Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening statement
“First I would like to thank the fans tonight, incredible atmosphere. I knew it, but I had not felt that and tonight I felt it and our boys did as well. We are living with a sensation of ‘it could have been much more’ and give them the three points because our fans deserved it tonight, the way they came and filled the stadium and gave us that energy. That was transmitted to our players. They were very high and very happy about the support that we felt today. Hopefully we can give them more often the three points that we deserved tonight. But in this game it’s not something that you deserve, you have to actually execute it and make it happen and we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net, unfortunately. But the performance was very right and our players had a great effort and the intensity and that passion that I want to see from this team on the pitch and I’m very proud.”
On the midfield connection between Sebas, Mauricio and Junior Urso
“They understand that they are the one to glue our team, defensively and offensively and the minds, the energy, the effort that they put in that part of the field is very great and very healthy for our team so good game from them and the whole team played well, but Sebas [Méndez] and Urso [Júnior], they gave us a lot of personality in that part of the pitch.”
On the feeling of his first match with Orlando City
“Always nervous. I always have that feeling and it is something that hopefully I don’t stop feeling because that’s what the game meant and when I walked out and I saw the Wall, saw the fans, it was a strong feeling. That increases our responsibility with our fans, I saw that energy. It was part of the first half especially when I saw it and felt the energy that the fans had. I just have to tell them that their passion is great. Hopefully we can see them always just like that and keep pushing the team when we need it.
Orlando City SC Midfielder Júnior Urso
On the midfield’s performance at tonight’s match
“I think we played well, it was a difficult game because it was the first game with the fans, the start of MLS so I think we played well, we controlled the game. Sometimes they got the ball but they didn’t make it dangerous for us. I think we played well but we have to be better if we want to get a trophy this year so we have to be better and score the goals. But it’s the first game, we will have time to be better.”
On the emotions of playing for Orlando
“It was a very nice, nice atmosphere, the fans sing the whole time so for me it is amazing. I want to say thank you to the fans for coming here and for the good support they give us. So let’s keep like this because I think this is our year, we can do better next time.”
On the connection between players in the midfield
“Yes, many times they tell us… he (Oscar Pareja) says you’re the heart of the team so I believe that the middle is. We have to connect the defenders to the attack. So I think the game is like this, the middle controls the game so today I think we played well but we can be better. I saw the team in the preseason, I think we can be better but it’s okay, it’s the first game.”
Orlando City SC Forward Chris Mueller
On improving the finishing going into next weekend
“I think that just comes on a personal level, just finding that bit of composure to finish the goals. I think the first one over the top I brought it down well and couldn't really generate the power and direct it where I wanted it to, but the second one, I’ll think about it tonight for sure and I’ll score the next time.”
On how tough RSL was to break down
“I think that we had our chances. We created the chances that we wanted, we had everything there for the taking. I think that in reality, we are going to focus on our game and where we can improve. I think that RSL will go back and watch the film and see where they can improve, as well. From an individual standpoint, like I said, I would like to be better, at least in those individual chances. I think the team created a lot, I thought we moved the ball a lot. We could have had a little bit more quality in the attacking third, a little bit more patience on the ball, so it could circulate and maybe find a better pass, me included. I think that we all have to improve and learn and hope for the next game.”
On how the team did fitting into Oscar’s style and what he is expecting from the team
“I think that we were high energy from the get-go. I think that our press was on point tonight. I think that when you look at us in the defensive half of the field, it got really compact. I think that we closed a lot of those lanes where they were trying to play through us and the balls that came into the box we dealt with them really well. I think we looked really solid on set pieces and I think that all in all we executed what we wanted to. Like I said a little bit more quality on the ball, a little bit more composure in the final third. I think that maybe that's nerves, like I said first game. Obviously you want to put those in the net, but there is a lot of bright things and a lot of positives to take away from the game and we are going to try to learn, we are going to build, and we are going to improve.”
