SPORTING DIRECTOR AND HEAD COACH GREGG BERHALTER
On Ethan Finlay and Waylon Francis being named to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster
We are proud of them. Ethan is a guy in particular that we felt should have been there in the beginning, but for him it is great recognition. For Waylon, I think his play sets the standard for leftbacks in this league, being very offensively and defensively capable as well.
On having five players in Colorado representing Crew SC between the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game and the AT&T MLS All-Star Game
I think it is big. I think it shows the progress that we have made as a club and the talent that we have here. The guys have worked very hard to put themselves in this position, so for me and for the rest of the group, it is great recognition and we are certainly proud of it.
On Waylon Francis
He is a guy that puts in a solid effort every time he is out there. We ask him to do a real lot in the games and he does it. To his credit, he keeps going. A lot of his play is offensively orientated. He is in the attacking third, he is making crosses, he is getting shots, so he brings a fantastic dimension to our game.
On Ethan Finlay
For Ethan, I think the recognition part of [being named to the All-Star roster] is nice. But he realizes that it is not everything, he realizes that he has more in front of him. He is going to continue to work hard to keep pushing himself. To be recognized and be playing with leading guys in the League in a game is special and he is going to enjoy every minute of it.
MIDFIELDER ETHAN FINLAY
On being named to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game Roster
It’s an incredible honor, it is extremely humbling. It is great after a great start of the first part of our campaign to be rewarded, as well as two other guys to be rewarded, I think it is a true testament to what we are doing here in Columbus.
On finding out that he was added
I was excited. I think I was speechless in the moment, I was pretty short on the phone with Gregg and I think he actually expected me to be a little more excited. He actually texted me a little bit after and sent me a nice little note, which was nice, but I was extremely excited. Most of the night I was kind of speechless, but like I said, it is a great honor.
On who he told first
My girlfriend happened to be sitting there and she knew something was up, but my first call was to my parents, my mom and my dad who were actually up on vacation in Wisconsin for a family reunion, so word spread pretty quickly up there.
On having support
[The support is] great, it’s not only from our fans here in Columbus, but it is from MLS fans all around the country. It makes you feel good about your play that you not only are impressing your home fans, who are always going to cheer for you, but other fans of the sport. It is great for us, it is great for our team and we wouldn’t be going to this game if it weren’t for the other guys in the locker room.
On what having five Crew SC players in Colorado for All-Star Week
It’s great. It continues to put us on the map. We have a guy leading the League in goals and myself leading us in assists, Waylon’s numbers are incredible for a guy defensively, those speak for themselves. Having some young talent in Ben Swanson and Matt [Lampson] being recognized is fantastic. We have good local products as well as we are bringing in guys that are playing well and playing at the top of this league.
DEFENDER WAYLON FRANCIS
Answers translated through a club interpreter
On being named to the AT&T MLS All-Star Game Roster
For me it is something I take great pleasure in. It is something I have always dreamed about and finally playing hard and getting called up, it is something that I am very proud of and something that I always worked for, so I am very happy.
On his reaction to finding out
There was a call at midnight that I missed; when I woke up this morning, I called [Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter] after he left me a message and I was surprised. I was so surprised, but super happy and it gives a player great confidence and I have great confidence going forward. But I am super excited and I am just happy.
On how his teammates reacted
The guys are great, the guys were very supportive as soon as I walked in and that is something this group has, we have a great support system. Being Costa Rican and for the country, it is great to see Costa Rican players that are making the MLS All-Star Game roster.
On the rewarding aspect of being nominated
For me it is a humbling experience, and you work hard for these kinds of things. Obviously, I leave it up to God and God’s hands and leave it to my family as well, but being humble about it is for me the right way to go and it helps you mature so much. I’m just grateful, I’m grateful for everything.
