CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

March 15, 2025

Sergio Oregel

Press Conference

Chicago 2, Toronto 1

Q. Talk about your emotions on fourth start and second win.

SERGIO OREGEL: Just relieved, it's hard to get wins on the road and to get two this season, it's been great. It's feeling amazing and this is what I've tried to do my whole life, play first team games and be able to win.

Especially we're all super close, even off the field, so knowing all the talent that comes to Chicago and finally having us in the midfield, to get the win today, it's amazing. I think the connection off the field comes on the field and shows how we all want to play around the ball, and yeah, I love playing with them.

Q. The last ten minutes felt like a really long ten minutes. Was it a calm feeling, or were there any nerves out there that it might be a repeat?

SERGIO OREGEL: Yeah, there's always nerves because you never know what can happen late in the game.

For me I always feel that's the best times in the game because there's always space. There's always nerves there but you've always going to be composed to try to fight it out. Like I said, there's more space towards the end of the game and there's more options to score. That's what I try to take out of it, yeah.

Q. Game by game feels like you're getting better and better every game. Is that a confidence thing or what?

SERGIO OREGEL: Yeah, the confidence thing, obviously getting used to the tempo of everything, the style of play. But having a great staff and teammates behind me to support me no matter what is I think has helped a lot.

Q. Appreciate the time. We just asked Greg about seeing you a little bit more aggressive today. He thought it was a confidence thing and kind of what the game presented. Curious what you thought made you more aggressive on the pitch today?

SERGIO OREGEL: You know, I think, like I said with time I'm getting a little bit more comfortable. Starting to build the connections, and Pineda and Guti, I've played with them a lot, and also feeling that comfort with them.

The staff always tell me before every game, play like you always play and let all the stress go. I think today I did that.

Q. And Jack Elliott got to wear the captain's armband for the first time. What do you think makes him a good leader and what defines him as a captain maybe, or some of those defining characteristics?

SERGIO OREGEL: I think the experience. He's someone that's been in the League for a while and he's experienced a lot. So just being able to learn from that is something that I think he has, and I mean, he always wants what's best for the team. Him being a leader and captain on the team is great.

Q. Great run you've been on. Playing the midfield, having guys on the wing like Bomba, having Cuypers up top, have you adjusted to their style and what they like, especially from midfield, to know what to deliver to them? How do you navigate the guys up front, your relationship with them?

SERGIO OREGEL: Yeah, well they are all talented players so it's easy to learn from them and just play with them. Any situation they can create -- having that talent, experience, you know, like they both played in Europe. They are all three great players, easy to play with and fun to play with and a dangerous second third.

Q. The damage Hugo does in the box; that something you keep in mind, that he'll find a way to fin tissue?

SERGIO OREGEL: I tried to give him one. I don't know if you saw the long one -- I mean, I have the confidence that he's going to score the next one. Yeah.

Q. We did see that pass but one thing that happened earlier with the team down 1-0, you took a shot that was everything but a goal and went off the woodwork. Can you walk us through that and what you saw when it went off?

SERGIO OREGEL: Yeah, honestly right when I hit it, I just, my head, everything kind of went away -- I was so happy. I think Sean Johnson got a touch on it.

Q. Looked like it from here.

SERGIO OREGEL: He's a good goalie. I was ready to start celebrating right off the field. It's unlucky but hopefully the next one.

Q. On top of having to deal with an increased role in the team this year, there's also been constant changes in the midfield and we can anticipate even or as players return from injury. Has it been difficult having to deal with a different partner in midfield every week?

SERGIO OREGEL: No, because like I said I think the staff does a good job of implementing every player. Everybody feels come playing and when their time comes, everybody feels natural. When Sam comes, it's something I feel natural with. I played with him on the natural team, as well. Nothing really changes when subs come in. They are all ready to do their job and they are all great players.

Q. I want to know your opinion, can you talk about how Guti and you are homegrown players, and the difference from last year to this year, how do you feel you've adapted as one of the regular players?

SERGIO OREGEL: I think the system we have is meant for players who want to combine in the midfield, and are confident with the ball.

I think that's something that suits me, and all of the midfielders on the team. I think we have the players to combine and dominate games possession-wise, so yeah, I'm honestly happy. I think this style fits me a lot. So, you know, I'm enjoying it. FastScripts by ASAP Sports ...