For any coach in any sport, it’s a sad fact that defeats are a part of the job.
Reacting to these set-backs and putting them in the rearview mirror is when a team shows its character and Patrick Vieira is confident his men will do just that in Ohio on Saturday night.
The Frenchman has been pleased with the response his players have shown him on the training field in the days since that loss to Orlando and is now targeting a second road win of the season at the home of early MLS pacesetters, Columbus Crew.
He told NYCFC.com: “Since the game against Orlando, I’ve had the answer I wanted from the players. When you look at the intensity and the way they’re working, I’m really pleased, so now we have to transfer that into the game.
“I think when you look at the teams in the league and how well they’re doing, especially in the East, every game will be tough.
“Going there to Columbus will be a difficult game for us and it’s important for us to bounce back.
“Every time we’ve had our back against the walls we always answer well, so this will be another test for us. I’m looking forward to seeing how the team will react from that defeat to Orlando."
He continued: “Of course we’re disappointed because again I strongly believe we at least should get a point against Orlando and it’s the type of game that our going to stick in our mind because the way we played, we deserved to get much more.
“We have to learn from those games where we played better than the opposition team but didn’t take a point – there’s a lot of frustration on our side.”
Despite that disappointment, there were some positives to take away from Yankee Stadium last Sunday.
The three substitutes Miguel Camargo, Yangel Herrera and John Stertzer all made positive impressions in their brief cameos and Vieira hints we could see more of them in a busy month of games ahead.
On Camargo and Herrera, he said: “You can expect more from them, especially in a busy month we’re going to be in. They’ve got talent and they just need to play to show how good they are. They will have the chance and opportunity to play in the next few games.”
As for Stertzer, Vieira added: “It’s not just about how well John did when he came on. In training, he’s someone who has a good eye for goal and he’s somebody who can finish chances in the box – he can score goals.
“I’m really happy with the way he conducts himself on and off the field.”
