Showing posts with label press conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label press conference. Show all posts

Monday, June 23, 2014

13 Quotes: USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann talks about Michael Bradley, DeAndre Yedlin, Matt Besler, Jogi Low and more

MANAUS, Brazil - US men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann shared some interesting thoughts and opinions with the media after Sunday night's 2-2 draw with Portugal. Here's a recap of his press conference summed up in 13 quotes.

Thoughts on the game...

"It was a thriller...a real exciting match. Everybody who had the chance to be in Manaus today will talk about this game for a long time."

"We discussed it at halftime that we were going to get a goal and then get a second goal. And we could’ve added a third or a fourth goal with the chances we had."

"These finishes are very emotional for all of us. For the fans, the players, the bench. That’s what a World Cup is all about. It was a little bit of a bummer, but you move on and get the next one."

"It is what it is. Now we’re going to get everybody hungry and excited. We are full of confidence. We are right there. We have one foot in the door and we just need to walk the other one in there and get it done." 

On the final play (Portugal's equalizer)... 

"Michael got caught in the middle of 3-4 guys and lost the ball unfortunately. And then the counter break comes. Even with 3 centerbacks on the field we were not able to get to that cross. It was a beautiful cross."

On arranging a draw with Germany coach/friend Jogi Lov... 

REPORTER: If Jogi calls you and says let’s just play a draw, you’re going to say no, 100 percent?

"There’s no such call. We’re good friends, [but] Jogi’s doing his job and I'm doing my job. My job is to do everything to get us to the Round of 16 and that’s what I’m going to do. There’s no time right now to have friendship calls. It’s about business now." 

"I don’t think we are made for draws, except if it happens like tonight. [USA and Germany] go into this game and they want to win the group. We want to recover fast, go at Germany and get 3 points. That is our goal. 

"The United States is known to give everything they have in every single game. We’re going to go into Recife very ambitious, with a lot of confidence to beat Germany. This is our goal. I’m pretty confident that we’re going to get a good game there."

On Michael Bradley... 

"Michael is undoubtedly one of our key players and I think he showed that tonight. He has an engine that is unbelievable. He’s covering for other players all over the place. His vision and his passing is outstanding."

"I’m not expecting any perfect games from anybody. I expect that they give everything they have and if somebody makes a mistake the other guy is there to help him out."

On DeAndre Yedlin...

"He has the qualities to make an impact right now in this World Cup. Which he did. We knew it. That’s why he’s here... It’s fun to watch that kid.” 

On Matt Besler...
 
"It’s fun to watch Matt [Besler]. He’s one of our most promising young centerbacks that we’ve brought along for the last two-and-a-half years."

Final Statement...
 
"Our goal is to go to the next round so we will do everything in our capability to go into the next round. I’m not thinking about what’s going on in other people’s minds. We’re going to take our game to Germany. We are going to give everything we have and give it a real fight. If you see the team from tonight we are capable of surprising even more teams in this tournament. I’ll see you guys in four days in Recife."

Monday, April 21, 2014

NYCFC's Jason Kreis "very, very happy" with 110 x 70 field dimensions at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK - On Monday, Major League Soccer's 21st team, New York City FC, released field plans for their inaugural season. The main kicker, all homes games are expected to be played at Yankee Stadium - 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 - and could continue like that for the next three years.

NYCFC have not given a specific timeline as to how long they'll be staying at Yankee Stadium, but did note that it could be less and it could be more.

The field will stretch from the first baseline to the left field wall as opposed to a more traditional approach in years past with the field being situated on an angle from right field to left field.

The sidelines will run along the outfield wall (right-center) and the third baseline (image, above).

Yankee stadium will be redoing the current pitchers mound so that it can be removed and put back in via crane (for easy access), however the mound itself will not affect the actual playing field.

The projected field dimensions, 110 x 70, will make NYCFC's playing surface the smallest of any other team competing in MLS.

Current field dimensions for all 19 teams in MLS:
  • 110x75 - 1 team
  • 110x76 - 1 team
  • 114x74 - 1 team
  • 115x70 - 1 team
  • 115x74 - 2 teams
  • 115x75 - 2 teams
  • 117x74 - 1 team
  • 117x75 - 1 team
  • 120x75 - 7 teams
  • 120x77 - 1 team
  • 120x80 - 1 team
Seven teams call home to a field that is 120x75 - 30 feet longer and 15 feet wider than what is expected at Yankee Stadium. The field which resembles the closest comparison is RFK Stadium (110x75).

Despite playing on a much smaller pitch than what is currently being used at Rio Tinto Stadium (120x75), NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis said he's "comfortable" with the reduced width. "Rio Tinto was 70 yards wide in 2009-10. I'm a very, very happy man."

Tim Pernetti at NYCFC Press Conference
After a barrage of questions regarding NYCFC's length of stay at Yankee Stadium and any future plans of building a soccer-specific stadium of their own, Chief Business Officer for the club, Tim Pernetti, put an end to the presser with one simple statement...

"When we open the door to a new soccer-specific stadium it will be spectacular!"

For more information on acquiring season tickets for NYCFC's first season in Major League Soccer, click here!