Head Coach Adrian Heath
On his assessment of the California preseason trip…
“I thought, between both boxes, we were excellent. I thought our defensive shape was really good. [We] have to improve in the final third of the field. I don’t think, for the amount of quality possession we had in the final third, we had enough attempts at goal and create enough. That’s something we’ll keep working on. But in general, I was really pleased with the group. They looked sharp, they looked fit. That’s the main thing. As I said to you before we went, is it nice to win every game? Yeah it is. It wasn’t the fundamental issue there. Getting people fit, getting people prepared better mentally and physically for Dallas was the most important thing, and I think we’re there.”
On the health updates on the team…
“We’ve got a couple of issues. I think Hassani [Dotson] is under the weather today and Alan Benitez. Our Hondurans [Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales] hopefully are back today or tomorrow as they’ve got their green card thing sorted. And, Luis [Amarilla] is away doing the exact same thing. Obviously, it’s not ideal timing in the last week of the preseason building up to the first game of the season. But, at the end of the day, these are important things for us, so we have to go along with it.”
On if those players who were away would be available for Saturday’s match…
“Yes, we do [think so]. We’re hopeful.”
On Brent Kallman and Mikael Marques’ health status…
“Brent’s got a little bit of a problem with his Achilles, nothing too bad. And Mikael rolled his ankle out here yesterday morning. I don’t think it’s a long one form him, but we’ll probably have a better idea and a better picture about him tomorrow.”
On the formation he ran the team last Saturday against Vancouver Whitecaps…
“The big one we’ve tried was playing three in midfield and seeing how that worked. We know it can work because I think against [New York] Red Bulls and I think again against Vancouver, our approach play – getting from our defensive third into the attacking third – was very good. So, I think it was important that we tried it. Behind closed doors, we tried three at the back. There’s a few tactical and formation shifts that we can do and we’ll decide later on in the week which one we’ll decide to go.”
On any updates on Emanuel Reynoso…
“No. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
On if he thinks Reynoso still wants to be with MNUFC…
“I know he still wants to be here.”
On if he has been in personal contact with Reynoso recently…
“I’ve not spoken to him personally, I spoke via people. I spoke to his father and his brother last week and they’re of the same mind. Hopefully in the next few days, weeks, I don’t know. Hopefully a bit of common sense will prevail and then he’ll be back here.”
On how he is looking to improve the final third struggles…
“Ultimately, it’s about decision making. Like it is all over the field. At times, I don’t think we put the ball in the box quick enough, we tried to have an extra pass. I think we’ve tried to be a bit too intricate at times, instead of actually doing what the game’s giving us. Trying to make things that get the ball in the box, crosses, crosses facing the goal, I think we can do better at that. As I’ve said, the final ball hasn’t been good enough at times.”
On his expectations of young players such as Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mender Garcia…
“I expect them to improve on where they were at this time last year. Mender’s come in and he’s looked a bit sharper than he was last year. Bongi [Bongokuhle] looks quicker and stronger. [I’ve] been really please with them two, really please with Cameron Dunbar. I think Robin [Lod] has been outstanding in preseason. I have to say, I know it’s only a short sample bite that Micky [Miguel] Tapias has been absolutely fantastic. I’m sure he’s going to be an unbelievable pickup for us.”
On D.J. Taylor’s fitness levels…
“It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for him because he’s had a little bit of tendonitis. And it’s not really hurting him enough, but it’s enough that it we don’t want to make it worse. Hopefully he’s available for the weekend, which I think he will be.”
On who he sees as a right-back alternative…
“Dev’s [Devin Padelford] had a good preseason. He’s played against the likes of [Cristian] Espinoza, he’s played against Louis Morgan, so it’s been a big step up for him, a big jump up. He’s proved he can physically compete. Now it’s the mental stuff, because at the top end, it’s the mental pressure that can change things. Physically, he’s a big, strong boy. He’s quick enough. Now he has to make sure he’s in the right positions. And that’s up to us to work with him.”
On Zarek Valentin…
“Zarek is what he is: a seasoned professional, a great professional. Good leader in the locker room. Big voice, has an opinion. Makes sure that people are held accountable. We’re really pleased with him.”
On if Bongokuhle Hlongwane is still promising a number of goals…
“I think after these last couple of weeks, he’s probably tempered that down a little bit. We’ve spoken long and hard about it. He needs to be in that eight, nine, 10, 12, 13 range. And if he is, with the amount of work that he puts in, he’ll be a huge, valuable asset to us.”
On if Hlongwane’s goals in international play might help his confidence…
“I think it’s getting in the right spots. His two goals that I saw were really good combined and they were good finishes. I’ve said to him, ‘be instinctive at times.’ I think he overthinks it because he’s talked about goals and we have, but he’s put himself under unnecessary pressure. I think he just has to be instinctive and play what the game gives you.”
On what he anticipates from FC Dallas on Saturday…
“It’s probably the best time of the year that you can go there, weather wise. It was very tight last year. The game at the end of the season went to penalties. I think it’s going to be tight. I managed to watch their game against Houston from last weekend. They’ve brought another couple of pieces to what was already a very good team. Obviously in forward areas with [Paul] Arriola, [Alan] Velasco, [Jesus] Ferreira, [Paxton] Pomykal, [Sebastian] Lletget – they have good attacking pieces. But, if we have a good defensive disciplined shape, I always think there’s opportunity on the counter.”
