HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On training with a quick turnaround…
“Good. Obviously, nothing affects the mood like winning a game of football. I think the manner we played the game the other night gave everybody a lift. We’re really excited about what his group can become. The players have been excellent at training. We haven’t done an awful lot, it’s been more a case of regen and rehabilitation and the guys, getting in the right frame of mind.”
On getting into a good frame of mind with a short turnaround…
“What have we done in terms of can we get them prepared and I think it’s more physical. We haven’t done an awful lot on the grass, a lot of work with video. And tomorrow, it’s a lot of time, it’s going to be state of mind. Can you be positive. For sure they’re going to be tired because that’s the nature of the game. [Portland] traveled to Houston in midweek, they’ve had to travel as well. It is what it is, we get on with it. Looks like it’s going to be incredibly hot. The fact we’ve put the game back another half an hour indicates how difficult it’s going to be. But we had a lot of positives come out of the game the other night. We have to take that into this game.”
On home debut goals for Franco Fragapane and Adrien Hunou…
“There’s nothing like settling into a new club like scoring goals. [Fragapane] has scored two in two and Adrien could have, conceivably, had four or five goals in the two or three games he’s been involved in.” we’re pleased with their contribution, they’re going to get better. They’re still, the pair of them are still not 100 percent fit but they’re proving in training that they’re going to be really good acquisitions for us.”
On what he thinks of the Timbers’ season so far…
“They got talent. Obviously, they’ve missed [Sebastian] Blanco for most of the season, I’d seen that he’d come back in the other day. [Diego] Valeri has, arguably, been one of the best number tens ever within the league. And they’ve always heavily spent. This is a really good time. They’ve spent a lot of money of Yimmi Chara, obviously he’s away but Diego Chara has been absolutely immense for this team for a long time. Whatever team they put out at Providence Park, they’re normally very formidable. We’ve had a couple of really good results there the last couple of times we’ve been so we’re going to have to play really, really well but we’re capable of going there and winning.”
On the crowd at Providence Park…
“They do. It’s one of the ones you look forward to in the fixture list that comes out because I think it’s what, ten or 12 years now, sold out every game. As I always say, if you’re not enjoying playing in places like this, probably shouldn’t be playing football.”
MIDFIELDER WIL TRAPP
On what he expects heading to Portland on such short rest …
“It’s really just about recovery. Getting the guys back to a physical state where we feel good, where we feel ready for the match tomorrow. We know it’s going to be hot, we know it’s going to be on turf. So, recovery is the most important thing we can do right now.”
On what he’s learned in his career about short rest/turn around …
“I think there’s always more, you have more in the tank tan you realize. I think it’s really just about being professional in how you prepare, in how you take care of yourself postgame and in preparation for the next game. And really, I think everybody just has to now exercise a little bit more of mental toughness and mental strength to get through the game, but also to get something out of the game.”
On what he saw in the last match that he can carry into the next match …
“I think, especially in the first half, the way we moved the ball and broke lines, and were dangerous when we did break lines, was very, very impressive. And it helps to have guys that understand spacing, understand the pockets of when to come low, when to turn and attack. I mean, scoring two goals is great. We needed that confidence and that potency in the front half of the team, we felt that."
On the first thing that comes to mind when he hears Diego Chara …
“I mean for the past 11 years, ten, 11 years, whatever it’s been, he’s been top one or two defensive midfielders in the league. Everything he brings from a ball winning, but even more so underrated part of his game is how he dictates the tempo for the team, and puts guys like [Diego] Valeri in good spots. So, if he’s playing, it’s always something you have to be aware of because he does really make them tick and move forward, but even guy’s like Eryk Williamson have done extremely well in his absence. They’re a team that’s potent and can score in many different ways, and you have to be, especially at home, aware of that."
On the importance of the depth of the roster in this quick turnaround and upcoming games …
“Yeah, it’s huge. We even saw it on Wednesday, guys coming into the game to help, whether it be injuries, whether it be cramps, whether it be any of those things, to really helps us get over the line in that game and we’ll need the same on Saturday.”
On what he’s seen from Portland Timbers …
“Yeah, I mean I think Gio [Savarese] is always, since he’s been there, has put together a group that’s organized. Like I said, can score multiple ways. They’ve been hampered by injuries, but I think they’re getting a little bit healthier and we’ll see. It’s a team that at home is historically pretty good.”
