Presented by:
MINNESOTA UNITED HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On how the group has come together during the difficulties and uncertainties of the last few weeks …
“You don’t like saying it after a game, when you were 2-nil up and it goes to 2-2, but, you know, it was a really tough two weeks for us. I think we only had two sessions where we were all together. And one of them was straight after the Nashville game. So it wasn’t ideal preparation. And, we’ll certainly be better for the fact that this week, we’ve had a normal week. We’ve been able to get some proper work done. Working with the ball. Working with the group. So, hopefully it sets us up nicely for what’s an important game at the weekend.”
On how good it has been to have some of the previously injured players return …
“For Ethan [Finlay], it was a case of managing his week to try and get maybe an hour, maybe get 70 minutes of him. And, Ozzie [Alonso], we had visions of hopefully putting him on the last 10, 15 minutes to give him some sharpening up, a little bit of game time. But, he goes in after 10, 12 minutes. So it’s been a good week for us in terms of getting some energy back into the group. The training has been really good. The movement within the group has been really good. So, as I say, let’s take it into the game.”
On the challenges FC Cincinnati pose …
“They’ve been good at home. They beat Columbus a few weeks ago. And narrowly got beat by Toronto — it was 1-nil and they thought they got a penalty in the last minute, which, they probably deserved, with their second half performance. So, you know, they’ve got some good footballers and they can hurt you. I’m more concerned with us. Can we approach the game in a positive manner? And, if we do, I think we’re more than enough to go and get a result. Because we’re at that stage of the season now. Five to go. We know every game is going to be important.”
MINNESOTA UNITED FORWARD KEI KAMARA
On having some games under his belt with MNUFC and how he feels he fits into the system …
“It’s been good. Really. Obviously, we want these results to go a separate way, but, for myself, I’m really trying to just work with the guys so I can get used to the system. And I think I’m not far off. I’m really battling to make sure that I’m staying connected with one, two players, so we can understand each other. But I think it’s going okay. You know, game by game.”
On the connection with either Kevin Molino, Ethan Finlay or Robin Lod and how he’s continuing to find pockets of space and stay creative …
“It’s good. The rotation of guys being on the field. Before, even with [Emanuel] Reynoso in the middle, trying to build that relationship. I’ve seen, whether it’s Kevin [Molino] or, I’ve played with Ethan [Finlay] before, and, these guys, I’ve seen them play over and over and see how their strengths are at. I think for me and them, it’s really for them to believe in what I can do, now. That’s what I want to make sure: that I’m injected in it. But I bring my energy with them. Make sure that – they’re very talented players – but, I just want to push them a little bit from that energy, so that I can get a little bit extra from them.”
On the Loons having one win in the last seven games and what the team needs to do differently to get three points …
“Different game, different game. Same team, Cincinnati. But different game. It’s going to be in their place now. And, yeah, I had a goal. It was great to get that first goal out of the way, but, they’ve been playing well, obviously. Got a really good result against Columbus, one of the good teams in the league. So we have to go in there with really good respect to them. To whatever system they’re going to put on the field. And again, talking about the field, the surface will be different. So it will be a different game. But I think we’ll be ready for it.”
On the remaining schedule and how important all of these last regular season games are …
“It’s crunch time. This is the time. You gotta win your games. You gotta get your points. Maximize points. You know, because we want to play in the playoffs. That’s the only reason why we’re all still here. But, you know, advantage comes to our point now, because it’s going to snow here for the rest of the year, so, this is going to be great playing those home games. But we gotta maximize every point we get, every game we get here. And, on the road, try to sneak in a couple wins here.”
On the snow the last couple of days and how happy he is to be training indoors …
“The snow has been great. I want to be out there throwing snowballs. People keep complaining that it’s cold. I’m still waiting for the actual Minnesota cold to hit. It hasn’t hit yet. But, no, it’s good. Different environment, but, I’ve played in cold weather, basically my whole career. So, I look forward to it. It’s different playing indoor most of the time, but, this gets us ready for Cincinnati game.”
MINNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER OSVALDO ALONSO
On getting back out on the field in the game against Houston Dynamo…
“I didn’t think expect to come out that soon but soccer, it is what it is. I feel great, I feel good. After a few weeks out, it’s hard to come back but I’m excited to be out on the field and excited to play again.”
On getting a full week to train for the next matchup…
“Last week was tough. We didn’t train for over a week but train this week, play on Saturday, I think it’s huge for us. I know the players are excited to go [to Cincinnati] and find a way to get the three points and we keep going.”
On playing in Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium…
“I like to go game by game. Saturday is an important game for us. I know it’s going to be a difficult, hard game for us down there but if we go there with a mentality to win I think we can get a good result there. Our team is prepared to go there and to win the game.”
On training inside and snow in October…
“I’m not happy either way. Out there is too cold, in here it’s the turf but it is what it is. I get used to it a little more now. But like I said, I’m happy because I played again, training again with the team and healthy, is more important for me.”
