Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“First, I want to congratulate our players for such a performance. The discipline, the commitment to the game plan, it was enormous. They wanted so bad to give this game to the fans and the Club, knowing the importance of it, in this moment, and what I saw on the pitch was that commitment in every single ball that they played, so they deserve all the highlights. The players today, they played a great game.”
On Joran Gerbet’s performance
“We are so glad and so blessed to have Joran on our team. I think the quality that he’s developing is the understanding of the game and today was that [type of] match that is going to make him grow. He was playing against Leo [Messi]. In that position, he needed to mark him, but at the same time, he needed to float in the game. He knew that we needed that piece, so it was a tremendous job that needed to be done well in a difficult scenario and we’re really proud of him and all the players.”
On the team finding its balance offensively and defensively
“Tonight was a good example, after finding the net three times, I saw the team in the last five, 10 minutes, working with such a responsibility that made me feel that this guaranteed us results along the season. There is a still things to get better on. We’re not going to think that everything is rosy, but we know who we are, we know where we’re going. This team has a conscious understanding of what we need to get better at, as well, so that makes me feel very optimistic. Now, we have to be preparing for the next game that is around the corner in two days and then Portland over the weekend, but really, I want to say to our fans and to our club that the boys deserve their kudos today.”
Orlando City SC Forward Luis Muriel
Opening Statement
“Happy for the goal, for the victory, because it’s a very important victory for us because of what this game represents as the derby and because we’re continuing a very good run of form.”
On his goal tonight
“I saw the space after they had been left badly positioned. I took off at full speed toward the space, Pedro [Gallese] made an incredible pass that I was able to control well and finish against the goalkeeper. It was a very quick play in which we were able to think quickly. Pedro saw me, that was very important, and it ended well.”
On the team’s record-tying, unbeaten run
"It means a lot because this team has been doing things well. As you said, it’s been 12 games without losing—11 league games, 12 including the [U.S. Open] Cup game, and this victory attests to our current form, especially given that it’s against a rival like Miami, which is our derby. It attests to this great moment the team is going through, and it signifies a lot for what is to come. We’re a team that wants to fight for the top prize, to be among the top spots in the standings, so this confidence boost is very important for us because we have important games at home coming up, which the more points we can add will place us in a good position, and beating Miami is an important confidence boost for the team.”
