Minnesota United conceded a goal and three points in stoppage time on Sunday after a hard-fought 90 minutes, falling just short of capturing a point on the road against the reigning MLS champion. Here's what the team had to say following the final whistle.
MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath
On the late penalty goal:
“I’m disappointed for the players, obviously. I think they put an incredible shift in tonight. We had really good shape, defended the goal well and we’ve always looked a threat all evening. Abu [Danladi] could’ve conceivably had two or three [goals] himself. So, for all the hard work, to get nothing from the game is a little bit of a killer for the boys, but I can’t fault their effort. As I said, I was pleased with a lot of aspects of our game tonight.”
On whether the penalty call was correct:
“I’ll have to see it again, I’ll have to see it again. But I don’t want to speak about the referee. The less I say about him, the better.”
On Ethan Finlay scoring on his debut:
“Yeah, we’re all pleased for him, obviously, but he did exactly what we he thought he would do. He looks like he’s been with us an awful long time. He slotted straight in – knows the role – I think he’s going to be a good pickup for us. He can be delighted with his first start.”
On Finlay’s impact on the rest of the group:
“I think we try to play a similar type of game as Columbus [Crew], so he’s used to the role that we’re asking of him. So I think that’s been a little easier of [an] adjustment for him. He’s a great kid. He wants to come in, work hard and do really well. And he will do well for us.”
On Abu Danladi’s performance:
“I thought he looked dangerous all evening and he’s devastated with himself in there because he’s had good opportunities tonight, chances that he normally buries. So he’ll be disappointed, but as I’ve said to him, if he keeps getting in there, keeps getting in the right spots, the goals will come for him.”
On his message to the team after the match:
“If we can compete the way we did tonight, I’ll be really pleased. We’ve got, what is it, 10 games left now? And we’ve only got three at home, so we’re going to have to go to one or two tough places on the road. But if we can show the same commitment and organization that we did tonight, we’ll pick up a couple of wins between now and the end of the season.”
On Boxall’s marking on the set piece when Chad Marshall scored:
“Yeah, he just slipped over. Obviously there’s nothing you can do about that, it is what it is. But, there’s been a lot of positives for me to take out of this evening’s game. But as I said, I’m disappointed that the players haven’t got something from all their hard work. They deserved a little bit more than that.”
MNUFC Goalscorer Ethan Finlay
On his feelings having scored a goal:
“It was terrific. I had thoughts of it obviously earlier in the day. It was a great ball by Ibson. Great recognition. You know, it was a long time coming I think. I was happy to do it and in the first game it was a great way to debut.”
On the team’s mood postgame:
“I think we are disappointed, absolutely. We created enough chances to score two or three goals today. If you put yourself to let them nick one late. Give them credit as well. They had some opportunities they missed, but I thought we deserved better than zero points today.”
On his thoughts about fitting into Minnesota’s system:
“I say [that I fit] pretty well. That is up for you guys to judge, right? We are just concerned about the guys in there. They would not have brought me here if they didn't think I was going to fit in. It is up to you guys to decide if they made the right decision or not. I thought it was great. I thought in the short time we have had together that we are combining. We will start to find each other and gel a little bit more. Don’t discount it. We created three, four really good opportunities and could had three or four goals this evening.”
On what he feels he can bring to Minnesota:
“Leadership. I think this is a team that has struggled, obviously, this year. I think by bringing in some of the pieces they have throughout the season, they are looking to bring some guys in that have some experience, that have a voice in this locker room, and that are going to better this club on and off the field. That is no different from what I will try to do. What Sam [Nicholson] was asked to probably do, what Marc Burch has been asked to do. Obviously the guys they brought in, those guys are still getting used to it. They have only been here for eight months themselves. So they are all kind of getting their feet wet, too. In a new place, new environment with some new coaching staff. Everything is still very fresh for everyone. So I think that is the important thing. I hope to continue to bring good performances for the team and bring energy. I thought tonight we weathered that storm pretty well in the second half. I like to think I helped that, and I was a part of that. I think that is one of the things Adrian [Heath] likes about me. If we can make that contagious for the club, we will do just fine.”
MNUFC Defender Brent Kallman
On the match:
"It feels like we left points out there. We had some really good chances. Chances to bury the game. We talked about it. We knew coming in we were going to get some really good chances on goal and that we were going to have to bury them against a team like that. So that one hurts, and then we got unlucky at the end. I thought we were doing a good job seeing the ball out, seeing the game out, and then to give up a penalty on the last play of the game like that, it was crushing. I think we deserve more from the game, but how many times have we said that this year?”
On playing in Seattle and this environment:
“They were loud. They were really loud in the second half. I think the players feed off that. They definitely feed off it. I think as an away player, you feed off it as well. This was my first game back in a while and I was kind of tired in the first half. I felt much better in the second half. I think that was part of the stadium, the crowd and how loud it was. That was one of the best environments I’ve played in probably.”
On what Ethan Finlay brings to the team:
“He works really hard. You are always going to get that from him. He works super hard and he is direct. He is not a guy that is going to come underneath all the time but he wants to get in behind and that is exactly what happens on the goal. Ibson got time and space he makes a good run in behind and he is effective and direct in that way. You are always going to get a ton of work from him.”
On playing tonight despite recent injury:
“Well, I think I’m good. I met with the doctor. They seem really confident that I’m good to go, even though I had a scare last week. The coaches are concerned because it is an injury that they have never heard of or been around. They can’t relate to it in any way. I feel good and the doctors have assured me that I am good to go.”
