Head Coach Adrian Heath
On tonight being a night of opportunity…
“Obviously the disappointments remain, it's not even the one he’s had problems with [Metanire], it's the other leg. Hamstring again. That's disappointing and Niko [Hansen] had a little tweak. I don’t think Niko [Hansen] is too bad. But apart from that there's a lot of pleasing stuff. They're a good team, they spread you out, they switch the point of attack very well. On the break I thought we looked dangerous this evening. The other thing when I looked at the game when you consider we got probably four or five other really good chances. That's pleasing because obviously goal scoring has been an issue. It's great for Luis [Amarilla] to get a goal, Dibassy from a set piece. I thought Jacori [Hayes] took a goal really well and AZ [Aziel Jackson] was a really really good finish from his free kick.”
On the concern regarding the Romain Metanire injury…
“It's gonna be concerning because if it's a bad one chances are most of this season is gonna be a wash out for him. He just hasn't been able to get going. We'll have a better idea where he is in the next couple of days but it doesn't look good at this moment in time. If we could come through unscaved and got everybody minutes. Luis [Amarilla] will be better for getting another 65 minutes in under his belt and getting a goal. I thought he took it really well, it was a good first touch. I thought Joseph Rosales and Jacori Hayes had a good evening as well and it was great to see Fred [Emmings] getting on the field. He didn't look out of his depth and he looked the part.”
On the relief felt by Luis Amarilla following his goal…
“Always when you’re a goal scorer like he is you live and die by your goals and obviously he has been very frustrated. As I said to him in the week he just got to keep believing in himself like we do believe in him. Keep working on and getting in the right spots and his opportunities will come.”
On Aziel Jackson's performance…
“He's got talent and what he needs to do is make sure he honors all his talent and concentrate on his game. Because he does have talent. As you say, he put two or three nice balls through for Niko, [Hansen} with a nice weighted pass and then he scored a very very good goal.”
On the eventful week for Fred Emmings…
“Obviously at his age a big week for him and he’s had a week to remember for sure. I'm really pleased for him cause he’s worked so hard these last 18 months. Not having games at the end though has been a bit tough for him. It's really really pleasing that he's had his debut tonight and done as well as he’s done.”
On the supporters' attendance tonight at Allianz Field…
“Fantastic! I mentioned it on the TV, I thought to send a message throughout the supporters they were excellent. Unbelievable turnout. It's nice to hear Wonderwall at the end of the game again.”
On his final thoughts on the game tonight…
“Nice night. It's always nice to play here. It’s been a really good night for everybody concerned.”
On how this game sets them up to continue MLS play…
“Now the concern is hopefully all our boys come back, Boxy [Michael Boxall], Bongy [Bongokuhle Hlongwane], Robin Lod and Dayne [St. Clair] all the guys away, it’s important we get them all back. I spoke to Arriaga and they’ve got one more to come. If we get them five back and healthy it will set us up nicely for what's gonna be a really tough stretch.”
Midfielder Aziel Jackson
On feeling a sense of opportunity…
“I felt like it was great to get in and show what I can do. It was great to have that opportunity tonight.”
On creating a couple of nice chances and his free kick…
“The figure was great. I was happy I got it because [Adiren] Hunou and Joseph Rosales were heading over the ball and I was saying ‘I want to take it. I feel confident,’. Luckily they let me take it and I was happy to see the ball go in.”
On deciding who gets to take the free kicks…
“It’s tough on the field, you know? So much adrenaline. Everyone wants to do more for the team and I felt like I just wanted to step up and take responsibility. Luckily that was the goal to win the game.”
On his goal being a perfectly placed kick or a misalignment from Paderborn…
“I felt like I just had to get it over the wall and I saw the keeper a little far to his right side. I just knew I had to get it over the wall. It was a big wall, so I had to hit it really high and luckily it went down into the net.”
On his thoughts of the crowd…
“It was amazing. You could feel like it was a final to me. I felt like it was bigger than our MLS games and it was just amazing to have the fans there being super supportive. I’m grateful for them to come out.”
On feeling if he proved anything on the night…
“I only feel like I prove something to myself every single day in training. I just try to push myself the next day and just be better and you’ll progress with time.”
On the importance of having time with the reserve team…
“The reserve team has been great. It helps the first team a lot. A lot of our young first team guys that play with the second team…traveling to different cities every week and getting the opportunity to play.”
On not having played a game in a while…
“The first team had a little break, but with the second team hopefully there is game there so you can still keep your fitness. You could tell tonight the guys were still staying fit for our next MLS game coming up.”
On the crowd’s reaction when he gets the ball…
“I’m just trying to play and win the game with the team. It’s all about the team and I’m really grateful to have their support too because they trust me with the ball and with what I can do and to help guys in behind. And also with the effort too, to give me a good ball going forward.”
Goalkeeper Fred Emmings
On his week - graduating from high school and playing minutes with First Team…
“Wednesday graduation, Saturday [my] First Team debut. It was great. A crazy week and a lot of emotions and family, but it was super great.”
On being able to participate in graduation…
“Yeah it actually worked out. Originally I wasn’t going to go because I had the game on Saturday [June 4], but because they [First Team] had plans to play me, they rested me and I was able to go, which was good. I haven’t seen a lot of them [high school classmates] in three years, but it was nice to see some old friends.”
On learning he’d play minutes against SC Paderborn 07…
“It must have been that Sunday beforehand. I think after the Sporting [KC II] game, when I got back. It was completely by chance [the timing].”
On his First Team debut performance in goal against Paderborn…
“It was good. I mean, your first one is always memorable. Obviously, the goals [conceded] are something we have to look at and build upon, but there are a lot of things to be proud of and things to learn from as there always is. It’s good, I’m really excited.”
On the match feeling different at all, even if a friendly contest…
“Oh absolutely. I mean, I was talking with Stew [Kerr]: the game doesn’t change, just the stadium and the fans around you. But, it’s definitely a different experience and it’s hard to explain how, but it’s definitely a change as you go up the levels, you need to prepare properly. It was good, it’s the biggest thing you can learn from, these games, because you can’t replicate them in training, right? So, there’s nothing that you can do in training that will get you ready for this, but that’s part of the fun.”
On the size of the crowd at Allianz Field against SC Paderborn 07…
“I didn’t, no, it was crazy. It was what, 19,000? Yeah, it was unbelievable. It’s amazing from the fans that they were able to come out. It was a nice night, though, to be here.”
On fans in the crowd cheering him on…
“Yeah, the crowd always has your back… love a Minnesota crowd, a hometown crowd.”
On Paderborn as a good test…
“Yeah for sure. It was nice to see something a little different. I mean, they’re even different to the MLS first teams, but, it was a great opportunity. I’m really happy that I was able to be out there.”
On Aziel Jackson’s goal against SC Paderborn 07…
“[I’m] super proud of him. I mean, that’s great. I couldn’t be more proud of him. It was a crucial goal, a great goal, and trust me, I appreciated it [from his view in goal]. We’re super happy for him.”
