- Match: Atlanta United vs Minnesota United
- Location: MUSC Health Stadium, Charleston, SC
- Date: February 21, 2017
- Final Score: ATL 1-1 MIN
Gerardo "Tata" Martino - Atlanta United Manager
On the team creating chances
“Furthermore, we played better. It wasn’t better only because we created many chances, but because we played better, were much more fluid and practically didn’t give the opponent any attacking chances.”
On what lead the team to play better
“First, because in the first game, Columbus is a more experienced opponent and had played four or five preseason games and it was practically our first. Not only have we had more training sessions, but we’re adding more rhythm. And that’s the important part, in each game we’re growing, independent of the level of the opponents.”
“As the games come, we’re incorporating the new players and they’re getting more used to playing with each other: Barco, Nagbe, Franco.”
On the significance of Barco’s goal
“It’s important for him. It was a nice goal. I think before they didn’t award him a penalty that for me was more of a penalty than the one given to Minnesota. But, above all, he’s gaining rhythm and that’s the most important.”
Ezequiel Barco - Atlanta United Midfielder
On how he feels after his first goal with Atlanta
“Good, good. I think it serves to help the team and to keep gaining more confidence, for myself and as a team. I’m happy for scoring but leaving with a bitter taste because of the draw.”
On his goal
“I got a pass from Mikey (Ambrose) on the left. The defenders gave me space to dribble the ball, so I dribbled and when they tried to close me down, I cut in towards the middle and aimed for the far post and luckily was able to convert.”
On if he feels relieved
“It’s a goal that I wanted to gain more confidence on the field and it helps the team to keep preparing ourselves in the best way to start the season.”
On how the communication is going with Almirón, Martinez, Nagbe…
“Everyone knows the class of players that Nagbe, Miguel and Josef are. We’re missing being able to find each other a little on the field, finding more combinations between us so we can create chances on goal.”
Jeff Larentowicz - Atlanta United Midfielder
On creating more chances than in the previous two games
“Yeah, I think even in the second half of the last game we started to come together. We just have to get the rust off and get down to the real thing and I think we did that tonight and created a number of chances, were dangerous all night.”
On Barco getting on the scoresheet
“I don’t know if it’s a relief. It’s just kind of expected he was going to do it. It’s only our third game. He’s been involved every game. He shows a bit of class, he cuts in and puts it in the side pocket, so it’s a good goal.”
On what needs to be worked on before Saturday
“Even before the game we had an extensive film session where we went over little things that happened on Saturday and just the little things we need to take care of. Probably to figure out our movements in the final third, get our midfielders in the right spots. And how we defend when the ball turns over.”
