Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening Statement
“I want to congratulate the players today. It was such an important victory against a very good rival. Also, to our fans who supported us the whole time. In those last 10 minutes, I felt the push that our crowd had on the players. They are a part of our games that much. I also want to congratulate Martín [Ojeda] on the contribution he has made with his goals for this franchise, how important he has been for the Club and how important he has been this year. Regarding the game, it was a very competitive game from the first minute. I thought we started with a sense of the playoffs for all of us. We will keep pushing. There were a bunch of things that happened in the game that we want to happen again. I saw them, the boys felt them and just going again in that direction will help us the rest of the regular season.”
On his message heading into the second half
“It was hard to concede that first goal because we had the game so controlled. Also, we had a very clear play to put the game at 3-0. But then we walk back out to the field and it’s now 2-1, with added stress and tightness. In those moments, we have to be better. We need to be solid and compete on the defensive side as well, not just scoring. We have to close the game in those moments. But also, after the rest, we came out, and I have to give credit to Nashville, because that goal that made it 2-2 was a good moment for them. But the team was steady. We were looking for our chances. We knew we needed to defend them, as well. The guys who came off the bench helped us, brought energy and created a very difficult play for someone like [Tyrese] Spicer. He has that left of the goal and Duncan [McGuire] who attacks the box with such energy. Again, not just that goal, but that tool we can use from now on.”
On Martín Ojeda’s impact on the team and Club
“Well, first, we share with him every single day how he is a tremendous human being who has landed here in Orlando. His professionalism is an example for everyone. The patience he had to adapt to the league, always just pushing, and now becoming the player that I know he wants to be. Now, his data just tells us how important Martín [Ojeda] has been. So, nothing but congratulations and appreciation from all the players, coaches and the community. We really value what he does for the Club.”
Orlando City SC Forward Duncan McGuire
Opening Statement
“Obviously, it was a tough game. We went up early, but Nashville is a good team and battled back. They didn’t make it easy for us. I feel like we had some struggles in the second half with the shaping of their buildout. They did a good job holding possession against us. But in the end, it was a good team win, and I’m glad we got the job done.”
On the game-winning goal and Tyrese Spicer’s assist
“Twenty seconds before the goal, there was a stop in play. [Tyrese] Spicer told me to go first post. It was great communication from him. He’s a quality player, and when he gets the ball on the wing, I have a pretty good feeling he’s going to beat the guy. So, we took a gamble, and he played a great ball.”
On the impact of the win
“Obviously, Nashville is a team that is ahead of us. It was a huge team win. We’ve thought about it this week, that basically each game is a playoff game. With that mentality, and with how late we are in the season, we came out right and we jumped on them.”
Orlando City SC Midfielder Martín Ojeda
Opening Statement
“I’m very happy with the result tonight and very happy for the two goals I was able to convert. Those goals helped us win tonight, so I’m just very happy with the result. My thoughts are positive as always, and I’m just very happy to be a part of this group.”
On setting the Club record for goal contributions
“It’s truly beautiful to come here and achieve that, and to see the evolution across my time here. For me, my work is just to continue adding my little bit to the team to help the team accomplish its goals. Whether that’s running, scoring, passing or defending, what I always try to do is give my little bit. I’m super thankful for all my teammates who do the same, who help me get better and help the group get better to compete for the ultimate goal, which is to win championships. My mentality hasn’t changed. That’s the goal at the end of the day: to win trophies, to bring a championship here and to be crowned at the end of the season.”
On the fans chanting “MVP” for him tonight
“It’s really just thankfulness. Thankful for the Club, for all the people who work in the Club—the staff, my teammates, the technical staff and the coaches—and especially the fans who come to the stands every game and enjoy the game with us. My job is to push this Club and try to push it higher, to be more successful. But it’s also to give the fans happiness and something to celebrate when they come to enjoy the games. When I score a goal or assist a goal, when I get to celebrate, I look up to the stands, to my wife and my son. I see them jumping with joy. I look up to my teammates in the booth who weren’t selected to join us in this game. I look at my teammates on the bench, and the staff and technical staff celebrating over on the sideline. It’s a moment of internal joy that I get to share. And I’ll repeat that my job is to keep getting better, to keep pushing this club toward our goal of winning trophies. Whether I win an individual award or not, my job is to push this club and celebrate at the end of the year.”
