Head Coach Adrian Heath
On if tactics will change due to weather for the match on Saturday…
“Not really, it’s going to be the same for both teams. I don’t think it’s going to be ideal. The latest weather forecast it’s seven, eight inches on Thursday [and] Friday. Hey, we’ll see what happens. We’ll prepare as though everything is going to go ahead as normal and we expect so. One thing about Minneapolis, they seem to be able to take care of the roads, etc. which generally are the problem in football games. It’s not actually in the stadium, it’s in and around it normally. We’ll prepare as normal and hopefully with the game will go ahead.”
On if he remembers the “Snow Opener” of 2017…
“I do remember the ‘Snow Opener.’ Not very often do you forget, was it six or seven [inches] on your first game in charge, so I do remember it, yeah.”
On if he thought he’d have to play in another game with the same conditions…
“Here, yeah, having been here for seven years. Yeah I did, but hopefully it won’t come to that.”
On if the snow was a factor in the home opener of 2019…
“Every time I think back to that game, I always find it ironic that we had Scandinavians who couldn’t stand up. And they [New York City FC] had about seven South Americans who were dancing on the snow, which obviously was a little bit of a shock to us on the day. But no, that was then and this is now, so I fully expect us to be ready for the game at the weekend.”
On if snow presents much difficulty as it falls on the pitch…
“It does, yeah, because especially the ball sticks and then it starts to, the ball starts to get bigger, and as you have the ball a lot of time it goes in your eye. Usual sort of stuff, but it’ll be the same for both teams. So, I’m not even thinking about the weather, snow, I’m just trying to prepare as best we can for the [New York] Red Bulls team.”
On preparing for a tough Red Bulls offense…
“They’ve got talent. They’ve got a lot of energy. They’ve probably pressed more than any team in Major League Soccer, that’s in their DNA as a Red Bull organization, and we know what’s coming. It’s not going to change. The ball goes forward, the next one will go forward as well, and you have to be ready for that. That’s some of the stuff we’ve spoke about and we will speak about in the next couple of days in the buildup for the game.”
On if he has takeaways from the preseason match against the Red Bulls…
“Not really. We played a little bit different with the shape that we had that day. We know what’s coming, that’s the most important thing, and they don’t change whether they play home or away. In fact, I think it’s sometimes away from home where they can actually just press and play it forward and get after it. I don’t think it’s going to be any different.”
On if the Red Bulls will look different without Aaron Long…
“I think so, yeah. Obviously, they’ve lost a really experienced leader, somebody whose been very, very good for a long period in this division, so no. They will eventually miss him, but they’re obviously committed to the people they’ve got. [Sean] Nealis, etcetera, and [Andres] Reyes. They’re both very competitive kids, not an awful lot of difference. But the way that they play, I don’t think will change at all.”
On if forward Luis Amarilla will be ready for selection this Saturday…
“Yeah, he’s been training. We gave him a little bit of work to do while he was down in Paraguay, so he’s ready and yeah, he’ll be available for selection at the weekend.”
On South Korean striker Jeong Sung-bin…
“He’s just one of the few players that we’ve been actively looking at over the last few months. I think we’re a lot further down than we were a few days ago. Not really an awful lot I can say until he’s actually signed and he’s here, but he is one of the players we’ve been looking at.”
On preparing Bongokuhle Hlongwane for his matchup against John Tolkin…
“I think John Tolkin will have it all on with Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] at the weekend, that’s what I think.”
On if Bongokuhle Hlongwane was training…
“No, he’s got a little, slight strain, nothing too much about it. We’re getting to that stage now with working indoors, as long as we have done now, one or two people are starting to pick up little bits and bumps, so we have to tread carefully with that. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we can get rid of the snow and get out on the grass because at times, I don’t think people realize how it gets on top of you after artificial light, artificial surface. So, the sooner we’re out on the grass the better.”
On Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s injury…
“I think it’s hamstring, but it’s nothing too bad, he could’ve trained.”
On Wil Trapp’s rib injury…
“Same, non-contact. We’ll have a better idea on Friday when we workout.”
On if there is an update on Emanuel Reynoso…
“No.”
