SPORTING DIRECTOR AND HEAD COACH GREGG BERHALTER
On if Crew SC let the Red Bulls back into the game
I think so. I think that normally you have to score the second goal in this game. We let them back into it. Give them credit for adjusting at halftime. I think- coming out very aggressive in the second half. I don’t think we matched that intensity in the beginning of the second half. As we got back into the game towards the end – just couldn’t get the goal. To me, it comes down to not finishing opportunities in the first half.
On if this draw was different from the draw against Toronto FC
I think so. Obviously, it was a difficult game, warm conditions, against a good opponent that makes the game even more difficult, and we had opportunities in the first half to really open it up… and we didn’t. So, I think that’s what’s frustrating, but I think the learning experience is: if you let a good team like that around, if you let them hang around, you’re in trouble… and that’s what we did. I think we realized we had enough opportunities that we should’ve opened the game up a little more.
On the weather
The weather is the same for both teams. It was odd, that’s for sure, but it was the same for both teams so you have to deal with it.
On in-game adjustments
So, we initially changed to a 4-2-3-1 defensive shape. We wanted to release our full backs to their wing backs, but what happened was they were loading guys on the line. We weren’t getting good enough pressure. So, we were in a lot of ‘one v one’ situations on our back line. We remedied that by switching to a 3-4-2-1, and we were able to get much better pressure. I liked, towards the end of the game, the pressure that we got. The detail in that, in my opinion, is the first 15, 20 minutes of that second half the Red Bull players were opening up, a lot of movement off the ball to try to keep the ball, and we were too stagnant when we got the ball. And I think as that shifted, and as we got more energy and we were moving more, we came back into the game. So, there’s formational changes, but to me it was also just the intensity and the lack of movement that really hurt us in the beginning of the second half.
On Harrison Afful’s performance
Harrison [Afful]’s a phenomenal player. He’s a guy that leads our back line in attacking threats. He gets forward with vengeance. He’s aggressive in the penalty box. I think he has a great cross. The first half- amazing. Amazing performance. He’s been solid all year for sure.
On Gyasi Zardes’ goal
So, he created that space himself. I liked his separation. I like how he pulled away. We talk about ‘where the space is and find it’. We talk about some principles of our crossing play where if there’s no space between the goalie we look to get the ball to the far post, and Harrison did a good job, and Gyasi [Zardes] separated and was able to head that in.
On the New York Red Bulls’ free-kick goal
I need to see it again. I mean normally… I think it was a good ball. I think it was a well-served ball. I think we could’ve done a little bit better on it. We’ll analyze it and take a look.
On Eduardo Sosa’s impact
I liked it. He gave us – I mean first of all, he’s securing the ball. I think he’s very secure on the ball. He’s difficult to dispossess. He has a really quick change in direction. I think when he gets in those pockets, it’s really difficult for defenders. It really is. I thought he made an impact we were looking for, so overall- pleased with that change.
On Luis Robles
The guy’s a great goalkeeper. We all know that. I wish today he had not such a good game, but he’s a good guy, a good goalkeeper. He’s been an absolute stalwart in this League for the last five or six years. So, I have a lot of respect for Luis [Robles].
On importance of giving Gyasi Zardes offensive help
I just think that’s a narrative. I don’t believe in that. I think when you have 19 shots, six on target, enough guys are getting enough opportunities.
On facing Atlanta United FC on Wednesday
So, now it’s about recovery. First couple days… making sure everyone’s hydrated; eating right; sleeping right. You know, prepare for a tough game. I got to watch their game today; another difficult Eastern Conference game that they played against NYC, and we’ll be ready though.
On what is expected from tough stretch against TFC, RBNY and ATL
I think it’s a difficult question, because when you look at the games in isolation like we like to do, Toronto was an acceptable result, today was a difficult game that we felt like should’ve gotten more of, and Atlanta- we’re going to take it as it comes. We’re going to prepare to win the game and hopefully get the best possible outcome.
MIDFIELDER MIKE GRELLA
On creating scoring chances in the first half
In my opinion, I think we were very patient. We stayed in our shape, and then when we got the ball, we executed the plan exactly the way we wanted to. We moved into little pockets, we played really well. We played clean, we battled when we needed to, we switched the field a lot – which hurts a team like [New York] Red Bulls. We really stayed focused on the points we wanted to accomplish, and I think in the second half we did nothing of the sort.
On playing against the New York Red Bulls, his former club
It was good. I wish we would’ve gotten a result, but it was good for me. It was more important, that three points. I look at the table all the time and three points would’ve been huge for us. It was, for me, more incentive to play for, was the three points at home.
On preparing for Wednesday’s match against Atlanta United FC
I feel ready to go. I’m sure the guys do also. I think we’re still unbeaten in nine, so there’s a lot to take from it. I think if we do what we did in the first half for ninety minutes, I think we’ll become a really strong team for sure. But, I’m definitely ready for Wednesday for another big game and another chance to get three points.
FORWARD GYASI ZARDES
On scoring his tenth goal of the 2018 MLS regular season
That’s a huge positive. As for my career and just being healthy and playing with a new group. It’s great to score again but I would rather have wins.
On scoring in the last four home matches
During our training sessions I am constantly listening to the coaching staff because they sacrifice a lot of time analyzing our opponents, so I try to do my best to apply what they tell me in training and apply it to the game.
On the second half momentum shift
That first 15 or 10 minutes just wasn’t good enough. The whole team [wasn’t]. We are a unit. We have positives together and we have negatives together. So personally, it is just my opinion and I think we weren’t good enough the first 10 minutes and we allowed them to get back into the game
On Harrison Afful’s impact
He is an amazing player. His work rate is incredible. He is up and down the field and as you can see today, amazing ball into the box.
