Head Coach Ryan Martin
Overall thoughts:
“The start to the match was another concern, conceding a ball which should have been saved, which was where we were in the Hartford games early on. Then after that we had more than enough chances to get back into the game, from Alioune's opportunities to Kairou getting in behind. We had some good chances we just didn’t take them, and so we need to do a better job of that. The guys fought until the end and pushed until the final whistle. From that side its great, but the reality is you can't concede a goal early against a team like Pittsburgh, a veteran team, because you'll end up chasing them."
On being down a man:
“It was an opportunity for other guys to step up. Eremuse Momoh, Brandon Williamson, to Josh Fawole stepped up and got an opportunity to showcase their talents. It’s just tough because the amount of energy you have to expend chasing a game in general, and then a man down is even more of a challenge. So I give the guys credit, they fought until the end, and I think we’re seeing some optimistic growth. Jacob Greene showed significant improvements tonight in terms of being able to compete when it’s a 1 v 1 dual. Jeremy Garay was effective in the back line. That was the best I’ve seen him play this year. We just have to head up to Hartford and get ready for them."
On the atmosphere at Segra Field:
“To be honest, just having a home game was unbelievable. To just be able to step out on the field was great, but just to have people in the stands and whether it was just loved ones and family and friends or locals who just wanted to get out of the house to the stampede, it’s just exciting. It’s a sign of hopefully getting back and making progress in the right direction. I wasn’t out in the concourse, but it seemed like everyone was wearing a mask and everything was pretty good, which is important. It’s just great to be home. “
Head Coach Ryan Martin
Overall thoughts:
“The start to the match was another concern, conceding a ball which should have been saved, which was where we were in the Hartford games early on. Then after that we had more than enough chances to get back into the game, from Alioune’s opportunities to Kairou getting in behind. We had some good chances we just didn’t take them, and so we need to do a better job of that. The guys fought until the end and pushed until the final whistle. From that side its great, but the reality is you can’t concede a goal early against a team like Pittsburgh, a veteran team, because you’ll end up chasing them.”
On being down a man:
“It was an opportunity for other guys to step up. Eremuse Momoh, Brandon Williamson, to Josh Fawole stepped up and got an opportunity to showcase their talents. It’s just tough because the amount of energy you have to expend chasing a game in general, and then a man down is even more of a challenge. So I give the guys credit, they fought until the end, and I think we’re seeing some optimistic growth. Jacob Greene showed significant improvements tonight in terms of being able to compete when it’s a 1 v 1 dual. Jeremy Garay was effective in the back line. That was the best I’ve seen him play this year. We just have to head up to Hartford and get ready for them.”
On the atmosphere at Segra Field:
“To be honest, just having a home game was unbelievable. To just be able to step out on the field was great, but just to have people in the stands and whether it was just loved ones and family and friends or locals who just wanted to get out of the house to the stampede, it’s just exciting. It’s a sign of hopefully getting back and making progress in the right direction. I wasn’t out in the concourse, but it seemed like everyone was wearing a mask and everything was pretty good, which is important. It’s just great to be home. “
Captain Peabo Doue
Overall thoughts:
"In the first half, early goals are killing us. It’s tough to get momentum when we’re two goals down early. I thought we started off a little bit slow and in terms of physicality, we didn’t matchup with them. Pittsburgh has always been a physical team and they give a max effort whenever they play, especially defensively. But when we were down a man in the second half, our energy came out and it was a completely different half. I thought we possessed the ball well and [Pittsburgh] didn’t have many chances, we were solid and organized defensively. I think if we start that way in the first half, then we’ll come out on top next time.”
On playing a home game with fans and being the first team in the area to do so:
“It was weird at first, it didn’t really hit me until the whistle blew. We’ve gotten so used to travelling and playing on the road, but it’s special here in Loudoun County. We know they’ve been itching to get out here and watch us, and I think it’s really important that we progress and return the favor and give them the best product that we can give.”
Captain Peabo Doue
Overall thoughts:
“In the first half, early goals are killing us. It’s tough to get momentum when we’re two goals down early. I thought we started off a little bit slow and in terms of physicality, we didn’t matchup with them. Pittsburgh has always been a physical team and they give a max effort whenever they play, especially defensively. But when we were down a man in the second half, our energy came out and it was a completely different half. I thought we possessed the ball well and [Pittsburgh] didn’t have many chances, we were solid and organized defensively. I think if we start that way in the first half, then we’ll come out on top next time.”
On playing a home game with fans and being the first team in the area to do so:
“It was weird at first, it didn’t really hit me until the whistle blew. We’ve gotten so used to travelling and playing on the road, but it’s special here in Loudoun County. We know they’ve been itching to get out here and watch us, and I think it’s really important that we progress and return the favor and give them the best product that we can give.”