They said it: Oscar Pareja, Facundo Torres and Luis Muriel share their thoughts after win over Philadelphia Union

Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja

Opening Statement

“We are obviously very happy and satisfied with the way the team has found ways to win games and put us in a decent spot in the standings at this time of the season. Another hard game, well played by us. We could’ve had more precision in certain moments when we could have put the game away from Philadelphia [Union], but we ended up just finishing with the 2-1 [win], very tight plays at the end with them pushing and really making us feel that it could be a tight game. But all in all, I thought we were the best team on the pitch, and we have been one of the best teams in the league for me."

On Luis Muriel’s impact tonight

“It’s true. I thought that in today’s game, Luis came in to find those precise moments with that talent and put it in front of the goal and definitely it was a fantastic night for him. I think the way he’s adapting to us, to the group, has been much, much better. Every day it looks like he’s gelling with what we want. I’m very happy with him, and I know the group values what he’s doing a lot, and it represents the unity that we have. And I say to the players, sometimes if you don’t start the game, it doesn’t mean that you’re not important. You may be the best player on the pitch today and you come from the bench, like what happened tonight.”

On his team’s defense

“It’s something that is happening that we don’t want. Having control of the game for the whole 90 minutes is not an easy task. I prefer to defend higher up the field and put pressure on the other teams and having the ball. The other team plays well, and what changed the story of the game is, unfortunately, the goal that Philadelphia scored today is on a throw in. It was very clear, the referee was 10 yards from that play, and in the small details, changed things. And then that tightened the game in a position and put the team in a stressful atmosphere, it was very unfair. And then after that, we just get very tense. It was 2-1, but we were dominating the game. So, it’s not just us, but we’re going to correct it. But today, that goal shouldn’t be called because it was not a throw in [for them]. And I don’t know if the people acknowledged it, but it was not a throw in [for them] and it was very obvious, and I was upset with it. And then after that, it was the same where we always correct ourselves. I think we need to find a way to get out of that pressure that created those moments when we feel that a goal is coming and we have to get better, of course.”

Orlando City SC Forward Facundo Torres

Opening Statement

“Yeah, it’s a very, very happy [moment]. When I arrived at the Club, I came here with a lot of dreams to be able to do great things here at the Club and to help the Club in whatever way they ask me to help. It was the first time I had ever really left Uruguay and coming here, I had a lot of doubts, I had a lot of anxiety, so to be able to score that quantity of goals for this Club just makes me really happy to be able to do that.”

On his recent form over the last 10 games

“Yeah, I think just coming in to try and win whatever we can. It’s the drive, it’s that hunger to be able to score goals and to help the team in whichever way I can. So, to really have that, the entire team comes in with that mentality, the whole team is that same way. So being able to support the team in whatever ways I have, and having my teammates be in those positions to support me, it’s pushed me forward. Whether that’s scoring or assisting on goals, I’m really happy to help the team in that way in this run.”

On his goal tonight

“When Luis [Muriel] first got the ball, he tried to play it in to one of our forwards, I actually told him I was all alone on that so he could’ve played me earlier, but thankfully we were able to recover the ball again and then he looked up and saw that I was still all alone, so he played me in and I was in front of goal, so I shot it. You know, the goalkeeper was able to get a touch to it, but thankfully it still went in anyways. It was an incredibly important moment for us. The game was really closed off at that time, so to be able to break through was great, and as Oscar said in the warmup and even in the postgame speech, the guys that came off the bench did a fantastic job and really helped us change the game. Duncan [McGuire] came in and added another goal and it really helped us win a great win tonight.”

Orlando City SC Forward Luis Muriel

Opening Statement

“With everything, just really happy. Really happy with the win tonight, happy with my two assists. Happy because, like I said in my last interview, I’m starting to get involved in the mechanism more and starting to feel more comfortable here and the way we play, and now It’s starting to show on the pitch so I’m just really happy.”

On feeling more comfortable with the team

“I think more than a change, it's more about the process that I’ve been going through. When I first arrived here, there were a lot of new things, and those things cost me a bit at the start. But more than change, it was following and continuing to stay on that process. Following that with calm and patience and knowing that if I follow that process and learn more about the way the MLS plays, then those moments will come. Thankfully, I think we’re at that point where I’m getting towards the end of that process.”

On the cohesiveness of the team

“As I was saying before, it's a part of that process to find those things. Looking back three months ago, when Duncan [McGuire] and I were playing together, I would want him to go straight, and he would go outside. That kind of changes the way that pass functions. As we started to continue and train and find ourselves in games, that comprehension got better at where to find each other. I was a part of that process, a process I hoped would have been shorter, but it ended up being a little longer. It was the fruit and the answer of that process that’s showing at a really good time because we’re on the doorstep of the playoffs. I’m just happy to see that process start to produce results as we get into these really important moments of the season.”