CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) — A brief moment of confusion for Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday (March 29) at his introduction as the newest member of the Chicago Fire of the MLS.
The German midfielder was asked by a confused reporter if he felt the Fire might make it to the World Cup with his addition to the squad. Schweinsteiger, Coach Veljko Paunovic and General Manager Nelson Rodriguez scrambled at first to understand the question with a team official whispering in Schweinsteiger’s ear that the questioner must be asking about the World Club Cup.
The reporter was, in fact, asking if the Chicago Fire could reach the World Cup. Chicago, a huge sports town for ice hockey, football, basketball and baseball is known for its sports fanatics but maybe Major League Soccer knowledge is not quite hit its stride in the “Windy City.”
Rodriguez saved the day by explaining that the club does not compete for the World Cup. He redirected the question, asking Schweinsteiger about the team’s chances of winning an MLS Cup.
The proceedings seemed to return to normal as Schweinsteiger gave his answer.
“I think in football everything is realistic and I always believe in the team which I play for. You can win the game even though it’s the best team in the world you have a chance to win and I experienced that a lot in my career that everything is possible,” he said.
