Interim Head Coach Cameron Knowles
On the two matches played at the Coachella Valley Invitational last week…
“It was a really good camp for us in Palm Springs. We had the disappointment of the mid-week game [against Chicago Fire FC], but you learn a lot about yourself when you have a result like that, you have a red card, you have to play down a man. Then, to bounce back with a performance against Charlotte FC to finish the camp I thought was really good. The guys applied themselves well, controlled the game in and out of possession for large stretches. [We] came through it healthy, which is obviously important this time of the year. There’s a lot of excitement heading into the first game of the season.”
On his assessment of the offense during preseason heading into the Season Opener…
“You’d always like to score more, but I think we did create good chances, we had the ball in good opportunities, we won the ball higher up the field, a lot of final-third entries, box entries. But, we need to get more clinical in front of goal. And we’ll continue to work on that.”
On the core group of players returning and the confidence that brings into the Austin FC match…
“I think it’s been really important for the entire preseason with a lot that has been in flux from day one. To have a mature returning group of players, to have them to lead the team and make sure that we’re driving forward to that first game and staying on task, week-in and week-out, day-in and day-out, has been really important.”
On facing Austin FC and Minnesota’s preparedness ahead of Saturday…
“I think there’s no better place to go to. It’s going to be a great environment, going to be a great atmosphere. They’re [Austin FC] a good team, very well coached, they like to play with the ball. So, it’s going to be a really good test for us in a hostile environment. But, I think it does set up well for us, too, to have some success there.”
On containing Austin’s potent offense…
“If we’re just leaning on that last game [of preseason versus Charlotte FC], we looked really balanced in the way that we defended. We picked good moments to press, we picked the right moments to drop off and be a bit more controlled and sitting a little bit deeper. That’s going to be important there [at Austin FC]. Like we’ve been saying all preseason, if we decide to go, and we don’t go together, then we’re going to get burned. If we defend well together, whether that’s on the front foot pressing the ball, or whether it’s dropping off and sitting a little bit deeper, as long as we’re together, I think we’ve got a really solid group.”
Defender Michael Boxall
On Minnesota United’s 2024 preseason…
“Going down to warm weather, it’s always a pleasure playing on the grass. We got the work done, everyone came in in good shape. In Palm Springs, I felt like we took a big step forward in what we’re wanting to try to do, especially defensively – everyone’s on the same page and we’re excited to get the season rolling.”
On the main focus this week at the start of a new season, from a veteran perspective…
“Considering how we finished last season, we need to start this year on the right foot. It’s just one game at a time in a long season. We’ve got goals of hosting playoff games and it starts with habits that we put in now. So, going away to Austin [FC] is a tough place to play, but we’ll be ready for the fight.”
On how the team will manage a difficult environment in Austin this weekend…
“One you kind of walk out [onto the pitch] you see the lights, the fans there – it’s almost easier to get up for those games when it’s a big crowd. You do all you can to silence them. It’ll obviously make things a bit difficult with us staying together and communicating, but I think Cam’s [interim head coach Cameron Knowles] done a great job getting us cohesive and everyone working together. We’re ready to go.”
On the importance of getting a positive road result on the first game of the year…
“First, any opening game you want to start off on the right foot to bring that momentum into the home opener. We’re not looking ahead to the following week; you want to build those small habits and do the little things that add up to winning games.”
