Post-Match Quote Sheet
Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Charleston Battery | April 13, 2019 – Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pa.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Head Coach Brendan Burke
On his team getting their first win at home this season . . .
It was important. We talked about it all week. We talked about keeping a clean sheet, we almost did that. We were a little soft in the last ten minutes but the energy, the commitment to live in transition and accomplish the things that we wanted to throughout the week really came through and I have to credit the first team guys that came down there. Mentality, their application to the game, their effort within the game was just phenomenal, Fabinho, Kacper [Przybylko], Carlos [Miguel Coronel] those guys were a really good example for all our young guys tonight and our guys feed off that energy.
On his offensive adjustments during halftime . . .
Yes, first time that group ever played together which is normal for any weekend you see us playing. But I think what we talked about at halftime was two or three simple messages but one of them was take what your given if your able to swing them side to side and get Fabinho and Issa more involved then continue to do it. You saw the impact that Issa had in the first half but also understand when [James Chambers] drops in and picks up the ball, we want to be able to play in the central areas because Faris’ hold up playing connection was so good and Kacper was just as good. Just being able to vary your attack but also rely on the spots that guys are going to be in those were the things we talked about at halftime and I think they adjusted really well.
On Carlos Miguel Coronel’s performance tonight . . .
Absolutely, I thought his handling was good, his decision making to get us out in transition a few times was good, late in the game he took some air out of the game, I thought he managed it and he’s a very good pro. He made probably two saves that were important to keep the lead for us, good performance from him. Just really proud of the entire group.
Forward Kacper Przybylko
On scoring two goals tonight . . .
Of course it's always a nice feeling, especially after the injury. This is my job and it’s how I can help them team score goals. Like for my first attempt in the stadium it was such a big deal for me.
On his first match back from injury . . .
It feels very great. Especially after this injury because I wanted to play for the Philadelphia Union to help the team, but this is my first game so it's important to get some minutes and as a striker to score some goals.
On his second goal . . .
I think I was in the right position. I'm a striker, I have to be close to the goal and that's why I got the chance. Honestly I don't know why I was there. Just being close to the goal waiting for the one ball, I got it, and I finished it.
Midfielder Zach Zandi
On his team’s performance in the midfield . . .
I thought we did well, I thought our defensive pressure was organized and I thought we kind of stopped them from really building out the back. We didn’t allow them to switch the ball a whole lot and in the past it’s been difficult. I thought we did a good job with that today.
On his individual performance . . .
Yeah, I think so, but I always think there’s room for improvement. Overall, I think that it was a good team performance and individuals come through on that, so I think on that part it was good.
On his assist . . .
Issa [Rayyan] did a great job getting around the guy, their left back and crossing it in and Faris got a little touch on it and I was in the right spot at the time to slide it off for Kacper [Przybylko] and he does what he does, he finishes. He’s played two games for us and has three goals, so he’s doing great for us.
Charleston Battery
Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser
Opening statement . . .
We got behind. When you get behind on the road it's difficult to come back. It gives the freedom to the home team. I give credit to [Bethlehem Steel FC], they came out and pressed. Their top four, their two forwards really worked our two center backs defensively. They did a good job of pressing us and caused our defenders to turn a little bit which wouldn't allow us to get into the game offensively.
On preparing for the next match against Nashville SC . . .
It's different. We’re playing at home. We obviously made a couple mistakes and got caught a couple of times. That made us pay. Nashville has good players; very good players that can make you pay. They have [Daniel] Rios up front and some forwards that just like tonight, if you give the ball away in the defensive third they’re going to make you pay. That happened tonight. We got hit on the counter attack when its 2-1 and you can’t do that. So the big thing is we really need to learn that when you get down it's going to be difficult to come back, no matter what, even if you create three or four good chances. That extra pressure is on your so you want to be tied or doing well. I think we have to be ready, sharpen up defensively, and fix those little things that we had problems with tonight.
On the positives of the match . . .
I was happy, we went down 2-1 and we got the goal back. There are certain situations you'll look at, but there weren't too many positives. When you lose 3-1, yeah we created chances, but it’s more we need to make sure we tighten up defensively on the road. That's something we're going to learn from and make sure cause every team in this league can score and has offensive weapons. It's going to be difficult; you got to make sure you’re focused defensively, so that's what we're going to pick up from this game.
Midfielder Tah Brian Anunga
On his goal . . .
It felt good, we’re down two goals and then I thought the goal was going to put us back into the game. Obviously [Bethlehem Steel FC] did a good job catching us in the counter attack.
On his team’s preparation for Nashville SC . . .
Nashville is going to be tough, they have a good side. We just have to get back and get our mindset for the next game, this is over us, it’s done and we are all focusing on Nashville now.
On positive takeaways from the match . . .
Sometimes you need to lose to fix things, so we have to prepare and manage defensively on the counter and be more prepared on that and then we have to come out strong every game. The first 10, 20 minutes we have to be strong, I don’t think we did a good job doing that today.
Midfielder Nico Rittmeyer
On his thoughts on the first loss and positives to take away from the match . . .
We created a lot of chances; we just couldn’t put them in the back of the net today. Obviously, the chances were there which is a good thing. Now we just have to find a way to put them all away and take that going forward.
On the toughest part of the night…
I feel like we kind of made our errors on our own part, we kind of gave them some chances that we don’t usually give up, so I think uncharacteristic of us on a few chances that we gave them, but I think just knowing that we were really close, and it could have easily been a tie game or in our favor.
On his team’s preparation for Nashville SC . . .
We have to take what positives we have, obviously it wasn’t a good result, but we put that behind us and just try to get the result.
