Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“I think Philadelphia was sharper than us, especially in the two boxes. When they had their chances, they were lethal. We made mistakes that we could avoid on this level. We take it as a part of the game and also as our responsibility. When we had the options, we let it go and they didn't, and we let that opportunity go. For an instance we showed glimpses of things that we want and that made us feel optimistic. Players came and showed us good things, which is also a good sensation. But other than that, we still have habits that we need to correct. Just in this competition, it showed us today that we still have one or two more gears to go. We have to have it, but in the two boxes, they were better.”
On Forward Marco Pašalić and his performance
“Marco [Pašalić] was very good news for the fans, for us and for the group. The most difficult part in the game is scoring and today, he did it twice in a short period of time training with us. That made us feel very optimistic about his performance and he grew closer with the group too. So very positive on Marco. The other [new player] as well, I think they're showing us that, how can they insert or join or glue with us and the needs that the team has.”
On the fight from the team after going down in the match
“There was a period between the 50th minute and the 63rd minute when we collapsed. We made mistakes that don't belong to this game, at this level. We have to say, this is obviously our responsibility as well. The other team came out with energy that forced us to make mistakes that were very unnecessary. We didn't have the rhythm that we should have. Then we corrected and we realized that we do have it, but it was late. It was 4-1 already.”
Orlando City SC forward Marco Pašalić
Opening Statement
“I think we started good, but after the first goal, we have like a deep, I don't know how to explain it, it is difficult, you know, because we started really good, and this goal came. Then after the second, the third and the fourth goal, nobody was believing, but he's going to believe because we scored the second goal. It was my debut, two goals, but they're not so happy. Nice to score two goals at your first game, but when you lose four to two, then it's not so good.”
On adjusting to Major League Soccer
“It's not so different. I think they play a little bit faster in Europe, but it's okay. Here, it’s also fast and good quality. You saw it today, because it was going on both sides, running the entire time. It was difficult for us, because I think they were prepared and good. At the end, the result is not good, but I think I am adapting well. I can improve more, not only the goals but more actions within the game, and more actions but I think it's okay.”
On what he saw on the first goal he scored
“I explained when I came here to Orlando, that this is my type [of goal]. Coming from the right side, and try to go on my left foot, or try to go on my right and to shoot. This is what we studied in training. It's not tactic, it's my style of play and I do it. [I have a] feeling in the game and then I do it and then I score.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder Martín Ojeda
Opening Statement
“It’s painful right, because it's not the not the result that we had hoped for coming into tonight. I think we had a really strong first half, and then in the second half we had a lapse of about 15-20 minutes. That ended up costing us the game, and you know, those are things that we have to fix and improve on. I’ll say it again, just painful right now because again this is not the result that we had hoped for, but we have to pick ourselves up and focus on doing better as we move forward to the next one.”
On what went wrong during the second half
“The truth is during those 15-20 minutes we suffered, right. We weren’t together and packed in the middle and a rival was able to collect the ball, play it into the middle then find space, a lot of space, out on the wings and in behind. The only thing I can say really is congratulations to them because in those 15-20 minutes they were able to win the game, and they were able to play in a really good way during that time. It’s something that we have to improve upon because during a game you’re not going to be able to dominate the whole time. There are going to be those 15–20-minute stretches where the other team is going to have good moments, and you need to be ready for that. We will go together during the week and come together on improving those 15-20 minutes so that way we can move forward, and the only way to move forward is to get back to work.”
On what he saw on his assist
“I essentially saw Marco [Pašalić] and Ramiro [Enrique] kind of starting to run in behind. I noticed that I had a little bit of space, and I had good control of the ball, so I decided to hang on to it a little bit longer to give them time to crash into the box and to make those dangerous runs. I was able to get it to him and thank God he was able to have a good strike, and able to finish on goal. Really happy for him, and we're building a good connection together, and the way that he likes to play, and there's still more to be done. There's still more adaptation for everyone and all of the new players coming in. Really happy for him, because if he's able to go in with high confidence and he's doing well, it's going to raise the entire team, and it's going to be a good thing for Orlando. Really happy with him, and we're starting to make a good connection in these early days.”
