Head Coach Adrian Heath
On how a tournament run and a penalty kick shootout win boosts a teamās confidenceā¦
āIn reflection, Iāve tried to watch most of it again last night when I got home, theyāre [C.D. Toluca] a good team, and they ask you a lot of questions. So, I was really pleased with our organization, really pleased with the commitment with what we asked them [MNUFC players] to do. We realized that we were going to have periods of the game where we have to just defend in numbers. But, I did say to the guys that I feel as though if we break properly the way we can, then we can cause them trouble. Thatās what happened. All evening, I thought we were dangerous on the counterattack.ā
On the atmosphere and camaraderieĀ that a cup run builds for MNUFCā¦
āItās always good. Thereās nothing like winning for that. Then, it getās to penalties and it sort of enhances everything. For Dayne [St. Clair], itās been outstanding. Iāve got to mention our crowds [at Allianz Field]. When you look at the crowds around the league, our supporters have been outstanding in their commitment to the tournament, but [also] to the team. The atmosphere was electric last night, again, and weāve just got to hope that we can go one more [at home] again. I think that if we get there, we have a chance at playing at home, unless itās LA [LAFC], and thatās what weāve got to do.ā
On facing Nashville SC on Fridayā¦
āItās always tough there [GEODIS Park], they played against Club America [LIGA MX] and more than held their own. A bit like our game, looked a really exciting game, penalties and the atmosphere. So, hopefully [it will be] the same again on Friday. Going there with the likes of [Hany] Mukhtar, now itās [Sam] Surridge, Teal Bunbury always seems to want to do well against Minnesota, being from here. Whoever it may be, is it Fafa Picault ā is always a threat because of his speed. Yeah, itās going to be a tough game. But as weāve proved in the past, weāre more than capable of going in there and winning.ā
Defender DJ Taylor
On what a tournament run does for the teamā¦
āItās an exciting experience. Itās always exciting to get some more [games] on your resume, especially for all the guys. It kind of brings us together, brings that competitive spirit and we just keep grinding as a team. Itās been awesome so far.ā
On Joseph Rosales playing on the back lineā¦
āI think heās been excellent and heās been playing really good. I almost think heās better playing on the outside, whether itās winger or fullback rather than in the middle. I think heās starting to enjoy that outside back position. You have the field in front of you and pressureās coming in front of you rather than midfielderās coming from all sides. Heās having a lot of fun there and heās doing really well for us, an assist and a goal real quick. So, Iām just hoping he can keep helping us out like that, just continuing as we go throughout the season.ā
On the camaraderie that a run in a cup tournament brings to the squadā¦
āIt brings tons of camaraderie. All we want to get at the end of the day is win and make each other happy. As long as we just keep fighting for each other and to keep this streak going, honestly. Like I said, fighting for silverware is completely different. And, obviously the money talks for the players. With this Leagues Cup, we get paid more than I think we do in MLS. Super exciting for us and brings us together.ā