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Toronto FC returned to first place in the Eastern Conference following their 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. It was the club's first win in the Windy City in franchise history.
That wasn't the only milestone set by Greg Vanney's side. For the first time ever the Reds have won three consecutive games on the road. Armando Cooper also made his TFC debut in the 63rd minute, replacing Tosaint Ricketts.
Jozy Altidore continues to be the most inform player in MLS, recording his sixth goal in eight games to go along with three goals for the U.S. National Team during the international break.
Altidore, Vanney and Michael Bradley spoke to the media following the match. Here's some of what they had to say.
Greg Vanney
On coming back from the loss vs. Montreal
"Very important, I think we've done a very good job this year, and the guys have done a very good job of rebounding after a loss and responding in a good way. It's important to them, as they stepped out onto the field today, that they had a good response to last week. This has been a tough place for us over the course of the last ten years or so, I don't think we've ever won here. We're pleased with that, we knew it was going to be a battle. This is a Chicago team that I think is playing very well and is finding their footing. We knew it was going to be a challenge, and it was till the end."
On Jozy Altidore's importance
"Extremely important, Jozy does a lot for us on the field, on both sides of the ball, attacking and defending. Obviously, he's a guy that can hold up the ball, he's strong. Today, it was he and Tosaint [Ricketts] who had a nice partnership, and really worked, I thought, the back line all the way across. On other days, it's he and Sebastian [Giovinco] who are a very good pair. This is the first time, I think, Tosaint and Jozy have ever played together, so it was a good first outing for the two of them. He brings so much to our group, from his personality to what he does for us on the field on both sides of the ball. It's great to have him scoring goals, I know it feels great. He's in a good place, and it's up to us to keep working with him to make sure that he stays there. I think we've got the right answers for that now."
On continuity
"I think it's important that we continue to get guys healthy and get some continuity in our group, and get some continuity here down the end, and try to get as many minutes with our partnerships on the field. Seba-Jozy is obviously one of those partnerships, also our midfield crew getting on the field together, and getting ourselves acclimated to one another, because we missed a lot of guys through injury and through international call-ups and various things over the course of the summer. We just haven't had a ton of matches together in this middle stretch, but we've been able to get results, which is a good thing. For us now it's getting healthy, staying healthy, and building some continuity and continuing to improve upon our performances.
Michael Bradley
On bouncing back from last week’s loss
“Huge three points. Obviously, there are certain nights where for one reason or another, it becomes just about finding a way to come away with the result you need. Tonight was one of those nights. It’s a terrible place to play, nothing about coming here is easy. That’s been demonstrated over the past few weeks. They’ve improved as the season has gone on and everything comes together in a way to make it a very difficult place to play. It wasn’t our best night football wise by any means, but again for what we’re trying to do and where we are trying to go, and what we are pushing for, those are three points that are worth gold.”
On keeping Accam contained
“He’s a dangerous guy. When you look around the league in terms of attacking players who can play wide and come inside, who are quick and agile, he’s pretty high on that list. Obviously, they didn’t want to use him from the start tonight; I’m assuming he had a long ten days with the national team and then getting back probably just a day or two ago. But obviously when he comes on, he’s a handful. He made a good play for their goal but ultimately, we were able to find a way with our mentality and our will to just to compete and do whatever we needed to make sure we came away with three points.”
On expectations rising now with Toronto on top of the East:
“Again, nobody’s expectations are higher than our own. We are looking at the big table as well, not just the Eastern Conference. Obviously, Dallas have had a great season, and Colorado have as well. Both those teams still have some points on us but we are going to continue to give everything we can down the stretch to see if we can chase them down. Obviously in the process that means we want to finish first in the East, and then make sure that we can give ourselves the best possible advantage going into the playoffs. It’s a good night, the points are huge points, and we’ll enjoy them for sure. But now it sets up a huge game against the Red Bulls at our place on Sunday.”
Jozy Altidore
On recovering with a win against Chicago after losing to Montreal:
“It was essential. The Montreal game we all came in looking around to each other and said it was three points dropped. We felt like we were the better team. On that day, we just didn’t have it in us. Today it was important to respond; it’s a tough place to come. The team has improved a lot. I thought it was a professional performance tonight.”
On using his recent National Team and MLS performances to his advantage:
“Anybody knows me, I’m a simple guy. I don’t really buy into all that stuff. I’m happy to do what I do for a living, take care of my family, and enjoy these amazing experiences that I am blessed to have. Being able to travel the world, play soccer, represent my country, represent the great city of Toronto, I’m just lucky and I just try to enjoy the ride.”
On Jonathan Osorio’s goal and being excited for him:
“I think for Osorio, he’s one of our better players. He’s so underrated throughout the league, and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves as a Canadian National; I think he should be representing them much more. I just think he has a lot of quality. He’s a big player for our team. We rely on him a lot. To see him kind of get that goal especially down the stretch, we need guys with confidence. I’m not surprised how he’s played this year, he’s been quality again and took his goal really well.
On the high expectations leading into the Red Bulls game:
“Obviously it’s going to be a big game. It’s a very good team, I felt like they’re one of the better teams in the East, they have some very good players and I think it will be a very, very good game. A tight game, and one that we’re going to have to concentrate and focus on. I think the winner will be looking down on everybody else which will be important."
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