MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath
On how the new guys are fitting in after the first match:
I think the one thing that we can take out of the weekend is the fact that we played, probably, the best team in the league from last year and everybody expects them to be at the top of the league and at no stage were we second best in the game. In fact, for large periods of the game, we were the team in control of the game. I thought Burch and Cronin did excellent for the first game when they only had four or five days with the group. So they'll get better. They didn't do anything I didn't expect of them. They're two guys who have played over 400 league games in MLS. They get the game, they get the level, they're experienced pros. They'll be really good additions for us this year.
On the how the team as a whole is settling in overall:
People feel comfortable now, I think. Everybody's settled and everybody's got their family, everybody's got their own home. They're out of the hotel, which has been a nightmare for them. Everybody's feeling more and more comfortable and as I said at the beginning of the season, having been through this, this takes a few months before everybody feels completely settled. But I just get the feeling that the group's gelling a little bit better, on and off the field. I don't think it's a coincidence that our results have been better as well and our performances have been better. Onwards and upwards from here.
On what to expect from Houston:
They've changed their team around quite a little bit. They're very offensive now, they've got three really quick strikers. They've got a couple of Hondurans who are really quick and Cubo Torres looks like he's got himself going again. Everybody knew he had ability, but obviously working for a coach who he's worked with before has certainly put a spring in his step. It's going to be another difficult game for us, but I want us to build on last week's performance because there was a lot of encouraging signs.
On Houston as a place:
I've been down a few times. Obviously when I was in Austin [with the Austin Aztex before they became Orlando City] I managed to get down and watch quite a few of their games. They're difficult at home — it's not going to be an easy place. But we're going at a good time of the year. In a few months time, it might be a little bit lively. 140 degrees is not good. But I'm looking forward to it.
