Presented by:
HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On how the groups feels after a few weeks of no games…
“Well, I’m not sure having two weeks off, we’ve been training, we’ve had no games. They’ve been working really hard, got a good vibe in the group. [Emanuel] Reynoso was out training this morning, Ethan Finlay, all the guys, Ozzie [Alonso] was out this morning as well. So all the guys who we’ve been more worried about are they going to be available this game, they’ve all been training the last two or three days, so that’s good. With a little bit of luck, a part from the guys who are away, we might have a full clean bill of health for the weekend.”
On what the group has been able to accomplish with the extra time to train…
“It’s been a little bit different for everybody. The likes of Reynoso and people like that who have been on rehab, have been able to get some proper work in without thinking about the game at the end of the week. That sort of dictates what you do. Two or three of the other guys who’ve needed a rest have had plenty of time now to recharge. The group is in good spirits. Now we’ve got to try and keep the momentum going of two wins a and draw in the last three games. We’re going to Dallas, we know it’s not going to be easy, it never is this time of year. Fortunately, the weather here is preparing us for it, which is a little bit unusual but as I said, it’s been a good couple of weeks.”
On facing FC Dallas after a narrow 1-0 win at home last time around…
“As I say, they’re never easy at home. They beat Portland there recently. The games we’ve played there have always been difficult and I don’t expect anything different. I think the teams are quite evenly matched and the fact that they’re below us in the table, but it’s really tight, has a lot of incentive going into it. It’s the start of what’s going to be a really busy period for us. A lot of games coming up and we’ll go there fully prepared and it’s going to be difficult but if we play the way we can and commit to the game plan, I don’t see any reason we can’t win the game.”
On what he’s seen out of Franco Fragapane and Adrien Hunou with the weeks of training…
“Not only have they been able to get some fitness, a little bit for Franco because he came in on the back of a lot of games in a short period of time, we managed to give him a little bit of a rest to recharge. Adrien was a little bit different, he hadn’t played for several weeks and we’ve been able to get some work into him. Now we’re just trying to integrate them into the group. They’re both really good lads, they’ve done really well so we’re looking forward to seeing them on the field with the teammates.”
DEFENDER CHASE GASPER
On how the group feels about having a few weeks off, getting everyone back healthy and how they’ve been able to keep the focus …
“It was a good break. It’s fun to take time off, to see family and friends. After this past year, a lot of us haven’t been able to [see family] so definitely refreshing. And fun to watch our teammates playing in the [EURO Cup], a bunch of MLS guys in Copa America and so it’s fun to watch all those games, see them play their international games, but most importantly to get guys healthy and fit again, definitely the most important part. We got a lot of key guys coming back, so to choose from the entire team, that’s huge for our team and I think it’s going to help us a lot. So we’re most looking forward to getting everyone healthy and fit for these upcoming games.”
On the biggest thing that the team has been able to accomplish these past couple of weeks …
“I just think kind of, not a restart to the season, but yeah, it wasn’t the greatest start and we just refocused, got a couple of results the last three games, the first stretch, that was huge for us. Big confidence booster, momentum shifter, now we’re looking to carry that momentum into this next set of games coming up this summer.”
On how the partnership with newcomer Franco Fragapane is developing …
“Yeah, it’s great! He’s a great player, great teammate already, he’s clicking with the group, and you can see he has a lot of skill. I think he’s going to help our team a lot so we’re all looking forward to seeing him in that first game. He’s been amazing at practice, so we’re hoping to see it in the games as well.”
On how the team is preparing to face FC Dallas this weekend …
“Yeah, it’s going to be tough. Playing down in Dallas in the summer is never an easy feat, so we’re conscious of that, but we’re going to get a result. With everyone healthy and selecting from the entire group, I’m excited for the team that’s going to be playing this Saturday. We’ve seen them a lot, we know they like to pass out of the back and break down the group, so we’re just focused on our defensive shape and attacking on any mistakes of theirs.”
MIDFIELDER NIKO HANSEN
On making his debut and scoring his first goal with Minnesota United…
“It’s awesome to get back after the injury and make a difference. We needed a goal there. We needed two, but we got one at least and great to have some help from the team there.”
On the process of coming back from his injury…
“It wasn’t planned, by any means, but we kind of rolled the punches. So it’s been watching a lot of what we’ve been, not necessarily struggling with, but with things we need to adapt and change to and I think I wanted to come in and show that we can keep going and that we’re a good team.”
On what the team has been able to accomplish these past couple of weeks in training…
“We got a couple new guys in and injured guys are coming back. I think it’s been a good reset for everybody as far as getting mentally prepared, physically prepared, to get back into winning games.”
On what he’s looking at toward FC Dallas this weekend …
“I think we’re going to win. We’re unbeaten still right now, with three games, so I think we can keep that streak going. I don’t think these last couple of weeks have hindered us at all, I think it’s only helped us, so we’re going there to take away three points.”
