PHOENIX RISING FC
Head Coach Patrice Carteron
On how his team rebounded from early 2-0 deficit:
“I knew it would be a difficult game because after the Sacramento defeat we had the feeling that everybody in the club was very happy that we were qualified for the first time for the playoffs. I think the players were also surprised that we could reach this target four games before the end. I think for a few days the players didn’t know how to react depending on those very positive results. That could explain, also I know we were tired in the Sacramento game but as I said to the boys, I didn’t like our spirit in this game and before the game we had to pay attention because Tulsa is a very good team.
“We wanted also to prove that the team had been progressing a lot since the 3-0 defeat away there in Tulsa. We are still competing; we are still fighting to qualify for the playoffs so after a very difficult start, we were losing 2-0, to be back in the game 3-3 at halftime, I had the feeling we just needed to be stronger defensively. Normally we are much better than this. I was not happy about the defensive aspect as you can imagine in the first half. As I said to the players at halftime, it is not because we are qualified for the playoffs that we must change anything in terms of spirit, attitude. For the Sacramento game we had lost the spirit and in the first half we had also lost the spirit to work hard together, to have the fantastic spirit so I was not really happy about the first half. It was six games for our fans (since the club had last played at home) and I’m happy that they have seen so many goals tonight.
“The good news is that tonight offensively we were very good. Didier (Drogba) is back, scored goals. Most of the offensive players did well and some players on the bench were also fantastic, like Chris Cortez, (Alessandro) Riggi; very positive for the Saturday game against Rio Grande but in football we never know. It’s important for us. It was important for us to win tonight and put pressure on the team in front of us.”
On the frantic pace of the game:
“We did play the first half like a friendly game. We were not playing together. The offensive players were playing their side; the defensive players were waiting in defense. No intensity, especially defensively. We knew Tulsa had very good offensive players and if we don’t work hard defensively with more intensity, which we did better in the second half, it is always difficult in football. That is one of the things I like because it will help our performance for the playoff.”
On status of midfielder Kevon Lambert:
“As we are qualified for the playoff right now, it was important for all the players to be 100 percent. He just has a really small injury to his knee, but as a young player he has been playing many games right now, especially on turf he was not used to. So I just decided not to take any risk right now and for him to be ready for the playoff.”
On the impact of Didier Drogba:
“As you can imagine, the players have been giving so much for many weeks right now, so we need that kind of new energy. He is back in the team, he is giving the team his leadership, his charisma and it is important for us to have some fresh blood. I’m sure he is very motivated and he was the first to congratulate the rest of the team. As I said a few weeks ago, it was fantastic for us because Didier was not there and the team did very good things. So right now, he is back and I’m sure he will be very motivated for us to do something fantastic during the end of the season.”
Forward Didier Drogba
On returning from his injury:
“It feels good to score but we conceded three. It’s a bit normal because the boys have given a lot the last two to three weeks. The attention has dropped a little bit but I think we’re going to be ready when the playoffs start. It’s good to show character to come back from 2-0 to 4-3. Good team spirit and a good win.”
On how he scored his first goal:
“I mean I hit it up, the goalie was coming and I knew that he was beaten. I don’t know, I think he touched it but with the lights I couldn’t really tell. I just know that I headed the ball and I saw the net move so it was in.”
On how he felt being back on the pitch:
“It’s good, it’s great. You could see it was difficult to start but I felt good as we were going through the game so I’m happy.”
On if he was planning on playing the full 90 minutes:
“No, no, no. The plan was to go one hour but I felt good and we were talking, communicating with the manager and there was a situation where the play given was down at times so he asked me if I could carry on and I said yes so I finished the game.”
Forward Jason Johnson
On how it felt to score two goals:
“Great. I think a win feels much better, so I’ll take that any day.”
On if the angle of the shot on his second goal was impossible:
“Nothing is impossible.”
On if he was surprised his second goal went in:
“Not really. I wouldn’t have shot it if I didn’t think I had a chance. It’s just a striker’s job to take a touch and shoot. That’s just what you are here for. I did that, keeper unfortunately went through his legs; fortunate for me, unfortunate for him.”
On how the team rebounded from early deficit:
“Firstly we are at home, so the attitude is always going to be great with these fans. It is never a dead heart we have here on the team right now; that’s definitely what I’ve grown up on: never to give up, no matter how the odds are against you. It’s a great comeback for the team.”
On what he thought of the six goals in the game’s first 30 minutes:
“Strikers always want to have a good defense. It makes them a bit more comfortable. I think I am a defensive part of that so I can’t just blame the defenders so I’ll take blame for that as well. But at the same time it was great for us to push and get two early goals back and then the penalty. That shows the heart of the team and the resolve we had tonight.”
