CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

October 17, 2026

Anton Salétros

Press Conference

New England 1, Chicago Fire FC 0

Q. First of all, you didn't win the game, maybe a decent performance, but you clinch a playoff spot, as well. Is it mixed feelings? How are you feeling right now?

ANTON SALÉTROS: Hey, for sure, mixed feelings. We are overall happy with the performance. I think we pinned them down. We played quite well in the build up and created chances but yeah we didn't do the most important thing in football, and that's to score a goal.

Apart from that, I think defending was quite decent as well. They had one opportunity in the game, mores and obviously want to win the game, want to win every game we play, and then he with clinched the playoffs as well. It's mixed feeling but also after a loss, you're not very happy.

Q. Last couple games, you've been playing a lot coming back from an injury and there was a minutes restriction before, and that got ignored at one point. How are you feeling physically after these couple of games?

ANTON SALÉTROS: Today I felt more back to my normal physical status. Of course, when you're off for a little while, it takes a bit of time to get into rhythm again.

But yeah, I kept a bit of fitness, so that's nice to feel. We are just going to work hard this week and prepare for Atlanta next week.

Q. How did it feeling wearing the captain arm badge?

ANTON SALÉTROS: Of course it's always an honor to wear the armband, something I'm used to in my former club. It's a great result to do here, as well, so I'm happy with that.

Q. What does Anzor bring to this midfield? Seems like if nothing else, he brings a level of physicality and energy that looks like it's fun to play alongside.

ANTON SALÉTROS: Yeah, I agree with you. He brings a physicality, and he brings the comms on the ball, as well.

Yeah, he's been out for a little while and getting back into rhythm. So it will be even more fun to see him when he gets up to speed, but we are happy with him.

Q. How much do you think this team can learn from these little bumps that you've experienced over the last couple games right before a postseason run that everyone hopes will be a bit longer?

ANTON SALÉTROS: No, I think we develop and learn every week, and I think these games where we played decent but didn't win, it's going to be important to experience that, especially in the playoffs, when sometimes the game can be decided in one moment, like it did today. So it's a great experience for us, as a group, to have been through that.

Q. This is the first time that we saw Andreas Hanche-Olsen play 90 minutes in 11v11 soccer. Can you tell us what you saw a little bit from him, playing just behind you in center back position?

ANTON SALÉTROS: I think he had a great performance. He's not been playing for a long time but it didn't look like that. He was communicating a lot. He's bringing experience. He's bringing quality. So it was really good to see him out there. I'm happy for him that he got 90 minutes after a long time out of football.

Yeah, he's going to bring a lot of quality and experience to the group, and it's great to have him in the locker room.