Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
"We are really happy, indeed with the result, but most importantly with the seriousness of the team, the discipline, the responsibility that the boys have had on bouncing back from those difficult moments. And not just bounce back, but just keeping the level and the feeling and the plays against a [Nashville] team that is very difficult. I thought we played a very serious game. I see that group just playing the way we are and keeping our responsibilities, but at the same time being productive for the group. Very complete game for us and we're happy and ready to move toward the next one.”
On the defense being able to control Hany Muhktar
“Yeah, we know about his verticality and how strong he is in the transition. Something that we recognized very well. In the beginning it caused us a lot of trouble, not because we didn't know but I guess that his ability to get rid of the vigilances that we had. Now it seems like we're more synced with our preventive actions. When we are attacking we're more aware of how we stand beside him. And this is just a really good job from the players, from the boys, especially those midfielders in the central box. They’ve done an excellent job today. It's a good question. Michael, because it’s a detail that kept us firm winning the game and just controlling Muhktar is a key.”
On how Martín Ojeda’s form and contributions have helped the team during this stretch of positive results
“I think [it’s] the effort and the professionalism that Martín has all the time, despite in many games or some games that he didn't start. He continued on proving himself to the group and worked. I think his physical part and his fitness has been increased. I think his responsibility to take care of his body has changed tremendously and that is very noticeable in his game. Now, they know that’s what happened in the field, I try just to be honest with them on when they deserve to get the position, and they continue to earn it by their performances. So what happened with Martín now is that he’s performing with consistency and the dedication that he had for his work and for his team is bringing him those results. I have to recognize that Martín has helped us a lot in this part of the season that we needed to bounce back and he has been protagonist.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder César Araújo
Opening Statement
"We knew we had to come into this game continuing to put the work in and then continue to elevate the level that we had been playing. We've been on a run of some really good games recently. We knew that converting into this game on very short rest, that we were going to have to put the work in. We started off the game really well. We continue to raise the level of what we have been [doing] and this team has never stopped working hard, even when the results weren't falling for us. We continue to work hard and really just continue to push as one group.”
On being able to score his first goal of the season, almost a year since his last
“First off, thank you very much, especially with that fact. It's always great to be able to score but when you go into a game, the first thing you want is to help your team win in any way possible. Obviously if it comes with me being able to score a goal that's great, but the most important thing to me is the team was able to take the three points tonight. With Martín [Ojeda] I knew very clearly the type of touch that he has, especially when he hits the ball like that. So I just ran to the area that they always asked me to run to and then when I saw the ball coming to me, I just tried to get my head to it and thankfully it went in.”
On the impact Martín Ojeda brings to the team when he is in the lineup
“First off, Martín is a great player. He's got a really great technical touch and he's got a really, really strong kick as well. He's just a guy that continues to work hard so being able to see him going through this moment of really good form and to have that great moment, is great for him because we love to see all of his hard work pay off. Obviously, it makes us all happy to be able to see him go through that because it's great for the team and it's great for him, as well. So we're all really happy to see him go through this right now.”
