New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch
Q. You talk a lot about that slow start and now here you are at the top of the Eastern Conference with a game to play. Did you honestly think after that slow start you would be in this position?
JESSE MARSCH: I wasn't sure. I think I said a lot publically that I wasn't very concerned at 1-X, but I just started to wonder at what point, 1-whatever, was going to start to hurt us at the end of the year. Looks like 1-6 was about the threshold.
In some ways, I think that was the best thing that happened to us. It knocked any complacency out. It put us on our toes. It made us look carefully at things. It made us push hard every day and I think that's what's gotten us here.
So this group is on a remarkable run. I think that the confident within the group is big. Obviously it's another one of these games where we're up three and we let two back in, but you know, at 3-2, I was fairly confident that we had things under control and just trying to encourage the right kind of behavior and play to make sure that we could see the game out, so that part was good.
Q. Mike Grella endured a long personal scoring drought. What did you do to try to work with him mentally and perhaps physically to get him back on that wave, because we're talking almost four months without scoring a goal, which is a very long time.
JESSE MARSCH: Yeah, I think with Mike, listen, obviously when he scores goals, that's a big part of being an attacking player. And I think all attacking players, it helps with confidence if they are now on a streak of scoring goals, if, for example, you look at Brad.
But with Mike, just tried to encourage him to let him know that it's so many things that make him good, so many things that make our team good other than just scoring goals; and to keep him pushing hard.
Sometimes I think Mike's really hard on himself. As things maybe don't start coming his way from a scoring perspective, he starts to think too much. And so even he and I talked a little bit about the zone and players who talk about in the zone, and Michael Jordan is one of those players, right, where he said actually when I was in the zone, I wasn't even thinking.
And in some ways, you know, it's not like I wanted him to start thinking but I wanted him to stop putting so much pressure on himself and I wanted him to just go out and enjoy playing.
I said in a lot of our lead-ups to games lately that Mike has been really good at training and we've seen his form pick up and he's looked really good. And I'll say that to just about all our guys, our group is fired on all cylinders and we're excited for the next couple months.
Q. I wanted to know if there was a turning point in the season after the 1-6 start?
JESSE MARSCH: I think there were several. The 1-6 start, I think we had a leadership council meeting where we talked in-depth about how we needed to pick things up. And to be fair those guys on the leadership counsel took a lot on their own shoulders and they said, we have to play better, and if we don't play better, then this team is not going to be any good. I think they all took responsibility.
I think after the loss to D.C., the 2-0 loss in D.C., that was another moment where we had to look carefully and challenge each other to do more. And I feel like that was probably the biggest point in the season where we kind of had a break and said, all right, it's now or never.
So I think -- and it's never been about our guys' commitment or their belief. It's just about little reminders to encourage the kind of behavior from a mentality perspective and a soccer perspective to make sure that each guy is very clear with what makes him good and how to make him good within our group. The more we do that and the clearer we are with that, then I think the more I think that you see it come together.
Q. Have you identified any reasons for the late-game collapses? And how concerning is it to you heading into the Playoffs where you're not going to be playing in Columbus; you'll be playing NYC or Colorado?
JESSE MARSCH: Yeah, in some ways I think it was good for us to go through that tonight; for us to experience almost giving it away but not quite.
We've talked a lot about the tactical things we want to achieve. We've talked a lot about the mentality. We've talked about a lot of the little details.
I mean, in some ways, maybe that was the best thing we could have done was gone through that exercise of hanging on in the last few minutes and making sure that we close the game out.
Obviously it means that I have to feel questions here about that, and it means that everybody in the crowd is a little anxious when the game moves on. But I'm trying to encourage our team to understand what it's going to take in some of those moments and to not be afraid of them.
So it will be the same kind of message on that front.
Q. When Sacha took the penalty that was stopped, did you feel maybe that was a negative towards the guys, because I know they were trying to score the first half, but what did you see to them in the locker room before the second half started?
JESSE MARSCH: I didn't even discuss the missed penalty. And these moments when we experience hardship, I kind of like to see what our team is going to do and how are they going to respond and what's going to be the next response.
I mean, things happen in a game. Even this week, we talked about, all right, when things are tough and when things don't go our way and when we don't get the calls or when we make a mistake, like how good are we going to be at that moment to now making sure that we have this thing totally under control.
So you know, I looked at that as an opportunity to express some of the things we've talked about.
Q. And with this win, not only do you clinch the regular season Eastern Conference, you go back to the CONCACAF Championship for the next edition, how rewarding is that for a team that's never gone back-to-back in the championship?
JESSE MARSCH: Yeah, that's a big accomplishment. I think that tournament has been really good for us. I think it's challenged us in big ways from a scheduling perspective and like being in that tournament, what games are like and what travel is like and playing in difficult places. I think that tournament's made us better.
So I think it's another opportunity. We'll be in the quarterfinals, and it will be another hectic year next year. But that's what big clubs are about, right. Big clubs are about playing in big tournaments, winning games, winning big games, using the whole roster. Challenging our best players to be the best that they can be and to be real leaders, and so on all these levels, I feel like we've learned a lot about each other and gotten better.
The other thing I'll throw out, I don't even know what the scores are, but there's potential that coming out of today, we could be in the shield hunt. So we'll see what happens in the afternoon results.
Q. Sorry to return to the theme, but it's kind of been the story of the season. Obviously after the seven-game start, you said you had the leadership council met and were able to solve what was a fairly glaring situation. Was it more difficult in a way to address points beginning to slip during the summer?
JESSE MARSCH: I've been adamant about, I don't talk much about the table. I showed them the table once this whole season, and that was when we were 1-6. I gave us one reboot in terms of resetting our goals, our season goals, and now starting fresh. And I told them, this is last time we're doing this. So if we continue to slip, we're not going back here.
But I think that reboot, that moment, that time period where we had to really now dig deep, again, was hugely important for us. So we'll find out in the end how much we learned from all these moments and we'll find out how good we can be. But I like where our team's at right now.
Q. You've been in this position before now, back-to-back Eastern Conference champions, and you just addressed the crowd about bringing home the MLS Cup and how much it would mean to them. How do you balance the top-down message from you guys down to the players, and how important it is, without maybe putting too much pressure on them taking it home?
JESSE MARSCH: That is the pressure. That's the reality. Our goal is to win the MLS Cup, period. So we're not afraid of that. We're not afraid of challenging ourselves to that. We're not afraid of what these games are going to look like. And in the end, it will come down to performance and come down to execution and it will come down to our ability to now push as hard as we can down the stretch.
I think we have now set ourselves up with the two years that this group has been together; that we've learned a lot, we've been through adverse situations, and we've come out on the topside many, many moments. We've played more big games than any team in the League between rivalries with New York City, Philadelphia, D.C., New England. You go down the list, right, and it feels like every week, we're in a big game and that's made us stronger and it's made us better and it's prepared us for where we're going to go.
New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips
New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan
On being top of the Eastern Conference after a rough start to the season
SACHA KLJESTAN: Pretty remarkable is a good way to put it. We found ways to make the game difficult for ourselves late in games, but despite all of that, and despite the start, and despite some injuries, it's pretty great to be top of the table.
On letting Crew SC back into the game
SACHA KLJESTAN: I think we had a few chances to put the fourth goal away and at certain points of the game-we don't do it. Obviously, Columbus is a team that at this point in the season has nothing to lose, so they can throw everything they want forward without any regard for the result of the game, and they started growing in confidence as they put a few plays together. Today, it just wasn't good enough from us to stay sharp at the back.
On his own individual confidence level
SACHA KLJESTAN: I'm feeling pretty confident now. It's been a good season for me personally. I think I've been able to make a lot of plays in the attacking third that have amounted to big chances and goal scoring opportunities for my teammates, so that's always important for me in the role that I play. Going forward with the national team, I hope to be in Columbus.
On how he has matured as a player
SACHA KLJESTAN: I joke that I challenge myself to be a better player after every season I play, and I think I've done that, and by that logic, by the time I'm forty, I'm going to be the best player in MLS history. I challenge myself to be better in all aspects. When I'm on the ball, I'm a lot more confident, and my game is a lot more consistent.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella
New York Red Bulls goaltender Luis Robles
Columbus Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter
Q. Two goals in two games now, how has he been finding ways --
GREGG BERHALTER: Well, I think it starts with his work rate. He's a guy who is relentless. He keeps going and then when we're able to get the ball wide, get in good positions, he ignites in the box. He lights up and becomes active and got him a good ball today. I'm really happy with his work rate and for him to get six goals already is really good.
Q. I know obviously it's disappointing not to make a playoff appearance this year, but some of the players that you put out there today, how proud are you of them?
GREGG BERHALTER: I told Brett, I said, listen, I had not seen in my career a guy that wants to get into the game so he calls a penalty so he can save it.
I think he did a great job. And listen, it's not easy to be the No. 2 goalie for three years straight and not get any, any real MLS games. And he got that tonight, and he did a great job. I'm happy with him.
I think Cristian Martinez, 19 years old, can play and I just feel like he did quite well. You can see he ran out of gas but personally a player with potential and a good mind-set. You see, he wasn't afraid. He didn't back down, and nice to see that.
Q. Has the evaluation process begun for next year already?
GREGG BERHALTER: Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely.
Q. I guess it's disappointing overall but what do you take away from going into next year that's a positive?
GREGG BERHALTER: I think when you look at a guy like Cristian, you see a guy who was put in this environment and like I said, he rose to the challenge. That's his first real action starting. I think he did quite well.
