Real Monarchs SLC
Monarchs Head Coach Mark Briggs
On getting his first three points as head coach:
“It was nice to get the result, obviously. We spoke in the locker room about keeping a winning mentality. So the win gives the players that extra bit of confidence and continues that mentality that we spoke about.”
On the performance as a whole:
“I was disappointed with the first half hour, to be honest. I didn’t think we started playing until the 28
th
minute. But once we started playing, we moved the ball the way I know we can. It was a better performance.”
On the importance of Chandler Hoffman getting a goal early in the season:
“It’s very important, you know. Strikers, well, most footballers, but strikers in general, thrive on that confidence. That confidence element. And goals give confidence like wins give confidence. So it was important for Chandler to get off the mark today with the penalty. Hopefully, that’s the first of many this season.”
On transitioning through the coaching changes:
“For our players, obviously, me and Mike [Petke] have worked closely through the preseason. So the players are used to me. They’re used to the way I communicate with them. So it hasn’t been too much of a change for the players. It’s great for Mike to move up. And for the Monarchs players, it’s great as well because Mike knows them–Mike understands them. And it might be an opportunity for them to progress in their future with Mike as the head coach now.”
Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez
On the game:
It was complicated. They complicate it for several minutes but once we got the possession of the ball we begun to generate some goal opportunities. We converted two opportunities into goals.
On the undefeated streak:
That’s what we are working for. The season is just starting. We have to be humble, keep working, and hopefully keep winning.
On playing again at Rio Tinto:
“Happy. It’s good to be playing again in this pitch. Rio Tinto is like home for me. I tried to enjoy the game as much as possible.”
On the team:
“Very well. The guys are motivated; they are working very hard. We have to keep it like this. We have to be humble and be aware that we have only played two games. We have to keep winning, we have to keep working and hopefully achieve our goals.”
On making it to RSL first team:
“That’s my personal goal. I want to play with the first team again. I feel that I have what it takes to be part of the first team and I want to excel as much as possible.”
Midfielder Omar Holness
How does it feel to win:
“Got to score again. To have my teammates cheering me on it’s absolutely fantastic. On this brilliant day, I mean it’s an unbelievable feeling to win.”
Forward Chandler Hoffman
Thoughts on the game:
“
It’s always good to get the first goal. I thought in the first half we deserved it. We were taking the game to them. So to get rewarded with a penalty kick right at the end of the half to get the goal was big for us.”
How does it feel to get that burden off your shoulders:
“Yea, as a striker you want that first goal. And usually for me they have come in bunches. Once I get the first one they usually start to flow. So I’m excited to see what progresses into the next game.”
Overall thoughts on the performance:
“I thought it was a great result you know. 2-0 at home. Especially with the experience that Phoenix has in their side. The second half wasn’t as pretty but we grid it out and found a way to win and that’s important for this group.”
Looking good so far for the beginning of the season:
“Yea, it’s been great. So a quick turn around on Thursday. We got to get the boys ready. And I thought we handle it well with all the transition going on this week to stay focus and to get the results.”
Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Head Coach Frank Yallop
Overall thoughts on first two games of the season:
“Obviously the results have not been good. We got a little disjointed. We had some spells today, I thought we did ok. I thought we maybe should have gotten something out of, maybe a goal or at least a better chance on target. We have been disjointed and not flowing freely right now.
Thoughts on new players:
“We were just talking in there, now is not the time to get bent out of shape with each other. We have got to play better than we have in the first two games. It is just disappointing. I thought it looked like we were at least going to get a goal today and we didn’t. That is the disappointing part. The game hinged on the second half we were kind of put under a little bit of pressure and we didn’t score, then they go down to score a second goal, and the game is over.
Chances in the first half:
“We definitely could have scored in the first minute and we didn’t, that was the issue. We are a little bit goal shy at the moment so it definitely would have given us confidence to play better in the game, I would think. You know there is a long way to go. We are just disappointed we lost the first two games we have played. We have to pick ourselves up for the next game.”
Defender Peter Ramage
Thoughts on the league compared to England:
“It surprised me on how much quality there is. I have really enjoyed being out here. I am at the stage of my career where I want to enjoy my futbol and I am starting to enjoy coming to places like this. We played against a good team and unfortunately they got the better of us today. We as a group come together, in a short time and we are working hard on the training pitch, trying to get it right. Hopefully we will get it right sooner.”
Positives to take back from today:
“It is hard to sit back and analyze straight after. I do not think we gave up. We had a couple of opportunities that we created for a goal scoring chance. It just wasn’t our day today. They got the penalty right in on half. It took a bit of a sting. To get a goal would have been a bonus but they probably deserved to go into half 1-0. The second goal was obviously a disappointment from our point of view. Like I said, we are working on it going forward next week.”
