What was said following Atlanta United’s 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Sunday at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium:
GERARDO MARTINO
“I think we played a great first 20 minutes of the game. We created many scoring chances. After that we made some defensive mistakes that ended up being very costly. In addition to that we were lacking consistency throughout the game.”
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“We did control the game at times but we weren’t able to do it for long periods of time like we wanted to. We didn’t take advantage of all the chances that we created. We were missing that playing with the same level throughout the game to find those opportunities.”
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“The mood of the team changed because of our errors. That’s what ultimately decided the game. We were missing that conviction to deal with adversity today.”
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“The good thing is we are creating chances and that’s important for us. What we have to do is when we are ahead in the game we can’t give the other team an opportunity to come back in the game. We have to make sure we don’t give the other team those chances to score.”
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“We hope it doesn’t continue to happen like that. We know when we play at home the fans have high expectations for the team. So maybe there’s a little more pressure on us when we play at home. We have to change the dynamic of the team so that when we play at home we take advantage of our home fans support and not let it put more pressure on us.”
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On high elbows from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Yamil Asad
“I didn’t see them and even the coaching staff on the bench, we didn’t talk about them at the time. It’s true that sometimes on plays players go in with elbows high. It’s just the way their bodies are carrying them. I didn’t see anything specific.”
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On Kevin Kratz in for Julian Gressel
“Julian is also very dynamic in attack. It’s true he didn’t have his best game today. Kevin came on and played well for us on the right and in Carmona’s place in the center. That’s what we need when we send players on is to make an impact and look for the answers.”
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TYRONE MEARS
“We made a lot of mistakes individually and as a team. This can happen. The expectations are definitely raised for this club, which is a good thing. We want that. You can’t take anything for granted. I think a lot of people expected D.C. to come to us and it’s a win for us. The MLS is a difficult league. Certainly the Eastern Conference has improved from last season.
“For us sometimes you need that, a little wake-up call. A lot of things have been going well for us. Today was a setback.”
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“I think for teams to finish in the playoffs you certainly have to win your games. It’s important. I think we have a great away record. It shocked a lot of people. We aren’t going to get down. We aren’t going to change things. Drastic things aren’t going to happen. It’ll just be more hard work on the training ground.
“We will go to New York feeling fresh and looking to win the game.”
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“They didn’t get too many chances but the chances they got they took them. That was the difference today.”
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“The first 20 minutes we could have killed the game off. We are an excellent team going forward and we have some great attacking players. It didn’t really come off today. We can have a 10-minute period where we can score 2-3 goals. It didn’t happen today but usually the guys create and finish those chances. Another player to come back, Josef, he’s been a big miss for us.”
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“We are a new team. When you have a new team the expectation is usually low. But I think the start we’ve had, the players brought to the club, the coach we have, the expectation levels have been raised a lot. I think we still have to take into account we are a new team. We’ve been together for four months. Of course, we have the quality that we feel we can fight and finish in a playoff spot. For us, as players, the coaching staff, the fans as well, you need a result like this sometimes in the season, it will only make us work harder in training and focus more.”
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YAMIL ASAD
“I think we started out really strong. We played a great 20-25 minutes of the game. And then we had some errors that ended up being very costly.
“After that D.C. United was able to sit back and wait and counter-attack on us. They took advantage and were able to win that way.”
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On his yellow card
“Nothing. Just a yellow card. I made an infraction and that’s all it was.”
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ALEC KANN
“We were completely in control of the game, 25, 20 minutes in and we let them back into it. From there we gave up some soft goals and weren’t able to get back in the game. It’s disappointing.”
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On if the early misses affected the team
“That’s a factor. At the same time we have to do a better job defending. If we don’t let up any goals we aren’t going to lose the game.”
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On dropping three points at home
“We have two tough road tests. We have to get back in on Tuesday and regroup and set our sights on a big game next Sunday in New York.”
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On the second goal
“It went through someone’s legs. I’ll have to watch it again.”
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MICHAEL PARKHURST
On if the early misses affected the team
“I don’t think so. We still went up 1-0. We would have liked to bury a couple but that’s Bill Hamid, he’s a very good goalkeeper. We started the game exactly like we wanted to. We put them under a ton of pressure. We got the goal. We were in a good spot. It was downhill from there.”
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“When you create as many chances as we create you are going to miss some. I think overall our percentage of finishing quality chances is pretty high entering today. Today was an off day for us. Credit Bill. He made a couple of very good saves.”
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“The first one we didn’t get a good clear on it. I know he’s going to cross the ball. I just get a little unlucky. On another day I block it and it goes out for a corner kick. Today it goes right in. The second goal was just too easy. I think it was right off a throw in. He collects and dribbles right at us. I should have closed him down maybe a little tighter. I thought I had it blocked and it snuck through my legs. It was a tough play for Alec. I have to block that.”
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“We missed this opportunity today. It’s our only home game in a seven-game span. We took nothing from it. We have to pick up points on the road.”
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