CHICAGO FIRE 2, KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 0
CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH DAVE SARACHAN
Overall thoughts on the match:
"We are pleased for a variety of reasons. Obviously winning the game is important. We were due for a win and this is a nice night to do it. It's a tournament so we advance in the tournament, and that's important. It was an opportunity for a number of guys to perform and it gave us a real good glimpse of what we can count on as we move forward with players. There were some bright spots for sure. It was a win, win, win scenario for us all the way around. We'd like to use this momentum as move through the next day or so as we face [Kansas City] on Wednesday."
On the game's bright spots:
"A number of guys had very solid nights. I guess I could name almost our whole team. The guys that I thought rose above it, I thought Jimmy Curtin looked pretty good in the back. It was nice to have him back out there. Calen Carr was buzzing tonight, obviously getting that first goal. Logan Pause is a guy I can count on day in and day out. I never have to worry about him. Brian Plotkin, I thought, had a real solid night tonight. These are the guys who haven't seen a lot of minutes. Jared Montz did quite well. I've said it all year, I really feel like we're a deep team. Knock on wood we're pretty healthy now, so I think we have some options."
On the additional game added to the schedule with the win:
"We can't think about that. If we remain somewhat healthy, we have a pretty good pool of players to draw from. I thought we managed the group pretty well. We're not going to complain. We're advancing in the tournament. We'll manage it."
CHICAGO FIRE FORWARD CALEN CARR
On getting into the lineup:
"A lot of us guys have been working hard and improving. I think we were all ready tonight and it showed."
On getting the lead:
"I think the first goal energized the team. We tried to concentrate the next five minutes to make sure there was no letdown, pushing offensively. I think it definitely paid off."
On why the Fire succeeded:
"Today I think we teamed well. I think the ball was moving quickly. Everyone was moving for each other and communicating. It was just good energy. If anything, I think it was just a great attitude among the players. That along with the home support helped us get the edge."
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFIELDER JARED MONTZ
Overall thoughts on the match:
"We helped out our team, gave the starters a rest. The so-called 'reserves' came in and did a great job and won, so we move on the next round."
On the team's jam-packed schedule this week:
"It's a tough schedule, but we have a good 28-man roster and everyone can play. I don't think it's going to be a problem. It might be a benefit to us because the other teams might not be in the same boat."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH BRIAN BLISS
On the effect of the Wizards' recent schedule:
"We're in the same boat Chicago is in. We did play Wednesday last week, Chicago didn't, but they played Saturday and so did we. We came here for Monday's game with 11 fresh guys on the field, from goalkeepers to our two frontrunners. There are no excuses. Our guys looked heavy-legged, for being fresh guys they looked heavy-legged and a step behind, if not three steps behind."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD RYAN PORE
Overall thoughts on the match:
"We started off very slow tonight and [Chicago] was able to get one early in the first half, which kind of put us in a bind. We didn't possess the ball as well as we needed to tonight. When we started to push to get goals and started creating chances, by that time it was almost too late."