On his expectations of the fans at Allianz Field…
“They’ll always turn out. They never let us down. [I] don’t expect anything else. I expect a full house, a really vibrant crowd as we always have, but we have to give them something. We always say this it’s not a one-way street, it’s a two-way street. We have to give them something to get into the game as well and that’s what will be the message before the game.”
On if defender Brent Kallman is unavailable…
“Yes. Progressing, probably another two weeks I would think.”
On defender Kemar Lawrence…
“He came off. He was limping a bit this morning, but I don’t think it was too bad.”
Midfielder Robin Lod
On preparing for a game with poor weather conditions…
“It’s pretty much the same like every game. You just try to not think about those things too much and just focus on the game and do what you can do. It’s cliché, but it’s the same for everyone, so you just have to adapt.”
On if players have to adjust their studs on their cleats before the game…
“Yeah, you have to take concern with what you wear because otherwise it’s going to be really slippery, but that’s football.”
On if he likes the snowy weather…
“No, if I’m honest.”
On preparing to face the Red Bulls after playing them in the preseason…
“It’s going to be a tough game. I think [New York] Red Bulls is one of the most straightforward teams in MLS, and you just have to prepare to fight for it and prepare to run because they will not stop at any point of the game. And when you have the ball, take good care of it.”
On midfielder Hassani Dotson and his rehab process…
“It’s nice to have him back. I’m always excited about him because I see such big potential in him. He, a little bit, reminds me of myself playing a lot of different positions and adapting on different things. He’s looking good and sharp.”
On seeing versatility in Hassani Dotson…
“You can put him anywhere and he will perform. It’s really wonderful for the team because you have those guys that if you’re short in some places, you know this guy can take it. He understands the game and that’s why he can play in different positions.”
On if making the playoffs is still the primary goal…
“It’s the least we want to do, for sure. I’m really eager to get to the playoffs and have some success in the playoffs.”
On if he watches the Concacaf Champions League…
“If I’m honest not too much. I don’t care that much about other teams to be honest.”
On his 100th game with MNUFC and if he thought he’d reach that milestone…
“Well, I haven’t paid attention, but it’s nice that you get so many games in one club and it tells that you have done something well. It’s great.”
On the difficulties falling snow presents when playing in a game…
“The ball gets really slippery. It goes fast on the field as well, so you just need to take good care of it because even small mistakes can cause big damages. You just need to be careful.”
On what it means to him to play in front of the fans at Allianz Field…
“It’s awesome. It’s always nice to play in Allianz Field. The fans are great, and it’s always electric to be there, so [I’m] really excited that we get back to play there.”
On if he has adapted his playing style after moving from right wing back to center midfield…
“As you said, I just do what the coaches say is the best and try to help us as much as I can. Of course, when you’re playing a different position, you have to think a little bit different, but I just go game-by-game and try to add up.”
On if having most games on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. helps a player get into a routine…
“I don’t know. I think you get to know some routines, how the day is going to be because you always play at the same time, so I think there’s that, but I don’t think that affects too much.”
On if he has cold weather preparations…
“No, I’m the guy who always wears everything on the warmups but when the game starts, I’m probably going to be with just the shirt and shorts. So, nothing.”
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair
On the difference between playing on turf and grass…
“First of all, you can breathe outside. Just the way the turf is on our bodies, our climate is an unfortunate reality for us, but anytime we’re able to get on grass, we’re very ecstatic. Hopefully, the spring comes a little early, and we can get out there a little sooner. We definitely enjoy every moment on the grass.”
On how much the weather impacts the mindset of the players…
“Like I said, we’re in Minnesota, this is our reality. We kind of know how our pitch is going to be early on in the season, and for me personally, I always wear studs because anything I can do to limit slipping, it means a lot more when I slip, so anything I can do. We know the grass is going to be slick and slipping can still be a reality with guys wearing studs with the way our pitch is right now. We’re definitely happy to be out in front of our fans again and looking forward to opening up the season well.”
On how the pitch looks after the winter…
“It was pretty good. They put the sew in the grass last year, and we didn’t have that at the beginning of the season, so seeing the difference in that to start the season is going to be different. But also, it’s tough to tell in training versus a game. There’s obviously a lot more ground and pounding during a game, so we’ll see how it holds up for a full 90 minutes.”
