Head Coach Adrian Heath
On what it took to come back from the goal in the eight minute…
“Lot of grit and determination, lot of belief, lot of courage. As I said to you last week, the world wasn’t over when we lost to Colorado and it wasn’t when we lost to Vancouver. I don’t know what it is, everything is great when we win and everything is so much doom and gloom when we lose. And we are somewhere always in between because that’s the nature of the game. Maybe I had a bit more faith in the group of people that we had; the players, people who work here, than the people who watch us at times.”
On the front four…
“They were good, when we started to stretch the game and play forward and run forward and put the ball in behind them and make it uncomfortable for them. What you don’t want to do with Kansas City is have a pretty game of football. They have been doing this system for ten years and they are honed in it. They know what they are doing, but when you can make it a bit messy and you can turn them around and get the ball in their half the game changes a little bit. As we started to stretch the game and play forward more, you know, starting to get Franco [Fragapane] running in behind [Graham] Zusi and with Adrien [Hunou] running in behind [Andreu] Fontas and Ilie [Sanchez] and [Emanuel] Reynoso being higher up the field I thought we started to get in-roads into the game. As I say great result from the group, I have to say.
On how important the game was…
“It’s never easy when you go into a game, especially against a team that’s in the playoffs, comfortable where they are and playing with a lot of confidence and you know you have to win. If we had got a point today, maybe we would have still been in it, but realistically I thought we had to win the game today. To go into the game with that mentality, that you have to win the game it speaks volumes for the players’ attitudes and determination. To come back from [going down] the goal like we did.”
On this being one of the biggest wins you have had…
“Well it’s the biggest today. With where we are in the year. The last one was when we played them was in the playoffs and we managed to get a result there as well. It’s never easy against them. I think everybody knows what admiration I’ve got for Peter [Vermes] and his staff and what they do at Kansas. I think they are an incredible benchmark for a club like us. That’s what we should aspire to be. We’ve got an incredible stadium, incredible fans and we have to keep pushing this group to get better and better like they have done over the last eight, nine, ten years.”
On Emanuel Reynoso’s penalty and how he took it…
“Well there’s not an awful lot I can do when he picks the ball up, but he has so much confidence in his own ability and you can see that in the way he plays. When he plays like he did in moments and spells today, he’s maybe the most talented footballer in the league. He can do things that nobody else can do. Maybe one or two can score more goals than him, and that’s something that we have been on about. He can actually do things on the field that nobody else in this league can do.”
On his view of the slide tackle on Reynoso at the end…
“Well I was worried. To say I was worried would be an understatement…referee was right there, lineman was there, fourth official, obviously there was somebody upstairs…they obviously didn’t deem it was a bad tackle. I said this to you before, I don’t know what it I,s a good and bad tackle anymore…because Ozzie [Osvaldo Alonso] gets a yellow card the same as he does for actually running in the back of somebody. It’s probably the first foul Ozzie gave away all day and yet he gets a yellow card and [Amadou Dia] gets the same for that tackle. But hopefully, people will have a look at it. It certainly wasn’t a good tackle, that was right in front of me.”
On Osvaldo’s accumulation of yellow cards.…
“Well the way he’s been playing, it’s going to be a huge miss. You know, he’s been incredible the last six-seven weeks. His level of performance and drive, and the rest of the group has been, as I said to some of the younger guys in the league, if you want to emulate any footballer in the MLS don’t look any further than your captain, because he just epitomizes, and shows everything that’s good about mundane football players. Comes in, trains every day, works hard, and every game he plays like it’s his last game.”
On Romain Metanire’s actions on the end line…
“For their goal, yeah. Obviously, he thought the ball was going to go out and, you know, sometimes you just have to clear your lines and go from there. No one wants to play more than I do, but there’s a time and a place, sometimes you just have to put your foot through it. If that’s the right thing to do.”
On if he thinks this is the best game from the team this season…
“I think it was the best result, considering the pressure of play as well. I actually think last week against LAFC is the best we’ve played this season, over the full 90 minutes. From the very first minute to the last minute, we were in control of the game. What did we have – 70 percent of possession. We used it really well, played in the final third, got shots in, got crosses in, That was the best performance. Today was a big-big game for the club, it was big for the players because as I just said, going into a game knowing you have to win a game, it’s a different mentality.”
On considering the next game against Galaxy…
“I am now. I wasn’t about twenty minutes ago.”
…to be the most important game coaching this team…
“Well we got a few results to go, haven’t we? Next couple of days will give us an idea of how important it is. We might have to go there and win, we might have to go there and it’s only a point. All of that sort of affects the mindset of not only us, but the Galaxy as well, but it’s certainly going to be a huge game.”
Defender Chase Gasper
On what he felt was key for the team’s comeback win ...
“I think it was just the grit and determination from every guy that played in the game. And even the guys on the sideline, from before the game, even at halftime, everybody supporting each other. We all knew what was on the line. And I just think that showed the character of the team. Huge win, like our coach said, and we're gonna carry this momentum into next week's game in Los Angeles.”
On what it takes for Emanuel Reynoso to pull off a successful penalty kick ...
