Head Coach Patrice Carteron
On the team's performance
I am happy about our game tonight from the first minute to the last minute. A few mistakes but really how great it must feel what a fantastic experience. As a team, we play so well. We had many opportunities to score, we were strong defensively and we changed a few players but everybody here is giving his best. Once again, the spirit right now on the team is absolutely fantastic. They are working hard step by step now its eight games in our season. And what we want, we want to go for the first time to the playoffs and I think we are on the good way right now. It was important for us to have a good result tonight because now we have many games away to play so it will be harder, every three days. But once again, congratulations to the boys, they were fantastic.”
On the team's defense
We have very good boys. In our first game we knew that the defensive aspect, we had many problems in defense of course because no clean sheet, many opportunities for the opponent, but the players were absolutely fantastic, they did accept hard work. Yesterday we spent a lot of time together, video, individual work, step by step we are getting stronger. So, they deserve those results and our media people, for Berke- the president also, he loves this team. He loves Phoenix Rising and I’m so happy right now that many fans came to support us tonight and for us to see that the team is progressing and I hope they had a lot of pleasure watching the game tonight, but once again it is a fantastic moment for us. We have to enjoy it, and to recover because as I just said we have four games on the road now and I know it’s going to be difficult. So, three very important points.
On figure out the best strategy for the team
It took me a few weeks to find exactly the best strategy for our team and I think that we had a lot of defensive problems, we were not that strong also offensively so I decided, I finally found the system, with two lines of four, that is working quite well right now. Most of the players feel very good in this system and we are getting stronger game after game. Physically also we have been working very hard and I’m happy that almost all of the players can run much more than what they were doing when I first came.
On the team's mentality
Every day I want them to realize that what they are doing is great, but the key, I told them at the half time that I was so proud about the first half they did. But before the game, at the half time every time I do repeat them that until, and every time that…. To play with heart, to give on the field, to give to futbol, to give to our fans I’m sure that anything can happen and only positive things can happen. Of course, we can have bad days, it happens in futbol, but I’m so proud that our fans see that Phoenix Rising as players give the best on the field and I’m happy that the fans are coming to watch the games. They can see that we are fighting no matter the result, no matter the final issue, but we are giving everything for them to be proud of us.
On Sam Hamilton
We are happy to have this young player… who was not playing in Colorado, but we kept an eye on him and we are happy to have him along. He’s a fantastic player, very good technically, running a lot on the field, good activity. Just the kind of player we need to play some games to show that he deserves first and also that he is a great player. I am really proud of him tonight.
On how the team is feeling
You know right now the players feel, are feeling confident about when I asked them if they wanted to present to just tell me the truth. They played three games last week. Peter played three games, and Shaun played three games. They are getting old, they are fantastic but getting old so we have to pay attention. They were not one hundred percent…. few pains…. Nothing really important. They will be ready for Wednesday.
Midfielder Sam Hamilton
On scoring the goal
Feels amazing. I think I’ve been working a long time to get playing time, go a whole year without getting minutes, and then get down here, and still have to earn that playing time and finally get it. It feels great man!
On adjusting with the team
When I got down here the heat hit me pretty hard to be honest, but overall the guys have welcomed me into the group, got a great attitude, an atmosphere in the locker room and I think that’s ultimately pushed me into getting minutes and helping the team.
On staying healthy during a long road trip
Being smart and making sure you’re doing the right things for your body, getting sleep, and eating the right foods, and you know you’ll be good.
On the atmosphere in the club
It’s awesome, we've got great veterans. Those are the guys that are driving the locker room and creating the atmosphere in training, to make sure everybody’s being accountable and doing the right things and I’m just grateful to have those guys and they push the younger guys every single day.
Jason Johnson
On scoring his goal
To be honest it was a reaction.Obviously I saw Kody going on the flank, it was a great run by him to be honest, and I knew we only had what, one chance to score? My job as a forward is to get in the box and it was a great ball to be honest, right behind the defender where most forwards like it, and I just put a foot on it.
On the club's form
I mean if you look over the past twelve, thirteen games you see the steps that the team has progressed through and I think tonight is just one of those steps you see.Hopefully a couple more steps before the playoffs comes around.
On the team's defense
I think that starts from the forwards to be honest. Everybody, the entire role of defending, tracking back runners. I just think it’s hard work you know that little extra boost that every player is giving, right? And it’s working for us, hopefully. And I’m sure the guys will keep on doing this until the next seven, eight games I think we have.
On the team's talent
As a team, you know. As you see, the players that started tonight. Didier didn’t start and the game that was played tonight, you could see from the first ten minutes that we had the game in our control. It’s a really deep squad we have here and the coaches are smart enough to know what they’re doing. So, we’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Definitely.
