Head Coach Jim Curtin
On today’s match against Crew SC
Obviously, disappointed to not come away with any points finishing up a three-game road trip. Again, a couple results went our way tonight, but we weren’t able to capitalize. I think we got a little bit caught after the rain delay in the second half. Felt like we were under control in the game, but then we got a little greedy and aggressive pushing for the goal, because they got us on a counterattack that went from a chance with Fafa [Fabrice-Jean Picault] in the box. I think after we had Jamiro [Monteiro] for a good opportunity, Kacper [Przybylko] had a good opportunity, maybe we got a little too greedy and aggressive, and left ourselves a little bit exposed at the back. Columbus [Crew SC] to their credit, did a good job all night at being organized, and broke quickly in the transition and punished us. After that, we were chasing the game and weren’t really able to create enough. So, it’s disappointing, but I think it can be a good wake up for us as we prepare now for the playoffs.
On if the team did any scoreboard watching of other MLS teams at halftime
Everybody knew what was at stake, everybody knew the scores. We get them on the sidelines live and updated, so we’re always aware, for sure. Again, it’s difficult, it’s disappointing, it’s an opportunity missed, but at the same time I know this group and I know that they will respond well in our final game at home against New York City FC.
On some of the positives from tonight’s match
Look, again, this team won’t be defined by one loss. We’ve had a great season, we’ve deserved to be where we are in the table going into the game in second place, tied with Atlanta. It’s a great season still, we have work to do against New York City [NYC FC] in the final game to hopefully move up. The way that the points are, and the way that teams have secured spots for Champions League, that’s something that is in play as well, so we’ll push for all three points on the final day. I’m still with this group with the three road games that we’ve had, a tough one in New York [Red Bulls], a big win in San Jose, and we just came up a little bit short tonight. It’s tough but we’ll learn from it.
Defender Kai Wagner
On what the loss means for the Philadelphia Union as they head into their last regular season game
It was a tough loss today. We can all be very frustrated about the game today, but it’s still a very good season for us. Just keep our heads up and have a good game next week against New York [City FC] and just keep pushing in the playoffs.
On the Philadelphia Union’s team morale after tonight’s loss
The last time we lost a game, we all pushed ourselves in training week and we know that next week is a big game for us. We can still get second place, we just need a little bit of luck that Orlando [City FC] lose the game. Like today we just have to look after ourselves, that we win the game and then I think in the playoffs first game at home and I think that’s where I think it was. We just have to keep pushing and don’t think about playoffs right now, just think about winning against New York [City FC] and see how the playoffs works out for us.
Forward Fafa Picault
On what the message to the team was in the locker room during the weather delay and seeing scores around the league
Just to go back out and get a win. Obviously, that didn’t happen, so we have to review and get ready for next week.
On how important it was to get a win against Crew SC given how closely contested the Eastern Conference is
Not just for the points but also for the confidence, it [was] important that we get a win. It’ll put the locker room in a better mood and give us confidence moving forward.
On whether Crew SC’s defense was effective
I don’t think it was so much their defense, but [that] we didn’t play [to] our strengths. We didn’t play as much into space, we kind of made it easy for them to defend us by just playing short passes and passes with our backs towards the goal. We didn’t risk, we didn’t make any threatening plays.