“I mean, we all see how special of a player he is. And we're so lucky to have him on our team. It takes special players to pull off tricks and shots like that. And, you know, he's so fun to watch, especially as a defender. It's so nice to have him in front and see the magic he has with the ball at his feet and we're just lucky to have him and he's a great player, great teammate, and contributes a lot to this team. ”
On if Emanual Reynoso practices penalty kicks at training ...
“No, this guy is just magic, man.”
On expecting the Panenka...
“I did not. I had no idea and especially, like, the game is tied. I think that kind of surprised everyone. But then when you think, oh, it's Rey [Emanual Reynoso], doesn't really surprise you. And he's always pulling tricks out of the sleeve like that. I just think that's an illustration of the quality he has and we’re very lucky to have him on our team.”
On if this is the most important win for Minnesota United FC...
“100 percent.”
On Emanuel Reynoso taking the PK...
“During my duration here, we've had a lot of different [penalty kick] takers and, you know, when someone with Rey’s [Emanuel Reynoso] quality says give me the ball, you know, you’re going to give them the ball. So we know how good of a player he is, and he's a goal scorer, and he creates chances and puts the ball away, so that's who you want to take in the PK’s.”
On the tackle against Emanuel Reynoso..
“I think that was a missed call, unfortunately. But, you know, we're lucky he didn't get hurt. That was a really dangerous tackle. We don't like to see that. And hopefully we can limit those in the future because there's definitely a dangerous play and it can ruin careers. Don't want to see that again.”
On Osvaldo Alonso suspension for next game against LA Galaxy...
“I call Ozzie “Leyenda” [Osvaldo Alonso], because I mean, he's a legend in the MLS and he showed it today with all this experience, his heart, his determination. When that's your captain, it's inspiring to the rest of the team and it really drives and motivates the rest of the guys on our team. And so when you’ve got someone, your captain has the heart of a lion, it's really inspirational to go out and, especially a game, this importance and magnitude...And I just think he showed his quality and his experience and really rallied the troops today and helped us to win.”
On bouncing back from the eighth minute Kansas goal...
“I think when we play at home and we got the support of our fans, the constant support that we've gotten throughout the season, we're so thankful to have the best fans in MLS. So when we're playing at home, even when they scored early, we're still confident that when we're playing at home and when we're playing to our capacity and our potential, that we can come back and beat any team in this league, and I think we displayed that today. Hats off to Kansas City, they're a phenomenal team, really tough opponent. But just wanted to thank all the supporters that came out today and throughout the entire season. Without them, we couldn’t have done it and it's just a huge win today.”
Midfielder Emanuel Reynoso
\On what it meant to be able to come back and win such a crucial game ... \
[SPA]: “La verdad que contento, feliz por el grupo, feliz por este triunfo tan importante que tuvimos contra un gran rival que juega bien al fútbol y te presiona mucho. En línea general, en todo en defensa, en medio campo, y arriba, estuvimos muy bien, muy comprometidos a la hora de marcar y jugar. Entonces por eso creo que nos llevamos los tres puntos.”
[ENG]: “Honestly, happy, happy for the group, happy for the important win that we had against a great rival who plays soccer really well and the pressures you a lot. In general, everything in the defense, the midfield, the attack, we were really good, very comitted when it came to scoring and play. So because of that, I think we got the three points."
\On what message he has for his team, the fans, and trainers after a strong game ... \
[SPA]: “Bueno, primero que todo, agradecido a la gente, también, que nos apoya siempre a pesar de que íbamos perdiendo uno a cero. Como dije recién, con un gran rival que juga al fútbol y trata de presionarte mucho. En el penal, gracias a Dios, pude convertir y, como digo siempre, la confianza que me dan mi compañeros, el grupo técnico, por eso va a patear con confianza. Gracias a Dios pudimos ganar y pudimos subirá arriba como estamos peleando los playoffs contra grandes equipos, donde tenemos que estar muy preparados y muy fino a la hora de jugar cada partido.”
[ENG]: “Well, first off, grateful to the people, also, they always support us even though we were losing one-zero. Like I said before, with a big rival who plays soccer and tries to pressure you a lot. In the penalty, thanks to God, I was able to convert and, like I always say, the confidence that my teammates, technical group, that's why I shoot with confidence. Thanks to God, we were able to win and we were able to move up since we're fighting for the playoffs against big teams, where we have to be prepared and sharp at the start of every game."
\On what gave him the confidence to take the “Panenka” penalty kick ... \
[SPA]: “Bueno como dije recién, confianza que me dan mis compañeros, que me da el técnico, entonces uno trata de hacer lo mejor. Sabía que en el fútbol, tenemos que patear fuerte, salir como cada uno quiere patear y gracias a Dios, pude picar la y contento”
[ENG]: “Well like I said, confidence that my teammates, that my coach gives me, so one tries to do their best. I know that in futbol, we have to kick hard, go out like everyone and want to kick, and thanks to God, I was able to chip it and I’m happy.”