PHOENIX RISING FC
Head Coach Patrice Carteron
On how his team rebounded from early 2-0 deficit:
“I knew it would be a difficult game because after the Sacramento defeat we had the feeling that everybody in the club was very happy that we were qualified for the first time for the playoffs. I think the players were also surprised that we could reach this target four games before the end. I think for a few days the players didn’t know how to react depending on those very positive results. That could explain, also I know we were tired in the Sacramento game but as I said to the boys, I didn’t like our spirit in this game and before the game we had to pay attention because Tulsa is a very good team.
“We wanted also to prove that the team had been progressing a lot since the 3-0 defeat away there in Tulsa. We are still competing; we are still fighting to qualify for the playoffs so after a very difficult start, we were losing 2-0, to be back in the game 3-3 at halftime, I had the feeling we just needed to be stronger defensively. Normally we are much better than this. I was not happy about the defensive aspect as you can imagine in the first half. As I said to the players at halftime, it is not because we are qualified for the playoffs that we must change anything in terms of spirit, attitude. For the Sacramento game we had lost the spirit and in the first half we had also lost the spirit to work hard together, to have the fantastic spirit so I was not really happy about the first half. It was six games for our fans (since the club had last played at home) and I’m happy that they have seen so many goals tonight.
“The good news is that tonight offensively we were very good. Didier (Drogba) is back, scored goals. Most of the offensive players did well and some players on the bench were also fantastic, like Chris Cortez, (Alessandro) Riggi; very positive for the Saturday game against Rio Grande but in football we never know. It’s important for us. It was important for us to win tonight and put pressure on the team in front of us.”
On the frantic pace of the game:
“We did play the first half like a friendly game. We were not playing together. The offensive players were playing their side; the defensive players were waiting in defense. No intensity, especially defensively. We knew Tulsa had very good offensive players and if we don’t work hard defensively with more intensity, which we did better in the second half, it is always difficult in football. That is one of the things I like because it will help our performance for the playoff.”
On status of midfielder Kevon Lambert:
“As we are qualified for the playoff right now, it was important for all the players to be 100 percent. He just has a really small injury to his knee, but as a young player he has been playing many games right now, especially on turf he was not used to. So I just decided not to take any risk right now and for him to be ready for the playoff.”
On the impact of Didier Drogba:
“As you can imagine, the players have been giving so much for many weeks right now, so we need that kind of new energy. He is back in the team, he is giving the team his leadership, his charisma and it is important for us to have some fresh blood. I’m sure he is very motivated and he was the first to congratulate the rest of the team. As I said a few weeks ago, it was fantastic for us because Didier was not there and the team did very good things. So right now, he is back and I’m sure he will be very motivated for us to do something fantastic during the end of the season.”
Forward Didier Drogba
On returning from his injury:
“It feels good to score but we conceded three. It’s a bit normal because the boys have given a lot the last two to three weeks. The attention has dropped a little bit but I think we’re going to be ready when the playoffs start. It’s good to show character to come back from 2-0 to 4-3. Good team spirit and a good win.”
On how he scored his first goal:
“I mean I hit it up, the goalie was coming and I knew that he was beaten. I don’t know, I think he touched it but with the lights I couldn’t really tell. I just know that I headed the ball and I saw the net move so it was in.”
On how he felt being back on the pitch:
“It’s good, it’s great. You could see it was difficult to start but I felt good as we were going through the game so I’m happy.”
On if he was planning on playing the full 90 minutes:
“No, no, no. The plan was to go one hour but I felt good and we were talking, communicating with the manager and there was a situation where the play given was down at times so he asked me if I could carry on and I said yes so I finished the game.”
Forward Jason Johnson
On how it felt to score two goals:
“Great. I think a win feels much better, so I’ll take that any day.”
On if the angle of the shot on his second goal was impossible:
“Nothing is impossible.”
On if he was surprised his second goal went in:
“Not really. I wouldn’t have shot it if I didn’t think I had a chance. It’s just a striker’s job to take a touch and shoot. That’s just what you are here for. I did that, keeper unfortunately went through his legs; fortunate for me, unfortunate for him.”
On how the team rebounded from early deficit:
“Firstly we are at home, so the attitude is always going to be great with these fans. It is never a dead heart we have here on the team right now; that’s definitely what I’ve grown up on: never to give up, no matter how the odds are against you. It’s a great comeback for the team.”
On what he thought of the six goals in the game’s first 30 minutes:
“Strikers always want to have a good defense. It makes them a bit more comfortable. I think I am a defensive part of that so I can’t just blame the defenders so I’ll take blame for that as well. But at the same time it was great for us to push and get two early goals back and then the penalty. That shows the heart of the team and the resolve we had tonight.”
