CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

April 23, 2026

Robin Lod

Press Conference

Q. Curious what do you think are some of the defining traits of this group through eight matches and Open Cup match where this team has shown a lot of resilience, despite maybe not playing the best level of football that you guys expect from yourselves?

ROBIN LOD: Yes, I mean, I think it's the biggest part of us this year, we've been like really, really resilient, and the the mentality that we have been having that we compete in every game to win every game.

I feel like we are starting to show that we are united in the field that we play together as a team. We attack. And as a team defender, and I think we have been proud of it that we have not conceded that many goals, and as you said, of course, the people know the potential of this group.

And then it shows we have in the team that we could play even better. But the main thing is that we've been getting the points, even though we haven't been the best.

Q. So this is your second MLS team. You spent a long time at Minnesota and there's an adaption period but, one of the reasons you were brought, I assume, is your versatility, and we have seen you in a number of roles across the midfield. Has that that affected your adjustment and did you have alternative favorite position, or are you comfortable throughout the different roles?

ROBIN LOD: I think I've been through my whole career confident to play any positions. I tend to think of myself, to put the team in front of myself. So no matter what the coaches think, I can give the best part of me in any game that the team does the best, I'm happy to do that work.

Obviously as you said, it's an adjustment to be in I anew environment, but eight games in, I feel like I know the guys around me and the group. It's been a pleasure to be playing.

Q. You've established yourself as a goal scorer in MLS. How do you plan to mentor the younger players?

ROBIN LOD: I just try to give all my experience through the years, things that I know in league, and just give some opinions that has worked on me and give some advices for the younger players. The good thing is there's a lot of potential and younger kids on this team. So anything that they need from me, I'm happy to help them.

Q. Throughout your years, you had a big role in Minnesota being a captain and starting guy, and now it's changed being here, and the playing time, some nights you might play and some nights you might start or be a super sub. How have you adjusted to the role?

ROBIN LOD: It's a new thing for me for sure this year that you are in a new environment. And that's one thing, I wanted to make a change to be in a new place and have a different kind of experience and have points.

I think that's where you best the guest out of the players, where they have object on their heels and show up every week and be ready to play. I've been enjoying it, and yeah, it's been a nice change for sure.

Q. Do you keep in touch with your national teammates and the coaching staff?

ROBIN LOD: Yeah, of course, I have a lot of best friends of mine. So I'm connected with them all the time. I've been speaking with the coaching staff as well. There's always something else ahead. I've been in contact with them.

Q. The way this group has had to rotate players in the front with Joe and Hugo missing time, what does it do when all three of them have the ability to rotate positions and that you guys can play a fluid style up front where everybody can be in a different spot?

ROBIN LOD: Yeah, I think it's kind of unique that you have a group of players that can play many positions and I think if you ask any of those players, maybe if Maren is on the position, they like to play in a different position. They enjoy the fluidity that you can mix, even inside the game, that you can play different players off the field and make it difficult for the opponent. I think everybody has been enjoying that part.

Q. Switching focus, the game against sporting Kansas City, a place the Fire don't often play. But you've faced them a number of times, and some players have not been there that long. What do you expect? It's a new coach and a lot of personnel, Dejan, but a lot of holdovers, too.

ROBIN LOD: Yeah, as you said, the last few years they have been changing a lot, through the players, the coaches, the conversation and I feel like they are in a transition kind of.

Way but as I said they still have a lot of quality on that team, and it's a team that maybe plays with a sense that they have nothing to lose and only to prove, prove for themselves. And that's why it's a dangerous team and you have to be focused for the full 90 minutes to not have any slipups because it's a team that can cost you for sure.

Dejan, he has been in the League and proved that he's one of the best goal scorers in the League and done it in L.A. and he showed last year that he can do it in KC even though they are struggling. It's a player you have to be careful.

Q. Last week there was a level of disappointment that it wasn't three points, is there excitement to get back out on the pitch this week, given how tough the finish was?

ROBIN LOD: Yeah, we put ourselves in position to win every game. And going into Cincy, it's a tough place, and we showed what we are capable of doing; and especially if you are leading by two goals, it's always a disappointment to let the team comeback.

I think that it's a good kind of disappointment, as you said, coming for this week, that we want to improve, and that we can bounce back straightaway in front of our home fans. It's a perfect place to be and go for the three points.

Q. Last night, we saw a lot of crazy results at the end. Next week the Fire have three games, all against MLS opponents and at home. Can you talk about the challenge of three games in a week?

ROBIN LOD: Yeah, it's probably tough to recover, to play three games in a week. So the good thing is that we have a lot of players who are eager to show what they are capable, and something that we can use I think the biggest thing is to mentally prepare every game. If you have a good weekend, you can go to the midweek game with a false sense of security.

So I think the biggest thing is to be mentally prepared for every game. You have to focus 90 minutes to get the results. As we showed the English league, anything can happen and it can be a little bit crazy. It's important in this stretch of games to go in mentally, show up and think that every minute is important.

Q. I'm just wondering how are you and your family are settling in to Chicago, and what kind of things you like to do?

ROBIN LOD: We've been settling. Of course it's tough when you are one place for a long time and then to move and for the kids to find new school and wife to find new friends. It's not the easiest thing. But as time comes, we've been settling well and the weather is getting better. We've been exploring the city, but we love the suburbs, as well, so it's been fun.