\On if today’s the most important win of the season for MNUFC and what it means for playoff hopes ... \
[SPA]: “Significa mucho. Veníamos de una derrota con un gran rival donde no pudimos hacer nuestro juego, implementar nada entre la cancha. Entonces hoy jugamos contra un gran rival, con nuestra gente, que apoya, apoya siempre. Y creo que nosotros cubrimos todo, metimos todo a la hora de hacer nuestro trabajo y por eso es que merecimos ganar, porque jugamos mejor y también porque tuvimos en cada pelota dividida, siempre fuimos al máximo.”
[ENG]: “It means a lot. We came off a loss against a big rival [Vancouver Whitecaps] where we couldn't play our game, implement nothing on the field. So today we played against a big rival, with our people who support, always support. And I think we covered everything, we gave it our all in doing our job and that’s why we deserve to win, because we played better and we also because for every 50/50 ball, we always went to the max.”
\On if he’s practiced the “Panenka” penalty kick in trainings... \
[SPA]: “Si, practico ahí con los chicos, ahí en el entrenamiento. Pero como nunca tuvimos penal, entonces los arqueros, muchos no nos conocen. Decidí patear por la confianza me dan el plantel y el grupo técnico. Los arqueros no saben como pateamos entonces la pude picar.”
[ENG]: “Yea, I practice there with the guys, there in training. But since we've never had a penalty, so the goalkeepers, a lot of them don’t know us. I decided to take it because of the confidence they give me, the staff and technical group. The goalkeepers don’t know how we kick so I was able to chip it.”
\On the hard tackle he got from Amadou Dia ... \
[SPA]: “Fue una falta dura, donde, Gracias a Dios, no fue nada malo. Estoy bien. Pero creo que si, fue una falta dura donde creo que el árbitro tenía que tomar otra decisión. Pero bueno, son decisiones que toman ellos y hay que respetarlo.”
[ENG]: “It was a hard foul, where, thank to God, it wasn't anything bad. I’m fine. But yes, I believe it was a hard foul where I think the referee sh9ould have made another decision. But it’s fine, it’s the decisions they make and we have to respect that.”
On if he feels welcomed by the fans in Minnesota…
[SPA]: “La verdad que agradecido. En cada pelota que tocó, la gente siempre está ahí alentando, no tan solo conmigo sino con mis compañeros. Hicimos un gran partido hoy, todos corrimos y metimos porque teníamos que dar un plus. Sabíamos que jugábamos contra un gran rival entonces teníamos que correr, meter y la gente, también, ayuda. Juegan con nosotros. Nosotros salimos a jugar en cada partido local diferente con un hombre más, con toda la gente. Feliz por el triunfo. Tenemos otro partido muy difícil donde tenemos que hacer lo mismo que hoy; correr, meter y estar al altura del partido ante un gran rival.”
[ENG]: “The truth is very grateful. In each ball that I touch, the people are always encouraging, not only with me but with my teammates. We played a big game today, we all ran and went in because we had to give a plus. We knew we played against a big rival so we had to run, score and the people also helped. They play with us. We went out to play
in each different home game with one more man, with all the people. Happy for the win. We have another hard game where we have to do the same as today; run, score and rise up to the challenge against another great rival."
On how happy he is with Minnesota United…
[SPA]: “Muy, muy contento. La verdad que me dio la oportunidad de seguir jugando, de tener mucha continuidad entonces uno agarra confianza, agarra coraje a la hora de jugar. La verdad que feliz, como dije recién. Feliz por Fraga [Franco Fragapane], feliz por los chicos que llegaron, también, en lo último que se están ganando lugar y aparte, también, la gente eso lo hace notar que lo quieren mucho. Feliz.”
[ENG]: “Very, very happy. The truth is that it's given me the opportunity to continue playing, to have a lot of continuity, so one gains confidence, gets courage when it's time to play. The truth is happy, like I said before. Happy for Fraga [Franco Fragapane], happy for the boys who came too, in the last they are winning a spot and besides, also the people make us feel loved. Happy.”
On if there was a question as to who would take the penalty kick…
[SPA]: “La agarró Adrien [Hunou] pero tenía confianza. Me habían hecho la falta. Fui decidí buscarla y gracias a Dios que Adrien no tuvo problema. Me brindó la pelota. Fui con mucha más confianza y gracias a Dios pude convertir.”
[ENG]: “Adrien [Hunou] grabbed it but I was confident. They had fouled me. I went, decided to look for it and thank to God that Adrien didn’t have a problem. He gave me the ball. I had a lot more confidence and thanks to God I was able to score.
On whether or not he planned on taking the penalty kick as a Panenka…
[SPA]: “La verdad que estaba planeado. Lo hablaba con Ariel, que es el que trabaja para mi representación. También Adrian Zendejas que es con que me junto mucho afuera del club. Le pedí consejo a él, que es arquero. Me da la confianza de picarla. Quedó en el partido, puede picarla. Feliz por el gol y por el triunfo.”
[ENG]: “The truth is I was planning it. I had talked about it with Ariel, who works for my representation. Also, with Adrian Zendejas, who is the one who I hang out with a lot outside of the club. I asked him for advice, as he’s a goalkeeper. He gave me the confidence to chip it. The opportunity came, so I was able to chip it. Happy for the goal and the win."
