Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“Big effort from the players after these couple weeks that we had been playing every three days. I would like to value that effort. Two teams tried to put a good performance, and from our side, in the first half, we had control, but we were not as dangerous as we were coming in the prior games. They kept possession sometimes in their half, but not a dangerous place so we were in that side control. But we wanted more. Nico [Lodeiro] was helping us just to do a job, or in a position that is not very frequent for him, but I think he did great. And in the second half, it seems like we brought more energy and we started creating better chances and we have the game 1-0, which is something that this year has been a challenge for us to open the games. And then this goal that we concede, this is where we have that sensation of frustration for us that it was not that they did a lot of stuff to tie the game...and we had a few very clear options, including that last one that I, we all thought it was Luis [Muriel’s] moment to unbalance the game. We work with a bit of frustration, but as well, we are very proud of what the boys have done.”
On adjusting to New York’s press after midweek game
“They have very talented players, especially up front, and not just one or two. But I think all of them have that differential in the technique, and they’re dangerous there. And, especially in the first half, they changed the structure from the way they played the last games. And it caused us a little to adjust. We were trying kind of to readjust, and the way they were pressuring us in the beginning, it caused us to adapt to it. Then, we make a couple variations in the way we arrive from behind, and we have some advantages positionally with Rafa [Santos] and we moved Wilder [Cartagena] and César [Araújo], just try to unclog the game there. And I think we were successful at that. That’s why the second half looked like we were better. But you’re right, in the first half it was tough just to get out of that pressure or to find our best ways to do it. There were so many times we were feeling uncomfortable.”
On New York City FC’s goal and the tactical changes for the team
“They came and pressured our midfielders. We really understand the game well when we have that kind of pressure and how to use our spaces. We know that they pressed us and how we can jump lines and not get it through that first man, in this case Wilder or César. But we just find the far guys that are able to receive. In the first half we couldn't see much. We started to find our midfielders, but they were under pressure after the first pass. I was patient with it because I noticed after 20 minutes that New York started getting tired and they reduced the pressure which allowed us to find the spaces. In the second half while they were pressing, we were missing that pass. That's where the frustration came from because it was not much more than that. It was this moment that changed our result. I have to give credit to the boys because it's easy in those moments to just start kicking the ball around but we’re not that. We’re a team who can change the game back to our radar of sequences. But I'm not taking that personally.”
Orlando City SC Forward Ramiro Enrique
Opening Statement
“First off, thank you. It always makes me happy to score a goal. As a striker it’s really important to be able to score, but I think tonight we leave the game with a little bit of a sour taste in our mouths because we felt like we had that game and that we should’ve won. But to be able to score again is always good.”
On breaking through New York City FC’s defense
“This is a team that plays really well and with superiority, especially with the quality of their goalkeeper, [Matt Freese], it’s really difficult to score on him and convert those chances. But at the end of the day we still have to play with our ideas and find our touches and I think tonight we were really strong with our ideas of the long balls, the diagonals and being superior in that, and thankfully we were able to find a way to score tonight. But it’s just really difficult to play against them.”
On what he learned tonight playing against a tough defense
“I think confidence, right? Confidence in what we’re doing and how we’re playing and the way that we’re going about things. I think we’re playing really well; we’re continuing to work hard. We’re doing things really well, so just continuing to bring that forward into each and every game, continue to play each game and approach each game with attitude, humility and professionalism as we’ve been approaching these last games, and just to continue doing that and leave, continue leaving everything we have out on the field each game.”
Orlando City SC Defender Robin Jansson
Opening Statement
“Tough game. Two teams that really wanted it. I think New York [City FC] was a little bit better in the first half and we were a little bit better in the second, getting some good chances and it was a tough one today. They did it well and it was hard to play them, but overall, I think coming from a game two days ago and going into this one, I think we did a great job, the whole team. We scored first and they equalized which feels bitter directly after, but we take the points and move on.”
On the pace of tonight’s game
“I think you can put all those criteria in there. It's been a tough week for most of the team, but at the end of the day it’s our job and we tried to go for the three points. We were up 1-0 but we got one point. When the game is this tight, we take the points and move on from here and we have found great momentum in the game before winning four in a row. Just continue grinding as a team. I think we have the unit working better together on the field that’s more synchronized with the way we work both offensively and defensively.”
On adjusting to New York City FC’s play style
“We knew before that they normally step up with their midfielders, but today we wanted to play more through the middle. But you have to adapt and find an easier game when you know they're coming to press you. We knew it before. They’re very good at finding balls earlier in behind to put pressure on you in space. I think in the second half we did better coming in behind them.”
