Felipe Martins

Midfielder FelipeOn optimism for next season:“I think the mentality and the spirit and the personality that was shown in that game has to be the goal for every single game next season. I think the consistency is key for this team especially being a young team and I think our goal is to play like that, to think like that, to show that character that we showed against Toronto.On being a young team:No, I think that it depends on each one of us as well. I think every player needs to be focused for the eight to ten months that we have in the year and don’t let one step change or anything in the season. I think the focus needs to be at its highest every time at every single training and you cant let that happen next year.On the philosophy with younger players:Not necessarily, it is just the mentality and the philosophy of the club. I think we love young players, we love the character and the energy of the young players and if you get younger that means we are going to get fitter. I think the style of [head coach] Jesse [Marsch] doesn’t change with the younger or older guys, its just the philosophy of the team and I will be more than happy to be a mentor for those young guys who are coming in and continue to try my best to make the young players better.On Jesse evolving as a coach:Experience. You know confidence and experience as a player and as a coach you think the same. As you get older, there are certain things that you change because you obtain the experience and you get better and you get smarter and I think that is the same with Jesse as a coach. In Montreal, with a different country and culture and as his first job as a head coach, it is not easy as your first opportunity, but I have seen a tremendous growth from Jesse as a coach, as a person and I think he has changed many players and have got many players better out of those years that I have been with him and that is great to see for him, for the club and myself. He has made me a better person, a better daddy and a better player. He has taught me a lot and continues to teach me.On communication with veteran players:Yes, I think the way that the players have the open door every day and the way he interacts with players, not only him but his whole staff they are very similar, Chris Armas, Denis Hamlett, you know it is amazing to see the way that they approach guys, the way they talk and the way that they are open especially listening no matter if you are 18 like Tyler [Adams] or if you are Luis [Robles], the way that he listens to you and understands and interacts is amazing. You probably won’t see anywhere in the world or in the league and that is great to see and that is why we create such a strong team because in your family, as a parent and as a husband communication is the best thing and the communication in this club is something amazing to see.On recharging after playing so many minutes:I already started training for next year. (laughter). Yes, not physically but trying to take some time mentally, but at the same time I am already thinking about yoga to stretch my muscles that are tense from all the work from this season and at the same time strengthening your body for the next long year because I think of myself as a “wine”, I feel like a “wine” that has been something of a goal my whole life that each year that even though I may be getting a year older I am getting better. As you grow and move forward, that needs to be a thought because you get smarter, you get stronger mentally and you can get fitter and better in every aspect of your game and in your life. I also need to get fitter for the second child that I am expecting.