MINNESOTA UNITED HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On the importance of coming though preseason with a healthy squad …
“It’s probably the most important. We know with the workload that the players have to do, it’s always danger of too much too soon and people breaking down, so for us to come through with a clean bill of health, to put the work in that we’ve done, it speaks volumes for the medical and the attitude of the players. I couldn’t be more pleased with the group, everything we’ve asked of them, their attitude to work is really exemplary so I’m really, really pleased."
On today’s excellent session …
“It was crisp, sharp, full out, everybody getting after it, intensity and determination, players wanting to win the game – all the attributes you look for in a proper session. [It’s] a lot of the stuff that we’ve been trying to work on in preseason, we’re trying to implement that and, as I said, today was just an indication of how the last six weeks have been.”
On his excitement about the season given the team’s depth …
“I’m pleased with the group that we’ve got. Quietly, we’ve added 11 players, obviously three goalkeepers in that, but when you look at [Aaron] Schoenfeld, Jacori Hayes, Marlon Hairston, Raheem Edwards, great depth to what we’ve done, all played in the league, all played in successful teams. We’ve got a big year coming up with the Olympics for one or two, Euro [Cup] for one or two, Leagues Cup, Open Cup, we’re going to need all these players but the one really great thing is we’ve had a really good preseason and it’s shown to me and the rest of the staff, that should we need depth, any of the players I’ve just mentioned, we wouldn’t hesitate on putting them in."
On back to Portland for the first game of the season ...
“It’s a great environment to play, great atmosphere. You look at what they’ve done the last three or four years, they’ve been in and around [the playoffs] every year, whether it be at the top of the league in Supporter’s Shield, going to the Final of the MLS Cup. Yeah, good quality players, it’s going to be difficult. I think the one thing that we’ve proved over the last couple years that we’ve been there is that we’re more than capable of going there and putting on a good show and that’s what I expect in the weekend.”
On a slightly different Portland team …
“Well, they’ve still got the usual suspects, [Sebastian] Blanco, [Diego] Valeri, [Diego] Chara, they’ve added Chara’s younger brother [Yimmi] who’s an offensive player. Felipe Mora, the center forward, Chilean international. [Jaroslaw] Niezgoda, who they bought for quite a lot of money hasn’t played yet, so they’ve got a really deep squad. We know it’s going to be really, really difficult but I think as we proved this week, we’re more than capable of giving a game.”
On seeing Luis Amarilla in MLS play …
“He’s looked in preseason everything we hoped he would be. Looks like he’s got a goal, link-up play is good, combination play around the penalty area, great movement in the box. So if we can get enough ball in there, I think we’ve got someone who can score a goal.”
MINNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER JAN GREGUS
On how he feels about this preseason and if he felt he got what he wanted out of it …
“We will see, we will see but it was meant to be for us to stay fit and get ready for the games and we feel good. We feel good. Now is the time for our first game and we are ready.”
On the team coming out of preseason healthy…
“What do you mean? (laughs) If we don’t have healthy players, we can’t play the game. That’s how it is, you basically said it, it’s important.”
On the biggest difference in the team in his second season with Minnesota…
“It’s too early to talk about. We obviously have quality players now, still, the squad is strong but to say how strong we are, how best we are, it’s too early. I think the season will show and we just have to prove it every single game and see.”
On the first game of a new season …
“Me personally, I feel good. I feel ready. It’s individual. Every player can feel different. I feel good and I try to be ready, ready as possible and help the team as much as I can, that’s my job.”
On starting the season on the road …
“Well obviously, it’s very important. Like last season we opened with a win and the energy of the team was high from the beginning so very important and we are looking forward to it.”
On the Portland Timbers…
“We know they are a quality team. We saw them and played against them last season and in preseason as well, so a quality team. Good crowd behind them. So it’s up to us to prove we are strong and a better team than them.”
On playing in an empty Providence Park …
“We know that it’s preseason and it’s ok. We played in Florida with no fans whatsoever and we know that it’s preseason. We expect the first game to be a little bit different, maybe a full stadium, I don’t know. Like I said, the crowd will be behind them and I hope there is going to be a beautiful atmosphere out there.”
MNNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER OSVALDO ALONSO
On his assessment of the preseason …
[ESP] “Creo que hicimos una buena pretemporada. El equipo se, entrenamos bien, estábamos mentalizados que era un torneo difícil y ya estamos a pocos días de empezar y, nada. Contento por todo lo que hicimos todo este tiempo estamos listo para empezar”
[ENG] “I think that we had a good preseason. The team trained well, and mentally knew that it was going to be a hard tournament and now we are a few days away from beginning. We’re happy for everything that we did in this time we are ready to begin.”
On what he sees differently this year compared to last year …
[ESP] “La mentalidad del equipo es, la que tenemos, bien puesta porque sabemos que tenemos potencial para hacer un gran torneo. Sabemos que el equipo está bien mentalizado para lo que viene. Todo el equipo tiene, sentimos alegría para lograr cosas grandes este ano.”
[ENG] “The mentality of the team, the one we have, is secure because we know that we have potential for a great season. We know that we are mentally ready for what is to come. The whole team is joyful to accomplish big things this year.”
On how he feels every season for his first game …
[ESP] “Siempre complicado empezar temporadas. Sabemos que cuando empiezan uno esta emocionado, quiere jugar, quiere hacer todo. Pero es un partido como otros, sabemos es el principio de la temporada. Son muchos partidos, y tomarlo con inteligencia. Sabemos que es un partido de visita y la bola con la mentalidad de ganar y hacer el trabajo, que es lo más importante”
[ENG] “Starting a season is always difficult. We know at the start, we’re always excited, we want to play, we want to do everything, but it’s a game like any other. We know it’s the beginning of the season. It’s a lot of games and we have to approach them intelligently. We know it’s an away game but that we have the mentality as a team to win and get the job done, and that’s what’s important.”
On how he feel about Portland and how they are preparing for it …
[ESP] “Va hacer un partido complicado. Los partidos de esta liga son muy parejos y más que estamos de visita y empezando de visita. Portland son rival, sabemos que tiene potencial. Pero bueno, solo vamos hacer nuestro trabajo y a buscar los tres puntos, y darle con todo cada uno para salir con la victoria”
[ENG] “It’s going to be a difficult game. All the games in the league are equally difficult and more so as the visiting team, and we’re starting the season as visitors. Portland is a great tea, we know they have great potential. But anyways, we have to do our job and go after three points, and give it all we have to come away with a victory.”
