Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“Our feelings today in a game that we probably under the circumstances, we should have won it. When you see the whole development of the game, it was a tough rival [Chicago Fire]. First, because after the red card they put a lot of density, and we couldn't break it up the way we wanted. They were dangerous in a couple of plays on the counterattack. As the game was going, we didn’t have the clarity to score a goal despite the fact that we had some actions and two times we hit the post. I think we lacked a little clarity and that cost us two points. I thought we should have won it. The whole game was very competitive and now we have to take that point back home and win our games at home.”
On Eduard Atuesta’s absence and how it changed the team’s mentality
“Unfortunately, without him [Eduard Atuesta] on the pitch today, it seemed like there was something missing, considering prior games. Kyle [Smith] and César [Araújo] did a great job but it is right to say we were missing something that would have clarified our play in the final third when we were going into attack mode. We think the absence of Eduard had a part in that but at the same time we have players with the capacity and talent to do it. It’s much better to think we could have done a better job in making those decisons and finding that final pass instead of thinking that someone wasn’t here. But, it’s the reality and we thought about it, yes.”
On what the team could have done better when Chicago went down to 10 men
“Sometimes, it’s demanding to have speed on the actions against the block that is dense. It may not be the right ask, it’s probably about just being a little more patient and finding the right spot and making the right decision. But it is difficult. Sometimes, you don’t find that when they come with that line of five and three in front of them. We knew that they were playing on the counter attack but they wanted that density in the part of the field where it was too much. Sometimes, you want more forwards but that is even worse because you have more people in those spaces and at some point, in the second half, that probably happened, where we put too many people up front. With our lack of movement and lack of space, we didn’t have that one play that would clarify the game. So, we have to make those decisions in short spaces. When you have no space, you have a bunch of players in front of you, you have to bring your talent and make things happen. That’s what we lacked today.”
Orlando City SC Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese
Opening Statement
“A little bit hurt today because we weren’t able to take the three points. We went out to be the men that we know we are, but that happens. We continue to push the team forward and sometimes when we are not scoring goals, we still need to take a point and come out of the match with a result.”
On Chicago’s chances throughout the match
“We know that Chicago [Fire] is a good team. They’ve got good players, and they play a style that is difficult and creates a lot of opportunities. We withstood well in those first thirty minutes and after the red card, they weren’t really able to control too much of the game. We were able to take a point against a good team tonight.”
On his eight saves on the night
“Logically, [Chicago Fire FC] going down to 10 men was going to change the game. They had to focus more on their defensive structure. Them going down to ten also allowed us to leave out of our formation a little more and go on the attack more. Of course, the expulsion is kind of what changed that game.”
