CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

July 10, 2024

Frank Klopas

Press Conference

Q. Curious, your interpretation of the game from over the weekend and how you implemented any changes in training you saw from not on the sidelines?

FRANK KLOPAS: I think for us, it was for me and the staff and the players, felt it was a missed opportunity for us to go and pick up points. Again, probably not a game that we came out with the highest of intensity of energy. I think both teams had a little bit of a slow start.

We did create opportunities and again conceding one goal, I think we created enough to have walked away with points from that one. It's definitely disappointing because it was an opportunity for us with the results, the way they went, for us to pick up some really important momentum and gain some ground on teams. We missed that opportunity. We don't make it easy on ourselves when those chances come, and we can't let too many of those slide away because the season is reasoning out.

Today as far as training, it was a first day back with the group. Tomorrow we start doing more tactical stuff. Every training session it's always about the principles and ideas of the game we want to work on. There's always a theme behind it. It's never out there training for the purpose of training.

It's the first day back today, and today we wanted to work with smaller numbers, smaller, the field condensed, tighter spaces, and then tomorrow we'll focus more on the tactical component with NYC FC coming up.

Q. We didn't see Shaqiri out there. What's your communication been with him after the European championships and are you expecting him back in Chicago this season?

FRANK KLOPAS: This season is a long time. I've been in communication with Shaq since he left. Wishing the player the best of luck in every match for him and obviously with Switzerland.

I mean, look, he just finished a major tournament and it's normal that he's going to have a little bit of a break. That's normal with players. I think when you look at his team reaching the quarterfinals, it's normal. We haven't yet decided on the date that he will be back in Chicago but it's very normal after a major tournament, and being away early and with the travel everything and, and international games, that he's going to have some time off and we still are deciding when that return date will be. We'll keep you guys posted.

Q. The transfer window opens next week. Would you expect there will be some business early in this window?

FRANK KLOPAS: For us, I think that's a -- I mean, we are always looking for opportunities, if there's a chance to try to add a piece that can really help us now and in the future. That's not a secret. But it's difficult to do anything when there's no roster space. I think that's the No. 1 thing.

I think our sporting director, technical director, they are always working extremely hard for options and opportunities, but it always has to make sense.

So right now, I can't tell you a definite yes or a no.

Q. This week we learned the Olympic rosters. Obviously I think you could say that the big snubs were Chris and probably Guti, also. Did you talk to them about that? I'm sure personally they might have had high hopes for that, but also you get to keep them on the team. Tell us your take on them not being included on the roster but also getting to have them through the summer now.

FRANK KLOPAS: Obviously I think both players for me, from my standpoint, I have seen two players that were in the picture with the national team from a year ago. I know that this was something that both players worked extremely hard to be ready for. You know, first, obviously, their main thing was to improve and get better to help our team because that really helps their case with the national team. I know that both players in my opinion, both players deserve to be on that roster.

So I do feel for the players. You know, it's a unique opportunity to be in the Olympics to represent your country in a tournament like that, and you know, I think it's not easy for the players. I know it probably was a difficult thing for them to go over. I had talked to them, and just tried to understand how they felt because it wasn't easy.

Like I said, from my standpoint, I think both players have done enough. I mean, these are two very young, promising -- extremely promising players for U.S. soccer and I know it was not an easy decision on their part with the roster being to 18 and four alternates, but for me, they deserved to be on that main roster. That's my opinion. I felt for them. It's good to have them here but I'm not happy they weren't included because I know it was something they looked forward to and they deserved to be there.

Q. The team has three games coming up before the Leagues Cup break. Do you expect Shaqiri back for any of those three? I realize not Saturday but the two next week?

FRANK KLOPAS: The thing is we talked today about when would be the best time for him to come back and how much time. I think it's proper to give him a little bit of a break.

You know, if you don't have him for this game, which obviously he's not going to be here for NYC FC, and then you have a midweek game Wednesday and Saturday, and then we have that break.

So that's really the decision that we have to really think about and see, do we bring him before those games. You know, I think that's the most important thing.

For this one, he's off. It's just a matter of time deciding in the next couple of days, when do we bring them back.

Q. There are a number of other players missing, especially on the back line, a lot of key starters out. Do you expect any of them back in the near future?

FRANK KLOPAS: Gutman for sure now.

Toby for this game. He just started integrating with the team. He started doing some training sessions, which is a really good sign. But he's been out for quite a long time. So it's good to have him but the reality for him to be available to play for this weekend would be extremely difficult.

You know, Johnny Dean was a late scratch, which is another tough one going into that game. He had an ankle injury that trained the day before, and then obviously had a bad reaction to the flight and swelled up and he wasn't able to go. So that set us back a little bit. So it's a question mark for him to see how he is for this weekend.

Carlos Terán, question mark.

Plus the fact that we are missing also Fabi with yellow cards which is a difficult one, especially the way he got it in the 95th minute. That really hurts.

We're really thin but it is what it is, man. The other guys have to step up, almost like Wyatt stepping up and performing well in games. No one is going to feel sorry for us. We just have to find ways. I know some guys are playing out of position, but you know, there's nothing we can do. We just have to be really focused and prepared with what we have and go out there like we have done in the past and win games.

Q. And just one more on that. So the team has used short-term agreements to pull guys up from Fire II. Other than Glasgow, no one has seen the pitch. Are there more short-term callups considered if others can't come back in time?

FRANK KLOPAS: I mean, I think that we needed that. You don't want to go in with only 16 field players. You never know what happens in matches. We're playing with three in the back, and then you have Pereira; if something happens, you know, we need to have players there and be ready.

I think games when our MLS Next team plays, even today, those are really super important games for them to really perform really well and be ready, because we are thin right now, and we've brought guys up but the opportunity hasn't been there for us to use them.

You know, they need to always be ready, and we try to watch those games as a staff. We have a really good relationship with our MLS Next team. We always bring certain guys to training throughout the week to incorporate them into our first team.

The opportunity hasn't been there but they are there just in case there is a need through some injuries in the game because -- that we can't foresee that they need to be ready to step in.