Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter
Two goals in two games now, how has he been finding ways ...
Well, I think it starts with his work rate. He's a guy who is relentless. He keeps going and then when we're able to get the ball wide, get in good positions, he ignites in the box. He lights up and becomes active and got him a good ball today. I'm really happy with his work rate and for him to get six goals already is really good.
I know obviously it's disappointing not to make a playoff appearance this year, but some of the players that you put out there today, how proud are you of them?
I told Brad, I said, listen, I had not seen in my career a guy that wants to get into the game so he calls a penalty so he can save it.
I think he did a great job. And listen, it's not easy to be the No. 2 goalie for three years straight and not get any, any real MLS games. And he got that tonight, and he did a great job. I'm happy with him.
I think Cristian Martinez, 19 years old, can play and I just feel like he did quite well. You can see he ran out of gas but personally a player with potential and a good mind-set. You see, he wasn't afraid. He didn't back down, and nice to see that.
Has the evaluation process begun for next year already?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely.
I guess it's disappointing overall but what do you take away from going into next year that's a positive?
I think when you look at a guy like Cristian, you see a guy who was put in this environment and like I said, he rose to the challenge. That's his first real action starting. I think he did quite well.
And then for some other guys, there were some guys that we're going to have to make decisions on. It's nice to see them play in these games and get opportunities. And then for the entire squad, it's about seeing who is mentally strong enough to still keep fighting, even though we're out of it. So there's a lot of different layers to it, but we are certainly able to evaluate.
As a former defender, how would you try to stop someone like Bradley Wright-Phillips?
He's one of my favorite strikers in the League, if not my favorite. Great movement, great finishing. He does everything really well. You know, I think you need contact. He doesn't really love contact. I think if you're physical with him, he doesn't enjoy that. But not many forwards do.
But I think his timing, his runs, are really good, finishing out of the box, you name it. He's got it all.
Another perfect setup to Adam -- his focus this season, how is he so effective?
Well, I think Justin has the ability to dribble at high speed and when you have that, you can really -- you can really cover a lot of space in a short amount of time, and he's able to pick his head up and find teammates.
I've been happy with how the season has evolved for Justin. I think he got off to a slow start. But he's hung in there and proven that he's a difference maker.
The Red Bulls have had some struggles closing out games this season. What did you learn from your team coming back?
Listen, we're not under any pressure, so for us, it's nice to be able to do that. In a way, it's tough that Red Bull has to play against a team and keep going and keep trying to attack and keep trying to attack. But that's the way it is. That's the way the season has gone for us.
I think Red Bull has a good team, though, I really do. I think it's a strong team. Good character of the team. I think if everyone stays healthy, I can see them going a long way this year.
How much does the shorter term ...
Yeah, that's the funny thing. So we opted not to play in the FIFA window, so the FIFA window into Thursday, we had a Thursday game and we had guys in South Africa flying back from a Tuesday match. That's part of it. That's part of the scheduling. It doesn't make much sense to me when you get in critical phases of the season, and we can't play at home because of the stadium hold right now. And we're on the road and have to go on the road back-to-back with two days rest; it becomes challenging.
I don't want to make an excuse, but it is a challenge, and the guys, you see they kept running. They kept fighting. They didn't give up. I think we put a lot of effort into this game.
Playing NYC next week, is there any potential spoiler role for the players?
I don't know, can you spoil? Is it settled already or no?
Well, it's not, I didn't even check the table. We'll do our best. I said it before the game, that's not our focus. Our focus is to play our game of soccer, to evaluate players and to end the season trying to keep our heads held high. It's been a tough year for us guys, you've got to understand that. We want to close it out with some pride.
Goalkeeper Brad Stuver
On his debut
It was a little bit nervy out there for the first 10-15 minutes; just tried to calm the nerves down. Obviously I gave up the penalty which wasn’t the greatest way to start out but as the game went on, Mikey [Parkhurst], Nico [Naess], and Will [Trapp], they all settled in and helped me out through the rest of the game. I think by the end of the game it was just normal for me.
On saving Sacha Kljestan’s penalty kick
It definitely was a big relief. Like I said, I gave up the PK, so making the save and keeping it zero-zero, all the credit goes to [Columbus assistant coach] Pat Onstad and Steve Clark, we were looking at [the Red Bulls’] PKs all day today. They thought Sacha was going to go to his left and he did.
On going up against potential Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips
I didn’t really think about it because they have so many talented players like Grella, who scored the first goal, they have Sacha Kljestan, they have Felipe, they have BWP, and helpers out wide, but I think our defense did a good job of keeping everything in front. [There were] a couple lapses but the team fought on and it was good to see the fight.
On playing at Red Bull Arena
This is probably one of my favorite stadiums just because the atmosphere is so condensed, everything stays right on top of you, and it’s loud for 90 minutes. It was fun to play, the field was great, and both teams fought. It was a good game to be a part of.
Forward Adam Jahn
On getting the opportunity to start and play the full match today
I’m glad about getting the opportunity. Games aren’t guaranteed so anytime you get the opportunity to play, you have to make sure you make the most out of it. I’ve been happy with my performances [these last two games], unfortunately the team has not been winning, but we need to keep going—score more, and give up fewer goals.
On if these games are an evaluation for 2017
I think every time you play, it can be thought of as an evaluation. It’s your chance to show what you have, and convince whoever is watching so I certainly go into every game with that mentality.
On playing against the Red Bulls
This is my first time here in my career so it’s cool. I’d never seen the stadium; it’s a great atmosphere, against a great opponent. We knew their game plan going in. I think we adapted after a while, but if we just stayed a little stronger in that second half, and held them off, I think we would’ve won. [Playing here is] cool. The sound stays in so it’s really loud—the field was good. I think this is the last stadium I’ve been to so I think I’ve played in all of them now, so it’s pretty cool to check this off.
