CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

March 6, 2025

Chris Brady

Press Conference

Q. We've talked about the need to be confident in your new role in Gregg's system where you're playing through your feet a lot more. Entering the third week, what is your confidence level and how has that progressed over the first two weeks of the season?

CHRIS BRADY: I think it's higher since when I last talked to you. Obviously still early in the season. So a lot of progression to take place yet.

Yeah, compared to way was experiencing and how I was feeling about, you know, ball with my feet and just overall confidence levels, I think two games in, definitely higher.

Q. First game, you faced Columbus, one of highest-ranked teams over the couple years. Last game you faced Christian Benteke, and now it's a team that has the 2023 MLS MVP, as well as Petar Musa in the attack, along with some other attacking options. Do you feel like you need a break at this point? Do you feel like -- how does it feel mentally to approach teams that have this much high, attacking talent early in the season he?

CHRIS BRADY: Good. I'd much rather step up against an efficient and dangerous front three and front than one that wouldn't give me a lot of work but they have dangerous players and so do we.

So I'm not too worried about it, but we do have our work cut out for us.

Q. After a great game last week, do you feel any pressure?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, that one had you ever had because I felt like myself. But everybody on the field was giving a lot to get all three points out of that game.

But short memory. Short memory. I mean, that's the thing about this league is seven days later, you get to go and do it again.

So yeah, for us, I think we've reviewed it a couple days after, and then it's part of the past.

Q. Curious, with Dallas being a team that's shown the ability to be able to score a lot and score a lot without having the ball a lot, curious what you've seen maybe over the last couple days of reviewing film, and just understanding that they are they are a new-look team and already have these proficiencies?

CHRIS BRADY: Being ready for anything is key especially with Luciano around the midfield, just always being on your toes. Especially for me in the back line, being ready to step and drop and ready to make an action at any moment is really going to be the key for that.

Because like you said, they may not even have the ball but they are still dangerous. We'll be ready, yeah.

Q. So with Gregg's new system, it looks like the team is playing to play overloads, trying to use the ball in a way that's not exactly what we saw last year.

Can you describe both what you think your role is, like what it is in buildup and jump-starting the attack, and how do you think you've been dealing with the new system?

CHRIS BRADY: I think I've been dealing with it pretty well, and so have my defenders.

But adjusting to what we're being asked is -- I mean, essentially, being able to confidently pick the right decisions to progress the ball up the field but once it's up the field, if needed, playing a big supporting role behind the players in front of us is also key, and that will be a key for this upcoming game.

So yeah, I think, you know, there's still a lot of work to be done. But I think it's new stuff for everybody.

Q. Curious the news today, doubleheader at Soldier Field, one with Chicago Stars FC. I know you were at the game at Wrigley Field as a fan and took in that environment. Curious emotions about that, how you think you're going to be able to watch a game and then play in a game? And, then, just 2022 was a different time in your career.

GREGG BERHALTER: I just saw that. So are they playing before us?

Q. Before you. You guys are at 7:30.

CHRIS BRADY: I'll definitely be there watching. Excited to see both of us pack the house.

But yeah, that Wrigley game last year was super fun. I know a bunch of people who will join me watching that game.