On if he had seen MLS predictions for MNUFC’s final position, being outside the playoffs…
“No. Well, they’ve had us at that the last four years as I can remember. How did that go? It’s up to us to prove them wrong again and I know we will do.”
On if the team is close to adding any additional players…
“Yes. We’re hopefully very close on one and we’re still working on one or two other things.”
On the updated MLS playoffs format…
“Are you not aware of what’s been said? Oh! I was thinking you were after a scoop there. The fact that you get at least one game at home if you’re in the playoffs is right. I don’t think you should work all season to get in the playoffs and go away from home and probably cost the club a couple million quid to get you there and look after you. Having a home field game, I think it will keep everybody in the game and the tie and I think that’s what we’re after. What’s it seven games if you go all the way? If you go to three in the first. Let’s hope we aren’t in the play-in game and that hopefully we’re in the top four.”
On the impact the Under-22 Initiative has on Minnesota’s roster…
“If you look within the league, it’s been a very positive [impact]. There’s a lot of teams spending a lot of money on young players. We’re in the same boat in this moment in time. We’re looking at a couple of Under-22 players that we think will come in and add something to our group. If we get them, great. If we have to wait a little bit longer, then so be it.”
On the possibility of buying down a Designated Player spot…
“Yes. Still an option and something that we’ve been working on. We’ll see. The one thing is that we do have a better time with the transfer deadline and we are in a good spot now where most of the teams around the world have got what they got and maybe one or two might resurface and maybe the situation is a little bit different than it was four or five weeks ago.”
On if the team will practice on Thursday due to the weather…
“We spoke about maybe Thursday not knowing what’s to come. I can do a lot of things, but I can’t control the weather, I’m afraid.”
Defender Michael Boxall
On how the team played in California…
“It’s always a good test when you come against teams you have to face up in the season. I think it took us a little bit to get going when you make that transition from the first preseason phase where it’s just about getting the right conditioning, and then transferring that to game-specific stuff. [New York] Red Bulls we grew into that game. Second half, I thought we were kind of where we should be. Then it felt like we controlled much of the Vancouver [Whitecaps] game and then you make a few changes, they [Vancouver Whitecaps] make half a dozen changes and the game changes for the last 10-15 [minutes]. We just allowed a couple and I think for the most part, controlled the game but I think just that final third, we’re still working on that. That’s going to be the focus this week for sure.”
On what didn’t work against San Jose Earthquakes…
“Obviously we had a completely different starting 11 and then we, the group that I was a part of, just played 45 [minutes] against an 11 of theirs. I don’t think they really came into our half, we moved the ball well. It was just like a training match. When you bring Micky [Miguel Tapias] into the fold, he’s looking good beside me, so once we build that relationship, it’ll be fun playing beside him. It was a good start for sure.”
On his first impressions of Miguel Tapias…
“He’s a good, tenacious, aggressive defender, likes to stay tight, and then good on the ball. Good left leg. Likes to move the ball, likes to draw the attackers before we hopefully give the midfielders some time on the ball. Confidence too, so he’s looking like a good piece already.”
On experimenting in new formations…
“Bringing an extra man into that midfield just to lighten the load a bit for Robin [Lod] and Wil [Trapp]. Robin, I’ve said enough about how good he is in that role defensively and if we allow him to get higher up the field, can hope to fill some of the void not having Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] there will be. Just need to tidy a few things up and give the front guys a bit more confidence of hitting the back of the net.”
On if it’s fitting to start the season how the last ended in Dallas…
“I could see the poetic side, but that’s in the past. We play all of these teams at least two, three times a year. Last year is gone. We’ve turned a new page and it’s about starting this season on the right foot. I’ve kind of felt like most seasons, we’ve started the seasons off well with good performances and whatnot so we just need to get that right. Especially on the road for home openers, you just need to give the effort and intensity because you know that the home teams, with their home crowd, are going to do the same.”
On the advantage familiarity with the front-four offensive players of FC Dallas…
“Oh, for sure, yeah. You know how dangerous they are as a whole and I think their movement is good, how they make selfless runs for the others. It’s never a day off against these guys, especially at their place, so we’re going to have to be on it.”
On the expectations for younger players such as Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mender Garcia…
“They had a good introduction last year and we saw glimpses of them, of what they can be this year. We kind of expect them to step up and be dependable. I think Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] has been bright and solid this preseason. I love the kid. He always comes in with a smile on his face. He’s the happiest kid here, so if we can get a bit more production and see a few more of those goal celebrations, then it will be a fun season.”
On if he has noticed a change in the league with the Under-22 Initiative…
“I don’t really pay much attention to stuff outside. Every year it gets younger for me. It’s great, it keeps me on my toes. It’s a challenge to make sure I’m not lagging behind any of these kids. It’s only ever going to get younger for me.”
