CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 26, 2026

Gregg Berhalter

Press Conference

Chicago Fire FC 1, Charlotte 0

GREGG BERHALTER: We talked before the game about focusing on the performance, focusing on our roles and responsibilities and focusing on helping your teammate, and I think that's what type of performance we had today.

You know, it wasn't going to be easy, but I think we came here and set intentions from the very beginning of the match, and you know, we got a good win. You know, obviously they are ahead of us in the standings. It's very close. It was a big six-point game, and it was important to come out with a victory but most important, to have that type of performance.

Q. Curious when we talk about the depth pieces, it's Johan who gets the goal, a scrappy goal, and then Josh Cohen, your backup who had not started all year, making the big save late. What does it say about these guys' ability to stay ready?

GREGG BERHALTER: You've got to give Josh a ton of credit just for not playing a game in that long and to come in and have a performance like he did. He's been patient all year. He's been working hard all year, and that's why you put the work in; so when your number is called, you can have that type of performance. Really happy for him.

Johan, as well. You know, he worked like crazy. He didn't stop running in the game. Can't wait to see distances because he was all over the place. Got rewarded with a good goal, and I thought played well.

Q. Sometimes going seven games without a win, you do it however you can. Is there a feeling of relief in the locker room after that result?

GREGG BERHALTER: We're happy that we won but the thing is, every game tells a different story. Every game has different context. We played really well sometimes and didn't win. And we played not so well and won games.

So for us, it's really just about focusing on the performance. We know how important it is when you get towards the end of the year. And to come here and to dominate for large stretches of the game like we did, I think was important.

Q. With Jay sitting deeper in the midfield, what did you think of him playing that role?

GREGG BERHALTER: We had Maren between the lines in the first half. We had Sergio a little bit higher between the lines. But with them pressing 4-3-3 it made more sense to drop Sergio next to D'Avilla at times, and we could really attract some of their midfielders and open up space.

Q. Did you see Sebastian's goal yet?

GREGG BERHALTER: I did, yes. He only scores bangers.