CHICAGO FIRE 3, D.C. UNITED 1
FIRE HEAD COACH DAVE SARACHAN
On getting the win with several regular starters missing from the lineup:
"It's well documented that this is a tough weekend in MLS with [World Cup] qualifiers and guys missing and thin rosters and all the rest, but we went throughout this week feeling very good about the guys that were here. It wasn't about the guys that weren't here; it was about the guys that were here. We were a real team. This was a big game it this showed me that this is a group that competes, that fights and it doesn't matter who's on the field. If you have that as a starting point, you're in good shape."
On the play of Justin Mapp:
"He's becoming a man. He's a kid who is developing into a guy that can put in 90 minutes and can make a difference. We've always known that about Justin. I think his fitness, stamina, confidence and the role we have him playing, all those are lining up pretty well. You're seeing a guy that's pretty special."
On the difference of the Fire during it's current successful stretch:
"Through that whole stretch of games we had some breaks that went against us and mistakes that we got punished for. Throughout it we felt, for the most part, that we were playing pretty well. Tonight we got a break on the own goal, and perhaps maybe two [breaks], but we created chances. I still felt that we were going to turn things around."
On the impact of Jesse Marsch:
"Having Jesse Marsch back in the midfielder certainly helps us. He's a central part of our organization and experience, and that's been key [having him return to the line-up]."
FIRE DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER KELLY GRAY
Describing his first goal of the season:
"I saw Logan [Pause] get the ball with tons of time and there was a big space right in the middle of the box and I just ran into there. I didn't even have to do anything; he put it right on my head. It was a perfect cross."
On the crowd support at Soldier Field:
"I think it was huge factor. The crowd getting behind us with that many fans, it was just amazing. It would be great if we could have that every single game. I don't think we'd ever lose."
On the Fire's play without the services of several regular starters:
"I think we did well. We've got guys that are normally on the bench that can step in and do great. It shows off our depth."
FIRE MIDFIELDER JUSTIN MAPP
On his goal:
"I just found some open space in the box. It was a good ball played in by C.J. Brown. I got on the end of it and was lucky enough to score."
On his three-game scoring streak:
"We've got a lot of players that are gone, so it's provided a chance for a lot of other players to step up. I'm just taking responsibility for myself to try and contribute with the others gone. It's been going good so far."
On what this win means to the Fire:
"We've been down all season and in last place a lot, but now two consecutive wins at home means a lot for the team confidence-wise heading into this break."
FIRE DEFNDER C.J. BROWN
On whether or not the Fire is turning it's season around:
"The guys have been working hard lately. We know our backs are against the wall, so we've gone out every game with a 'We lose and we're out' type of attitude. The young guys know they have a chance to win a position so they're working hard trying to get it and we're finally putting the effort together."
On the Fire's effort tonight:
"I think we matched the same intensity we had the last game, so it worked out well for us."
On the difference between the Fire's last two games and it's previous run of matches:
"We're getting goals. That's the difference. Getting goals."
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH PETER NOWAK
On the match:
"I'm really disappointed with the result. After we tied the game we're supposed to do better. In the end, we couldn't overcome what was essentially two own goals."
On moving forward after the loss:
"We have to go home and fight for the points we gave away today."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER EARNIE STEWART
On the game:
"We made crucial mistakes that led directly to goals for Chicago. Despite the 3-1 score, the game wasn't played that way. When they scored their second, we were in control of the game."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER DEMA KOVALENKO
On the result:
"I don't know what to say. It was a tough game and we made mistakes. They just out-fought us tonight."
