HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On getting the first win out of the way…
“I think the most important thing is it’s put a little bit of belief in the players, that will certainly do their confidence no harm which is always really important in any team. I felt as though we had been playing well enough and not the rewards we deserved so it was nice to come away with the three points. As I said, it will probably set the lads up in a better frame of mind for the game against Dallas which we know is going to be difficult.”
On Tyler Miller making his first start after nine months…
“It’s difficult, people don’t understand that Tyler [Miller] has been out for nine months. He had a really big operation on his hips. For a goalkeeper, it’s always one of them that’s a little bit dangerous, but it’s testament to the work Tyler did in terms of his rehab. Came back, has looked really sharp since he’s been back and we were really pleased with him.”
On bright spots from Wednesday’s game…
“I thought we defended better than we had most of the season. We cut out the silly mistakes, individual errors that have cost us dearly. I thought the defensive shape of the group was better and I thought we defended the goal with a little more desire. And if we can do that again against Dallas, it will set us up nicely.”
On the short turnaround and preparing for FC Dallas on Saturday…
“We haven’t done an awful lot. Obviously, more video work than actual work out here on the grass. It’s never ideal, especially with teams who haven’t had a midweek game come in a little bit fresher. But that’s the way it is and I’m sure down the stretch, we’ll be in the same position as Dallas. I have great respect for Luchi [Gonzalez] and his staff. They’re always really well coached, always very ambitious, they’ve got a lot of pace in the group. It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready for them.”
GOALKEEPER TYLER MILLER
On playing his first game in nine months after hip surgery…
“I was very excited to be given the opportunity to play, especially at Allianz Field in front of the crowd. It’s just really nice to have them back, all together. Going into the game, I had a mix of emotions: excited, anxious, nervous, all of it but I just allowed myself to embrace the moment and really stay in the present and trust myself that I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for the last nine months, all the work that I’ve done. It was just an amazing first game back.”
On playing in front of the Wonderwall, making Allianz Field debut…
“It felt great. Hearing them sing at the end of the game was something I’ve never actually experienced, because every game [I was here for] either ended in a draw or [the fans] weren’t there. To be able to hear them finally sing [Wonderwall], I picked up on it. I was like ‘oh yea, this is what we do here.’ It was a pretty cool experience.”
On playing in front of his parents again…
“It was special. To know everything that I went through over the course of this last year, to obviously not be able to see them with the pandemic and everything we’ve experienced in the last year as well, has been difficult. Having my dad there was a very special moment for me. One, with the surgery and coming back from it and being able to share that moment with him is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. My mom gets in tonight so hopefully we can give her a good performance tomorrow against Dallas.”
On what challenges FC Dallas present this weekend…
“They’re a very dangerous team. I think they have some good attacking options. They’ve got good service into the box and are very creative on their set pieces. It’s something that we have to, as a team, collectively approach this game the same way we did against [Vancouver]. If we can have that same disciplined, defensive mindset, it will lead to us getting opportunities on the break and I think it’s the way we need to turn around the season. With how it started, it was not what we expected. If we have this defensive mentality, we’re really strong, tough to play against, I think we’ll be able to turn everything around.”
MIDFIELDER EMANUEL REYNOSO
On how the team performed on Wednesday to get a much needed win…
[SPA] “La verdad que la victoria fue muy importante. Necesitábamos ganar. Teníamos que sumar para seguir creciendo en la tabla y creo que hicimos un gran partido. Jugamos bien y tenemos que volverlo a repetirlo este sábado que va ser otra final más.”
[ENG] “Honestly, that win was very important. We needed to win. We had to get points so we could move up in the table and I think we played a good game. We played well and we have to repeat it this weekend like it’s another final.”
On getting the win in front of the fans…
[SPA] “Una alegría muy grande porque se lo merecen. Siempre tenemos el apoyo de ellos, siempre están constantemente apoyándonos y para nosotros es muy importante. Gracias a dios pudimos ganar en local y regalarle la victoria a nuestros fanáticos y a nuestra familia.”
[ENG] “Big sense of joy because [our fans] deserve it. We always have their support and they’re always supporting us and that’s important to us. Thanks to God we could win at home and give that victory to our fans and family.”
On his relationship with Robin Lod and Hassani Dotson in the attack…
[SPA] “Cada vez nos vamos sintiendo mejor. Estamos agarrando confianza, química ahí dentro de la cancha, eso es importante. Tratamos de hacer lo que nos pide el técnico, que es juntarnos, ir para adelante. Creo que vamos por un buen camino para seguir progresando allá arriba y en el mediocampo, y obviamente, en la defensa también.”
[ENG] “We’re feeling more comfortable with each game. We’re gaining confidence and chemistry on the pitch, which is important. We’re trying to do what the coach asks of us which is connect and go forward. I think we’re on the right path and keep progressing up top and in the midfield and defense as well.”
On watching his friend Ramon Abila score his first goal for Minnesota…
[SPA] “Una alegría muy grande. Se lo que puede dar Wancho, lo conozco y es un delantero muy picante que cuando tiene la posibilidad de hacer goles, cuando le que una o dos situaciones, no perdona. Ojalá que pueda seguir convirtiendo y ayudando al equipo.”
[ENG] “A great sense of joy. I know what [Ramon Abila] can do, I know him and he’s a very talented forward, that when he has the opportunity, one or two situations, he’ll make you regret it. Hopefully he’ll keep converting and helping the team.”
