- Match: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United
- Location: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
- Date: August 23, 2019
- Final Score: ORL 0-1 ATL (Recap | Highlights)
Atlanta United Head Coach Frank de Boer
On what the key to the win was
“Well you know that Josef [Martinez], when he gets a chance that’s normally, 90% of it goes in. He was very close to a second. He did almost everything perfect, but then he hit the post, but you know that he can do that for you. What is key, you can also say when they made the goal, you can also say they deserve it. What is the key, we were more lucky today I think. We have to try to avoid that we are lucky, but again you’re going to have these kind of games during the season. The first half it was really hot for us and you have to get used to it. I spoke with [Eric] Remedi and said that when you are pushing up and you have to track back, you were exhausted. That was not only him.”
On the plan moving forward with the lineup before international break
“Well, that helps of course. I want to always play with the strongest team, but I also look you know if somebody really you think that he’s tired, you know we have to rotate that on the squad. We can rotate and I will not hesitate to do that, but we’re going to see that now against Minnesota. Everything, our focus is on Minnesota. I just said in my pre-match meeting with the guys ‘Don’t think about that, they will go after us if we’re not ready yet and we get injuries and we are on our front feet. We need to get a good result here, and then after the game we’re going to think about Minnesota.”
Atlanta United Forward Justin Meram
On how tough it was to find a way to win tonight
“Yeah, we didn’t play our best. I mean you guys could see it. It was hot, it was humid, and just overall a little sloppy in the first half and they were coming for us. Brad [Guzan] made some big saves. Second half, I think we found our way a little bit and created a lot of chances, and found a way to win. Good teams when you don’t play your best, find a way to win, and you know we did that tonight.”
On hearing boos again from Orlando fans
“Really? That’s crazy. I didn’t even hear it. They don’t bother me, they think they do. They’re still upset, I’ve moved on and I’m feeling great. Again, every time I come here I’m sure it’ll be the same thing, but clearly I’m living in their heads right now, rent-free.”
On Josef’s 12 consecutive MLS game with a goal
“That’s Josef. Doesn’t surprise me. He finds a way every game. When we don’t play our best he stills finds a way to score for us. That’s him.”
Atlanta United Forward Josef Martinez
On if scoring against Orlando City SC is sweeter than scoring against the other teams
“At this moment yes because the team had a lot of games, a lot of travel and we are feeling tired even from the start of this game but for me, I enjoy scoring against all teams but when you do it against a team whose fans are yelling stuff at you before the game. I received a lot of messages from Orlando fans but your play on the field is the best way to talk so when you look to perform against a team’s fan base like that then it makes it even better.”
On how the humidity affected their performance on the field
“Yes we felt tired, I just said to some of the guys that I was feeling tired all day, even at the hotel, I felt a little bit tired but you can never underestimate the champion so you know, I had a few chances today I could’ve scored more, but the most important thing is that we got the win and now we have to get ready for the [Open Cup] final on Tuesday.”
On getting to rest during the FIFA International break
“Yes, it would be important if I didn’t go with the national team to get some rest.”
Orlando City Head Coach James O’Connor
Opening statement
“Obviously very disappointed. I think when you look at the game overall, I think we’ve had enough chances to win, in two or three games. I think unfortunately for us tonight, we’ve played very well, we’ve had exceptional chance creation, we just weren’t able to take our chances which is pretty hard to swallow. Very painful evening for us."
