CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 15, 2024

MAREN HAILE-SELASSIE

Press Conference

Chicago Fire FC 4, Toronto FC 1

Q. The high press tonight looked effective. How did you feel pressing against Toronto, and how you thought that contributed to your goal?

MAREN HAILE-SELASSIE: Well, yeah, I think overall, throughout the whole game, we did a very good variation between higher pressing and mid-pressing. So yeah, the goal happened through a mistake from them. Of course because we did a pressing, and then Hugo already had a chance to score. But we still stayed in the action. I stayed in the action, Fabi, too, and that's how it happened.

Q. I just wanted to ask, the last four games have been a turnaround. Has anything been noticeably different in the group these last four games?

MAREN HAILE-SELASSIE: Well, first of all, the staff made an adjustment with the system. So obviously it looks like we feel comfortable with that. It gives some guys freedom going forward, and I think we really enjoy playing together, combined together.

Overall the chemistry of the team was never like bad, even though we didn't have the results at times. We always stay positive and we always came to training with a good mindset, and yeah, the past games, we were able to show it in the games and just show that we are united as a team.

Q. Congratulations on Switzerland for your big win against Hungary today. Did you and Allan get the chance to watch the game this morning and did you have any thoughts on that?

MAREN HAILE-SELASSIE: Yeah, not just me and Allan. I think almost all the players were watching the game.

Yeah it was a really good game, especially the first half. They dominated Hungary. The second half they had to suffer as well but at the end a well-deserved win. Good stuff.

Q. Keeping the questions about the Euros alive, we have add Shaqiri about the prospect of you being named to the Swiss national team, and he seemed to at the time indicate that the Swiss coaches don't watch a lot of MLS. You're now a permanent member of the Chicago Fire and you've been playing well and got a goal tonight. What are your feelings about the way that you're playing and how that affects your chances of making the national team here versus in you're playing in Europe?

MAREN HAILE-SELASSIE: Well, I think the only person who can answer that is watching the MLS or not is the coach himself so that's a question to him.

Just around that, Shaq's international team, at every like national team, it shows that they have to follow his games and our game and the league. Obviously in Europe, you are closer and the coach can travel to the games more easy. But still, the MLS is a growing league and high-level teams are playing here. It's a physical, demanding league. And of course for me, in the near or mid future, I have hopes to be part there and leave my marks there, and it just comes from doing my work at the club.

I was able the last games to help the team and obviously I want to get on the score sheet as well, especially now in my position as striker, you need to help the team with goals.

I just hope to continue this way and I warrant to give my best. That's not in my hands any more, that decision.