CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 7, 2025

Tom Barlow

Press Conference

Chicago Fire FC 7, D.C. United 1

Q. Getting the hat trick, what does that feel like?

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, it's amazing. I don't know, I don't think it's still really hit me. I'm obviously excited about the win, but yeah, it's a cool feeling. My teammates are real happy for me. Coach is happy for me.

So it's a neat feeling, and yeah, it was fun to come in and contribute tonight. Get my first start of the year. I was excited. And then to get three goals and the win is kind of the cherry on top. Really happy and looking forward to next week now.

Q. All three of your goals were first-touch goals. Can you just talk about the way you were reacting? Is it one of those days that everything is working perfectly? Is it being in the right spot? What are you crediting for your assists?

TOM BARLOW: I'd say that first one, Andrew's pass was insane. I think it set me up so nice because I didn't have to take a touch. It was set up perfect. I didn't have to think too much there. Just tried to hit the corner, and I think that gave me confidence going into the game.

Yeah, so the next two, I just kind of wasn't thinking and just kind of let it rip. I'm happy it hit the back of the net. Felt good.

Q. After the last time you played Washington, what was the preparation like from Gregg for this game?

TOM BARLOW: We prepared a lot for this game. It was a tough game last time they came to Soldier Field. We had that in the back of our minds. We felt like they came in and kind of took it to us at home.

We really wanted to come in here and make a statement and take it to them tonight, and I thought we did that. So it was a good one.

Q. I want to ask, a dominating victory, how does that help boost the team's morale going forward?

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, it feels great. To get a win on the road is tough, and then to put up seven goals against a team is special. I think it just boosts our confidence a little bit.

It felt good getting on the score sheet, and we had a lot of guys on the score sheet tonight. We had some guys come in first game, got on assist, Jason did, and so it was awesome. It was a good feeling and hopefully we can use as some momentum.

Q. Do you think D.C. not having their MVP affected the other players --

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, obviously he's a big part of their team and we faced against them last time. I know it hurts them to not have him but whether they have him or not it was still our goal to come in here and make a statement and get three points, and we did that. So we're happy.

Q. I know you're not going to score seven every night but over the course of the season, this group has been far more goal dangerous consistently than you guys were in the past two to three years. Is there anything specific you attribute that to as an attacking group as to why there's been more this year?

TOM BARLOW: I think we're playing a certain style that allows us to move the ball quickly and really get in good positions to score in the box.

I feel like we really worked a lot on that with Gregg and throughout the year so far, and I feel like it's only going to get better.

Then obviously adding guys like Phil and Joe, and you guys know how good Hugo is in front of the goal. We just have a lot of guys that are good around the box. It seems like it's starting to click a little bit and guys are starting to gel a little bit more, and so there's a good chemistry between the guys and guys are pushing each other to get better. It's a good feeling right now, and hope to continue to do that.

Q. You're the first Chicago Fire hat trick since October 15, 2017, Nemanja Nikolic against Philadelphia Union. Wonder if you have any reaction to that stat, given it been eight years?

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, that's cool. I remember watching him. I don't remember that game with the hat trick, but I remember watching him with the Fire, and he was an incredible goal scorer.

To be the first person to do it since him is pretty special. Yeah, it makes me happy and hopefully get another one.

Q. I guess flying over here, you knew you were going to start presumably. But could you have imagined when you woke up this morning that you were going to score a hat trick like this?

TOM BARLOW: No, I just -- yeah, I wanted to come in and like you said, I knew I was going to get the start.

So I was happy about that and just trying to stay focused on how I can contribute and play my part. When you get your chance, you try to make the most of it, and I feel like I did a pretty good job of doing that tonight. Hopefully can keep it going.

Q. Have you had a second to check your phone yet, and if so, can you just describe what you've been getting and how it's been making you feel?

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, I took a quick peek. I haven't gotten a chance to respond to anybody. But yeah, I saw a text from my wife, and she was obviously pretty happy.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to giving her a call and yeah, just I know I got family and stuff that are watching. It's pretty special. I got a lot of good support. So it was nice.

Q. Do you feel it's better having a hat trick as you get ready to face Nashville at home, and how do you feel about playing against Messi in August?

TOM BARLOW: Yeah, I think this week is a big week for us in Nashville. We went to their place, and it wasn't a good result for us. So that's something we're going to prepare for, and especially at home, we want to come out strong and get a win.

That's what I'm focused on right now is getting back to training and getting back to work and getting ready for that game.

Yeah, whenever we play Messi, yeah, we'll focus on that. But right now, our focus is on Nashville.