CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 25, 2025

Jack Elliott

Press Conference

New York City is 3, Chicago Fire 1

Q. What's the locker room feel like after that type of game and what kind of response does it need?

JACK ELLIOTT: Obviously everyone is disappointed, going is 1-0 up early and feeling good in the game and having good control over it is disappointing. You know, we go down to ten men and have to try and fight for 60 minutes in a tough place to play.

Obviously everyone is disappointed and just almost it's hard to take a lot from the game when you're playing like that. So it's almost just moving on from it as quick as possible and focus on Orlando next week.

Q. What was Gregg's message to you guys at the end of that game?

JACK ELLIOTT: Almost what I just said. There's not a lot you can take. Obviously the guys, we tried to fight and get something out of it but having a third game in a week and playing determined for 60 minutes is always going to be tough.

So it's going to be about moving on from that game and focusing on the next week.

Q. Are there any positives that you can maybe take away from that even though it's a tough game to play?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think we look good in the first 30 minutes. Created some good chances, and looked pretty comfortable. You can look at that and say, good 30 minutes, but it doesn't win you a game.

Q. One of the other things we were looking at, it's now been three starts in a row for your center back partner, Sam Rogers, in league play. Can you talk about his performance next to you? Feels like he's been improving game on game.

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think we are getting a rhythm. It's a huge thing for center backs, I think is to get to know each other and it takes a little bit of time. But yeah, he's been doing well. So it's been good to have him next to me.

Q. A question specifically about this game and just in general, we see Leo Barroso gets subbed, and NYC scores shortly after with it maybe looking like defensively everybody wasn't quite on the same page. As the captain and being in the middle, what's your role in those situations generally when a defensive sub is made and what's particularly hard about getting that communication right so quickly?

JACK ELLIOTT: I think it's tougher when he's trying to come on quick and the ref allows the ball to go in play before he's even in position. Obviously I think in those moments, we all have mob more switched on and getting to our spots quicker. I think he gets put in a tough situation with them being able to play without him fully being on the pitch.

So you know, I think overall, as a team, we can communicate better in some of the game down there but I think that's a bit unfortunate, too.

Q. In terms of bouncing back, how important is this week, not even getting to the game, but just next week in general as a response to this effort?

JACK ELLIOTT: I think it was a good effort. That's the thing. It wasn't -- we didn't get turned over. We didn't out-worked or -competed, really. It's a matter of being worn down. With what happened in the game, and I think it's focusing again and doing what we've been doing the past few weeks, which has been in a positive direction.

I think next weekend, we can take another step again.