CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 13, 2026

Hugo Cuypers

Press Conference

Chicago Fire FC 3, D.C. United 1

Q. Nine games you've played this year, 12 goals, and to get the win on top of it, how are you feeling, considering the last bit of run of games haven't been what your team's wanted?

HUGO CUYPERS: I think we're all really, really happy with the result. We knew it's a tough opponent. It's a tough place to come and play. They are going to have a lot of free kicks and will try to make the game ugly, which is what they did.

When you are trailing, it makes it even more difficult. So the win really makes us happy.

Q. And to see Maren get that goal late, we know how hard he's worked. Seemed like everybody was celebrating that boost. For that to be the game-sealing goal, what does that mean for the group and for him?

HUGO CUYPERS: I think it's important for everyone. It's a sign that he's doing well, too, and that he deserves. And on top of that, he really helped the team bring that win over the line. It can only help him and the team going forward.

Q. And the most important question: Have you managed to dry off after that game?

HUGO CUYPERS: Yes, I have.

Q. Tell us what you saw that resulted in the ball going to the back of the net.

HUGO CUYPERS: You never know what can happen. The goalkeeper makes a great save, and I think it's something we really emphasize, on staying alive on every single ball. And Andrew keeps the ball in play and there's a little ricochet, and I react faster. I think it's just staying alive until play is done.

Q. Your 12th goal of the season. So you're now leading the league, one ahead of Messi it looks like, which is pretty cool I think to say. How much motivation is the Golden Boot for you personally?

HUGO CUYPERS: For me, the Golden Boot has always been a consequence of the work I put in. Goals, of course, I want to score goals. Of course I want to win the Golden Boot. But it's not a focus because I know what I have to put in to get there. For me, it's a reward and a consequence, not a goal, if that makes sense.

Q. At this point in the southbound, two games left until there's a big break for the World Cup. How close to where the team wants to be, do you feel you are at this point?

HUGO CUYPERS: It's hard to say. We have had a lot of good moments, but also setbacks have shown that sometimes we lack that composure and maturity we still need. And those two games are really important for us to go into the break with a good feeling.

We are in a good spot in the ranking. So hopefully by -- by the break, we can look back on the first half of the season and be really satisfied.

Q. I guess in the world of football, people talk about Chicago Fire and strikers in the last week or two. Do you think they should be talking about Hugo Cuypers?

HUGO CUYPERS: I don't really get the question. I mean, I'm playing here. I'm doing well. So for me, everything that's being said outside is out of my control. It's not something I focus on, at all. So I don't really care.