Head Coach Adrian Heath
On returning to the regular-season with a shutout victory…
“I did say to the players: Take away the last half an hour playing with 10 men in Nashville, I thought the Leagues Cup was a big success for us. We had some big nights, some big moments. We showed a real ability to play through adversity. We played three games down to 10 men. I said to the guys, ‘we’ve got to take some optimism from that and take that momentum into the last 12 games, as it was.’ So, the go away to New York [City FC], we needed the victory. They’ve got a really strong squad, they spent a lot of money on that group so to get our sixth win on the road to equal Orlando [City SC] and [Real] Salt Lake – we’ve got the record with that – so that’s pleasing. It was a big win, we can’t deny that. We’ve got a big game now ahead of us this weekend.”
On seeing Mender Garcia, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, and Jan Gregus contributing to goals…
“It’s one of those days where you put substitutes on and all of them had contributed, it makes it look as though you know what you’re doing for once. We know what we’re going to get out of Jan [Gregus], but I thought the second goal was actually a very good ball from Sang Bin [Jeong]. Mender [Garcia] got a hold of the first one which is something we’ve been working with him on and then Sang Bin played a great ball to Izzy [Ismael Tajouri-Shradi] … great first touch, the timing of his pass and then the angled run that Mender put in. I think you could see from the rest of the group what it meant to them. He’s a great kid, Mender. He’s a popular member of the group so everybody was really pleased for him. I just hope he can get some momentum from that and build on it.”
On approaching the game against a historically difficult Seattle Sounders opponent considering the team’s home record…
“It’s another game for us that we know is going to be difficult. They’ve [Seattle Sounders FC] got quality everywhere you look in their team. The fact that they got beat at home over the weekend is not going to stand us in good stead because knowing [Brian] Schmetzer the way that I do, I’m sure it’s going to be a bit lively up in Seattle this week. Whenever you play Seattle, you know what you’re going to get. They’ve got a team that never gives in: [Raul] Ruidiaz, whether it be [Nicolas] Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, [Cristian] Roldan. They’ve got [Leo] Chu now on the left wing. They’ve got quality wherever you look. The games have been tight but we have more games against them at home, so let’s keep this run going.”
On the match being broadcast nationally and a big stage overall…
“Every time that you play nationally, it’s always a chance for you to showcase the club. I know our supporters will be there because they always are. The stadium will probably be full. It’s up to us to give a really good performance and keep this run going.”
Midfielder Wil Trapp
On the importance of a win returning to the regular-season…
“It was a good response from us for the last game in Leagues Cup. We took some of the performances – prior to the red card in the Nashville [SC] game – from Leagues Cup and continued that on. It was really a good sign from our group of, ‘hey, we’ve had a lot of games recently’, and to carry over performances and to feel the rhythm of the game was important, and we showed out and did that in New York.”
On the new additions to the team as a benefit in the upcoming match against Seattle Sounders…
“It goes without question we’re a different team from when we played them. Teemu [Pukki] coming in, Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] coming back… it’s a completely different make-up of our group. That game in Seattle was a difficult one for us. We struggled to maintain the ball and to create chances, but I think things are different for us now. At home, we have to find ways to pick up points and do a good job in front of our fans.”
On getting positives results in the upcoming weeks to qualify for the playoffs…
“It’s taking the games one at a time, like we did in New York. This was a great result for us, away from home, to pick up three points and move up the table a little bit, especially with one or two games in hand on the teams ahead of us. Understanding that it doesn’t get any easier just because you win, but games at home will be important for us.”
On both containing the Seattle offense while making the most of scoring opportunities…
“Being disciplined in the defensive part of the group like we’ve been, truly, is paramount against a group like that because they’re [Seattle Sounders FC] very apt to score in multiple ways: They can run behind you, they can keep possession, they can score off set-pieces so they’re versatile in their danger. But, if you win the ball and you attack quickly against them, you can create chances. Also, they do give you time and space to play. I think getting guys in dangerous spots ahead of the game will be important for us as well.”
