Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“It was a game with two different halves. It was unacceptable the way we played in the first half, and I take that responsibility first in the way we came up in those first 30 minutes. The second half was much better, and I thought it was more the team that we wanted to see. The reaction was very good from our players. We could have tied the game, but at the end in the last play of the game, they scored their fourth goal. I stay with that the reaction from our players was more ourselves and we just try to continue with that energy. Like I said, the first half, it was unacceptable.”
On the injury to goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar
“It was a very strong moment and hard for us to see the injury of Mason [Stajduhar]. I know our emotions came in and it could have been a part of that low performance as well. We don’t want to say that because that is not our character, but we were really sad with what happened to Mason. It is the things that the game brings and things we have to deal with especially at this time when we need him, and he was healthier and getting through his best moments in the Club. Many things and many emotions close to our mind for sure. We don’t blame the players, but it stinks, and it is difficult.”
On letting up the second goal in the match during first-half stoppage time
“There were a bunch of plays int eh first half which we did not recognize ourselves, especially in the moments that we needed to defend and it needed to be much better than that and make better decisions. It was disappointing for ourselves. I say this with me taking the responsibility first, but we will address it. At the half, I think our reaction changed and the way we approached the game was much different. The second half was much, much more professional than the first half. We just committed those mistakes that put us in a very difficult position.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder Dagur Dan Thorhallsson
Opening Statement
“I would say it was two [different] halves. First half we didn’t show up. We were losing first balls, losing second balls and giving up easy goals. In the second half we talked about just holding the face and change the shape a little bit and it worked. I feel like we came out really strong and scored two goals. Then, it is on me that I lose the ball there on the fourth goal as we were trying to go forward, and I take full responsibility for that.”
On why the team had a slow start tonight
“I feel like we conceded that goal and somehow that knocks us out, which isn’t acceptable. I mean everybody makes mistakes, I made mistakes, Nico [Lodeiro] made a mistake there, but it’s up to us as a team to help each other bounce back and I felt that we were completely knocked out the whole first half. And me as well, I was completely knocked out, and it’s something that we need to work out and figure out why it happens because it’s not acceptable.”
On how the team can improve defensively
“It’s a good question. For me, we’re leaving a lot of space in between the lines and behind our defensive line and our four. And of course we’re attacking at times with a lot of players, like me going up and I know I leave a lot of space behind me so it’s hard for Rodrigo [Schlegel], but it’s about finding the balance. We’ve done it before and we know how to do it, but I feel like right now the balance just isn’t quite there and that’s something that we need to look at. And I feel at times that I’m stuck, like half and half, and everyone is half and half, and that’s what happened in the first half, and then we conceded a lot of goals. It’s good that we started scoring, but now we need to stop conceding so many goals.”