Head Coach Patrice Carteron
On the team’s performance
I am happy about our game tonight from the first minute to the last minute. A few mistakes but really how great it must feel what a fantastic experience. As a team, we play so well. We had many opportunities to score, we were strong defensively and we changed a few players but everybody here is giving his best. Once again, the spirit right now on the team is absolutely fantastic. They are working hard step by step now its eight games in our season. And what we want, we want to go for the first time to the playoffs and I think we are on the good way right now. It was important for us to have a good result tonight because now we have many games away to play so it will be harder, every three days. But once again, congratulations to the boys, they were fantastic.”
On the team’s defense
We have very good boys. In our first game we knew that the defensive aspect, we had many problems in defense of course because no clean sheet, many opportunities for the opponent, but the players were absolutely fantastic, they did accept hard work. Yesterday we spent a lot of time together, video, individual work, step by step we are getting stronger. So, they deserve those results and our media people, for Berke- the president also, he loves this team. He loves Phoenix Rising and I’m so happy right now that many fans came to support us tonight and for us to see that the team is progressing and I hope they had a lot of pleasure watching the game tonight, but once again it is a fantastic moment for us. We have to enjoy it, and to recover because as I just said we have four games on the road now and I know it’s going to be difficult. So, three very important points.
On figure out the best strategy for the team
It took me a few weeks to find exactly the best strategy for our team and I think that we had a lot of defensive problems, we were not that strong also offensively so I decided, I finally found the system, with two lines of four, that is working quite well right now. Most of the players feel very good in this system and we are getting stronger game after game. Physically also we have been working very hard and I’m happy that almost all of the players can run much more than what they were doing when I first came.
On the team’s mentality
Every day I want them to realize that what they are doing is great, but the key, I told them at the half time that I was so proud about the first half they did. But before the game, at the half time every time I do repeat them that until, and every time that…. To play with heart, to give on the field, to give to futbol, to give to our fans I’m sure that anything can happen and only positive things can happen. Of course, we can have bad days, it happens in futbol, but I’m so proud that our fans see that Phoenix Rising as players give the best on the field and I’m happy that the fans are coming to watch the games. They can see that we are fighting no matter the result, no matter the final issue, but we are giving everything for them to be proud of us.
On Sam Hamilton
We are happy to have this young player… who was not playing in Colorado, but we kept an eye on him and we are happy to have him along. He’s a fantastic player, very good technically, running a lot on the field, good activity. Just the kind of player we need to play some games to show that he deserves first and also that he is a great player. I am really proud of him tonight.
On how the team is feeling
You know right now the players feel, are feeling confident about when I asked them if they wanted to present to just tell me the truth. They played three games last week. Peter played three games, and Shaun played three games. They are getting old, they are fantastic but getting old so we have to pay attention. They were not one hundred percent…. few pains…. Nothing really important. They will be ready for Wednesday.
Midfielder Sam Hamilton
On scoring the goal
Feels amazing. I think I’ve been working a long time to get playing time, go a whole year without getting minutes, and then get down here, and still have to earn that playing time and finally get it. It feels great man!
On adjusting with the team
When I got down here the heat hit me pretty hard to be honest, but overall the guys have welcomed me into the group, got a great attitude, an atmosphere in the locker room and I think that’s ultimately pushed me into getting minutes and helping the team.
On staying healthy during a long road trip
Being smart and making sure you’re doing the right things for your body, getting sleep, and eating the right foods, and you know you’ll be good.
On the atmosphere in the club
It’s awesome, we’ve got great veterans. Those are the guys that are driving the locker room and creating the atmosphere in training, to make sure everybody’s being accountable and doing the right things and I’m just grateful to have those guys and they push the younger guys every single day.
Jason Johnson
On scoring his goal
To be honest it was a reaction.Obviously I saw Kody going on the flank, it was a great run by him to be honest, and I knew we only had what, one chance to score? My job as a forward is to get in the box and it was a great ball to be honest, right behind the defender where most forwards like it, and I just put a foot on it.
On the club’s form
I mean if you look over the past twelve, thirteen games you see the steps that the team has progressed through and I think tonight is just one of those steps you see.Hopefully a couple more steps before the playoffs comes around.
On the team’s defense
I think that starts from the forwards to be honest. Everybody, the entire role of defending, tracking back runners. I just think it’s hard work you know that little extra boost that every player is giving, right? And it’s working for us, hopefully. And I’m sure the guys will keep on doing this until the next seven, eight games I think we have.
On the team’s talent
As a team, you know. As you see, the players that started tonight. Didier didn’t start and the game that was played tonight, you could see from the first ten minutes that we had the game in our control. It’s a really deep squad we have here and the coaches are smart enough to know what they’re doing. So, we’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Definitely.
