CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

February 22, 2025

Brian Gutiérrez

Press Conference

Columbus 4, Chicago 2

Q. Tell me about your two goals.

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Yeah, I mean, it was coming from deep, both, I played a through ball, and I came from deep and I made those runs into the box.

Yeah, thankfully those two goals went in.

Q. What's that like playing with Bamba? What's that impact been like, partnering up?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Even in preseason when I first saw him and played with him, I already knew it was a good connection with him.

Yeah, I thought that we're going to do a lot of things this year together, and today it showed.

Q. In terms of adjusting to the system, it was always going to take time. How do you think you guys are progressing, understanding result is what it was but there were those moments of positivity?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Like we said after the game, it's a progress. It's a progress and we've got to trust that process that we have as a team, and believe and keep playing our football and our identity. And I think it's just the start of the season, and I know that MLS, it starts from February to October, December around there, and it's a long season, and I think we're in the right step.

Q. I know you guys probably both wanted a little bit better performances, but being able to share first-team minutes with Sergio, what was that like for you?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Oh, it's amazing. We are from the same area in Chicago. And seeing a kid like him represent the city and represent, like, the area that we're in, and seeing him start and having a good season and preseason, it's amazing to see.

He has so much quality as a player, and I think it's a big season for him.

Q. Obviously not the result that you wanted, but getting ahead twice off of your goals, and starting off dynamically, can you talk about the mentality that you think the group has changed? You've been with the Fire for a number of years now through a couple different coaches. Can you talk about how things feel different under Berhalter?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Yeah, as I said in all the interviews I was in and they told me this question, I think as soon as I came back from the national team and I stepped into the environment with my club, I felt that new fresh -- that breath fresh of air, and that we have something going for us.

I think previous times, we never had an identity as a team, as a club. And I think this year Gregg has really put stuff straightforward, and we have that football identity. We're going to play, and we're going to play good football.

I think it's just trusting the process. It's a long season. I don't think we have to dwell on this result. We know how good Columbus has been these past seasons, and I think we're in the right direction. I think it's going to be a good season for us.

Q. Just a quick tactical question. You were asked to play deeper as part of a flat three today, which is not what we've seen from you before. What did you think of that role and that midfield shift?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: I think it's really -- I think it makes, I guess, the best out of all of us. I think I'm more of a midfielder, and I think Gregg sees that, as well, and I think what we implemented and what we were practicing on. And I think we have those, you know, pacing wingers, and we can exploit them.

And then us as a three, we want the ball in the midfield. You know, just rotating as a three in the midfield, I think we're just -- we need to work on it more. And I think it's -- like I said, it's a long season, and I don't think we need to dwell on this result.