Minnesota United matches up against Head Coach Adrian Heath's former team this Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Below are what members of the team had to say ahead of kickoff this weekend:
Head Coach Adrian Heath
On whether preparation for the match against Orlando changes:
No, you do the same stuff. I think one of the most important things is that you put your personal feelings to one side. You know, the most important thing for us this weekend is to get three points, and if we play like we did at the weekend, I think we’ll go very close to doing that. So no, the preparation will be exactly the same. We’ll try and give the lads as much information about the team that they’re playing individually and collectively, and then see if we can come up with one or two ways to give them one or two problems.
On not converting their chances in front of the net:
I think the most important thing is that we try and keep confidence in the guys who are at the sharp end. Keep confidence, you know? Having been a striker, I know that when people keep talking about it, sometimes it can start to prey on your mind. The last thing I want to do is put them under any more pressure. They already do the hardest job in football, which is scoring goals. Christian got himself another goal at the weekend. He’ll be disappointed with the couple he didn’t make. Keeper made a great save. Ashley Cole made a great clearance off the line. Christian conceivably could have had three goals at the weekend. But if he keeps continually getting in the right spots, like he’s doing, when we get enough service to him in the box, he’ll score a lot of goals.
On similarities between Cyle Larin and Abu Danladi:
I think that the one thing about him and even like Christian is that if we get him chances, he will score goals. I think he’s proved that. And Abu is a different one. He’s a bit younger, and he’s just starting his career. He’s got a lot of attributes, he’s got a lot of pace, he’s got a good instinct. Obviously this will be a big disappointment for Abu, getting injured, because he just got himself in the team. But no, we’ll keep working away at them, and I think they’ve both got really bright futures.
On the supporters at TCF Bank Stadium:
I think it was a great showing from them. Not only in the numbers at the weekend, but the noise in the stadium was probably the best it’s been. What I did say to the players after, we gave them something to cheer. We gave them something to get behind. You know, we had that spar away, we had that three or four corners just after we’d scored the goal. We got everybody involved in the game. If there’s a lesson to be taken from that, those supporters will get behind us, but we have to give them something. And we have to put teams on the back foot, so hopefully we can do that this weekend.
On Sunday’s match:
I thought we started really brightly. And then, second half, I was very impressed with the way that we went about trying to get ourselves back in the game. You know, I thought there was a lot of desire, a lot of drive, determination to get something from the game. I feel for the boys at the end of the game, because they didn’t deserve to come out of the game without anything. I don’t want to be like a lovable loser, but the last couple of weeks we’ve gone through that. But, you know, I always talk to the players about performance. Level of performance. You know, you can win a game one-nil, very luckily, and not play well. And invariably, that will catch up on you. But I’m very pleased with the way we’ve gone about the last few weeks. You know, we played against the team that came in with a lot of confidence because of their last game away against Red Bulls. So to take the game to them like we did in the second half was really pleasing.
On finding solutions in finishing:
I think it’s one of the things that you have to be really careful about with forwards, to continually talk about putting them under pressure about scoring goals, because then it can become an issue and a mental thing. Having been through it myself, you’re best just getting on and letting them come through it. You know, if we keep creating the number of chances we did on Sunday, then we’ll win more games than we lose.
On Abu Danladi’s injury update:
Day to day, but I think two, three weeks minimum I would think. So, you know, we could have done without that, but it is what it is. Now we have to move on. You know, one door closes, another one opens for somebody else. So we’ll have to wait and see who maybe steps up.
On the Galaxy having choice words about the turf:
The turf is the turf. You know, it’s good turf. But, it’s turf, after all. It’s what it is. We’ve got ourselves a good home, and they look after us and that’s what it is. Until we get ready and get our own stadium going with grass on it, that’s where we’re going to play. We went through it in Orlando, we had two or three years on it at the Citrus Bowl. You know, you could complain all you want. And it’s nice for them, it’s alright for them. Got the great facility. Until we’ve got that, that’s where we’re going to play. We’ll certainly not use it as any excuse.
