FC Dallas Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez
On Jimmy Maurer leaving the match...
He felt something on his shoulder so he couldn’t continue. It doesn’t look bad. It doesn’t look good. I am not in the position to say what it is. I am sure we are going to do an exam soon as we go back. Hopefully, it is nothing too serious because he is really important to us. I thought Phelipe came in and did the job to help us to get back into the game so that’s all I know.
Thoughts on the game...
The game is about moments. We pressed really well the first 10 minutes and put them into some tough situations. We created chances. We didn’t put them away earlier, but we didn’t punish them. We needed to do that. Try to hurt them in transitions. The potentials were there but we didn’t reorder ourselves. We need to hold ourselves responsible. We had a few calls. Jimmy did a great save in the first period and the second. It is what it is. Handball, in and around the box. Those little things catch up to you, those small little things that aren't done at a high level. We need to be more understanding and controlling.
When the game gets a little bit chaotic and open, we stress out organization. The organization is important for us to disorganize them. I think we did really well in the first period. We didn’t connect enough passes in the first half. We didn’t control the rhythm with the passing. We were forcing the pace and over-dribbling. So that’s something we need to reflect on.
The second half, we came in with an attitude and a game plan to turn it around. I thought the first five minutes we showed that and then we conceded in our own corner in the open-play counter. It was a gift goal and a really important moment for us to change the momentum. We have to learn that lesson. We have to be faultless and perfect in how we deal with transitions, recovery runs especially in our own attack, our own set pieces going forward.
Two-zero changed the game a little bit as we were about to make some subs and get some subs and get some guys on the field that we believe can help us get numbers in the midfield and turn the momentum, they scored the third which was a goal we should never allow with multiple covers and physicality. Well done by the young man, Caldwell, to put it away.
FC Dallas Defender Matt Hedges
On his ankle...
It’s not feeling that great and it’s still pretty swollen from last Saturday. A guy fell on top of it, sprained it. It was pretty significantly swollen the whole week. I hate getting my ankles taped but it’s something that you have to do. It doesn’t feel great but that’s not an excuse.
On playing away with fans…
Yah you know it’s kind of getting back to normal you having the opposing fans they are cheering against you. You know last year it was pretty weird not having anybody in the stands and it was kind of quiet the whole time so you know it’s kind of enjoyable to be back with fans even if they are not our fans at away games it’s still fun.
FC Dallas Forward Ricardo Pepi
Overall thoughts on the match...
A lot of disappointment between me and the team. I feel like we could have done better. I feel like we could have won this game. Obviously, I think we had it in our hands but we let it go.
How it felt getting first goal of the season...
It was a lot of joy, obviously. I think we need to get back to work to make things better but, yeah, happy for the goal.
On increased confidence entering 2021...
I have more confidence in myself. I think that I did it last year, I can do it this year even better. So just a lot of confidence, that’s what a striker needs and that’s paying off.
