What was said following Atlanta United’s 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium:
Atlanta head coach Gerardo Martino
“In reality the question could be what happened in the last 15 minutes. A good part of the first part we were much closer to converting a second goal. And in a series of errors that we made, they turned the score around but I think we had started to control the game again up until they scored the equalizer.”
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On scoring chances in the second half
“We created chances, which is the most important, unfortunately we didn’t score. Pressure, for lacking a final pass, for different reasons. What I think we must improve is controlling the game. The game today was very intense, very up-and-down.”
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On the last 15 minutes
“It’s an example of how to manage a game. On the part of the Red Bulls, not us. In the last 15 minutes there wasn’t any soccer played. Between fouls and players going down, the ball wasn’t even in motion.”
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On the style of play and representing the city of Atlanta
“The style I think was pretty clear in the first half, to be a team generates play and very aggressive in winning the ball back. The message that we want to give is a team that is very comfortable and excited to represent the city and that Atlanta isn’t only known for other sports but for soccer as well.”
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On the red card given to Carlos Carmona
“No, and I didn’t even see the play. I don’t know what happened.”
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On the substitutions
“Because in reality we were playing a good game and we didn’t have the intention of changing players. It was intense, very dynamic, and difficult to make a change without interrupting that comfort level.”
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Yamil Asad, on his goal
“It was a joy to score. I’m very excited to be a part of the history of the club. I’m unhappy that we lost. We have a lot of things to work on.”
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Alec Kann, on the shot that led to the corner kick
“Yes and I saw it a little late. Obviously it’s one I’d like to hold. I’ll look at it tomorrow and see what I could have done better.”
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On the crowd
“It was a night to remember, especially when I’ve got friends and family in the crowd. It was amazingly special.”
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Julian Gressel, on New York's first goal, scored by Daniel Royer, who was being marked by Gressel
“I haven’t seen the replay. It was a 50/50 ball. I just lost the battle. He outjumped me, maybe jumped a little bit earlier than I did.”
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On starting
“I’m kind-of feeling throughout the week because we were practicing that way. It was, I told you I’d be happy about that.”
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On the crowd
“The crowd was unbelievable. It was electric. That was probably one of the best in the country to be honest. Thousands of people. They are still celebrating up there.”
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Michael Parkhurst, on the crowd
“It was amazing. It was awesome to play in frotn of the the crowd. It was awesome to see. They tried to give us a lift there there in the second half. We appreciated it but it wasn’t meant to be.”
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On if there was a tactical change in the second half
“No, I don’t think so. I think that the set piece obviously gives them momentum. We were starting to get into a mode where we could just lock up the game. It was getting to that poit in the game and so the momentum shifted them.”
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On the lessons learned
“It’s a 90 minute game. We came in here at halftime really pleased with the way we played. We knew they’d bring a little more pressure in the second half. We just weren’t able to finish it out. We weren’t clinical enough up front when we had a big opportunity and, then, to give away a set piecer was disheartening and the red card, as well. We need to learn from it and we will.”
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New York Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan
On first game as captain:
“It feels good. I spoke to the group after the game and said I was proud of the team. As the game wore on, things were getting desperate but nobody looked nervous and nobody looked like they were going to lose that game. I feel like we looked around at each other and everybody had a feeling that we would make something happen. At least get a tie. Guys that came on the field as subs made a huge difference and a couple guys made a few special plays and it was pretty amazing atmosphere against a pretty good team.”
Message to team at halftime
“It seems to be the same message we’ve had for about the last year, which is we came out and didn’t make any plays in the first half. We’ve got to come out in the second half and have courage to play, go after them more, be a little more physical and someone has to step up and make a few plays.”
On the atmosphere
“Awesome. Atlanta seems to be doing a lot of things right. The training facility was top-notch. The atmosphere of the stadium with the fans – amazing. Atlanta as a team I think is pretty good. I think they will do pretty well this season. They’ve got some talented players and they dare to play. It was a pretty fun game tonight.”
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New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles
“It sure doesn’t feel like the first game of the season, that’s for sure. We were just joking around that something about this game, maybe the atmosphere, the quality of the opponent, it just felt like a playoff game. Nonetheless, it’s a great way to start the season. It’s kind of strange because we’ve already been playing games, yet this literally is the beginning of the season. It’s something that we can build off of. Obviously there’s a long way to go until we get to our peak performance, but I think there are a lot of good things we can take away. More importantly, the best thing we can take away is our will to win and our will to keep fighting.”
On Atlanta and the atmosphere
“They’re good. They are a really good team. I want to commend this entire organization for the product they are putting out on the field, but also the environment in the stadium. They’ve just joined the league but it feels like this is one of those places that you want to play at. They set up a pretty good standard here and I think everyone around the league is going to take notice of what they’re doing here.”
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New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch
“Imperfect is what I would call that performance, but it’s early in the year so we are still working through getting our group sharp and getting the tactics down. Atlanta tested us in big way in the first half and we took a punch but hung in there. We talked about it at halftime just giving a little bit more, being a little bit clearer tactically, making a couple adjustments but being a little bit sharper physically, putting more into the game and now taking the crowd out play by play. I thought for the most part, the second half the effort was really good, obviously, a great comeback and a lot of spirit within the team.”
Thoughts on Atlanta and atmosphere:
“Atmosphere – amazing, phenomenal, really impressive. Another jewel in the crown of MLS. Their team is good. Tata Martino is a good coach. He has a clear tactical way of doing things. They tired to exploit us on the wing a bit. They’ll be good.”
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