Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“First, to express our gratitude to our fans and the people who support the club this much. The energy that they bring into the games, and that's very contagious for the players. I know from the bottom of our heart, from the players, that that's the highlight of this part of the season, especially the last semester, when we bounced back after a very tough start to the season. So, thanks to them. Regarding the game, I thought we played well, and we had some moments of distractions, not that we get outplayed by Atlanta, but we got distracted on a couple plays, especially in the starting of the halves, and we need to correct that. It cannot happen in the playoffs. After that, or in between those moments, the boys played well and how we wanted. We have had more sharpness on our finishing than we did tonight, but I thought the heart of the team was there all the time, and I congratulate this group of players that, once again, brought us here. They finished fourth [place] in the conference, and that’s not an easy task. Just take that positive side of this one. We are very proud of the players and the club.”
On the mental lapses at the beginning of the halves
“It’s difficult to be so precise on that answer. I just saw the goals too on review and we didn’t clear the ball and the set piece. And by the way, I see a handball too there. The first [goal], I thought it was a collective distraction. And I have to admit that Atlanta did a good job on trying to move the ball in and find that space that they found there, but we have to be better than that on those in that moment. And also, the penalty that we conceded. I don’t want just to sweep the things under the table. We’re going to address it, but I don’t want to eclipse that either to all the good things that the boys did during the game. But really, I thought we have something today that is not allowed in the playoffs.”
On the goal that was called off for a handball
“The official said, and they reviewed, that they saw a handball there. By the ruling set, they are correct if it was a handball. I thought it was a very special moment for us and our fans and the frustration today and to not allow that goal is big, but that’s what happened. I just go beyond that. There’s other things, and the goal on the corner, I saw a handball there too. What happened is that it was difficult to see it, but it was. I reviewed it already, and that’s it. But it’s the beautiful game. It doesn’t stop and we have to move on.”
Orlando City SC Forward Duncan McGuire
Opening Statement
“Obviously, we wanted to lock in fourth place with a win tonight and end the season on a win. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. But, with other results in the league, thankfully, we got fourth and now we get to host a game in the playoffs, which is huge from how we started the season. So, I'm definitely proud of the boys and it's hard to smile tonight after we lose, but we all look forward and the positives are we’re still hosting the playoffs. I don't know when the game is next week at some point. And then we want to get back to work and, playoff time has begun.”
On his goal being taken away
“I believe I was talking with Dax McCarty about it, not the referee, and the rule is that if it hits your hand and you score immediately after, no matter what, it's called back. I don't know where else I'm supposed to put my arm besides next to my side, but that's all I'm going to say.”
On what his team could improve on to create more opportunities
“I think [Atlanta United] did a good job. I mean, obviously, they got themselves in a good position by being up too early, and then they really put the pressure on us to have too you know, the team is behind the ball knowing they just have to hold on to a win. So, yeah, they did a good job. And I think if we maybe get more guys in the pockets in the interiors, we could do a little bit more damage and hurt them a little more. But we had our chances in the first and second half, and I think maybe we could have put them away.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder Martín Ojeda
Opening Statement
“This loss hurts, just as they all do. It hurts us tonight and it hurts us even more that we lost tonight in front of our great fans, because we wanted to push and get that win for them, you know. But at the same time, we're in a good spot right now, that's at the start of the season we had, we had about four or five months where we were in a really bad zone, where things just results weren't going our way, bounces in the game weren't going our way. And it was, it was a tough it was a tough stretch, and it really hurt us. But now looking where we are right now, we're in a we're in a beautiful moment. We finished fourth. We're in a good spot in terms of how the team is playing. And you know, I'll repeat it, looking back at everything the whole season, that five-month span. Now, you know, we're in a really good spot, and it's great to see that progress.”
On taking the lead offensively in tonight’s match
“That would be just the results of training in and out every single day. I practice creating, not just opportunities for myself but opportunities for my teammates as well. I know that my teammates are also putting in the work and training every single day, as we all train and work together to give each other opportunities in the game. As this helps us bring a huge positive effect and impact in the game. At the end of the day, it all comes down to just a lot of hard work and lots of training every single day. I have to prepare myself for situations like this every single day in training. I was really happy with the goal, but I’m a little bit disappointed it didn’t help us with a positive result. Hopefully my next one can help us within the weeks to come.”
On scoring his goal with a header
“More than anything, it was just knowing where my teammates were going to put the ball. Rafa [Santos] really likes to cross the ball really strong into those center areas, which eventually leads to lots of ricochet in the box. I saw that the center back was far away from the near post, which made me run into the area like I always do. As I always try to get into those spaces and create chances. Rafa looked up and saw me make that run into the box and he sent the cross towards me and I did my best to convert it into the back of the net. Sometimes It happens and sometimes it doesn’t happen, but I really just tried to take advantage of the opportunity. Luckily Rafa played a great ball and found me as I took advantage of the given space to get us back in the game with the goal.”
