CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

April 24, 2025

Brian Gutierrez

Press Conference

Q. Five games into this new season for you, three goals. What is it going to take for you to find your way with the shot-creating for your teammates ask creates chances for your teammates? The front three of you, Phillip and Jonathan has been more pronounced and has you dropping back and covering more of the itch?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Yeah, as you said, five games into the season, my second game coming back from injury. It's kind of getting into the groove and obviously expecting what Gregg wants from me and getting that chemistry with the front line, which I think is going well. I think we've been providing each other chances and creating stuff. I think we've always created opportunities in every game, so having those goal-scoring opportunities helps us, and I think we're on the right track for that.

Q. About that new role, you've played centrally in the midfield trio as well as in the wider spots. Can you talk about if you've got a preference, how that role changes and what you think you're being asked to do under Gregg this year?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Yeah, obviously when me and Gregg met, he obviously told me that I was going to be -- he sees me as a midfielder, and that's where he sees where I could fully exploit my potential and help the team grow and help myself grow as a player. We've been working on that, obviously covering more of the field and tracking back and having that self-defensive stuff and duties has been helping me a lot and that's a real great connection we've been having and trying to do better every day. It's going well, yeah.

Q. Obviously you've gotten to play a lot next to Sergio Oregel, and you guys go way back. It was a pleasant surprise how strong of a season he's had so far. Was it a surprise to you, and what does it mean to play next to a guy you have grown up and play at this level?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Growing up we didn't play at the academy but I've known about him because he was obviously a really good player and talented player. He's a few years younger than me so we didn't have opportunity to play much in the academy. I knew him and what he brings, and his qualities.

I mean, I think he never had this opportunity and this year, Gregg has obviously given him the opportunity and he's exploited it. I think every game he's getting better and better and he's so calm and composed for his age. It's amazing to see. He has amazing qualities that a midfield would want to have.

Q. You talk about the importance of having homegrown players on the field. How important is that for kids to see?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: You can see that the club really helps the academy and putting the home grown players on the field and I think that is a great boost of confidence, seeing us on the field every day.

I think personally there wasn't that many when I would go watch and when I was, I was always looking to see who is from the academy. You look up to those players because you see a spark that you can make it, and just honestly it's really incredible having a lot of homegrowns on the roster, even in the lineup.

Like I said, you don't really see it in the moment but when you look back at it, it's honestly really awesome.

Q. After Miami, that was very positive and then you had the loss against Cincy. What does the team need to have more stability and consistency and stay strong and get the points?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Honestly, I feel like throughout these games, we're in it, and it's mostly off our mistakes and those little mistakes mentally, mentally unaware, unfocused and I think we have to be 90 minutes all focused in our defensive play.

We know we can create chances every game. We have the quality on the team to do that. I think if we focus on not trying to get scored on and keeping a clean sheet and creating those chances, we will win the game.

Q. To start the season there was an issue with no midfielders and now it's the opposite problem, two-deep. What's that competition going to be like?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Well, I think, like I said, it's a competition that every player needs. You need that competition in a pro environment to push yourself every day, and I think that's what we're doing every day on the training field, pushing ourselves every day.

And when you have those quality of players, and you see all the quality and depth we have around you, you push yourself every day, and I think this helps the team.

Q. I wanted to ask you about your U.S. National Team experience. You didn't get to play but what did you take away from that experience and being the one Fire representative being part of the national team? Did that give you confidence? How did that help you grow as a player?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: It was honestly, like I said, a tremendous experience. On the personal side, I learned a lot going into the camp and going out of the camp, also. It wasn't our best display.

Obviously it wasn't our best display and it was very disappointing from us. But on a personal note, I think it was something that gave me a boost of confidence, being around that environment and representing the Fire and I think it's really nice.

You know, you see all the players you see when you were young on TV and now you're with them in that environment. It's honestly really awesome, and I think, yeah, you feel part of it, and yeah, I think I could be part of it, so, yeah.

Q. Working with Sergio and Mauricio in the off-season, how did that contribute to the chemistry? I've asked them and they said it has benefitted them and it brings more enjoyment when it's three guys who really enjoy each other.

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Yeah, I think it was our fourth time working together in the off-season. You know each player's quality and what they bring, and you push each other. We have arguments on the field but it's honestly a good environment. We learn off each other. Having that experience in the off-season work together, it just brings the best out of us, and we know what each player could bring on the field.

Having that chemistry always works out on the field.

Q. Going to Nashville, a place where the Fire have not had success. Can you talk about the difficulties playing there and what it's going to take to get a result on Saturday?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: Nashville, yeah, ever since I've been playing, we haven't got three points in Nashville. But I think, obviously, they are really a compact defensive team. They are really organized and they have two good blocks in the midfield and defensive line.

I think we have to, you know, play our game, our style, not shy away from what we are doing and what we are bringing every day, and I think if we play our game, and you know, overwhelm them with possession and create opportunities and movements and runners off the ball, I think we can bring those three points back home to Chicago.

Q. After last game, you took the penalty kick, can you give us any insight into how that selection happens and how you find out you're that guy? What was the process for you finding out or becoming or earning that opportunity?

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ: I mean, obviously I think it all starts in practice. I think that's where you earn your spot on the list, and yeah, I think just having the repetitions every day in practice, taking a PK, could be every day, or taking it, you know, just I think I'm really confident in what I can do, and I always have that confidence when I step up to take the PK. Maybe that's why they put me in.