CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 24, 2026

Gregg Berhalter

Press Conference

Q. Talk about going into an International break, what are your expectations going into this where you're missing so many first-team players?

GREGG BERHALTER: I think it's just dealing with it. Not making any excuses. We built this roster for a reason; that we'd still have a strong squad, and we've been playing shorthanded the last couple weeks with Anton missing and Puso missing, and that's all part of it.

Now it's another challenge for this group but it's really about the next-man-up mentality and we're going to see that on Saturday, I think for both teams.

Q. And when we're talking about potentially between 16 and 18 first-team players available, you've had a lot of second team players training with you. So has there been anybody that's impressed you, and is there anybody that we think that we could see this weekend?

GREGG BERHALTER: Yeah, we are going to call players up. A lot of them have impressed. So you know, I think we'll finalize that in the next couple days but second team has been doing well. They played such a young, average age this entire year, and then it gives the guys experience.

So when they come up to our group, they are ready to play.

Q. Josh looks to be in line to get minutes, first MLS minutes in two years. What gave you the confidence to have him as the backup all year, and potentially for moments like this where he has two starts coming up?

GREGG BERHALTER: I think he's able to help the group with his experience, being around the league, being a veteran player. And for me with, both Josh and Jeff, their consistency and their attitude in training has been incredible; the support of Chris, when he's been around. But really their sustained effort over the course of these nine months has been impressive.

Now when you wait for an opportunity and an opportunity comes, we expect him to perform well. He's played well in training the last couple weeks, and he's ready to play on Saturday.

Q. To ask the slightly boring question: We know we saw Anton and Mbokazi training with the group. Curious what their outlook is at that point, and if you have any update from last week about Andreas, who you noted at the time was awaiting the birth of his first child?

GREGG BERHALTER: Still no news with Andreas, and it's as frustrating for him as it is for everyone. But the important thing is that he's there with his wife and -- or his girlfriend, and that they get to welcome their baby into the world together. That's really important for them and for us.

With Mbokazi and Anton, they are both questionable. We have to see how they come out of this training week. I think both of them at times has looked ready, and at times we've been a little bit cautious. We're going to see how they end up tomorrow and we'll make a decision tomorrow before we travel.

Q. Looking at the rest of the roster, I was wondering how you view the striker position because right now the team doesn't have someone who is a dedicated natural backup to Robert Lewandowski, and with him playing in Europe with the National Team, how you view that position this weekend against Vancouver.

GREGG BERHALTER: An option -- we are going to recall Dean Boltz from the second team. He's a natural striker, a younger player, and then we have -- you know, we have a number of attacking players that we can move into that position.

Will it be like Robert? No, of course not. We'll be like Robyn, who has a really good understanding of that, potentially. When we have done that, it has looked like a hybrid-type striker but we'll still ask similar things. You know, arriving in the penalty box, getting in on the end of crosses, stretching the back line. Those are all things that would be important, wouldn't matter who plays there.

Q. Another player consistently training with the first team this season is Jack Sandmeyer; going back to North Carolina, you both know very well. Could he potentially get on the field in this game?

GREGG BERHALTER: We'll have to see how it lines up with our depth at that position to determine if he'll be with the squad.

Q. What do you anticipate -- or how has having Maren around, the way he's been playing, the way he's been informed, how has that allowed you to prepare this week, knowing that he is someone who can really be relied on, maybe in a capacity that most people outside of Chicago wouldn't expect?

GREGG BERHALTER: I think that if you watch the games, you can see that Maren is a very good soccer player and a very smart soccer player.

So when you talk about different roles and expectations for -- for behaviors in those roles, you know, he can -- he can fill that very easily. Very smart. Can understand games very easily. And I think he's a great asset for this club.

Q. So you got the extra international slot wrapped up today for just 75,000, so I want to ask, André Franco, is there any update on him? Is he close to coming back now that you have an international slot for him?

GREGG BERHALTER: No, we are still working on getting Andre up to speed. We want to make sure we bring him back in a safe way and he's strong toward the end of season. There's a chance we will call up Brody Williams from the second team if we require an international spot.

Q. Charlotte looks a lot different. They have added Saint-Maximin. Seems like he's started to come into form. How do you think a player like that affects play for that team, specifically, and just another big name to come to MLS and seemingly want to be here long term?

GREGG BERHALTER: Yeah, very similar -- not very similar but can potentially make the impact like Zaha, right, very good 1v1. Good finisher. I've watched him for years and been impressed with him for years in speed and 1v1 ability. And you've got to do good team defending when you play against him, because isolated, he can do some damage. Really interesting player and great signing for the league.

Q. I just wanted to ask generally, throughout the season, we've seen there will be weeks where one or two guys from the youth squad, from Fire II will be training with the first team. Have you noticed any sort of like different atmosphere or different intensity among the younger guys this week, kind of knowing that at least a couple of them are going to get to make this trip this weekend, given the squad on this international break?

GREGG BERHALTER: Well, I think the important thing was the entire team. You know, we were very disappointed point performance in the first half against Nashville, and it's okay, how are we going to bounce back.

For us, the coaching staff, it's been about the training. They put a fantastic session in on Tuesday, really intense session. Lasted long. They got recovery yesterday and today we are back at it. That's what we are looking for, younger guys, older guys, really, the entire team showing the willingness to really compete and push themselves in training.