Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“It was an excellent effort from our players. We want to recognize that heart and willingness to do the right things is what exemplifies Orlando City, especially in the period we have shown here with the fans that have been here for years. We have had players that keep everything up and tonight was not an exception. It was not a meaningless game in the second half. It was important for us to win it in front of our fans. For us, it was important to keep the momentum and despite the disadvantages in the metrics and numbers. We wanted to win it. So, we’re happy with the victory and now we’re preparing for the next one.”
On Ramiro Enrique’s goal
“I thought that we had a very good first half even when we were playing with 10. I thought we had the best of the game in our actions, not just the sequencing but getting inside the box as well. We controlled defensively as well. In the second half San Luis played a bit different. It was very important that Ramiro continued his scoring mode and for us it was a great goal and a great moment. It was good and we’re excited for him.”
On Wilder Cartagena’s play and being down a player
“It is really brilliant for us to have players with that diversity. Wilder has had tremendous impact on how we bounced back from our slow start. Today was another night where he adapted to the needs of the team and he dropped to that position where he can give us that function as a center back but also with the intelligence to play as a midfielder also. We did it before in one of the games in the first semester and today the boys controlled the game very well even with that modification. But this was because the players were very disciplined with the function of all the other requirements of their positions.”
Orlando City SC Defender Rodrigo Schlegel
On playing down a man for most of the match
“Same as always, I always want to support the team in whatever role they ask me to perform and whenever they select me to go into the game. I think we had a strong second half, but I think we had a good first half as well even playing, more or less 70 minutes, down a player. We’re always pushing to get that win, but the team’s good and we’re ready for the next round.”
On winning the group for a second straight year in Leagues Cup
“I think it speaks to the mentality we have in this group. The last four, four and a half years, we play as we always want to win, we always want to be protagonists. That’s what we demonstrate on the field as this group. Sometimes it comes through more than others, sometimes not, but this group always goes out with the intent to continue fighting and I think that says a lot about us.”
On what Oscar Pareja told him before entering the match
“Nothing more than that, it’s always the same. Continue competing, continue pushing trying to take that win, regardless of the scenarios of the result. We knew that they were really going to push for the win up a man for most of the game. I think we continued to do what we had to do. Closing off, really solid on defense closing those spaces. We had a couple of moments in those last 20 minutes, but overall the team played well, really solid and we turn around and get ready for an important game against Cruz Azul on Friday.”
Orlando City SC Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese
On how he feels about both the team and his personal run of form
“Obviously there were points in the season where we had to lift ourselves up and we had to do that through our play, especially at the end of this section of the league, and really enter the tournament in a good moment for us. Now we just need to keep pushing forward and obviously really happy to be in a good moment myself.”
On his mentality and reading the game in penalty shootouts
“We’re really strong in penalty situations, so obviously that fills us with a lot of confidence. But now in those moments we’ve got to turn around. We’ve got a tough one coming up on Friday against Cruz Azul.”
On how much time he had to study San Luis shooters and the way they take penalties
“For us, a lot of the studying that we would do during the week on penalties just wasn’t there for us. They really only have two guys that have taken penalties for them historically and the other ones, it wasn’t what I was able to study. It was just what I felt and the direction that I felt they would go.”
Orlando City SC Forward Ramiro Enrique
On setting a Club record with goals in six-straight matches
“I’m really happy. It’s a point of pride because I think it demonstrates all of the effort and hard work that I have put into this year. Obviously at the start of this year I dealt with a few injuries and that required a lot of effort to get back from that. But first and foremost, I play for the team. So, to be able to help them is great and as a forward, you have to be able to score goals to do that. So really happy with that.”
