
Notes & Quotes: New York City FC 1 - 1 Toronto FC
September 12, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New York City FC News Release
SUMMARY
New York City FC 1 - 1 Toronto FC
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
2019 MLS Regular Season - Game 29
Attendance: 19,276
LINEUPS
New York City FC: Sean Johnson; Anton Tinnerholm, Sebastien Ibeagha, Alex Ring, Ben Sweat, Ronald Matarrita; Tony Rocha (63' Ismael Tajouri-Shradi), Keaton Parks; Jesus Medina (79' Gary Mackay-Steven), Valentin Castellanos, Alexandru MitriÈÄ
SUBS UNUSED: Brad Stuver, Luis Barraza, Eric Miller, Ebenezer Ofori, Juan Pablo Torres
Toronto FC: Quentin Westberg; Nick DeLeon (54' Ashtone Morgan), Omar Gonzalez, Chris Mavinga, Auro; Michael Bradley, Marco Delgado; Nicolas Benezet, Alejandro Pozuelo, Erickson Gallardo (40' Tsubasa Endoh); Jozy Altidore
SUBS UNUSED: Alex Bono, Drew Moor, Laurent Ciman, Jacob Shaffelburg, Patrick Mullins
SCORING SUMMARY
6' - NYC - Alexandru MitriÈÄ
40' - TOR - Alejandro Pozuelo (Penalty)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
23' - NYC - Alex Ring (YC - Unsporting Behavior)
40' - NYC - Anton Tinnerholm (YC - Dissent)
77' - NYC - Sean Johnson (YC - Dissent)
84' - NYC - Valentin Castellanos (YC - Unsporting Behavior)
85' - TOR - Nicolas Benezet (YC - Unsporting Behavior)
90'+6' - TOR - Chirs Mavinga (YC - Unsporting Behavior)
QUOTES
New York City FC Head Coach Doménec Torrent
On Sean Johnson's penalty save and its significance to this season...
"Sean has experience, he saved the penalty, it is good, it is a good feeling. I am happy because in the last 6 games of 18 points we got 16 points...It is good news for us, that is the reason now that we are in the top of the league [Eastern Conference] and we will try to finish in the first position. We will try until the last moment, if it is not possible, it is not possible. We work hard in the facilities to try to finish in the first position, if not the second, if not the third. We have to be ready at least for the playoffs."
On the absence of Maxi Moralez....
"Today I heard [Greg] Popovich [Head Coach of United States Men's Basketball Team] about the national team, the basketball, and I respect this coach a lot and I say the same. It is a lack of respect if I speak about Maxi Moralez, [Maxime] Chanot, Alex Callens or Héber. That happens in soccer, I am sure if we were able to win the game, nobody would tell me about Maxi. I've said it, not today, but how important he is for the tempo. Sometimes we play fast and we lose the ball in two seconds. When you have these kinds of players you play comfortable, because our style is, sometimes, recover the ball and play quickly if you're able to play quickly because it is the first option. If not, you have to kick the ball, and he has this quality. But for me, it is a lack of respect to talk about the players that didn't play today because sometimes it happens. Sometimes it is for the injured, FIFA days, suspended. It is important to us, these kinds of players, but everyone is important for me."
New York City FC Midfielder Tony Rocha
On today's game...
"Toronto is a really good team. They're fighting for a playoff spot and I think we should of done a better job keeping the ball and taking our opportunities."
On how the team adapts during the game with the system changes...
"We work on that during the week, just in case that does happen we can easily switch into it. I don't think it took any adaptation for us to be able to just switch and carry on with the game."
On what a physical game like today means late in the season...
"We just know that we want the first spot in the Eastern Conference, so these games that are coming down to the end of the season we just have to push through."
New York City FC Goalkeeper Sean Johnson
On today's match...
"When you look at the game over the course of 90 minutes, it was a fair 1-1 result. It was a fair reflection of the game. They had their fair share of opportunities, we had ours. That being said we had some dangerous moments. Obviously with two [penalty kicks], to come out of the game conceding one goal and continuing our unbeaten run, especially at home, is important for us going forward into the weekend against San Jose."
On saving second penalty kick...
"In the moment, it was kind of instinctual. I think it's rare when two PK's are given in the single game and that two taken by the same guy. I can't remember the last time I had that happen. A retake maybe, okay, but two separate occasions it's difficult. I just wanted to get a jump on it and stay as calm as possible in the situation."
Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney
Thoughts on tonight's match...
