What was said after Atlanta United’s 4-0 win over Chattanooga in its first preseason game on Saturday:
"Effort was there. The idea was there. At the moment, we're missing the execution." — Gerardo Martino.
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"I think we controlled the ball pretty well, that's the ide we have. When we can go vertical to do it, when we have to hold the ball more, then to do that. The intention I think was pretty clear." — Martino.
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"The score isn't the most important thing. The most important is to see a team in the first and second half with clear ideas of how we want to play." — Martino.
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"He has enormous potential. He's young, learns fast, has a lot of quality, and the future depends on him." — Martino, on Andrew Carleton.
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"In reality, that the DP's are involved a lot is something that's going to improve the team." — Martino on the Designated Players.
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"We have the idea of always playing the same style regardless of the opponent. And I think today we were more focused on playing the way we want." — Martino.
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"No, we don't know yet. We're trying to find the best way to be ready March 5." — Martino on if he knows the starting 11 for the season-opening game.
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"They (Julian Gressel and Miles Robinson) are players that don't seem like recent draft picks. They're players that are going to have a lot of opportunities over the course of the season." — Martino.
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"I believe so. It's a good first test for us. Personally I think we have a lot to work on, especially the back four, but it was good to be out there and see how we can build that chemistry and start working on the philosophy that Tata wants to implement. It was a good first test. I think we have a long way to go. We have a few weeks before the season starts, and I think that next week will be the real test for us to see what it will be like playing against some teams from the league, but today was a wonderful chance for us to show what we have in the team." — defender Greg Garza
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"I would say staying connected and trying to learn the philosophy. As you guys could probably see today, the pressure is definitely there for the whole entire team. I think we just need to be on the same page and realize when we need to pressure and how to keep our team as compact as can be. As the days go by we'll definitely have time to work on that and sit down with Tata and really focus on what he wants us to do. But it was a wonderful opportunity for us to show what we have in the team. " — Garza on what the defense needs to do better in its next preseason game.
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"We're not too far away, right? I actually wasn't expecting it. I think most of the guys when we were on the bus riding here we saw all these people with Atlanta flags and jerseys and that's a wonderful sight to see. I know it's the first game, the inaugural game for us to put on the jersey's and have these people see us. I hope we were able to put on a show for them and hopefully see them in the next three weeks." — Garza.
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"From the very first day I've been here, he's been a guy with enormous talent, him and [Chris] Goslin. Guys that came out of their academy and have a wonderful opportunity to grow. The main thing for those to is to keep the brain straight and realize that at the professional level you have to live in the most professional way. The talent is already there, but I think if you can push them, and hopefully us older guys that have been in the game for quite a while can help them move forward as much as possible and I really see a very bright future for the both of them. So it's a very happy and positive showing for both of them, but I think this professional level will definitely help them grow as a person as well." — Garza on Carleton.
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“It was a dream come true just to get on the field and be able to play. I was happy with how the team played and how I was able to perform and get on the score sheet and contribute to the team.” — Carleton
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“I got the ball and I tried to play Josef [Martinez] through, but he was offside and Kevin (Kratz) made a good run around the outside and I just followed my run in the box. (Kratz) crossed it in, and it was a great ball by Kevin, and I was lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. I got my head on it and the keeper blocked it and it just fell in the right spot.” — Carleton.
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"We need to get to know each other better as a team. We're all new to each other and we're still all learning how each other plays and each other's strengths and weaknesses. We need to get closer as a team and be able to know where each other are going to be at the right time." - Carleton on what's next for the team.
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"The speed of play and the physicality. Being 16 years old, it's hard to play with guys who have been at such a high level for a long time. I'm trying to adapt to that and get to know everyone." — Carleton on the learning curve.
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"Definitely think so [laughs]. Obviously the main thing was to come out there and get some minutes to try and work on combinations, as well as fitness. I think for the teams that went out there, first half and second half, we did well." — Kenwyne Jones on if the thought he was fouled in the first half.
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“I felt quite good. It’s the first official preseason match. And gaining 45 minutes is welcome. It’s been three weeks for us and it’s just about continuing to work hard. We have quite a few games coming up in the 10 next days or so. So we just need to continue to work and get the base fitness until the season starts.” - Jones.
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"I think it's pretty natural for the combination of players that we have here. We have players from different leagues and also from different countries. So far, I think we've been working pretty well and the combinations have been pretty good. And it's only going to get stronger." — Jones on the style of play.
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"I think as the half went on, that right half, especially, opened up for us. We were able to switch the ball and get into the attack on that side. We did well. I thought the movement was good. I thought the runs were good, off of the ball. Everything was working for us, I thought." — Mark Bloom on the success down the right side in the second half.
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“Honestly, I think that was the first time we played together. Yeah, we’ve been working together as a team and everyone understands what we need to do. I thought it did come together nicely, so it was good.” — Bloom on working with Carleton on the right.
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"You take it in stride really. It's really a match to get fitness. It's match to work on things that we've been working on in training. It's a stepping stone. So no game is a bad game at this point. It's just good to get minutes and get time on the field together." -- Bloom, on what to take from the game.
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"I think it was a fast play, I just had time to control it and shoot." — Yamil Asad describing his first goal.
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"The first goal was a fast play by Miguel and Tito, I think it was a great play by Miguel. And the second goal was a play where I received the ball and just controlled and shot." — Asad.
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