Quote Sheet Courtesy of Philadelphia Union Communications
New York Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch
On getting a result after having some draws lately:
It’s always fine lines between success and failure in different moments. When we had a 2-0 lead, I think we have to make a few more plays, we played in their end a little bit more. We were a little tighter in the back and we didn’t give up too much but we still had to come up with a couple of saves and that is what it’s like when you have the lead, especially on the road. I think this will build confidence within our group and certainly means, even though I’m answering my own question, hopefully we don’t have to answer these questions as much because we have belief in our team and have belief late in the games.
On Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring and winning the Golden Boot:
Obviously we are all really excited for Bradley. It’s a huge individual accomplishment, no doubt. He was quick to thank the group in the locker room after because he knows that it takes a group effort. Certainly Bradley has been huge for us this year and comes up with big goals at all moments. He is in a really good way right now and I think our whole group is in a really good way right now. We are looking forward to the possibilities and who our matchup will be to get ready for next weekend.
On the possibility of playing Philadelphia Union next weekend:
We know it’s a big possibility we could see them again. Philadelphia is a having a tough stretch down the end of the year but they are still a really good team. I think they play Toronto so I think they will give Toronto a good match and if they happen to nick them off then that’s who we see. I think it’s good for us to make a statement at the end of the year but if that is our match up when it’s all set and done then we will be in for a tough game and series.
New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips
On winning the Golden Boot:
Like I was telling the team before, it isn’t everything because I’ve won it before and the team didn’t win the MLS Cup and at the end of it all I had was the Golden Boot but the goals didn’t for anything unless you win the MLS Cup.
On rolling into the postseason with the unbeaten streak:
That’s what we wanted and that was the plan. We wanted to be a strong team and come into the playoffs strong but more importantly we wanted a clean sheet. I know there has been a lot of talk about how we give up goals this season but we wanted to correct those wrongs.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Felipe
On holding onto the lead for the 2-0 victory:
In my opinion we can, the signs that we have grown and learned from our mistakes and then were able to hold the lead. We played the way we wanted to play and it’s good to see, especially when the subs come in and keep the momentum.
On the importance of keeping momentum for the postseason:
It’s so important to keep the team sharp and it’s great to see the response since we were two goals up.
On teammate Bradley Wright-Phillips winning the Golden Boot:
Bradley is an amazing player, on and off the field. The way he trains on the field and he more than deserves to win the Golden Boot.
Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin
Opening statement
“First and foremost, it starts with me. We’ve had a difficult end to the season. We’re not happy about it, and again I look in the mirror at myself and the things I can do better to get this thing turned around. Having said that, I do want to congratulate the players. While it has a strange feeling because we’re in a bit of a dip in the form, the accomplishment that they made this year to get into the playoffs now, to have a ticket to lift MLS Cup, to have that opportunity, that’s something this club hasn’t had for five years. It is a big accomplishment. Every point that you earn in this league is critical, and our guys earned every point. They deserve to be in the playoffs. All the records, the goal differentials, all that stuff gets thrown out the window. We know we go to Toronto. I know I have a very good team, still a very dangerous team that matches up well against the rest of the Eastern Conference. [Toronto] is a place where we know they have a lot of talent. It’ll be a difficult task, but again our goal is to go on the road and get our fans a home game. It’s my belief in a 20-team League right now, with the strides we’ve made, I would put us somewhere between six to 10, with the ability to beat anyone from one through five. That’s the group that we have right now. I’m proud of them, I’m proud of the work that we’ve done, the technical staff has had an excellent year. Earnie [Stewart] – thank you, for everything, all that I learned this year. The foundation that he’s laid – when I sat up here last time in the last game of the season when we beat Orlando it had a better feeling to it because we won a soccer game. If people can see the big picture, that was a bottom five team in MLS. This team is in the middle right now, again, with the ability to beat anyone right now, and we’re going to go on the road and try to achieve that.”
