Head Coach Adrian Heath
On if he has been able to go to any of the other Allianz stadiums around the world:
Bayern Munich, incredible place. If you look at the quality of stadiums that they have sponsored, I think it tells you the type of stadium that we’re going to be building. Our supporters are going to be incredibly surprised to see the stadium that the club is building for them.
On the key to getting the new guys adjusted:
A bit of everything. And more importantly, just time. Sometimes it’s just for them to feel comfortable within the group. You can see that Sammy [Nicholson] has been here longer than Boxy [Boxall], because he had two or three more weeks when Boxy was away with the Confederations Cup. But they're certainly doing well. They’re good guys. Good professionals. And I’ve really enjoyed the training this week. I’m pleasantly surprised at how well the players have come back after the defeat at the weekend. It’s never easy to keep that enthusiasm on a Monday after a defeat. But they’ve been good. Obviously Johan [Venegas] is back now fit. Abu [Danladi] is fit. Francisco Calvo will be back in tomorrow. So we’re getting all our guys back around us, and that will be good for us in terms of team selection.
On the ability of being able to bounce back after a loss being important to an expansion team:
Oh it is, and the most important thing is that we come in everyday, every week, to try and get better. Trying to improve as a group. Which is what we’re doing. These guys have got a lot of pride. It’s not easy when you’re getting defeat like we did at the weekend, and I thought the three-nil scoreline flattered Red Bulls a little bit. You know, were they the better team? Probably. Did they deserve to win? Maybe. But certainly it wasn’t a three-nil game. As I said on Saturday, we had some big moments that we just didn’t quite deliver. When we’re in the ascendancy in games, we need to take the opportunities when they come along. We didn’t do it this week. Let’s hope we can do it this weekend.
On what he is expecting from D.C. United:
As we always do, whatever team that Ben Olsen has, they’re not going to come here and lie down. They’re going to come in and be competitive. It’s strange, because they had the disappointment of the defeat at home. I watched them against Seattle and they were the better team for long periods of the game away, and you know, that was a bit of a kick in the teeth for them to lose the game. So they’re at a bit like us, probably playing better than their results. So I’ll have a look at this moment in time, but it’s a big game for us and one that we’re going to have to be prepared for because they’re going to certainly be prepared.
MNUFC Midfielder Sam Nicholson
On how the setting in process is going, and his adjustment:
It’s really good. Everyone at the club has been great with me, and helped me settle in so far. Can’t complain, and I love it here in Minnesota. So everything is good so far.
On Minnesota in the summer:
I’ve never played in heat like I did on Saturday before ever in my life. I was struggling with that in a way, because I was a little bit un-fit. But apart from that, I’m loving everything so far.
On how he feels about his first game played in MLS:
It was good. I enjoyed it, being on the pitch and stuff. I think in terms of fitness, like for myself because I have not played in over two months, it’s going to be a process where I may not be at my best for another few weeks. So it’s just stuff that I’m going to need to do extra with Adrian, Jarryd and try and get myself to that level of fitness. But apart from that, I loved it. I loved playing in MLS. It was a great experience, and hopefully I’ll have many more.
On what getting up to fitness entails between training sessions and playing in matches:
Yeah, yeah of course. It’s hard when, I’ve not obviously played games, I got straight into them. Like in a game against Red Bull, who are a very good side. So it was hard, but I think the heat killed it the most for me, because I’m not used to it. I’m used to minus something degrees, so to come out and play in that heat was hard. But that’s something I’m also going to need to adjust to.
On if he has gotten to explore the Twin Cities at all:
I’ve just been walking about — because I’m in the hotel at the moment, just until I get my apartment — and I’ve been walking about in Downtown and Uptown. Just getting used to the areas and they’re really nice areas. I love the place. Anything is better than Scotland! So I have enjoyed it so far, yeah.
