SPORTING DIRECTOR AND HEAD COACH GREGG BERHALTER
On the performance tonight…
It’s confusing a little bit. I normally, or I never criticize referees publicly, and my only comment would be I think the referee today played too big of a role. Some good teams out there trying to play good soccer. From my perspective it was an entertaining game, and I just think there was just too much control by the referee, or too much influence on the game. In general.
On the status of Waylon Francis…
Dislocated shoulder.
On how the team can be more efficient with crosses…
When you look at the positions their defenders were put in in the first half, I’ll take that all day. Because what that means is the next one’s in, or it’s an own goal. That’s last-ditch defending at its finest. Ethan [Finlay] was just relentless getting behind their line and creating those goal-scoring opportunities. It’s nice to see that he got a couple goals as well. He deserves it with the effort he put in today.
On the difference between the first and second halves…
I think the first half could have been one of our best halves of the year in terms of how we were playing, and we were unfortunate to go down in the first half. There were a number of goal-scoring opportunities. Our pressing was really good. In the second half I think we got a little impatient. There were some time periods where I think we need to keep the structure a little bit more and we lost that, and we got impatient and the field became really big. Having said that, the conditions weren’t ideal: really warm, really humid, and we put a lot of energy into this game. You can see both teams – this was like a heavyweight fight where both teams were just going at each other.
On if the ten-match winless streak is affecting the team mentally…
At this stage, it’s still the number seven (points shy of the playoff line). We have games in hand and we have to start winning. When I see an effort like tonight and when I see a performance like tonight, it makes me believe, and it makes me believe that we can do it. I think that goes a long way and I think the guys will see that we can do it. We’re a good team and we need to be more effective in some areas and we’ll be ok.
On the importance of closing out matches…
I think it’s really important. It’s the breakdowns and specifically with the second goal, it shouldn’t happen in my eyes. The penalty you can’t do much about – a ball to hand – but the second goal, to me, should be avoided. It definitely should, and it’s something we’re concerned about because I know we’re stronger than what we’ve been showing late in games.
On the performances of Adam Jahn and Nico Naess…
I thought Nico was excellent. I thought for his first game playing against David Villa and some of their big players, I thought he did a great job and I thought he handled it well. He’s 23 years old and he stepped in and had a solid performance. And Adam [Jahn] gave us exactly what we needed. The complexity of winning those first duels changed as soon as he came into the game. There weren’t cleared headers anymore; it was now you have a chance for the second ball. He’s winning his share; on the goal he got his head on the ball. So I think two good performances by the guys today.
On if he thought the handball was the right call…
No comment. No comment. I’m pretty sure if you check the tape there was one in the first half as well. Similar type of play … I think we potentially could have had something similar to that as well in the first half.
MIDFIELDER ETHAN FINLAY
On taking the penalty kick…
It’s obviously a moment to break the streak of not having a goal in a significant amount of games. I have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff and the players have confidence in me to step up. I’ve been designated as a PK taker in the past before, so I knew what I was going to do and I knew I was going to put it away.
On whether they targeted getting behind the fullback line…
It’s something we identified going into the game. We always try to work the double movement a lot on that right-hand side. It wasn’t really just me getting in there, Harrison [Afful] got in behind quite a few times. In a way we were just kind of picking on that left side. And you saw as the game went on, they were trying to shift their left back out on to Harrison [Afful] and their left center back onto me. That caused us a couple issues, but there were times where we were able to go right down the middle. You said 20% was the completion. They were saving one that was coming right through that was right off the line. Ola [Kamara] is close on two. There could be a handball possibly in the first half on a cut-back. There were plenty of good opportunities that were created. The other thing is just getting more guys in the box. Ola’s movement is great but they can’t defend when there are two or three guys in there. And that’s something we’ll work on going forward.
On if the ten-match winless streak is affecting the team mentally…
We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the East and probably the best team in the summer so far. They got smacked by the Red Bulls several weeks back and have bounced back to win several games. They are a very good team and I felt in a way we dominated most of the game, especially in the first half, so I think there are a lot of positives to take out of it going forward and until we are mathematically out of this, we are going to fight every second.
DEFENDER NICOLAI NAESS
Onhis debut performance . . .
I think it went okay, but I want the three points so I’m a little bit disappointed.
Onplaying New York City FC in his first MLS game . . .
It was a new experience. I never played against so many good players before, but it was fun and I think I had an okay game. I hope that I can continue playing and keep getting better everyday.
Onhis nerves before the game . . .
I was a little nervous when I woke up this morning, but when I got to the game and started playing then my nerves went away and I just enjoyed the game that I love.
Onthe wild finish . . .
I’ve been involved in some games [like that], so like I said I was a little bit disappointed out there when we conceded three goals against us. We have to keep fighting and keep working.