And then for some other guys, there were some guys that we're going to have to make decisions on. It's nice to see them play in these games and get opportunities. And then for the entire squad, it's about seeing who is mentally strong enough to still keep fighting, even though we're out of it. So there's a lot of different layers to it, but we are certainly able to evaluate.
Q. As a former defender, how would you try to stop someone like Bradley Wright-Phillips?
GREGG BERHALTER: He's one of my favorite strikers in the League, if not my favorite. Great movement, great finishing. He does everything really well. You know, I think you need contact. He doesn't really love contact. I think if you're physical with him, he doesn't enjoy that. But not many forwards do.
But I think his timing, his runs, are really good, finishing out of the box, you name it. He's got it all.
Q. Another perfect setup to Adam -- his focus this season, how is he so effective?
GREGG BERHALTER: Well, I think Justin has the ability to dribble at high speed and when you have that, you can really -- you can really cover a lot of space in a short amount of time, and he's able to pick his head up and find teammates.
I've been happy with how the season has evolved for Justin. I think he got off to a slow start. But he's hung in there and proven that he's a difference maker.
Q. The Red Bulls have had some struggles closing out games this season. What did you learn from your team coming back?
GREGG BERHALTER: Listen, we're not under any pressure, so for us, it's nice to be able to do that. In a way, it's tough that Red Bull has to play against a team and keep going and keep trying to attack and keep trying to attack. But that's the way it is. That's the way the season has gone for us.
I think Red Bull has a good team, though, I really do. I think it's a strong team. Good character of the team. I think if everyone stays healthy, I can see them going a long way this year.
Q. How much does the shorter term --
GREGG BERHALTER: Yeah, that's the funny thing. So we opted not to play in the FIFA window, so the FIFA window into Thursday, we had a Thursday game and we had guys in South Africa flying back from a Tuesday match. That's part of it. That's part of the scheduling. It doesn't make much sense to me when you get in critical phases of the season, and we can't play at home because of the stadium hold right now. And we're on the road and have to go on the road back-to-back with two days rest; it becomes challenging.
I don't want to make an excuse, but it is a challenge, and the guys, you see they kept running. They kept fighting. They didn't give up. I think we put a lot of effort into this game.
Q. Playing NYC next week, is there any potential spoiler role for the players?
GREGG BERHALTER: I don't know, can you spoil? Is it settled already or no?
Well, it's not, I didn't even check the table. We'll do our best. I said it before the game, that's not our focus. Our focus is to play our game of soccer, to evaluate players and to end the season trying to keep our heads held high. It's been a tough year for us guys, you've got to understand that. We want to close it out with some pride.
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Brad Stuver
On his debut
It was a little bit nervy out there for the first 10-15 minutes; just tried to calm the nerves down. Obviously I gave up the penalty which wasn't the greatest way to start out but as the game went on, Mikey [Parkhurst], Nico [Naess], and Will [Trapp], they all settled in and helped me out through the rest of the game. I think by the end of the game it was just normal for me.
On saving Sacha Kljestan's penalty kick
It definitely was a big relief. Like I said, I gave up the PK, so making the save and keeping it zero-zero, all the credit goes to [Columbus assistant coach] Pat Onstad and Steve Clark, we were looking at [the Red Bulls'] PKs all day today. They thought Sacha was going to go to his left and he did.
On going up against potential Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips
I didn't really think about it because they have so many talented players like Grella, who scored the first goal, they have Sacha Kljestan, they have Felipe, they have BWP, and helpers out wide, but I think our defense did a good job of keeping everything in front. [There were] a couple lapses but the team fought on and it was good to see the fight.
On playing at Red Bull Arena
This is probably one of my favorite stadiums just because the atmosphere is so condensed, everything stays right on top of you, and it's loud for 90 minutes. It was fun to play, the field was great, and both teams fought. It was a good game to be a part of.
Columbus Crew forward Adam Jahn
On getting the opportunity to start and play the full match today
I'm glad about getting the opportunity. Games aren't guaranteed so anytime you get the opportunity to play, you have to make sure you make the most out of it. I've been happy with my performances [these last two games], unfortunately the team has not been winning, but we need to keep going-score more, and give up fewer goals.
On if these games are an evaluation for 2017
I think every time you play, it can be thought of as an evaluation. It's your chance to show what you have, and convince whoever is watching so I certainly go into every game with that mentality.
On playing against the Red Bulls
This is my first time here in my career so it's cool. I'd never seen the stadium; it's a great atmosphere, against a great opponent. We knew their game plan going in. I think we adapted after a while, but if we just stayed a little stronger in that second half, and held them off, I think we would've won. [Playing here is] cool. The sound stays in so it's really loud-the field was good. I think this is the last stadium I've been to so I think I've played in all of them now, so it's pretty cool to check this off.