"We were there for three. The second half we had some great chances, obviously a PK but also some other very good looks at goal. We didn't hit the target on those and obviously Sean [Johnson] makes a great save on the PK. I thought it was tough, it's a muggy night, it's really humid and I felt like our guys down the stretch had more. They're doing more to push the game, more to try and get pressure, more to try and win this thing. It's says a lot where our team is at right now. The guys are disappointed they didn't take three out of this. Again, another sign of where we are at. I'm happy with the effort, I'm happy with, by and large, the performance, and we just needed to execute that one or two more times when we had some really good looks."
On the team's recent play and place in the standings...
"I think the mentality is great. Every game is different and certain games are tough. Tonight was tough because it's a good opponent who plays, it's a tight field, but like I said it's really humid. You could tell both teams were fading a little bit, certain guys were fading out there and legs were getting a little tired. Again, when it's all said and done, our guys were pushing to get the result which is that resilience and heart that we showed at the end, we were just unfortunate not to get there. The guys are confident and it's a good time of year to feel that way. We've got to keep building on each one of these efforts and performances and keep working to execute when we have the moments to win the game."
Toronto FC Goalkeeper Quentin Westberg
On the team's effort tonight...
"It was a very good effort. It was a good game in a very humid environment. We got scored on pretty early and were able to not only comeback, but actually do very well in the second half. So, they're a good team because of their playing style that has gotten them above more than one team and you understand why they are on top. It's a good game of soccer. It was very intense and could have gone both ways. I think in the second half, it was closer to our way. But all and all, we showed good character and played a good game also."
On the team's trend over the last few games...
"I think the important thing is that we're creating chances for ourselves. It's really important because we really have our style of play, our values, or principles that we stick to and this brings us to creating our opportunities. And this is the most important thing going forward. Against Cincinnati, we scored on every shot we had on frame, so sometimes it goes our way, sometimes it doesn't go as much. But all and all, was very good."
Talk about how the team has improved over the past few weeks...
"There is no such thing as comfort in soccer because the day you sit back, watch the standings and stop worrying about playing, well is when you get punished. So, t's been good. But what's most important is ahead of us."
Toronto FC Defender Ashtone Morgan
Thoughts on the performance tonight...
"It was a great performance, we dug deep. It's been a long away trip for us. I thought we could have gotten three points, but you know we'll take the point and we move on to the weekend."
On how the team battled at the end of the match...
"It just shows the brotherhood on this team. We were able to fight for each other and never give up and play to the last whistle. We still feel we left some points on the table, but we'll take that and get ready for the weekend."
If the team is building momentum towards the end of the year...
"Yeah, definitely. The big thing for us is momentum and as you can see from our performances, that's been a thing. We're just trying to keep pushing forward and keep pushing on. I love what we've been playing with."
Pool Reporter Questions
Question: Why wasn't a penalty kick issued or a card given when Chris Mavinga made contact with Valentin Castellanos' face in stoppage time?
Castellanos was whistled for a holding foul. Immediately after the whistle had blown and while the ball was not in play, Mavinga swung his arm in a reckless manner. Mavinga was cautioned for unsporting behavior and play restarted with a direct free kick for Toronto. A penalty kick cannot be awarded for an offense that occurs while the ball is not in play.
Question: Why wasn't a red card issued for violent conduct since Castellanos was bloodied?
The action by Mavinga was reckless and disregarded the danger to or consequences for the opponent. Mavinga did not use excessive force or brutality when swinging his arm.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from September 12, 2019
- Timbers Weekly Update: September 12, 2019 - Portland Timbers
- Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation Announce Seattle's NewHolly Neighborhood as Next RAVE Field Site - Seattle Sounders FC
- By the Numbers: In the Hunt for a Six-Point Swing - Orlando City SC
- Real Salt Lake Defeats San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 - Real Salt Lake
- Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy Notes - September 11, 2019 - Colorado Rapids
- Quakes snap two-match winning streak - San Jose Earthquakes
- Postgame Quotes: Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy - September 11, 2019 - Colorado Rapids
- MNUFC Falls 2-0 to Dynamo on the Road - Minnesota United FC
- Dynamo Top Minnesota 2-0 Behind Pair of First-Half Goals - Houston Dynamo
- LA Galaxy Postgame Notes: LA Galaxy 1, Colorado Rapids 2 - Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - LA Galaxy
- Toronto FC (1) - New York City FC (1) Post Game Summary - Toronto FC
- Notes & Quotes: New York City FC 1 - 1 Toronto FC - New York City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent New York City FC Stories
- New York City FC Signs Goalkeeper Cody Mizell
- New York City FC Midfielder James Sands Signs Contract Extension
- New York City FC Unveils 2021 âÂÂBronx Blue' Primary Kit and Celebrates NYC Heroes
- New York City FC Announce Preseason for 2021 Season
- New York City FC Acquires Defender Malte Amundsen from Danish Club Vejle BK

