D.C. United Defender Chris Odoi-Atsem
On how he felt after playing 65 minutes...
"I felt good physically. I’m tired, but that’s expected. To make it 65 minutes, I think I held my own."
On how it felt playing a league match…
"It was a different atmosphere than the last game (Real Betis). It was an up-and-down open game. I found out Monday I’d be in the lineup, we practiced Tuesday, and I continued to get ready."
On his return to the D.C. United lineup…
"It’s happened a lot faster than I thought. Playing with Loudoun was helpful and playing against Real Betis was a great opportunity last week. My first MLS start came along a lot faster than expected but it feels great at the same time."
On his motivation to keep working…
"I envisioned this moment every day. Especially during my chemo treatments, this was my light at the end of the tunnel. Playing at Audi Field in an MLS game in front of these fans in this atmosphere. This got me through rough days. I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received from my family and my friends in this area throughout these past few months."
Chicago Fire Forward Fabian Herbers
Overall thoughts on the match…
“We started really well, played really well, let the ball flow on the nice pitch. We dominated the game the first 40 minutes and deserved to be up 2-0. But then we just have close it out. We had chances for 10 goals. We have to make it 3, 4-0. Shortly before halftime, it gets to 2-1 and then you bring D.C. back into the game with the crowd here. Of course, their crowd was pushing them in the second half. They get the second goal and the third goal and we can almost be happy that we come back with one point at the end.”
On the team fighting back to get a point at the end…
“That is important but it overweighs our disappointment because we know what we are capable of and we showed it. Everybody saw it. I just talked to a friend of mine on the other team and he said that ‘You guys should have killed us,’ and I agree. So it’s disappointing that we didn’t come out with three points here because that was totally possible.”
Chicago Fire Midfielder Brandt Bronico
Overall thoughts on the match…
“I thought we did well in the first half for the most part. We played really well. We created a lot of chances and had the front foot on D.C. But, all in all, I don’t think we’re happy with the tie and I think we could have finished the game a little bit better. The team showed some character going down 3-2 and coming back to grab a goal in the last couple of minutes. It was a really up and down game.”
On if there are any positive takeaways from the game heading into Saturday’s match…
“Absolutely, D.C. is first in the East and I think coming into their home field, playing like we did today, I think if we can just apply those first 35-40 minutes and make that into 90 minutes against Atlanta, we’ll have no problem but we need to do that and apply it.”
