CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 21, 2024

Ariel Lassiter

Press Conference

Montréal 2, Chicago Fire FC 0

Q. First of all, this is your first time back. You were traded from Montréal to Chicago a couple weeks ago. What are your emotions coming back for the first time to play?

ARIEL LASSITER: It was a bit weird because I made some good friendships in Montréal. So playing against them was a bit weird. Once I crossed the line, I want to win but unfortunately we didn't get the result tonight.

But it was nice to see some familiar faces.

Q. I saw you chatting with some of them during play. Overall a tough night for the team and a tough night, you couldn't really get things going in the final third. What do you think went wrong on the field?

ARIEL LASSITER: You know, like you said, we are not getting a lot of clear chances in front of the net. I think we could move the ball a little bit quicker and try to get some more penetrating passes and a little bit more movement. It's tough when you don't see the ball hit the back of the net. I think with goals and wins, it gives us confidence but right now, we're just trying to find that rhythm.

Q. I guess for yourself individually, you have three games left on your contract and the team has a long shot, zero at this point, making the playoffs. How go about the next three games not knowing what's next?

FRANK KLOPAS: For me always regardless of the situation, I want to give everything that I have on the field. I want to show my ability, whether we are up 3-0 or we are down 3-0. My mentality won't change. I'll do everything I possibly can to help the team be successful in every game that we have left, and then give everything for the club. The rest will take care of itself.

Q. Obviously the team is in a tough spot, not out of the playoffs yet. This is your fifth MLS club. I wanted to ask you, how the vibe in the locker room is comparing to what you've experienced previous in your career, and just what the mentality of the group feels like to you right now?

ARIEL LASSITER: I mean, obviously it's tough. To be fair, everybody's been pretty positive, especially throughout the weeks and in the lead-ups to every single match. I think you start to see a couple heads drop after the result and after the matches go by.

But regardless, I think there's still a lot of fight within the team and like myself, every one of them wants to perform every single time they step out on the pitch.