CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

March 8, 2025

Andrew Gutman

Press Conference

Chicago 3, FC Dallas 1

Q. What does it mean, that first goal, and in the same moment to propel your team?

ANDREW GUTMAN: First win for us this year, it feels amazing. You know, all the work we put in in preseason, the turnaround we've done with this team has been unbelievable and it's nice to get three points to show all of our hard work.

And then obviously for me scoring my first goal, I feel like the first one of the year is always the hardest. So hopefully I can build on it.

Q. I have to ask you a personal question. You've had these great runs in the first two games, but to get that result and get that goal, how does it feel personally to know that you can still participate and play at this high level?

ANDREW GUTMAN: Yeah, there was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to come back and be able to be the player I was, you know. But last year gave me a new respect for what I do, and I just have to understand my body more, and put in a lot of work in the off-season to get stronger, get fitter, and hopefully I can keep it going this year.

Q. How do you think Hugo did once they shifted to two strikers up front? Seemed like he was the catalyst.

ANDREW GUTMAN: He's amazing, man. I don't understand his engine. I don't understand his work ethic. He's just an amazing soccer player and even a better guy. He's a leader on our team. He's a phenomenal player for us, and hopefully he has a big year for us.

Q. With your goal, you're arriving there at the back post, bundling the ball into the net. How has your role as a wingback, fullback, been different this season under Gregg than it was before?

ANDREW GUTMAN: Yeah, you know, Gregg is super detailed in everything he does. So you know, he's work with me a lot this preseason and at beginning of the season on just positions, understanding where I need to be to be effective, whether the ball is on my side or whether it's on the other side. And so when we went down one goal and we started to push the game toward the end, he pushed me up a little bit higher and we switched a little bit. And then at the end of the day, it's just on that goal I scored, I think it was just, you know, who wanted to get to the ball first. I darted to it, and luckily got a nice little tap-in from Hugo.

Q. What's your relationship with Barroso? He's coming in for his professional debut at the top level, scoring a goal; what's your relationship?

ANDREW GUTMAN: I didn't realize it was his professional debut. I thought he played a couple games before. He doesn't speak English, but soccer is the world's game. It's nice to see him come in.

He's a great guy, even though you can't communicate with him that much yet. But I think he's going to have a major impact on our team and the league, as well.

Q. Tell me a little bit about your link up with Bomba, the two of you down the left flank have been such a threat to every defense you've faced so far. How are you liking that partnership? How did you feel it function today?

ANDREW GUTMAN: Yeah, Joe, he's an unbelievable player. We're lucky to have him here in Chicago.

And you know for me, makes it so easy for me. He understands the game so well and my goal is just to kind of get him in the best position where he can be effective. You know, I thought we were a little off at beginning of the game, not really linking up. We had a couple off-sides.

But the good thing about Joe is he works so hard, doesn't get frustrated and he always stays positive. As the game went on, we started to link up a little bit more. You know, he was able to create chances for us and win the game.

Q. In addition to the production that you're doing on the field, I think you're also being asked to be one of the leaders of the group. You're a Chicago area native, as were three of the starters and a lot of guys on the squad. What does it feel like to see guys like Gutierrez and Sergio perform alongside you, and what is your role in helping them become confident professionals with the poise that you should getting the goal tonight?

ANDREW GUTMAN: Yeah, you know, I think Sergio has done an amazing job. I don't think he's really played much since this year, but every single game he's played in, he's grown more and more as a player. We've seen the quality in him last year and this year, so we know he has it in him. I think he's going to have a bright career ahead of him.

And with Guti, he's special. You can see every single game that he does something crazy. And you know, for me, I just try to tell him, like just be positive and don't try to get into the other little in this cases in the game. Just do you and let someone like me take care of the guys that are trying to get you off your game.

I think even from last year to this year, Guti is a completely different player. He's starting to produce way for more us. He's starting to be way more dangerous for us. So I think he's going to have a big, big year.

Q. I have to ask, obviously it's a longstanding rivalry between these two teams. Today which I can could he retained the Brimstone Cup for the first time in three years. How much does that mean to the team? In the grand scheme of things, probably not the biggest accomplishment of the season, but does it mean a lot knowing you've won something for the fans, won the Cup and bringing it back to Chicago?

ANDREW GUTMAN: Yeah, definitely. We had a meeting this week about the Cup and what it meant, and we're not lost on the fact that we do this for the fans.

Our job is entertain for the fans, and so this Cup means a lot to them, so it meant a lot to us. We saw it after the game how excited they were to keep the Cup. We were super excited for them and to also retain the Cup ourselves. So hopefully we keep it for a long, long time.