Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“We are very pleased with the result of the game. We came with the intention to bounce back after our last two games and this was a game that we all declared it was a must-win, not just for the three points but also for our confidence. We needed to have the effort of the players, and this place was great, the altitude is not an easy task, and even after having four players that came from the FIFA international date, and we just had them the last two days, and we could see in the second half that we probably just had that load and energy. But our heart was good enough to win these three points, this game and we’re happy today.”
On the strategy of using César Araújo as a second-half substitute
“I thought it helped us a lot. We had difficulties with César Araújo during the week, he has spasms in his back, and he couldn’t train for the last two days. We really value his effort to come, he wanted to be part of the game still, so we wanted to limit his minutes, but also, we knew in the second half in a place like this that we might need those legs and that experience. And what you said was right, I think he came in the game, we slowed [Colorado Rapids] down, it seemed like we were losing too much territory there, and they were coming with many more players, and we couldn’t sustain the ball enough. When César came in, we looked different, more solid and we could have had the ball better, but I think the inclusion of César in the game helped us a lot.”
On the significance of tonight’s win
"It was not an easy period in the last two weeks after we had many games where we were adding points and getting great results. Then in Atlanta [United FC] we were winning the game in the 75th minute and ended up losing, and also what happened with Chicago [Fire FC] at home, it was not easy to deal with that situation knowing that five of the boys went to the FIFA international date and we couldn’t train with them, and César [Araújo] had this problem with his back. So, we had a bunch of difficulties that you can imagine, but today the most important was to get a result here in the altitude against a good rival and that provided us, again, more confidence. I know that we can play better, especially in the second half, but we’re good. We needed these three points and we’re proud of the boys.”
Orlando City SC Forward Marco Pašalić
Opening Statement
“When I heard that we play in Colorado, it was explained to me that we don’t have so much air to breathe here, so it was difficult. But I had a good feeling before the game, a good feeling from training. I actually didn’t train so much this week because I came back from the national team and the jet lag and everything and I was happy to have the power to play today and more happy that we win this game, and also that I can make the assist for Ticho’s [Martín Ojeda’s] goal, and for the only goal of the team. And yeah, I’m really happy that we win.”
On earning a road result before the break in MLS play
“I think it was important that we win this game today because we lose these three points at home and get the three points back today here away, and I think it tastes better when you win away and under these circumstances when it’s so difficult to breathe and difficult to adapt, and I’m really happy that we win this game. Now, we have this rest and I think everybody’s going on the rest with a good feeling and can’t wait to be back and to win games again.”
