CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 5, 2026

Jack Elliott

Press Conference

Q. Curious what it's like going into this match weekend where you know your opponents, all you have to do is worry about -- you have seeding to decide, but you still have that game in front of you, but you also know that opponent that's coming three weeks down the line.

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, it's an interesting scenario. I think one of the first times I've been in it. But there's a lot to play for, and having the home field advantage in these kind of games is super important.

It's a big game for us this weekend to, one, make sure we get that home field advantage, and, two, go into the playoffs with the right momentum and the right mentality.

Q. Jack, last year you guys clinched with two games to spare and the last two games didn't go according to plan. This year you clinched with several games to spare. Did you learn anything from what happened at the end of last year?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think as a team, we're more resolute. Everyone is on the same page of just trying to win, trying to play the best that we can. So just using that this year and not losing focus in these crucial moments has been important to us.

Q. On the back line, how much has it helped you personally in terms of your freedom in your role to have Mbokazi back in the last month?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, it's great. Obviously M-Bo, he does a great job with everything he does. He makes it super easy for anyone he's playing with, knowing that he's there, and you have the confidence to do anything that you want to do, do your role.

So it's been great to have him back. Amazing recovery from him.

Q. Jack, as captain, what is your message to the group before a match that is going to lead possibly into the home field advantage?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think this is as big a game as any. The playoffs start on Saturday almost. It's a game that we shouldn't be taking lightly at all. It's a huge game, has huge implications, not just for seeding, but I think the way you round out that kind of game and round out the season can dictate the momentum you have in playoffs.

It's going to be important to have a good performance, first and foremost, and get the result from that. So I think that's the key factor is having a good performance, having the intensity for the whole game, having the focus for the whole game, and really just doing everything that we can in our power to get the home field advantage and take the momentum on to the playoffs.

Q. Jack, going into the playoffs, what do you think is the weakest part of the Chicago Fire? Is it the defense or is it the offense? Where do you think the Chicago Fire has been the weakest in the last games?

JACK ELLIOTT: That's a strange question. I think obviously there's places to work on on both ends of the spectrum. Neither side is perfect. I think we're doing everything that we can in training to make our attack sharper, and on the other side of the ball, make sure we're defending as a team, as 11 players.

Q. Jack, looking back at the result, the ni-nil earlier in this year where you guys had to go to a back five, a lot of depth was being used that game. Chris Mueller started that game and that was the Dylan Borso game, right? What can you take from that game where you're going against a different type of coach where it's Courtois this time versus Rydström earlier this year?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think it's difficult to take a lot from a game that was that long ago with both teams being vastly different in approach and even personnel.

It's something that I felt that we did well in that game. We adapted to the situations that we had to adapt to, and I think using that is going to be a key factor.

Q. Your old teammate, old club mate, Neil Pierre, got called up for the national team. Looks like he's going to be an integral part of this cycle. How much did you get to work with him in Philadelphia as a very tall center back, and any thoughts on him getting called up again?

JACK ELLIOTT: It's great. I think I met Neil when he was a really young kid, but he trained with us a lot my last season in Philly, so I got to see him as a player, and you could see that he was something special. So I'm super happy for him, and I'm sure his career is going to skyrocket.

Q. What has it been like operating with a bit of a changing room at fullback over these last few months where you have guys who are all competing for those spots, and because you guys clinched the postseason early enough you have had the flexibility to try some things out?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, it's always interesting, I think. Fullback is a position where if you can get fresh legs, it's helpful. All the fullbacks we have are great players, so it doesn't change the quality in the team.

I think it's a lot about just getting familiar with everyone because you never know who you're going to need at any certain point.

Q. Jack, how important will communication be, especially when Columbus will try to pull out of position the defensive line?

JACK ELLIOTT: Yeah, obviously communication is hugely important in any game, and with Columbus, they try to throw center backs out and create spaces in and around you. I think it's going to be crucial for us as a team to be communicating as 11 players and making sure that we don't get pulled out too much and can keep our shape compact, be in the right spots to be able to nullify what they're trying to do to us.