What was said after Atlanta United’s 5-1 loss to Chicago on Wednesday in Bridgeview, Ill.:
Atlanta United head coach Frank de Boer
On what happened in the first half
“It’s not explainable, I think. In every aspect of the game we weren’t there. We weren’t ready. I have to blame myself first because I have to prepare them of course. And we have to be ashamed for the first 45 minutes. For our fans, who come here and want to see Atlanta United and we were embarrassing today, especially the first half. Explanations are always difficult but we weren’t there the first half, that was clear.”
On if there were warning signs against Columbus, Toronto
“As I said already before, we have to show what we show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And every time we start away we are very sloppy. A mistake, or a silly mistake, and sometimes we don’t concede a goal and we can be lucky in that moment but a lot of times we concede a goal and it looks like mentally we drop. This is not the Atlanta United that I want to see.”
On the message to the team at the end of the game
“I said at halftime we have to be ashamed of what we showed. Embarrassed. You can only show some balls, some honor. And they showed it in the second half. We won 1-0 in the second half. You saw the energy that you want to see, but of course it’s too late. They had already taken the foot off the gas pedal but still we were much more aggressive. I said after the game, ‘okay, remember this feeling. You don’t want to feel it again.’ That embarrassment and shame that you feel. You want to avoid it. And you’ll probably have that once in your career and hopefully it’s only once. The good thing is it’s only three points, but if you’re not already thinking about Red Bulls today then it can be more points. So we have to put it aside but remember this feeling. But remember also the good feeling that we experience and that feels much better. And that always starts with hard work and being focused from the first second. You have to work very hard and then the quality will be decisive normally.”
Atlanta Untied goalkeeper Brad Guzan
On what happened in the first half
“The game was over in 10 minutes. No rhythm. Down 1-0, before you know it, it’s two. Then the penalty, red card, game’s over. It’s a tough one to take for sure but we have to re-group. Another big one on Sunday.”
On if the warning signs were coming against Columbus, Toronto
“Yes we know that. We talk about it. It’s on us as a group to compete. Like I said, first couple minutes, we weren’t good and before you know it you’re down 1-0. Then it’s two, three and the red card and it’s game over at that point. You try to give yourself a chance to nick a goal, get back into the game, but you also try to close up shop a little bit and not concede anymore. These games are never easy. We’re not going to let this one game define us. But at the same time we need to have honest conversations and look in the mirror as a group because the last couple games certainly hasn’t been good enough defensively.”
On how to turn the focus on to Red Bulls
“I think first and foremost you look at this and learn from it. It’s not a matter of just shoving it to the side and forgetting it. Otherwise it’s pointless experiencing something like this. We have to have real conversations and look at it as to why it went bad and why after 10 minutes the game is over. We’ve got to use it in a way that prepares us for Sunday.”
Atlanta United forward Brandon Vázquez
On taking positives away:
“A positive is that we have another game coming up later this week and we’re looking forward to that. We are putting this behind us, and all eyes are on the next game.”
On if the team sensed a tough game was coming:
“No, I mean obviously we go out to win every game. Some unfortunate calls in the first half leave us a man down and we have to adjust to it. It was very unfortunate, so we had to improvise.”
On his goal:
“Miles (Robinson) took a 70-yard sprint, that was unbelievable, got inside the box. I was looking to get played across, but a guy took him down. It was the only chance we had all game since we had been backed up defending the whole time. I grabbed the ball and put it on to the right side.”
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