CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 20, 2025

Gregg Berhalter

Press Conference

Chicago Fire 3, Minnesota 0

Q. 3-0 win, you shift to the back five, curious what the thought process was with that and the thoughts on the result being the 3-0 win that could have been more.

GREGG BERHALTER: It was really about the shifting of the back line. We realized when we played against them last time that they went four, the back line has to make some big shifts, and we figured to put an extra man in there to make it more manageable.

Q. In terms of the way the side responded, Andrew Gutman is coming further up the pitch which allowed Bomba to slide further back because he didn't necessarily need to go as far up. Do well you think the guys responded, especially in the attacking half of the pitch?

GREGG BERHALTER: There wasn't a ton different attacking-wise in terms of what they are trying to do. I think personnel is a little bit different, right. Andrew was higher and Joe was inside instead of vice versa or one of our attacking mids in the pocket.

So we were occupying the pockets, which was good. We have a stable buildup with a 3-2. I think the guys performed really well. And to me, the most important thing is the mentality of the team because you know we were disappointed with the result against New York City and we had to respond. It was a great response from the group.

Q. And to do that while get two goals off set pieces against Minnesota, one of the best in the League at it, what does that do for this group?

GREGG BERHALTER: I think it helps with belief. Minnesota is a good side. They don't give up many goals. They are very good on set pieces. They score a lot of goals, and to get, you know, I think a clean sheet, credit Chris and the back line and the whole team, and then to score three goals also.

Q. How much for comfortable did André Franco look, getting more minutes and slowing the game down when he can?

GREGG BERHALTER: Yeah, I thought he had an excellent game. Again, controlling the rhythm of the game, the tempo of the game, making the right passes at the right time.

Q. Wins are more important than anything but tell us about the clean sheet and how important is that for this team?

GREGG BERHALTER: Yeah, I think it's just all about this time of the season. You've to the to keep collecting points. You've got to keep trying to move forward. We know we are in a dogfight. We know Red Bull won today again, and it is what it is.

So we're going to keep going.

Q. And Romi gets back on the pitch a couple minutes, to have him back on the pitch for the first time since July.

GREGG BERHALTER: It's important to have guys back and fit, right. Romi and Leo making an appearance after a slight injury and getting guys on the field is important.

Q. Last one from me, Dje, the up and down first season, to see him literally rise up from that moment, how happy are you for him?

GREGG BERHALTER: It's really a question of perseverance in his mindset. To continue to ride through the bumps in the road and to continue to keep going, and now he's been a solid starter for us.

Q. Because you love talking about yourself, 200th MLS game, to get the win, how awesome is that?

GREGG BERHALTER: It's important for the team. It's three points to keep us moving and keep us in the picture. So that's very important.