Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“I thought we won a very important game against a very good rival, too, who complicated the first half for us. Second half, I think we settled, and we found the answers that we wanted to have earlier in the first half that we couldn't do. But in the second half, we controlled the game. We came back in the ways that we wanted, in that control and we had the options. And happy for our fans, happy for our Club and we’ll keep pushing. It's a very, very good match for us.”
On the decision to start Luis Muriel in place of Martín Ojeda
“I thought it was a good game and a good moment for what Luis has been doing for us lately. As you say, Martín, Luis, Facu [Torres], Iván [Angulo], Duncan [McGuire] and Ramiro [Enrique]. They lift us up, and they put this team in that form. So today we wanted to have more continuity with Luis, since he had that tremendous game in Orlando [on Wednesday], and we wanted, as well, to refresh Martín, who has done a fantastic job in the last semester. So, I thought it worked well for both and that is a great tool for the team.”
On how important it is for the team to score first to control the pace
“We have found net. We have found answers from our forwards. The offensive side of the team has improved tremendously. I think the compromise that they have had with our defensive phase has brought that product. It doesn't make sense, but that they are scoring goals because they are defending better, and we are much, much better team when we have this commitment that the boys had up front and we're happy to do it. It's the same as we ask the defenders. And I said, you have to be proactive to play with the ball, and you have to have personality to play with the ball because that's the best way to defend, just being offensive. So, I'm very proud of the guys. The guys are doing a good job.”
Orlando City SC Defender Kyle Smith
Opening Statement
“I thought we played well. We had to absorb a lot of their pressure in the first half, they [FC Cincinnati] were kind of putting it on us with the pressure. But I thought in the second half we came out and we did well keeping the ball, and then we took advantage of our opportunities and scored three goals and held them to one. So, it was a big one for us.”
On what he saw on his first assist to Ramiro Enrique
“I forget who passed me the ball, I think it was César [Araújo], but I knew I had the positioning on my defender, so I took a big first touch, and then I saw Ramiro. You know [it was] a perfect spot between the two center backs, and I just whipped in a ball, and he had a good finish.”
On how he compares the team's form heading into playoffs compared to last year
“I think it's a good question. You know, we have similar players. We didn't lose a lot of guys [in the offseason], we added some quality players as well. But I think we're in a similar position as we were last year. Last year we were going in the playoffs on a streak, and we got a bit unlucky, I think, last year. But hopefully going into these playoffs, luck is on our side, and we keep that form going into the playoffs and keep scoring goals and trying to keep getting clean sheets, as well. So, we’re full of confidence headed into the playoffs.”
