Orlando City Interim Head Coach Martín Perelman
On the result
“I’m happy, of course, with the result but also with the performance. More than anything, I’m happy for our group of players because they put in a huge effort every day. Not just now, from the very beginning, they have been fighting and I’m glad they were able to deliver a performance like this. I’m happy to move forward in this competition and to put the team in the semifinals, which is important for us and for the club. I’m happy for our fans because they deserve it. They support us always, in good moments and in difficult ones. And of course, I’m happy for the entire club, the managers, the owners, Ricardo [Moreira], everyone here. We work hard, and today was a good day for us.”
On the team’s performance
“I mean, every time we play at home, we want to be aggressive, both in pressing and in play. This was a Cup game, as we talked about before the previous match, and we knew it would be a different context and a different competition. Maybe those were the behaviors I was referencing in terms of adapting. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Thankfully for us today, it worked, and it worked because they did it, they put in the effort and made it happen. Again, I am proud of the players. For the players, this is a good victory, a good step forward for us and for the Club. But it’s just that. We need to maintain balance, rest and prepare for the next game because we have a very important match on Saturday, and we want to finish the stretch with a win.”
On the team’s progress
“I think this is the process we have always talked about here. The team is developing. I said that when we lost, and I’m saying it today. It’s the same. The process and the performances are progressing and growing. The understanding and connection between the players are stronger, which is expected with time and work. I said from the beginning that we needed to work hard, and we still need to work. We need more work. The break will be useful for us because to continue growing, performing and trying to find consistency, not only in performance but also in results, we need more work. This is what we are going to do with balance, being humble and always knowing how we started, where we are now and where we want to be. I’m calm because my message is always the same. It was the same at the beginning, and it’s the same now.”
Orlando City SC Defender David Brekalo
On the result
“I’m so happy we advanced to the semifinals. The team performed really well. We played the same opponent in a tough game three days ago, so it was not easy from an energy standpoint, and I’m very happy. I’m proud of this team.”
On scoring his first goal of the season
“It’s really nice, honestly. I’m relieved it happened, and in a game of this magnitude. I hope it’s the first of many this season because I know I’m capable of scoring more goals. I’m glad it came relatively early in the season, and I’m looking forward to many more in this stadium in front of these fans.”
On the team’s game plan
“I have to give credit to the coaching staff here. They prepared the plan really well. The main idea was to win the ball either high up the field or deep in our own end and counterattack. It worked exactly as planned, and as we saw in the first half several times, three or four chances that did not result in a goal could have gone in by a few inches. That was the approach. Win it deep in our own third or high up the field. And obviously, the hard work from everyone, defenders shifting, midfielders running nonstop; I couldn’t do it alone. So, hats off to the whole team. Everybody worked so hard today.”
Orlando City SC Forward Tiago (Interpreted)
On the result
“We were obviously extremely focused on the game. We know Atlanta is a tough team. We played them over the weekend, and we drew them. So, we came into this game very focused, and we knew the quality of the group and that we could advance.”
On his goals tonight
“I’m extremely happy. I know the quality of player I am. I spoke with coach Martín [Perelman] during the week, and he told me the runs I should make, so naturally the goals came from it.”
On the team’s game plan
“Everything is well thought out. Martín gave us some film before the game on Saturday, and he told me those movements could lead to goals. From that, we were able to develop a plan over the week to score.”
