether it's doing things on the field or whatever it is, it's always moving forward, pushing the team forward and trying to do what's best for the team as a whole.

And as you said, the importance of winning at home, it's important but more than that it's having the mentality and moving forward. For me it comes down to always trying, working hard and trying to do what's best for the team and help the young kids.