Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter
On his team’s win
"I think the second goal was crucial. I think it put the game out of reach for Orlando [City SC], but give Orlando [City SC] a lot credit. They made it tough on us. They kept fighting. Defensively they were very good. They made it very difficult for us to circulate the ball. The second half they stepped up, they pressed higher, and it was challenging. I told the guys that this win will go a long way because it doesn’t always have to be pretty, but it’s the fact that mentally you can grind through it and make some big plays at big times to get the win."
On Alex Crognale’s performance
"Alex’s [Crognale] positioning was, I think, excellent. That’s what I’m most happy with today. I don’t think he was out of position once. Then when he’s in position, his ability to win the duels was crucial. I haven’t looked at the stats exactly to see how many duels [he] won, but it seemed like he was pretty high on that list."
On his team’s winning streak
"I think it says a lot. To me, the best thing about it is the performances and how different they all were. Last week we had to control the game offensively and this week we had to control the game defensively. They [Orlando City SC] had more of the ball in the second half, but very few clear chances. Very few. And it was our excellent shape and movement that prevented that. So I think that goes a long way and that’s what I’m happy with."
On Artur’s performance
"Artur was good today, really good. I think you guys will start to see that range of skills that he has, because he has a lot: He can win the ball back, he’s calm on the ball, he’s got a good first touch – a lot of different skills that make him an exceptional player, but today was a good example of what he can do."
On his team holding on to the lead
"I think it’s a good question. I think in MLS, you see often that teams aren’t able to put the game away. It wasn’t just us last year. We gave up our share, but a lot of games that I watched late in the game, teams concede goals. I think that the second goal really helped us, really put the game out of reach and then the concentration defensively was really strong."
On being able to talk about soccer
"It’s nice, but I know it’s not forever. I know next week we could be talking about anything. That’s our sport. The sport is crazy and it’s a lot of management. It’s a good period, now, for us, but now it’s time to work even harder and keep it going."
On his team’s progress this season
"I think, first of all, that we are more physically fit than we were in week 1, but it was also a good learning experience for us. As we are going through these experiences, the learning is what we’re looking for. Okay, that happened in Chicago [Fire], now how do we make it better against Orlando [City SC]. There was a lot of things that I was pleased with today in the game."
On his team’s focus
"I think it was excellent. We were worried about their offensive transition. We came up with some strategies to prevent them from hurting us in transition and the guys were amazing. When you look at the first half, they had a number of breaks that we shut out immediately and weren’t hurt at all by that. The tactical application by the team right now is at a high level and we’re pleased with that."
On Wil Trapp and Artur’s partnership
"Before the game, I talked to Wil [Trapp] and I said that he’s going to have a pivotal role in the game today. He’s going to have to balance between the midfielder and the back line and he did that really well. Together with Artur, they controlled transition, but they also controlled the center of the field really well."
On Justin Meram’s performance
"I thought Justin [Meram] was excellent, especially in the finishing area. He’s a hand full and he’s very difficult to play against. He has a good pass, good shot, good dribbling, so he’s very difficult to defend. He’s fast and today is an example of how if you get him in space and get him isolated one v one, he’s dangerous."
On Jonathan Mensah and Jukka Raitala’s availability
"It was good. Jukka [Raitala] isn’t used to this amount of travel and he’s not used to a time zone change to play a game 48 hours later, so we were concerned and I think Jukka [Raitala] is a guy that got stronger in the second half. That was good to see. Jonathan [Mensah], he wasn’t going to be able to make it. We were optimistic, but we knew yesterday that it wasn’t going to happen and then it was about building Alex’s [Crognale] confidence up. He’s a guy that has a lot of quality, but he also has the determination and he’s not scared at all to play in these games."
On his team’s back line
"First of all, I think our team shape was good to prevent them from getting balls in good areas that could hurt us. Very compact around their strikers and not much space to play in. We did that on purpose and the guys really executed that nicely. I think when you look at guys like [Carlos] Rivas and [Cyle] Larin, they are quality guys and to see our defense come up that bug against them is good. [Cyle] Larin had two shots on goal, or two shots. [Carlos] Rivas didn’t have many more that were dangerous, so they did an excellent job."
On Alex Crognale’s lack of fear
"It is. I was actually surprised. I sent him a note last night and I told him that he was ready, but it was interesting to see his response today. He looked calm; he didn’t miss a step today."
Defender Alex Crognale
On starting for Crew SC and playing at home
"Yeah it’s different. Last week coming in off the bench in the 70th minute or so, the other guys were tired. But today you see a fresh group of guys so it was a different way to attack and a different game to play starting the match."
On Orlando City SC as a team
"Their attack is potent and they had chances but we were able to stay strong and get the shutout, which was huge for us."
On the team shape in the second half
"I think we executed our game plan very well defensively. In the first half we limited them to very little and in the second half we were able to weather the storm. When you go up at home – or you go up anywhere really – the other team is going to get their chances, so being able to weather the storm and take the pressure is big."
On facing big players like Orlando City SC’s Cyle Larin and getting acclimated
"It’s great to see players of that stature. Those are big strong guys so I feel comfortable playing against a big striker now. And I guess next time we’ll see when we face a smaller guy it will be a different type of game for me."
On Crew SC’s team chemistry
"All the centerbacks have played together enough in preseason and training that I feel comfortable no matter who Gregg puts me next to in there."
Midfielder Justin Meram
On Artur’s assist for his first goal
"I asked him earlier if he meant to play me or Ola, and he said he found me and that’s just an unbelievable pass and - to be honest – he was incredible the whole game. I can’t give him enough credit, he’s good on both sides of the ball and you saw the way he can break the transition and then win the ball back for us and that’s huge."
On his second goal of the game
"Honestly, I think my first touch let me down a little bit and then I had to kind of make something happen and I just cut to my right."
On his current form
"I just think staying humble, loving my teammates who play for this club, I think that’s kind of my mindset: doing what I can to help succeed and I know I have qualities on the ball, so I’m just going to play my role. When I do that and stick to the game plan, I’m pretty successful."
On the shutout
"I think last year our subs in the midfield weren’t doing a good of enough job to keep the ball and the transitions were tough last year. I think all in all, we’re defending the transitions much better and we’re working much harder."
