Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“We're very happy with the three points. We are very happy with the effort of the players. In the short time, they got back the energy to get that start in the first half where I think we dominated the other team in the game. But it was a similar situation that we suffered in that first half when we conceded that one goal, but then our reaction in the second half was more steady and more solid. We understood that sometimes we can play good with the ball and have it and have options and all those things because you want to be aggressive and you want to head forward, but we have to learn that lesson and know that we have to be solid defensively as well. It's a combination of both. We have been always talking about balance and what I saw today with the team was we are acquiring some balance, and mentally, it was a great day for us. Not just to win against a rival that is in similar position to us and is a direct rival, and that magnified the importance of this win.”
On the goal from Luis Muriel and the team’s mindset offensively
“Our strikers and offensive players understood it already, as well. It is not just a desire to score, but you actually have to score it. We need to score goals to win games. We went up in the last game, this game, and the [U.S. Open] Cup game scoring goals. But then, don't forget about what we just spoke about, the consistency offensively. I'm so glad for Luis [Muriel] to get back on the scoreboard. And Ramiro [Enrique], who is making a great effort fighting for his position after an injury, not forgetting that he had a tremendous year last year. Now Martín [Ojeda] is hot, and the boys are scoring. That gives us a lot of hope that we can keep getting games down. I'm happy for both of them."
On defender David Brekalo’s performance
“I was very satisfied with the defensive work that we did, and David [Brekalo] is a protagonist of that system and that performance. Plus, he is turning into a left back that can give us the function that we want, and the solidness defending, but it seems that we have much more than that. Now he is going forward. Now he is more precise in that last third when he can connect better. Last game, he had a big opportunity that hit the post, and today he has those assists. So, we are growing in an area that we thought was going to take more time. So, to David, the way he is absorbing and the way he is performing is great. We are seeing a very professional performance from someone that is a worker and is helping us a lot.”
Orlando City SC Defender/Midfielder Dagur Dan Thórhallsson
Opening Statement
“Just a very solid performance overall, I would say. The goal was to go into the game and score some goals and not concede. We conceded one, but three goals and a win tonight. That's important for us.”
On the challenges going into and throughout the match
“In soccer, or football, you can't think like that. You just go into the game and try to run over the other team. We know they are going to come, and they are going to come at us hard. They came in a different system, out there against [Charlotte] they came in a 5-4-1 or something like that. It was a little bit different, but I think we did really well."
On the balance of offense and defense throughout the match
"It's so good. For me, I think we have one of the strongest squads in the whole of MLS. If we manage to get the defense and the attack going at the same time, and throughout the whole season, for me there's no doubt we can do damage in this league. I think we just need to believe it a little bit, and then it comes."
Orlando City SC Forward Ramiro Enrique
Opening Statement
“I’m very happy tonight, it was an important game for us. Important victory after the tie that we had in the last game. Just happy to be able to help the team in whatever way I can to get the win tonight.”
On what he saw in the play leading to his goal
“I saw that David [Brekalo] had the ball, and he hit a great diagonal pass, it was a fantastic ball. Then as I was coming onto it and the goalkeeper was coming out. I left my weak foot open, so I thought ‘hit it with the left’. Then the defender was closing in and thankfully I was able to hit it and finish it.”
On how he feels coming back from injury and finding form
“As you said, I had some injuries to start the year. But even with that, I always have tranquility and peace and know that I am going to continue working. Each and every training session, each game that I am selected to enter for, I always give my full effort. Thanks to God, in the [U.S.] Open Cup game I was able to score, and I was able to score today, but as a striker that’s what you have to do. Looking at it, I just want to make sure I always give my full effort in training and give my full effort in every game and that’s the peace that I have is that as long as I keep giving my full effort I’ll continue to work. So, thanks to God I was able to score in the Open Cup game and score today as well.”
