The Red Bulls played to a dour scoreless tie today at Toronto FC. They followed a resounding 4-0 rout of Montreal with a listless performance that had coach Mike Petke chastising their effort. Here is postgame reaction from both sides.
Mike Petke – Head Coach, New York Red Bulls
What are your general impressions of your teamÂ’s performance today?
Not impressive, not impressive at all. Toronto had the right mentality, we didnÂ’t. We play this game on paper we win this game, but this game is not played on paper, this game is played with heart, effort, logic and Toronto had all of those categories today so in a way I feel fortunate we got a point.
How did you feel about LuisÂ’ performance today, especially that incredible save in the second half, what did you see from him today?
It was a great save. He made a couple key saves, especially that one, the reaction save was great.
The team didnÂ’t play well, do you take any solace from getting a point here or is it just one of those tough days at the office?
It’s bittersweet because we’re angry not to take three points, but by the way we played we are fortunate to get a point out of this game. Going into a huge game next week at home, coming off a 4-0 thrashing of Montreal firing on all cylinders, then to come here and play like this I am honestly confused. I will throw a cliché out there it is back to the drawing board.
How do you feel about Tim CahillÂ’s performance today, his aerial presence was dominating, how did he do for you today?
Like you said he won every header he was faced with, heÂ’s a battler, heÂ’s a warrior and Tim had a tough week he didnÂ’t practice much as we was a bit injured. But he won every aerial ball and that is a great observation.
Luis Robles- Goalkeeper, New York Red Bulls
Luis, what were your thoughts on the overall performance of your team today?
That was not the best match to watch from a spectatorÂ’s point of view. If there is any positives to take from this game it is that we are on the road, in a tough place to play, especially with the condition of the field. But to come away with a zero is big for us.
Can you talk about the save from Eckersley, it seemed like you were going in the wrong direction but were able to get a palm on that?
I was going in the right direction, then the ball deflected and luckily it was far enough from me that I was able to get enough on it to change the direction of the ball.
Outside of that chance the team seemed to do a pretty good job defensively keeping Toronto out and you had a pretty quiet night?
The guys did a good job of keeping the guys out in front of me, it doesnÂ’t matter if we are playing Sporting Kansas or Toronto it is important to keep attackers backs to the goal and that is going to help us be more successful. The effort that guys gave today, especially towards the end as it was hot and muggy, speaks volumes about where this team is headed.
Kosuke Kimura – Defender, New York Red Bulls
How do you feel about the teamÂ’s performance and to get a point here?
Definitely good to get a point for sure, but I think we could have got two more we should have had three today. I think we came out strong in the first half had some good chances in the first ten minutes but I think with our mistakes we gave them the confidence to play. Other than that we defended well as a unit, but the field was narrow and a bit dry and we couldnÂ’t have good possession going forward. Other than that we worked hard, defended well, and you can see that people can battle and you have to. Toronto were up for it and we have one point which is better than 0.
Do you feel the field was the main factor for your team having difficulty going forward, or were there other reasons?
The field is definitely a huge factor because our field is bigger, we wet it all the time and the game speed is faster we like to play like that. A team like this enjoys the long ball and it will be going up every time, they like to play like that with this narrow pitch it is made for it. At the same time if you want to win more games and be a strong team in this league you have to be able to handle this pressure and this atmosphere.
Ryan Nelsen – Head Coach, Toronto FC
Your thoughts on what appeared to be a much better day on the pitch as opposed to the previous two matches. What do you think of the nil nil draw against New York?
First of all I think obviously IÂ’m very proud of the guys. TheyÂ’ve had couple of awkward games out west with difficult results. When you play a team like New York who are off the back of a 4 nil win against Montreal, theyÂ’re up against it. All the odds were up against them. We challenged them with that and I think there was only one team in it, especially that 2nd half it was a very dominating performance. I just think a bit of fatigue and the guys were just so tired. They just didnÂ’t have that extra little step and that extra little yard to create the necessary space to be able to finish that game off. We got into really good positions. If we had been a bit more fresh, we would have been alright. It was tough, you kind of want to look to freshen it up and look to get guys off the bench, but we had done so well, it was organized. But I think the big thing for me is the mentality. They came here and they never gave up and I think Toronto fans really appreciate that kind of stuff.
You seemed to have a good plan to neutralize the two strikers, Henry and Espindola who were somewhat invisible. Were there any special instructions or was it just a dedication to the system that was already in place?
ItÂ’s the system. They know the system real well. They know the little tweaks that need to be made when youÂ’ve got certain special players. Just doubling down and double teams here and just closing space. We wanted to get Tim Cahill receiving balls from the centre backs and we wanted to get Thierry Henry receiving the ball from a center midfielder kind of deeper and as far away from our goal.
Is there any concern about the ongoing lack of offense?
I would be really concerned if we werenÂ’t in the positions to score goals, but we were. From where I was sitting the first goal by Jeremy Brockie, it looked like it was on-side by a mile from where I was sitting. We got in good positions it was just that final ball and that final little bit of quality that is needed when youÂ’re a bit more fresh. ItÂ’s always a concern when youÂ’re not scoring but I canÂ’t fault the two guys cause they worked so hard and they tried and they got in positions.
Jeremy Brockie – Forward, Toronto FC
Ryan was lamenting on what looked like a missed call when you were brought down in the box, your thoughts on that.
Stone cold penalty. I asked the ref about it and he said that he clipped my ankle but there was no intent. I’m not sure what that means.
How frustrating is it, it seems like today’s game was a game for the taking.
We were the better team by far through ninety minutes. Especially that second half, I don’t think they got anywhere near are goal apart from that last header at the end so our boys can hold their heads high but on the other hand we are gutted that we didn’t come away with three points.
Richard Eckersley – Defender, Toronto FC
Thoughts on the game.
Every game I’m feeling better and better, more at home especially playing at right back. Like I’ve said before outside of the score the team played very well and I know there’s times when we can be more creative in the final third. That will come with continuity that we’re gonna build hopefully over the next few months.
You had a few shots today. You think when you take shots good things can happen?
Yes, I was just trying to keep them low get good technique over the ball and see what happens. Unfortunately on the first one he (Luis Robles) made a good save and on the second he made a great save. Everyone should keep shooting, that’s how we’re going to score.
Ashtone Morgan – Defender, Toronto FC
Thoughts on the game?
I think we were the better team today, we wanted three points. I think there was kind of a missed call on the penalty but definitely we defended hard and kept a clean sheet. It was a great feeling for the team. Today the boys all worked hard. We had three games in the last seven days, itÂ’s hard for anybody. I think we did a great job today.
How is it having Steven Caldwell back there?
He’s a born leader. He’s like a general back there. For the rest of us itÂ’s actually a comfort having him there because he cleans the ball up, always vocal and keeps us sharp for ninety minutes.