On how the team has tried to adjust without Emanuel Reynoso…
“Like we have in any game where we have missed a significant player, whether it’s Robin [Lod] injured, whether it’s Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] suspended or whatever. I don’t think you can ever expect one player to fill their shoes and with a special player as Rey [Emanuel Reynoso], we know what he can bring when he’s on his game. That’s the responsibility of two or three players to kind of fill that, but then when you bring that extra midfielder, it helps us at the back to be defensively solid, just have more numbers behind the ball. Obviously, a lot of responsibility on the guys that will be in that 11 to be creative and create chances for us.”
On the difficulty of building consistency with an ever-changing backline…
“Obviously you prefer it to be a bit more consistent than it has been, but a lot of that is out of my hands. Everyone that has come in and out, they work their asses off here so, they’re always ready. Look at D.J. [Taylor] for example, last year. The way that what he was asked to do when he was brought in here, and then Alan [Benitez] came in and he [D.J. Taylor] was pushed out, and then he worked his ass off again and forced his way back into the 11. I’m not worried about who steps onto the field. I think my responsibility is to help raise the bar of everyone that’s on that field, no matter who it is.”
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair
On building upon his 2022 season…
“Just bringing some more consistency to this year. I think last year I had some good top-bin performances, especially early on in the season, I thought I was deserving of the All-Star call. But, this year I’m looking to be a part of the Goalkeeper of the Year conversation at the end of this year. Just bringing more consistency to my game and having some more of those top-end performances.
On who might be competition for Goalkeeper of the Year across the league…
“Andre [Blake] has won it how many times now, for a reason. Sean’s [Johnson] been in that conversation. [Djordje] Petrovic has done well since he’s come in as well. Now [Roman] Burki’s in the league, so he has a big resume. Last year doesn’t really determine anything for this year. It’s goalie of the year, not goalie of the last three years or five years. So, I think I kind of have to approach each season as a new one. We’ll see who starts off strong and can end strong as well.
On his lasting impression from the playoffs match at Dallas last season…
“Disappointing. I think we defended well, and to lose in penalties is never easy. I was disappointed with not being able to make a save, with my penalty history. So, I think we’re definitely going in with a chip on our shoulder. We know that if it was a regular-season game, it would have been a tie, so we know that we can go down there and get a result. At the start of a season, getting a result early is very important.”
On his first impressions of playing alongside Miguel Tapias…
“Anytime you have a left footer playing on the left side, it makes things a lot more easier. He’s obviously comfortable on the ball, which makes things a lot easier for me being comfortable on the ball. Being able to play out a bit more this year, just having a left footer there. Our relationship is growing and there’s a little bit of a language barrier there, but I’m trying to work on my Spanish and for his lack of English, he’s done well with communicating with the team.”
On preparing for playing with the absence of Emanuel Reynoso…
“All of our games this preseason have been without him. We played last season without him. I think he was suspended, like, three different times. It’s not like we’ve never played a game without him before. We know, of course, he brings a lot of creativity, but that’s our reality right now. Now that he’s not here, games on the road you have to kind of dig in and dig deep sometimes. Going into this game, we’re going to have to dig in and dig deep and rely on some guys and it allows guys to step up into a role where maybe they weren’t prepared for.”
On how he and the team responds to preseason predictions…
“Preseason predictions are a crap-shoot anyways. So, I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh, they put us at 11th…’ I’d be impressed if any of them in any position get anyone automatically correctly because no one knows with injuries, midseason additions and things like that. They put it out there for people to talk about, but I think even they know they wouldn’t put money on what they have [written]. Some people can use it as motivation or what else. We’re really looking at they were told to do that and they had to put something down. We’ll see how it goes.”
On his response in playing with new faces on the backline…
“It was nice to have a couple preseason games and play with them a couple times so you can kind of work out some of those kinks first. When guys come midseason, it’s a little bit more difficult when you only see them in training. But I think it’s also about talking about certain plays that happen during the game. ‘Do you like that pass there, do you want it [ball] on your front foot or right foot?’ is an example. Just talking to guys, and after playing, just kind of dissecting the game with them. Whenever you can build a relationship off the field with them, it is important and can translate on the field as well.”
On his Spanish speaking skills…
“I know a few things on the field, but that’s pretty much it. My loan in San Antonio helped me a little bit with that, but not great.”
On his biggest takeaways from his 2022 performance…
“I was lucky enough to be a part of the biggest sporting event in the world. To be able to represent my country at any stage I think is something a take a lot of pride and joy in. Like you said, my season was long, but I know 2023 is going to be just as long with Gold Cup, Leagues Cup, [U.S.] Open Cup. I’ve got a lot of tournaments with Canada and Minnesota. So, I’m looking to perform well in those and to continue to grow.”
On how he can stay at his level of play he reached last season…
“It’s about consistency. I’ve shown that I can have those top-end performances and know that I’m capable of it. But I know that it’s being capable and reliable and showing that week-in and week-out, not just a performance here and there. I think in my position, it’s also a bit more difficult because there’s going to be some games where hopefully I don’t touch the ball and we clean up shop. There’s going to be other games where I’m heavily relied upon. In my position, it can be a little bit harder, but I think just being reliable for the guys in front of me.”