On reaching out to anyone at Orlando:
No, my phone’s blowing up since the game has finished this weekend. So, you know, there’s quite a lot of people coming up. I’ve got a lot of friends and family obviously that are going to be in town. I would like to say it’s no different, but it can’t be when you’ve spent the amount of time and sort of involvement in building something like we did in Orlando. As I said when I came here, I take an incredible amount of satisfaction on what we did there, in the period that we were there. It will be good to see some of the guys when they get into town. But, you know, I just want to win the game, and I’m sure that the people there do.
On any residual feelings about how it ended in Orlando:
No, I think everybody is aware I was very disappointed in the way it ended. I know it’s part and parcel of being any coach, eventually you get fired. That’s the one thing you know about. But I just thought there was a time and a place, and I didn’t think that was the time or the right place, but hey, it is what it is and we move on.
One thing I will mention actually about the weekend, I thought our supporters were fantastic at the weekend. The noise in the stadium was probably as good as it’s been. I said to the players after, it’s a two-way thing, and we actually gave them something to get behind with our performance. When we had them, you know that role of three or four corners, efforts at goal, after we scored our goal. It’s something for us to build on. I just felt as though it’s a bit of coming together with a lot of people at the weekend.
On it not feeling like only 17,000 fans in the stadium:
It doesn’t feel like that because they certainly sound louder than the 17 or 18,000. Plus the fact that we’re playing in a 55,000 stadium. If that’s in a 20,000 stadium, it’s a whole different ballgame with the roof on. You can imagine the noise, what would have been generated in that stadium. So, we’ve got a lot to look forward to. From our point of view, I know the players really appreciate the support that we’ve been getting. I think if we can put a few more performances on that, let’s see if we can keep nudging that crowd up from 17 to 19 [thousand]. A few friends of mine went for the first time at the weekend, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. I think we’ve got to just keep forcing the envelope. Just keep convincing people to come and watch the team, because there’s still a lot of people who have never been to a game, and I’m sure they would enjoy it if they did.
MNUFC Leading Goalscorer Christian Ramirez
On Cyle Larin from his perspective:
He’s got really good instincts in the box. He knows where the defenders are always at, so he’s always looking over his shoulders to make sure his spacing is right. And if you give him a chance, he’ll put it away. So, I know our defense has a tough task ahead. Luckily, I don’t have to face him, I get to be up the field. But I know Brian and Calvo are looking forward to that challenge. They really started to pride themselves on keeping guys like that off the score sheets, so hopefully that can continue.
On the defenders liking the competition:
Yeah, definitely. Especially because they’re both new to the league. Each time, it’s their first time facing those type of forwards. I know Calvo took a really good pride in playing against Dom Dwyer, and holding him to off the stat sheet, so hopefully he’s up for this challenge. I know as the week gets closer to the game, he’ll really be looking forward to it.
On the differences in playing MLS versus NASL:
Defenders are more physical. They’re a bit smarter tactically. You find yourself always being marked, or having to constantly check your shoulder and move to make sure that your spacing and your positioning is right. You get less opportunities in this league to punish teams, so when you get those opportunities it’s crucial that you put your chances away. I think as I get more and more time in this league, I start to sharpen that up. Because I know I’ve had several games, where if I’m sharp, I can put three chances away, and I know that will come as more time comes. I just keep watching film and learning what certain defenders and defenses are doing, so that I can keep having success.
On the difference in traveling and being in the league (MLS):
I think for us, the travel is better than most teams, just because we’re in the middle of the country, so everywhere is a two- or three-hour flight, if that. That’s nice for us. Being on the road and playing in these different stadiums over the last however long, I’ve been watching guys playing, so that’s been cool to be a part of, and hopefully check out more of these stadiums and silence some crowds. That’s the best part of playing on the road, is silencing some crowds.
On the coolest stadium he has been in so far:
Besides the Portland one, I think Toronto’s because they upgraded their stuff last year, apparently. That was pretty surreal to be in that one. That’s [the crowd] a big part. I know that’s why the Sporting stadium is my favorite stadium so far that I’ve played at, just because you feel the crowd right on top of you. I’m looking forward to having three games there, I think this year.
