Oscar Pareja (Orlando City Head Coach)
Pareja began by thanking the fans for their unwavering support, which he believes greatly energizes the players. He acknowledged that Orlando City had bounced back after a difficult start to the season, with the team securing fourth place in the conference. Regarding the match, Pareja felt the team played well overall, but noted lapses in concentration, especially at the beginning of both halves, which led to goals for Atlanta. These mistakes, he said, need to be corrected before the playoffs. He was proud of the team’s effort and emphasized that despite missed chances, the heart of the team was always present.
On the disallowed goal, Pareja said the referee ruled correctly based on the handball rule, although it was a frustrating moment for the team and fans. Despite that, Pareja said they need to move forward and focus on the positives.
Duncan McGuire (Orlando City Forward)
McGuire expressed disappointment at not securing a win to lock in fourth place, though he was grateful they still achieved it thanks to other results. He noted the frustration of losing, but emphasized the importance of hosting a playoff game and getting ready for the upcoming match.
Reflecting on his disallowed goal, McGuire said that according to the rules, any handball preceding a goal results in it being called back, and while frustrated, he accepted the decision. He also highlighted that Atlanta United’s strong defense after taking an early lead made it hard for Orlando to create opportunities, but they could have been more effective in certain areas.
Martín Ojeda (Orlando City Midfielder)
Ojeda said the loss was painful, especially in front of their home fans. Despite the disappointment, he recognized how far the team has come since their struggles earlier in the season and felt they are now in a strong position going into the playoffs.
He credited the team’s hard work in training for creating offensive opportunities and was happy with his goal, though disappointed it didn’t lead to a win. Reflecting on the goal itself, Ojeda explained that he anticipated where teammate Rafa Santos would cross the ball and took advantage of the space to score with a header. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise.