New York City FC defeated the Eastern Conference Leaders, Philadelphia Union, 4-2 in The Bronx securing the three points and extending their unbeaten streak to 13 games. Read what Dome Torrent and your Boys in Blue had to say about the win...
Doménec Torrent
On Castellanos' performance...
“You know, it’s very important that I say that all of them deserve to play and that I don’t have a doubt about Taty because I say many times in the facilities, he never gave up and he did everything he could to convince the coaches. I say many times, it’s impossible to play more than 14 players. And they have to be ready to play. And his opportunities are the same as Keaton [Parks]. Keaton played the game really well again and it’s good news for us. And I don’t have doubts about my players, and I say many times to them, they have to be ready to play when I decide to play with them.”
On the team’s form…
“Maybe we are in the best form in the moment. It was not easy because everybody knows we lost just one game. It’s very important in MLS because it’s a league where every game matters. It’s very important for the confidence. Especially today, it’s important when you play [with confidence against] the top of our conference. We were able to come back with the result. It’s very important because if you’re able to come back in this kind of game, you’re able for the future to win another game. I say in the first half, calm down, don’t lose control…They were able to come back, not me. And the reason why is because they play with confidence and we are in a good moment right now. That doesn’t mean we will win next game. But we will play hard and we will try to win. And that is why I’m very happy for our supporters, because we haven’t played at home for 20 days, 21 days, so this is for them.”
On the tactical changes at halftime…
“The reason we changed our system is because in the first half, we were playing three against one. We were losing battles in the midfield. It kept meaning we were defending nine with eight. So when we saw this, we knew we had to change the game. They controlled the first fifteen minutes, so we had to change a little bit. And sometimes I say that it doesn’t matter if we have the ball because they have two or three players up. It doesn’t matter. We need to win the game and our quality players play like a forward. So I say to Taty, because the first half, he didn’t play really, really well, because the first night, they moved a lot and they right. They played in the middle a lot. So that’s why we changed the tactics and when it goes right, the coach is good. And when it doesn’t, that means the coach is bad. But never forget, even when we are able to win or lose the game, the soccer belongs not to the coach, but to the players.”
Maxi Moralez
Difference between first and second half…
“There were many opportunities we created but unfortunately we didnt have the right timing. We didn’t play right and I believe that why we went to first half losing. Second half we were better and played better.”
On advice to give the younger Latin generation watching him…
“As someone who is Latin, it's always important to have your family with you and have their support. You can always reach your dream. We know what it is to be Latin in the United States and in this league there are many, so fight for your dream.”
Valentín Castellanos
On scoring four goals in today’s game…
“Well in my professional career I believe it’s my first time. I know I also had several chances to create opportunities with penalties and to score. Honestly I am very happy because it helped the team and I felt very comfortable in that position.”
On changes made in the second half…
“Dome told me to stay around the box because they were crossing the ball over and the ball kept bouncing in the box with no one around, so I focused on that and tried to improve and I think it worked well for the team.”
On upcoming game with Seattle…
“It’s also a complicated game, now we have to focus early in the week for this game. I feel that what the team showed today and the fans as well, we feel like they’re with us and we’re good and now we’re going to focus on Seattle.”
