CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 1, 2025

Mauricio Pineda

Press Conference

Q. Saturday's result was what it was. How do you turn that into a productive way to bounce into things as you have three home games in the next eight days? How has the locker room responded to such a lopsided result?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Yeah, I think obviously that was a difficult result for everyone. I think we had a couple days to really reflect on the game, reflect individually and as a group.

But yeah, I think the most important thing for us was not doubting what we've been doing, maybe just fixing up some minor details, obviously, from that game.

Really looking to improve from that game and now after having a good couple days of training, everyone is ready to get back into the game already and bounce back from the last weekend.

Q. I know that was a very difficult game, like we've discussed. How much do you personally look back in terms of game film, thinking about it mentally, or is it really just focusing on the next one?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Yeah, I think, like I said, you kind of reflect on the game. Me personally, I watched the game back, try to figure out what went wrong but obviously in the game you want to try to fix those things as soon as possible. But looking back, you also want to reflect, looking back on any game, pretty much, win or loss.

But not get tuck on that too often or for too much time. If we (don't) win a game, watch it back and learn from it and move on and know that the next weekend is going to be another tough game. I think that's the most important thing for us is just to look past that game and be ready for the next challenge. It's going to be a very difficult one for us, so we are all excited to bounce back and for another difficult game that's coming up.

Q. We talked about your connection to some of the other homegrowns. There are a lot of young players on the squad and you're the player that's been here the longest. Do you feel like more responsibility after a result like this to shepherd the young players through the emotions and get ready for this next game against Orlando?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Yeah, for sure. I think for everyone, it's very emotional when you lose a game like that. So it's a time to reflect but it's also a time to, like you said, to get the guys together and to make sure everyone's in the correct head space and ready to go for the next game.

So I think, yeah, like you said, a lot of young guys on the team that are looking up to me now and a lot of the other older guys. It's our job to keep a smile and let them know that we have another game coming up and we can't be too down on ourselves or anything like that.

So yeah, just trying to get the energy back in in training and get everyone focused and ready for the next game.

Q. Every season, you've been the longest tenured person. Every season you find aid way to establish yourself as a central figure as the season goes on. How are you able to become an important leader on a consistent basis?

MAURICIO PINEDA: I think the important thing for me is just bringing the right attitude, the right work ethic every single day, every single time we have preseason, if you want to say that, just being prepared in the off-season for the next season. Trying to be as consistent as I can, trying to be a reliable player for my teammates, for the coaches.

So yeah, that's really what I try to do, just work my hardest, be approachable, be helpful for the younger guys, for the older guys, and really try to help the team in any way that I can.

Q. What was the major difference from last season to this season as you were mostly on the bench last season, coming off the bench, and this season you've taken a more central role on the field as a starter?

MAURICIO PINEDA: I relate it back to the last question, trying to be a consistent player, a reliable player that whenever the team needs you in any form -- obviously every player likes to be on the field at all times. But that's not always going to happen with a large and competitive squad.

But yeah, any time I can be on the field and help or come off the bench and help the team, that's what I'm always looking forward to do.

Q. For the fans, how can they regain their confidence after Saturday?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Yeah, it's hard for our fans. We always want to give our best on the field. We always want to give them a good result. Something to celebrate and be happy about. Obviously it was a difficult result for us on Saturday. But just know that the team is going to keep working. This is not how we've been playing or how we've been representing ourselves throughout the beginning of the season.

So just let them know that we're going to keep working hard and hope to get a good result for them this weekend.

Q. What about Orlando has intrigued you as you are studying and looking at them ahead for this weekend? Obviously a team that has the ability to score, though they have not necessarily done that in droves this year?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Yeah, I think we expect a very difficult game, like I said. They have always been a team that we've had good games against. So we expect nothing less this weekend but I think the major focus this week has been on us, obviously. Bouncing back from the game and just like it is every week, just focusing on how we could perfect our game plan and our energy, our intensity going into the game.

So I think that's the main focus for us.

Q. Obviously the focus right now is the game on Saturday but there's also a game midweek coming up, the team's first of season. You and your brother have history with the club. What does it mean for the team to be back in the U.S. Open Cup?

MAURICIO PINEDA: Obviously we are focused on the game this but the Open Cup is exciting for any MLS player, any MLS team that gets to compete in it. Obviously I know the history of the MLS.

So it's very exciting to play any team in that competition, and any time you're playing a knockout or a single elimination tournament, it make this is that much month are fun, so we're looking forward to that game as well and hopefully get the Cup.

Q. So you're one of the very few Fire homegrowns who is a center back, and when you came through, at least. So what advice would you give to Christopher Cupps as he's potentially going to be playing a bigger role this season after his debut?

MAURICIO PINEDA: He's such a mature, mature player for a 16-year-old.

Yeah, so to try to picture myself when I was 16, to see myself as put together as he is, it's like crazy to think about but yeah, I think his mind is right. He's so open to instruction, which is really good.

So yeah, I think just continue to work the way he is, I think he's doing a great job. In preseason he did a great job. He's doing a great job now. He's humble. He's hard-working. He's always in the gym.

So yeah, can't really give him much advice because he's already doing all the right things but at the same time on the field, he's very open to everything that I ever talked to him about. So it's great to see that from a young player.

Q. On a week like this, you're going to play three games in a span seven days, all it be here at home. How do you prepare and shift focus when you have three games in a week coming up? Does it change for you personally as a player? Preparation? Or do you do anything different as opposed to having sort of the one game a week?

MAURICIO PINEDA: I'm not going to lie. Until I came in here, I didn't know we had three home games. I think that kind of shows what we're kind of focused on right now.

I think we just take it day-by-day, try to get the most out of every single day in training. Try to get the most out of our receives, the team, to improve, to be the best that we can every day and then also take did it game by game. I personally prepare or I think the team, the rest of the team.

But yeah, taking it day-by-day, preparing every game as it comes, and just go from there.