Head Coach Adrian Heath
On if his feelings changed from the match against Sporting Kansas City…
“No. Really poor first half. Poor defending. Really poor goals to concede. Second half, a lot better. Got it back to 3-1 and then were probably in charge of the game for a 10-15 minutes spell. Had we got a second goal, then we might have made something of it but it was too little, too late I’m afraid.”
On where he sees Minnesota United with what is left to accomplish…
“If you go back maybe three or four months ago, I said in the last game against, last year it was against [LA] Galaxy, came down to that one. I said I think it’ll go down to the wire again and I think it will do. I said six games ago, if we won two games, I think that would be enough. Now we’re down to two games and we need a minimum three [points] to give ourselves a chance. Four is a really good chance. If we get six, who knows, maybe we could finish in the top four.”
On if he imagined being in sixth place in the Western Conference six games ago…
“No, I didn’t think that because the team was on a really, particularly good run there. We’ve been very streaky this year. Started slowly then got on a real roll. For maybe three or four months, we took more points than anybody. In the last three or four games, no points other than the one against [LAFC]. Disappointing but we’re still in there. There’s an awful lot of teams who would wish to be in our place but we can’t deny that it’s been a disappointing last three or four games.”
On if the break for international play came at a good time…
“I think so. We can nil afford to do without [Emanuel] Reynoso, Robin Lod, and [Bakaye] Dibassy and all these people. I think that showed in the last couple of games. Hopefully everybody is fit, back, and healthy. We go to San Jose [Earthquakes] knowing that we probably need to take something out of the game.”
Forward Ménder García
On scoring his first MLS goal…
[SPA]: “Fue algo muy bonito, muy especial. Hace rato tenía buscando mi primer gol con el equipo. Lastimosamente, el resultado no fue lo que esperábamos pero, muy contento. Creo que solo me llena la confianza para seguir trabajando y haciendo las cosas bien."
[ENG]: “It was really beautiful, very special. I’ve been looking for my first goal for a while now. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t what we wanted but very happy. I think it will help fill me with confidence to keep working and doing things well.”
On how he feels being with the group…
[SPA]: “El grupo me recibió de la mejor manera. Eso ayuda acoplarme a ellos y al juego que quiere el profe. Llego haciendo las cosas bien y me voy ganando mi lugar. Espero seguirlo haciendo.”
[ENG]: “The group welcomed me in the best way. That helped me settle in well with them and the game that coach wants. I', doing things right and I'm earning my place. I hope to keep doing it.”
On what the team needs to do to get into the playoffs…
[SPA]: “Es muy claro. Aquí no hay margen de error. Tenemos que enfocarnos en conseguir los resultados porque lo que queremos para seguir peleando allí. Es muy importante que el grupo sea consciente eso y entrenarse de la mejor manera, prepararse bien. Creo que vamos a conseguir nuestro objetivo que es clasificar.”
[ENG] “It’s very clear. There is no margin of error here. We have to focus on getting the results because what we want is to continue fighting there. It is very important that the group is aware of this and train in the best way, prepare well. I think we are going to achieve our objective which is to qualify."
On if he has plans during the break…
[SPA]: “No, no he pensado en eso. Es más, no creo que ni sabía. Igual manera, esperaré por mi familia que llega en la próxima semana, el lunes. Entonces, muy contento por eso. Vamos a ver qué pasa.”
[ENG] “No, I haven't thought about that. In fact, I don't think I even knew. Likewise, I will wait for my family who arrives next week, on Monday. So, very happy about that. We'll see what happens."
