Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“Our feelings are strong on the way that we gave up the goals and I think that changed the story of the game. It was a game that was well played by Orlando, and I thought we had very good chances and the way we neutralized [New York City FC’s] forwards and the way they attack; it was very correct. I thought the discipline for the boys was very similar to what we planned to do during the week. From any stance, we were the team that, especially in that first half, had the clear possibilities, but definitely our pain right now is how we conceded those goals. That is what brings this feeling of frustration. Again, we have a bunch of things that we will do during the week in the buildup for the next game and see the way we can bounce back in the next game.”
On conceding right after scoring a goal
“We felt that as soon as we tied the game that we were not just controlling the game, but we had the chance to win it. I thought we could do a much better job on defending that shot, but it was fast. In these instances, we may think that our reaction was not good, but I didn’t feel that from the team. I thought we were connected with the game when we tied it up and I had good feelings of getting more than just the tie but really frustrated with the way that goal was given up for us because I thought we could have done much better.”
On allowing eight goals through the first three matches to start the season
“It is very obvious that we have conceded too many goals in the first three games. We can share the same thoughts. We need to defend much better. When you see the nature of the goals, it may be even more painful because it wasn’t structural, it was probably something we could correct better individually. It is the reality that we have and surely, we will keep addressing that part. Again, a bunch of good things that the team presented today and even with the first game in the opener that we spoke about, we need to be better individually for sure and we will do it. The boys are very professional and responsible, and they are on our suggestions, and I am very sure that we are going to get over this and be a better and more solid team.”
Orlando City SC Forward Luis Muriel
Opening Statement
“It was obviously a difficult loss for us especially for us because we felt like we played a good game and took them right to where we wanted them. After they scored, we were able to equalize and tie things up, which was a really important step in the game. In some small details, the game slipped away from us, and we fell into a loss for us which is difficult considering how we feel we played.”
On the attacking and defensive parts of the match
“In the attacking phase of the game, we are a team where when we are scoring goals it raises the level across the whole team and raises our level defensively too. It is important in a game like this and when you come to a field like this that is so complicated to be able to score those goals. Unfortunately, we haven’t been as strong defensively this year and we conceded goals today and it is already a complicated enough field to play on and when you concede goals it becomes even more complicated of a game and becomes very difficult. The work we put in during the week is going to give us that extra push to become better defensively as we move throughout the year. It is not just one part of the team, it is everybody especially from my position as a forward, we have to defend from the front and have to lead on that foot to help set up our teammates in a better position as well.”
On the goal he scored in tonight’s match
“It was a long ball from their defense that we were able to get onto and Marco [Pašalić] was crossing in front for that quick touch into space and he was able to really take it forward and control the space well. He allowed me time to run into that open space and he played a great ball that, basically, all I had to do was finish it and put it on goal. It was a great play between us and was a great thing in the game, but unfortunately was a tough result, and we conceded a goal that ended up being the winner a few minutes later.”
