Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“Just like always, I think it was a very competitive match. We ended up with the feeling that we had chances to clearly define the game. But also, humbly, we have to recognize that [Columbus Crew] had two chances at the end, as well, so it was a very competitive match. I think our reaction in the first half after they scored, it was mostly Orlando, getting back on the front foot, pushing, creating, and finishing the first half in a much better way. Overall, I think it was a game with a lot of character. It’s a tie that leaves us feeling like we could have done more with those chances. But again, we have to recognize the competitiveness against a good team, it was there on the pitch.”
On the team’s in-game adjustments
“In the first part of the game, we wanted to clog the middle and really use the intervals, the zones where they like to play. We knew they were going to give us space, so we bet on the option of clogging the middle. But we ended up defending too deep in the first 15 to 20 minutes. We probably felt it was too much and not what we wanted, so we reshaped what the boys were doing by bringing our winger, Iván [Angulo], higher up the pitch and letting our back four handle it. That adjustment reshaped things in a better way. We started reacting and scored, and began to have more protagonism in the game. We matched them in that moment, so it was a good reaction from the boys.”
On the team’s counterattacking chances
“One characteristic this team has is that we’re precise. We create a lot of chances, and our counters are frequent. Throughout the year, that’s been one of our strengths. Today, at the end of the game, it came down to those chances that should have ended up in the net. Now that we’ve seen it, it’s even more clear.”
Orlando City SC Forward Marco Pašalić
Opening Statement
“My thoughts on the game are that we played really well, and we had a difficult opponent. [Columbus] also did really well, so it was a tough game. The equalizer was important before halftime. When we came out, it was a run-and-gun game. I'm happy that we took one point, it's better than no points. They also had the opportunity to score, so I think it's a fair tie.”
On finding the back of the net again
“I think it's nice. For an offensive player, it's difficult when you don't score for five, six games, I don't know. It's difficult when you don't score in one game, you know? And for me, what's more important is that I scored the equalizer, so I could help the team. I would have been happy if we had won today with that goal. But like I said, for me, I'm happy that I've broken the ice. Now I’ll keep going and want to push and help the team.”
On the team’s scoring opportunities
“I think today it was difficult, especially in this situation when Lucho [Luis Muriel] and I were attacking the goalkeeper and the defender. He passed me the ball, so he was not selfish. I didn’t see any selfishness today. We’ve scored 60 goals this season, so I think we did really well. I think it’s not that important to take it to heart that we didn’t score two or more goals tonight. I think we have to keep going, and the goals will come.”
Orlando City SC Defender Adrían Marín
Opening Statement
“We started the game and almost immediately had to readjust what we were doing. We spent the last week preparing for Iván [Angulo] to be supporting us in a five-back line and we had to immediately adjust and switch back to a four-back. As the game and first half went on, we were able to adjust and grow further into the game after the switch in the game plan. Oscar [Pareja] did a great job of helping us in the small moments as we made those adjustments to get into the game and really get there. As we made those adjustments, we started to push forward more. We’re a team that can really play with the ball, and we did well in the first half. Obviously, we suffered the goal, but we did well to push forward and get it back to a draw. Looking at the second half and the chances we had and the opportunities we created, it leaves you feeling like we could have left with all three points, but that’s not what happened today. So, we move forward and logically look back and think we could have taken the three points, but it’s still an important point for us. The team had a fantastic work rate today, so we’ll take this and move forward.”
On the team having to adjust its initial game plan
“During the week, the team put in fantastic work. We trained the entire week to come out with five in the back and then push our two outside backs further up the field. But in those first minutes, we were flooded, we were playing so much of the game in our own half, and we had to make adjustments. Credit to Oscar, he communicated it to us very well and gave us the little bits of advice we needed to shift back to a four-back against what they were playing. Like I said, we were flooded and had to push Iván further up the field and switch to the four-back. As we did that, we were able to grow into the game, fight for a win, and gain more control of the ball. I think it was critical to make those adjustments in order for us to play our way back into the match.”
On Marco Pašalić’s goal
“The play started with a long diagonal ball from [Columbus]. I was able to take it down with my chest, and then I looked up, they were pretty wide open and creating spaces for us. So, I like to try and take it in that moment, and I like to look for the diagonal balls in those situations to Marco [Pašalić] and Luis [Muriel]. I was able to find Luis in that moment, passed him the ball, and then tried to make a run and find that one-two with him. He turned around and shot toward the goal, it was a good shot, but the goalkeeper saved it. Then Marco definitively ran in, got the rebound, and thankfully converted the goal. You know, it’s always great knowing those two are going to be there. Luis is going to be there and have a good shot at goal, and Marco’s going to be attacking and applying pressure just the same. So, it was a good play.”