On the result against San Jose
That was a good performance for us. Ironically, we get our first clean sheet and at the very end of the game, concede some chances, concede more shots than normal, but very happy for Zack, the backline and the whole team to have their first clean sheet of the year. And then to score three goals away from home is always going to put us in a good position to win. So just very proud of the group. I thought we started the game really well, which is really important away from home as well, just to put them under pressure, make them uncomfortable. I feel like we set the tone from there.
On how he's evolved as a captain in the first phase of the season
Maybe marginally, a little bit more vocal leadership at times just to step in, say some things if I feel like the guys need a boost at certain times. But one of the things I felt most confident about going into the season was words from different staff members saying that I don't really need to change too much and just keep doing what you're doing, that's why we put you in that position. So that's very nice for me to hear and obviously it gives me confidence to continue to lead how I have been. I think it's been well received, so it's good.
On the factors leading to consistent positive results recently
There's a lot of things that go into exactly how we've been performing this season, but I think in general we've had all of the work that we put in be validated by results. It's a results driven business. I think it would have been very easy for a lot of this group to be questioning things if we didn't get results, not to say that that was to happen, but for a new staff, half a new team, a very young team to be validated with results away and results at home still early in the season, I can't even put into words how valuable for us and for me and for the staff or for all of our leaders. It makes our jobs easier to have that validation but also to have it build confidence and we keep building week in and week out. It's been fun to be a part of and we're gonna keep going.
On his message to young players that are earning debuts, making impacts
Super excited for everybody that makes their debut, even Jackson [Travis] had his first game of the year, Wayne [Frederick] now, Kimani [Stewart-Baynes] as well. It's exciting because they've got a good head on their shoulders and have a great attitude. They're asking the right questions. Even when they're involved with the second team, they go down there, they have the right attitude, they perform well and that doesn't go unnoticed from the staff, from us. It's not easy sometimes to turn around from what I assume was a high for Wayne [Saturday] and then go and play in Portland with the second team [Sunday], that's asking a lot of other young guy mentality-wise to switch on for a couple games in a row. So I think it proves a point. More to come from all those guys.
On the approach to taking on FC Dallas at home
Every home match I think we look at as a really good opportunity to win. But also I think myself and the staff are intrigued to see just how we respond to a really complete road performance That's on me, that's on the staff, that's on all of us to start the game well again, continue to focus in training through this week and not be satisfied. I think it would be very easy for us to be looking at ourselves and say we're in a good spot but we want more, we are going to push that from the top down. We continue to push for results, especially here this building, and these fans deserve it.
On the result against San Jose
It's not easy to win games in this league, honestly, to win on the road, to win by multiple goals. I'm probably most happy with the way we started the game. We knew that San Jose is probably a must-win for them. For us to come out the way we did, push the game, get on top of things, score, and it didn't stop there. We said it was a mature performance and one we'll build on. The guys were pumped for some of the young guys getting on, you could see with Wayne Frederick, what it meant to him and what it meant to his teammates. They all could feel it. They were happy for Rafa to get his goals, which is always important for a striker, and then there was celebrating the shutout. Big positives, and we'll just try to ride the momentum.
On a total performance from each player in the shutout against the Earthquakes
We promised the players, one of the things at this club is your a** is gonna get coached. That's what we said to them. From day one in Mexico, it's defined details, but without making it unenjoyable and so tedious. We want them to play free. But we definitely have a page that we've gotten on. And we always can go back to that page. Let's get on the same page. I have that bird's eye view but I'm hands on and I have coaches that work their tails off--unit coaches, individual coaches--every single day. That's the culture and we try to find the balance in it like "Okay, is it too much with the guys? Is it too much video?" So it's kind of it's an everyday thing. And we're seeing progress. So we have a lot of work to do...that's the job. That's the work around here. That is the culture. It's all about working.
On the new Off-Field Treatment Rule, Timed Substitution Rule implemented by MLS set to take effect this weekend
I like it, we like it. We want the game is fast. We want the ball in play. We don't time waste, if we're managing a game we will never try that. The fans don't come to watch that. It's part of our DNA to put teams in fast games. When we have the ball we believe in playing with tempo and when we don't have the ball we have pressing and counter-pressing and if balls are out of bounds we want the ball back in play. So for substitutions, yeah, get off the field. I agree with and I think it's a good rule from MLS to say let's not use this as a tactic. Get off the pitch, get the ball in play. Look at the Bundesliga, look the Premier League, we want to be up there with the best. With injuries, we don't need players faking injuries. I never would promote that as as a coach, we don't want to cheat the game, we want to play and want the fans to get what they pay for. I like the rules, I like that both are proven with MLS NEXT Pro and worked really well there. There might be some snags but we'll be part of the solution, not the problem with any of that stuff.
On the approach to taking on FC Dallas this weekend
They're very capable. They have top players. They have talent everywhere. Like us, like San Jose, we're fighting for points and we will ramp it up come the weekend, but we will have total respect for the way they play. They're good in possession, they're organized and we'll have to be at our best once again.
