Quote Sheet
Real Salt Lake 0-1 Sporting Kansas City
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS
March 26, 2022
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni
Overall thoughts on the match
“I thought it was a well-played game. I think we had a couple opportunities to get one. I think it came down to one play where we do a pretty decent job defending, but then it bounces against us, and they capitalize on it. I credit this group, who has overcome a ton, including warm-ups and at half time. I am just grateful this game is only 90 minutes because if it went any longer we might have lost half the team.”
On Johan Kappelhof’s pregame injury and tactical adjustments
“Johan [Kappelhof] couldn’t go after warm-ups, but at that point it was really looking at the group and thinking about the players we have, more so from experience, Tate [Schmitt], [Andrew] Brody, Marcelo [Silva], and [Erik] Holt. Then [Erik] Holt got hurt, and then I said, ‘Well, what are we going to change it to?’ So Jaziel [Orozco] went in there and did a really good job. I think that’s why you can make all the excuses you want, but the other teams don’t really care to hear it, they’re going to put their best out. We put our best out tonight and the guys did fantastic.”
On injuries in the center back position
“I have never seen anything like this. We might have to bring one of our outside backs in to somehow build a three, but then that leaves us exposed in the wide areas. I don’t even want to think about that yet. I just want to digest this game, but you bring up a valid point. The timeline for these guys doesn’t look like it is going to be next week as far as returning. We are going to have to come up with something and throw whatever we can at it.”
Midfielder Jasper Löffelsend
Thoughts on starting debut
“We saw Johan [Kappelhof] having issues with his calf in the warm-up. Jaziel [Orozco] and I had a little bit more of an intense warm-up, trying to be ready if we were called up. We went back to the locker room, and Head Coach [Pablo Mastroeni]’s decision was made on who he wanted to start, and he trusted me at that time. I feel honored and blessed. I’m really happy that I could jump in, give my best, and try to work and give the team what it needed. It’s just an unlucky debut for me, an unlucky result in the end, but definitely one to remember.”
Is there a good way to lose?
“I don’t really know if there’s any good way to lose. Obviously you always want to win, but I think the way we handled the situation on the pitch was awesome. We left everything out there. It would have been a worse feeling if you come back to a locker room and feel like you could have done more. This wasn’t the case today. We had [Erik] Holt out at halftime as well, and Jaziel [Orozco] making his debut. He did fantastic as well. Just an unlucky moment that they took advantage of. I think we could have closed the game in the first half. We had two or three really good chances. If you score on the road, it makes it easier. You are able to calm down the crowd a little bit, and they were firing up the team the whole time. I think at the end it was just a little bit unlucky, the way the goal got together. We’ll see if we can do more, but fantastic job from the team. I think the work, the effort, and the mentality of the team was brilliant again.
Thoughts on playing different positions
“That’s my job at the moment. I played right back when I played in college. I train more as a center midfielder right now. The past games I came in as a forward, right winger, left midfielder, whatever it is to help the team make runs in behind and pressure the opposing back line so they don’t have time to poke balls behind us. Whatever my job is, I try to do it as best as I can. I’m happy the coaches trust in me and gave me a shot today at right midfielder. Even though it’s not my main position, I tried to make the best out of it. I had some unlucky touches, some better touches, some good passes in behind where we can score. I’ll take whatever I can get to get more minutes and help the team.”
Defender Jaziel Orozco
Thoughts on making MLS Debut
“It was unbelievable. Unfortunately, [Erik] Holt had an injury, and I had to step up and do my duty. It was amazing. I want to say thank you to every coach, every staff member, my family, and I want to thank God for the opportunity. Unfortunately we did not get the win, but we have to keep going.”
On managing expectations
“I just wanted to do what I always do. Just do what the coaches tell me and take the advice other players give me. Go out on the field and be calm and relaxed and try to give the best performance I can.”
On playing with Marcelo Silva
“He [Marcelo Silva] just said to me, ‘relax and play your game. Everyone is going to fight for you, and you are going to fight for us as well.’ I think he was the one to get me relaxed, to give me confidence, and it felt pretty good to play alongside him.”
