MINNESOTA UNITED HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On the close bond between the team this season…
“It’s a good job; they get on after having had five weeks in this bubble. It’s the best group we’ve had. We talked about adding players in the offseason who we knew could come into the team, but not only come into the team, come in and respond with the performances they’ve done. That only keeps the first team players on their toes in every training session. The attitude of the players has been unbelievable since we’ve been here and that’s got us through some games we haven’t played quiet as well as we would have liked. But the one thing I can never fault with this group – their honesty, their integrity to do what you’ve asked of them.”
On preparing for Orlando, another team not expected to have reached the semifinals…
“As I said to the guys, anything less than what we delivered against San Jose [Earthquakes], I don’t think will be enough. [Orlando] is coming in to the game full of confidence, you can see that. I think that, when I look at what Oscar [Pareja] has done in a short period of time, it speaks volumes of him as coach, because you forget, he’s only been there a short period of time and they’re looking well, a well-drilled outfit. It’s going to be a tough game for us, we’re fully aware of that. As I said after the game, Oscar is experienced and wily enough to know, they’re going to have play well also because I just feel that this group is on a bit of a roll at the moment.”
On the tactics against Orlando and the difference in the last few games…
“I think certain teams, we’ve kept a low block, certain teams we’ve gone a bit higher up and against San Jose we went for the full press, if you like, and weren’t allowing them to dictate the tempo and possession of the game deep in our half. We’ll speak to the players, we’ve come up with a situation and plan we think will make it difficult for Orlando, but ultimately, as always in these big games, small margins are going to make the difference. Is it going to be lack of mistakes, taking your opportunities when they come, set pieces have been great for us, can we maintain that? All of them are going to be really important and we’re looking forward to it.”
MINNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER OSVALDO ALONSO
On the different midfield pairings and the relationship between them…
[SPA] “Ha sido increíble, cualquiera que ha estado en la posición ahí conmigo lo ha hecho bien. Y muy contento porque es un conjunto que cualquiera que ponga hace el trabajo del equipo y es lo más importante. Contento con cualquier que pongan ahí y lo importante es ganar y dar lo mejor de cada uno y seguir trabajando como hasta ahora.”
[ENG] “It’s been incredible, whoever has been selected to play that position alongside me has done a great job. I’m very happy because it’s a great unit that whoever is there, will put in the work as a team and that’s what important. Happy with whoever is there and the important thing is to win and give it your all and keep working like we have been.”
On the family vibe and close bond between the team this season…
[SPA] “Si, lo hemos mostrado aquí. Creo que cada partido, como hemos jugado, lo hemos mostrado, todos estamos enfocados, todos estamos mentalizados. No importante si una hace un error y hace un error, estamos ahí para apoyar a cada uno y dar lo mejor. Sabemos que lo mejor es estar en conjunto como equipo, no importe lo que pase. El que esta al lado tuyo siempre da lo mejor de ti y eso te impulsa para seguir mejorando.”
[ENG] “I think we’ve shown it here. Each game, how we’ve played, we’ve shown how focused we are, strong mentally. It doesn’t matter if someone makes a mistake and another, we’re there to support each other. We know the best thing is to be a team and play together, doesn’t matter what happens. Whoever is next to you will give their best and that helps you personally to give your all as well.”
On preparing for a talented offense in Orlando…
[SPA] “Tenemos que preocuparnos por nosotros. Sabemos que nadie confía en nosotros, pero nosotros tranquilos, humilde, trabajando hemos llegado hasta aquí. Como hasta ahora, seguir trabajando duro, demostrar lo que tenemos, trabajar como equipo y confiar en lo que tenemos al frente. Hacer el trabajo y seguir como hasta ahora.”
[ENG] “We need to focus on ourselves. We know no one believes in us, but we’re calm, humble and working like we have been. Keep working, show what we’re made of, work like a team and trust in who we have up front. Do the work and keep going like we have been.”
MINNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER HASSANI DOTSON
On his willingness to play multiple positions…
“Like I said in the press conference, I just want to get on the field as much as possible and I really enjoy, I love playing this game. When we do the tactics and the team talks, I prepare myself for all the roles on the pitch in case I get my opportunity.”
On playing fullback with fellow MLS SuperDraft 2019 pick Chase Gasper…
“It’s always a joy to play with Chase. We have a great relationship, on and off the field. It’s nice to be able to celebrate that together, I mean, being drafted the same class, coming up and going through the rookie stuff together, it was pretty good.”
On the family vibe and close bond between the team this season…
“As you can tell just being around the guys, we’re still in a good mood, and it’s easy to get on each other’s nerves being here for five weeks. There’s an urgency yet a calmness feel and us being close allows us to work even harder for the person next to us.”
On preparing for Orlando, another team not expected to have reached the semifinals…
“If you look at any team in the MLS, I think all of them are pretty good teams so we respect Orlando very much. And like you said, with the fire power that they have, I think it will be a good matchup.”
