Head Coach Sven Gartung
On the first game of season...
I enjoyed both teams to be honest. It was an interesting match. With all these youngsters on the field. Not only with the Union II but also with the Loudon team. Paredes, Nyeman, Garay, and our boys McGlynn, Hackaby. It was very interesting. It was intense but you can see that there was a lot of talent on the field in my eyes.
On creating more chances...
It was the first match of the season, so we said let’s see what the opponent has to offer, and then take it from there. The boys were nervous big time, you can see that in the beginning. So, we had to get rid of it first. We had to get used to it. We had a couple of players where it was the first USL match for them. So we want to take care of that. Then in the preseason we conceded a lot of goals obviously so we said we must defend together. And it was a plan basically for the first half so we can see what we can do in the second half. Then we went closer to the opponent’s goal and we hit the post, that was it unfortunately.
On youth of his team...
3 youngsters were on the field and you can see that there is talent around, and they adapt quick. They do what we have done in the preseason. I think we could pretty much see what we are trying to implement here.
On naming Picazo as captain...
He worked very well. He worked very hard on the field. He keeps the team together and I think he deserved it for tonight to lead the team on the field.
On outlook for the rest of the season...
I think it was promising for both teams, so I’m looking forward. I can’t wait to play the next match and you can see the boys, they’re smiling because they worked hard, and they know what they have achieved. They didn’t win but we were on the same level as Loudoun and from that perspective we keep on working for next week and try to adjust a little bit better so that we can hopefully score in the next match.
On First USL match coached...
I was looking forward to this. We prepared the preseason for this evening and it was good to hear some people cheering for us. So, I think we had an entertaining match for the people also, and that’s what we want to do. We want to have fun when we are going out here and we’re working hard during the week to show something nice to the people and to our organization.
On team’s steady improvements...
I think over the last weeks, huge improvements to all of the players. I mentioned Tyger before but all the other players as well like Yomi. He was a sub player where he was injured in the last season from what I heard. He played 90 minutes. He gave the defense a hard time. Shanyder Borgelin working hard, and every single player was good in my eyes. Jack De Vries was working hard, he didn’t come down with an attitude or something like that, Cole Turner the same. They worked very hard to get these minutes. They played with the team and for the team and that for me is good to see. I think we performed as a team.
On Jack McGlynn’s debut...
He’s a cool kid so I knew I could throw him in. You could see in the time that he was on the field, that he is soon going to make a difference in the game that’s for sure.
Midfielder Axel Picazo
On being named captain...
It felt pretty good. I mean it’s my first time as a captain so that was nice to be the leader of this team. I think we have a lot of leaders so it’s a matter of who wants it.
On the team’s performance...
I think they are a good opponent. Good first match, that was a good test for us. We did the style of play that we’ve been practicing for several weeks now, and I think we did ok. We could’ve finished some chances but that was a good performance from the guys and we’re proud.
On the difference a full preseason makes...
The confidence is better than last year. It’s a younger group, so I feel like I have to step up sometimes. But it’s a good group to be in, and I think we can upset a lot of teams.
Midfielder Jack McGlynn
On playing in First pro game ...
It felt really good to finally get out there and play and I felt like I fit in there and the team had a good performance. I felt like once I got on the ball I was able to do what I normally do and I just thought it was just another game, like nothing could faze me.
On signing first pro contract...
Everyone here, since I got here, has been very welcoming so I think that’s really helped me play a lot better and get to where I am now.
On the results of a strong preseason...
Florida was really good. We played two good teams. We played good in those games but it was good to get minutes in and a lot of fitness in and I think as a team we got a lot better there so I think we showed that tonight.
