Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“Well, we are happy with the performance and tying the game at the end. Seems like it could be a good result, but we were eager to win it at the end, as well. We could have walked out with three points against a good team but the development of the game itself during the whole part was very competitive. I thought we played an excellent first half, we could maybe be clearer in those last actions there, but we really played well. Second half, they [Montréal] had some momentum, they got the goal, but after that we I think we dominated the game.”
On what it means to the team’s character to battle back after conceding late
“I've seen the character of the team, and the willingness that we have with this group of players is incredible. It has happened already [this season], and then the last good result has shown that this group has a lot of intentions all the time to be upfront and try to propose the game. When we are at a disadvantage, we want to equalize with a lot of character, that's what we have. Once we start being more precise in the last third, I think we're going to have less problems, but we are resolving them and, really, I congratulate the players. I think they're doing a great job, they don't give up in any minute and today if we played five minutes more I think we win the game.”
On where he sees the defense at this point in the season
“We are trying to have more cohesiveness with the players that are starting or playing in the games. Our lines have to be better. Conceding early goals, or conceding goals especially in the first half for us, is something that we need to resolve, we need to figure it out. How can we be more solid? Not saying that it's just a defender’s problem, it’s a collective problem. We all have to be in charge. But you're right. The good news is that we are scoring now, that we are overcoming difficult moments, and the forwards are stepping up, as well. So that is the taste that this game left us. Defensively you’re right, yeah, we need to be much better. Conceding in the first half, especially, is something that we need to resolve.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder Iván Angulo
Opening Statement
“You know it was a very tough game. A very disputed game, a bunch of running. The way they [Montréal] like to play, they love to attack through the wings so there's a lot there. But I feel like we rose to the level of the game, I think the way we played, we probably deserved the three points but happy to walk out of here with a point tonight.”
On what he saw on his goal
“I saw Tincho [Martín Ojeda] bringing it up into space on the left wing and he found himself in a good spot and I saw a space that I could attack, and I was able to attack the space right behind the back of the of the fullback there. Thankfully Tincho was able to give me the ball and all I had to do was push it in to get that tying goal.”
On what it says about the team’s resiliency to come back from deficits
“I think that we're a team that never fears and never drops our head. We know that there's always going to be difficulties in any game, so we know that when those difficulties come, we have to just keep pushing, and we're a team that will always fight to the end. So, I think if you look, that's what we were able to do tonight and that’s what we were able to do in the last game against D.C. United. And I think that's just so important for this team, to continue moving forward through the season like that. Now we have our next two games at home, we will look to continue fighting in that way, to continue trying to rise up the table and to come out victorious at home and that's the most important thing.”
