QUOTE SHEET
Real Monarchs 2-0 Orange County SC
Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, UT
October 9, 2019
Interim Head Coach Jamison Olave
On the performance:
“I am pretty proud of the players today. The way they played on the field and the way they embraced the game was absolutely great. They knew we were playing for something, to make the playoffs. They really embraced the game and that’s why we got the 3 points tonight.”
On the second half:
“In the first half, we weren’t attacking in the wide areas. In the second half, we did that and were more confident on the ball. We played better in the final third, so the spaces were there to play through.”
On the clean sheet:
“That was the message we gave to the team, from the goalkeeper to the forwards, everyone has to defend. We have to defend first, then when we have the ball, we have to enjoy the ball going forward.”
On the mentality and confidence:
“The last two games that we have won are very important for us. against Reno and Orange County. Both teams are always at the top of the table. Going into the last 3, we are full of confidence. We will try to win the next 3, try to get as many points as we can and get in good form for the playoffs.”
On clinching the playoff spot:
“We made the playoffs, but the hard work isn’t done yet. We still have 3 more games. We have the playoffs, but the hard work is only going to end at the last game.”
Defender Tate Schmitt
On the opening goal:
“Just being persistent. We knew they were going to come into elevation and feel that and so we just want to keep battling the full 90 minutes. We knew if we kept it zero and just stayed tight defensively, we were going to find our opportunities and find that goal. We kept pushing on them and finally they broke and we got that opportunity. Fortunate for the own goal, chance created from Luke and then Coffee attacking that ball and then it piled on from there with the second.”
On the defense:
“Credit to Olave, we’ve been focusing on training the week leading up to it, focusing on the little things that we can control, getting out to guys, making it tough for them to break us down and to just keep that mentality all 90 minutes and I think we did that tonight and it showed.”
On clinching a spot in the playoffs:
“It feels good, but we can’t get too excited because we’ve got a big game coming up in Phoenix this Saturday, so we have to get right back after it and continue to keep a good spot going into the playoffs."
Defender Tate Schmitt
On the opening goal:
“Just being persistent. We knew they were going to come into elevation and feel that and so we just want to keep battling the full 90 minutes. We knew if we kept it zero and just stayed tight defensively, we were going to find our opportunities and find that goal. We kept pushing on them and finally, they broke and we got that opportunity. Fortunate for the own goal, chance created from Luke and then Coffee attacking that ball and then it piled on from there with the second.”
On the defense:
“Credit to Olave, we’ve been focusing on training the week leading up to it, focusing on the little things that we can control, getting out to guys, making it tough for them to break us down and to just keep that mentality all 90 minutes and I think we did that tonight and it showed.”
On clinching a spot in the playoffs:
“It feels good, but we can’t get too excited because we’ve got a big game coming up in Phoenix this Saturday, so we’ve got to get right back after it and continue to keep a good spot going into the playoffs."
Goalkeeper Andrew Putna
On the clean sheet:
“Just work rate and just togetherness, all around. That’s what we talked about in the meeting before the game — whatever we do, we’re going to do it together. We stuck together the whole 90 minutes, defended our butt off and got the two goals."
On clinching the playoffs:
“It feels really, really good. This group has worked really, really hard for this moment, there’s been ups and downs the whole season, for myself included and a lot of these guys, they stuck together and now we’re in the playoffs and I’m so excited.”
Forward Maikel Chang
On clinching the playoff spot:
“It was very important for the team. They are a good team, but I think we deserved the three points. We are in a good position in the table, but now we can continue to focus on our play and maintain our position in the table in fourth.”
On the clean sheet:
“I think that it came from complete concentration. This was a difficult game, but the fact that we didn’t concede any goals is very important. We want to play well and win at home, so the 3 points are the most important.”
On the second-half performance:
“The first half was very intense, but we were at home. We needed to leave tonight with 3 points and the victory, so we pulled through.”
