- Match: ATL UTD 2 vs Memphis 901 FC
- Location: Fifth Third Bank Stadium
- Date: July 18, 2020
- Final Score: ATL 2-2 MEM
ATL UTD 2 Head Coach Stephen Glass
On today’s overall performance:
“Tonight was the youngest group we’ve ever put out as a club. That’s obviously something to look for when you are competing with some of the independent teams. With a group so young, it’s impressive work from the group, especially the young ones. There was good leadership from Mo (Modou Jadama). He had some key blocks especially early in the second half and played some great passes out of the back. Caleb Wiley and Matthew Edwards were good again. Ajani Fortune comes in for his starting debut, David Mejia makes his professional debut. Coleman Gannon was outstanding tonight and got his first professional goal. He played two or three different positions throughout the match as well, a real Man of the Match type of performance. He looked good in each of those positions. When the players understand how we want to play and are tactically aware, that bodes well for the future.”
On Coleman Gannon and putting him in different positions tonight:
“His work rate is unbelievable but he’s got better technique than a lot of people give him credit for. I was pleased that he took his goal so well when he got in that position. Later in the game, he’s playing left wingback as a right-footed player. He looked like a good left wingback. That’s great for him to show that versatility for the team.”
On how the attack looked dangerous all night:
“Yeah we have a lot of guys that can score goals. We look dangerous. We keep the ball very well, but we also carry that threat to score. I think we could maybe get more runs in behind the defense, but Amadou Macky Diop is probably the one best suited to carry that kind of threat. We have different types of threat from multiple players. We are difficult to play against, we are difficult to defend against when we are playing at our best. If they continue going the way they are going, then we will have a good season. Obviously, we need to get in the win column here soon, but I think with the performance level the guys are giving and learning what it takes to play in this Division, I believe the wins will be coming very soon.
ATL UTD 2 midfielder Coleman Gannon
On his first professional goal tonight and what he saw on the play:
“It’s a great feeling to get that first goal. I saw Mo (Jadama) driving up the field and I knew that someone would have to step up to him and that would leave space in behind their defense. As soon as the defender stepped up, I ran off his shoulder and Mo played me a great pass. I took a couple dribbles and was able to put it away.”
On what it means for him to get on the scoresheet tonight:
“It’s a super exciting feeling. It’s a moment I’ve been dreaming about since I was in the Academy, to get that first professional goal. I’m a little disappointed we couldn’t get the three points tonight to cap it off.”
On the team’s overall performance tonight:
“I thought we played really good tonight. We showed a good team performance overall. We just can’t let it slip in the last minute. That’s something we will work on for the next time.”
ATL UTD 2 forward Jackson Conway
On his goal tonight and what he saw in the buildup:
“Yeah it was a great team goal. Phillip (Goodrum) did a great job in creating space and beating that defender down the line. Once I saw the defenders crashing towards the goal, I noticed the space near the penalty spot. So, I waited and held my ground and looked to see if Phillip can pull the ball back, which he did and I just finished the play. It’s good to get that second goal.”
On his confidence after scoring in back-to-back matches:
“Confidence is a big key in any sport for any athlete. When you get that second goal, it just makes you want to get that third and fourth one. You want to get those as quick as possible. If my teammates keep setting me up in good positions, I’ll keep finishing them off. It feels good to get on a roll.”
On what he worked on during the suspension of play:
“I sat down with Glassy (Head Coach Stephen Glass) and Henry (Assistant Coach Henry Apaloo) during this break and they showed me videos of Sergio Aguero, the Man City striker who scores goals for fun. I was watching his movements and what he does in and around the box to get all those goals. As a striker that’s what you are paid to do, score goals for the team.”