On if the stitching on the field makes a difference…
“Yeah. It allows the grass to grow a little bit better and stay a little bit firmer for our feet.
On communication with defender Miguel Tapias…
“I try to speak as much Spanish as I can, which isn’t great, but when you hear things in your natural language, your brain processes quicker versus if I say it in English. If I do know it in Spanish and talk to guys like Z [Zarek Valentin], it helps a lot. He speaks both [languages] so sometimes, for certain things, I’ll ask him ‘okay, how do I say this?’ or if it’s something longer, I’ll tell Z if he can translate on the brief moments that he can in the little breaks of play and stuff. DJ [Taylor] speaks Spanish as well. So, talking to guys that are able to speak both and be able translate for us. In the moment it can be nonverbal communication as well because sometimes you don’t have time to really break down plays like that. Things like after the game or halftime or trainings, and things like that.”
On Miguel Tapias and his experience as an advantage to the team…
“His calmness, game management. We went on the road and was able to get a one-nil victory. Keeping a clean sheet away from home is never easy, and I think the way we were able to manage the game throughout. Their only strong attack was off a corner kick. Being able to manage the things that are in front of us. He doesn’t speak the language fully yet but being able to say ‘hey’ or give guys something where they’re switched on as well.”
On if making the playoffs is the goal or if it is something more…
“Yeah, I think it’s always something more. We’ve made the playoffs, but I don’t play to make the playoffs. I play to win something every year, and I think that’s got to be the mentality for us. There are some new competitions as well. You play to win trophies, that’s why we do this. You can be happy with making the playoffs, but I think it’s time for us to take a step up. For me personally, I’d rather miss the playoffs one year and win it the next versus making the playoffs five years in a row or four years in a row for example.”
On how the weather affects preparations for the game…
“It’s just being able to manage it. That’s the sport that we play. We’ve always had to manage the climates. Sometimes its scorching hot, and we’ve got to manage that. It’s about trying to stay as warm as you can. Staying warm before the game and at halftime. Some guys maybe drink a hot chocolate or something like that at halftime to warm up their internal temperature. It’s going to be a mindset, and that’s our reality at the beginning of the season.”
On if he has specific winter attire as a goalkeeper…
“I like to wear the medical gloves underneath my gloves just to keep my hands a little bit more insulated in my gloves, and that’s the way I keep my hands warm. Some of that I’ve tried and it works for me. Guys have all their different things. It’s just about figuring out what works for you.”
On if there is a difference between night and day games…
“Yeah, you’re dealing with natural sun versus the flood lights. Our pitch is good but some other pitches, you’re looking for a couple of balls and you might lose a couple in the light. You can say the same about when a ball goes in the sun. It’s just about adapting to what we have, and we’ve always played at different times; it’s something I’ve grown up with.”
On how he looks at the threat the Red Bulls present…
“We also played them in preseason not too long ago. We know the [New York] Red Bulls’ style, it’s very clear of their identity and what they want to do. They’re going to come out and press and look to play direct, which in the cold could suit them. At the same time, we played them last year and we went there and got a result, so I’m sure they’re looking to get their first goal and first points.”
On what he thinks of the new playoffs format…
“More teams in the playoffs. At the end of the day it’s about winning it. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. It doesn’t matter if everyone makes the playoffs or if two teams make the playoffs, it’s the reality of us in America. You make the playoffs and it’s a whole new season.”
On not aiming for the play-in game…
“No, of course not. You don’t want to have to play extra games if you don’t have to. We’d love to be the one-seed and to make sure that we host every single game. I think that’s definitely something that every team is going to say, ‘can we host?’ Who doesn’t want to host the MLS Cup Final?”
On staying fresh after having the bye week break…
“We were able to get a couple days off after the road win, but I think we ramped it right back up. Last week, we did a little bit more than we would do in a normal week just because we didn’t have a game. We trained on the Saturday, which normally, we’d have a game. We had a scrimmage in-house here. It’s just trying to stay fit and do as much as possible. At the end of the day, it’s the home opener as well. If guys are looking forward to putting out a performance in front of our fans, that’s all the motivation that I need.”
