CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 11, 2025

Chris Brady

Press Conference

Q. You have NYC FC, the reverse fixture, not anything great in the ending, what's the difference from May as this team has grown in this season?

CHRIS BRADY: I think it's crunch time and everybody feels that, and we feel that not only that there's pressure but also belief amongst the team that, like I said, although it's crunch time, we can get it done with the squad.

And there's a lot of positive vibes going around the team right now. So it's what I like; it's what I like to be a part of.

Q. Last week you faced off against one of the goalkeepers in the U-17 pool in Matt Turner, a number of key saves including at the very end to secure three points for the Fire. This week, facing off against Matt Freese, another goalkeeper in the pool who you spent time away with. When you're trying to motivate yourself and challenge yourself is that something on your mind, the extra eyeballs on a matchup from National Team scouts, as well as the public, and how do you feel about that as something you're thinking about going forward?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, going up against competition with the National Team always gets me a little fired up. But I will say that I find greater success and greater pride in a collective whole team beating whoever is on the other end than just me making saves.

So that being said, if we can get the job done, I'll feel great.

Q. In terms of kind of looking at this back line, everything's kind of been fluid, you're going to have Leo and now Joel in the back line. What does Joel bring to this group as someone who is a strong personality on the pitch with also a lot of veteran experience?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, you said strong personality; that describes him well. First thing I noticed right when he got here was a ton of communication, which we can never get enough of that.

So I love that he came in and immediately made his presence known with his organization, the way he sees the game and the way he communicates that to others, and couldn't be more appreciative of the way he's impacted the team so far. I know he was on international duty. It's good to have him back, as well as those other guys you mentioned.

But yeah, Joel, he's had a strong start.

Q. Against NYC FC, their past six games have been decided by one goal except one draw in there. With your role, does that put added pressure on you to try to get every stop knowing that they are a team that may not score a ton but are able to get results with a goal in the back of the net and taking care of business on the other side?

CHRIS BRADY: I think maybe just the type of game it's going to be puts that added pressure, not necessarily who or what is on the other end.

But just the implications that this game has, it's an important match up and it's one where if we get that win, we leapfrog them in the standings, and they are also close to us. I think that is kind of what my mind is on and same with the other guys on the team.

But defensively, we'll do our job. Offensively, they have been doing their job. So not too worried about any of that.

Q. Obviously you've been here through some of the tougher times when it comes to September and this time of year. You've been with teams that haven't been in that race. Now that you're in the thick of that playoff race, does that ignite something inside you, either mentally or whatnot, the different mentality that you now have that you're playing for something or fighting for something that previous seasons you might not have experienced that you're now experiencing for the first time?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, I would say that I'm experiencing a bigger fight and a bigger flair within myself, not just in training, but in games, especially these last few weeks, knowing that we're making this push. And everything's definitely attainable. It's in our hands.

It's different. It's a different feeling, as you said, than in past years. But this year, I'm happy with the way things have played out so far, and the squad around me, I know we can get stuff done. I keep those feelings to myself, but yes, definitely more fired up.

Q. Before the Bares played on the same surface you're going to be playing on Saturday. There were things on social media about the quality of the turf. It had just been relaid. Obviously an NFL game played on it on Monday night, and you're playing there Saturday night. Assuming it's not going to be in fantastic shape for the game, does that make your job more difficult knowing that there's going to be places where there's divots and rough patches and potentially the ball could be bouncing and dipping in ways that are harder for you to predict?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, things like that require the focus from everybody to be heightened but especially me. If there's bumps or things that are mainly out of our control, we just have to be a little more careful with things like taking our touches, making saves for me, where to jump, where to land, things like that.

But nothing I haven't been exposed to already, and like I said, we'll be prepared.

Q. How fun is it to be in these high-pressure runs as it goes down to the season? Everyone's here for that level of competition.

CHRIS BRADY: I love it. The pressure is a privilege, and I'm just happy I'm able to experience this with my team. I love it.

Q. Last year we were talking about Fire II goalkeepers, I was talking to you about Patrick Los and Patryk Stechnij, and you said, "What about this David Molenda kid? Don't forget about him." He proceeds to have a great academy season and makes a great impression with Fire II. What have you seen in that young man who you told us to watch?

CHRIS BRADY: Yeah, ton of growth. Ton of growth. I knew what I have seen, and he's been backing that up with the performances he's been giving.

But yeah, he's very mature for his age. Strong kid. He's a unit, a force to be reckoned with.

Yeah, the way he's saying the game right now is good for him, especially his age. I wasn't there when I was his age. So I'm happy to see that.

But yeah, he's a good kid.