On what the team has to do to turn it around…
“It’s pro sports, so there’s no celebrating when you lose. The guys are competitive, they’re hard on themselves. It’s no secret that we’ve had a dip in form, but we have a good group, a good team. Again, I’m self-critical. I look at myself in terms of a million different things you could throw out. Is it training too hard? I don’t think it is. Is it the quality of opponent that we’ve had now? It’s increased, we’ve played some good teams down the stretch. Balls aren’t bouncing our way – in the box right now, in front of goal, in both boxes, offensively and defensively, it’s not going our way. Roland [Alberg] has a great chance in the beginning of the game, it just kind of trickles wide, he hits the post – the little bounces aren’t going our way. It’s on us to get it fixed and a quick turnaround and get ready for Toronto.”
On Maurice Edu’s injury and Charlie Davies’ status…
“Gutted for Mo. It’s difficult because he was slated to start today and we were excited to see it in what was a high-intensity game, a real playoff feel to it. Mo has a fracture in his fibula, he’ll be done for the season. It’s just a freak play, no contact on the play, just by himself, his cleat got stuck in the ground. It’s really upsetting because he’s worked so hard to get back on the field. It’s been a tough 2016 for him, but I know he’ll come back stronger. In terms of Charlie, that injury is what makes Charlie the odd man out. Mo has the ability to give us some cover at centerback. Once Mo goes down now, it’s a numbers game with starting a couple of new faces in [Eric] Ayuk – we needed a defensive-minded guy, so I chose to go with Auston [Trusty] in that role.”
On a timeline for Edu’s injury…
“No timeline on that. We’ll see how it goes.”
On adjustments ahead of the playoff game…
“It’s a one-off game. It’s not like it’s a situation where they had more rest than us or anything like that. It’s a quick turnaround. In some ways, that probably suits the team that’s going on the road. Again, it’s difficult to get yourself prepared in a quick amount of time, but our group’s done well, if you look at our record when we play in the Wednesday games, on the short weeks, we’ve gotten results. We’re confident that we can do that. We have some things to clean up defensively. Some of their strengths and weaknesses, trying to take away Michael Bradley, Giovinco and Jozy is a big task, but we’ll talk about that right now, to be honest, and we’ll get ready for Toronto.”
On what needs to happen against Toronto to get a win…
“They’re a good team. Again, anytime you play a good team in their building, it’s going to be difficult. The good news is we played there less than a month ago and had them down 1-0 and were pushing the game, pushing the tempo of things, gave up a goal but had a good performance in a draw. The guys know they can go there, it’s a good field, the surface is great, we’ll go there, we’ll be brave and again we’ll look to get a result against a good team.”
Defender Keegan Rosenberry
On the squad making the playoffs for the second time in franchise history…
“It’s exciting and I think even with the result tonight, you can tell with the excitement of the fans. It’s hard to talk about the form we are in. It’s disappointing and we have a couple days and there are some things we can take away from tonight that are positive. Overall we are pleased with the run we had over the course of the season but there is always room to improve. ”
On what needs to be changed before the playoffs…
“I think it’s small details. Look at the goals we have given up and it’s mostly self-inflicted because there aren’t many times where teams break us down with 20-25 passes and make us look bad. I think it’s turnovers, it’s bad communication in the back so it’s the little things. If we can eliminate a lot of those self-inflicted chances we have given up that we can fair well.”
On getting to play every minute this season as a rookie…
“I’m lucky to have stayed healthy plus having the opportunity to have played from day one. I’ve said it before, I do my best to try and take advantage of every opportunity but there are so many things you can’t control with suspensions, cards and injuries. There are things I can’t control and I’m just thankful. At the same time it gives me confidence since the coaches want me on the field everyday so it’s two-fold.”
Goalkeeper Andre Blake
On making the playoffs…
“It’s a great feeling because the team hasn’t been to the playoffs in five years and I think personally think we can go negative with this or go positive with it. We need to remember that we are the same team that did what we have done and that is the reason why we were able to make the playoffs. It’s unfortunate that we are hitting a tough spot but as long as all the guys continue to believe that, we can play with anyone and make a run.”
On what needs to change for success in the playoffs…
“Honestly we stick together as a team and to do whatever it takes to get a result.”
Taking anything from the last match against Toronto...
“I think it’s a play were we can matchup against them and we know the way they play so we can go out there and apply ourselves so we should be able to match up against them and make it into an interesting game.”
