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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 Mitriță

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 Mitriță

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.

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