Pat Noonan Press Conference
June 29, 2024: Post-Match vs. FC Dallas
Opening statement on win against FC Dallas
Pat Noonan
“Yeah, really proud of the group, which was certainly a team effort to get a result. It wasn't always
pretty, but I think the guys understood what the challenges were going to be going into it, and we made
some certain improvements on the defensive side of the ball. Decent chance in the first half with Luca
[Orellano], and certainly in the second half with the goal and Dado's [Valenzuela] chance. I think overall
it was a game of more field position than wanting to go to goal and create fast. So I think the guys stuck
with that plan in a good way, where it went in ways with where we were able to move the ball and how
to get up the field, to be able to get our back line in positions to be able to defend in a good way when
they were playing direct. And then when we struggled, it was when our on-ball quality and decision
making was poor, and then we started to get pinned in. But nice to see some of these guys that maybe
haven't been getting a lot of minutes come in and help us get a big win. Isaiah [Foster] getting his first
league appearance, moved Brett [Halsey] all over, Alvis [Powell] in different positions and Ian [Murphy]
had to shift. Yeah, it was a lot of moving parts, but a good team win.”
On anyone who had a standout performance in the match
Pat Noonan
“I think DeAndre [Yedlin] had an excellent game on the right side, good composure, good leadership in
moments where maybe people couldn't see it on the broadcast but did a really solid job. Kipp [Keller], I
thought centrally there was a majority of them good moments. There are still a couple positional things
that the first half off the throw, and we could do better with the guys up front to not allow that easy
switch of play from the throw. And then I think Kipp is too far to the touch line. We just need to
communicate better so we can keep spacing and not allow teams and players to get through us. So
that was a moment that stood out, but he battled in a good way. Ian I thought, was strong as well, didn't
let a whole lot get past him. At the wing back position, it was a revolving door of players and needing to
help us defend their outside backs, which were deep a majority of the game, and at times we just didn't
get the distances right to be able to release and put them under more pressure. But yeah, that was a
long-winded way of saying I think everybody, in different ways, played a decent game.”
On DeAndre Yedlin’s leadership
Pat Noonan
“It's who he is. I think he understands the situation and that he's going to have to help guide guys in
different ways with his experience and just knowing how to manage games, conditions, the score line.
But he's been that since he got here. I've mentioned Roman [Celentano] in goal, I thought he had a
good day, came off his line in a good way, made a really good save to his left. So those are some of the
moments that stuck out.”
On the importance of the clean sheet
Pat Noonan
“No question. I don't know how long it's been since we've been able to do that, but our recent games
have seen us conceding goals. And if we're being honest tonight, we could have conceded a goal on a
couple of those chances that, like I mentioned, Roman makes a good save, and I think they miss out on
an opportunity in that first half. For the confidence of the group to see a clean sheet, but also not
weathering the storm for 90 minutes and just conceding chance after chance. I don't think that was the
case, but there's certainly things that we need to tidy up and just get the spaces right, the
communication right, to not let simple plays become dangerous moments for the opponent. But yes, it
was good for our group to get a clean sheet.”
On the new groups performance and ceiling as a group
Pat Noonan
“That was certainly better than the last performance. I think the sample size is too small. It's going to be
a game-by-game process, I hate to say the word process, but in this particular group of players trying to
get better and understand the relationships and the roles, which are different for a lot of guys. But we
have to figure out a way to continue to be strong with what we have. I'll continue to say that. I'm
pleased with how we defended for long stretches of that game. They're missing a bunch of key players
as well. So, this wasn't just one team missing players, and I think maybe that showed in the final third
for them as well. But overall, our group made improvements defensively, but there's still, when I watch
in certain moments from the sideline, there's things that we don't get exposed from where we could
have. Those are the things that I see that I want to make sure that we improve, so that we're just more
stable in our shape, and how we can get pressure to the ball and not have to sit back and just play the
game in a cautious way where you just find yourself having to defend even more. So that's some of the
things that we'll discuss.”
On Luca Orellano playing the right side of the field
Pat Noonan
“Yes, he's done well on both sides, but the chance creation, the way that he's finding goals is similar to
what we saw tonight. In terms of the 1v1 attacking and how he's able to create for himself and his
teammates, obviously it's more favorable for his shot and maybe slip passes. When he's on that side,
you can see a cross or two that we miss out on when it's on his right. Those are things that you have to
weigh in terms of what's going to be the most effective position for him to help us create. But he scored
a really good goal with good 1v1 attacking, good patience, just knowing how to get defenders off
balance and find his shot. So, we'll continue to look at him on both sides in each game. We'll look at our
group of healthy bodies and decide what's best for the team.”
On how Yuya Kubo handled an early yellow card
Pat Noonan
“Yeah, there was a foul after the yellow where we have to be careful about how we leave our feet, we
saw that last game. I'm not sure if the first one was a yellow. When I saw it, I thought it was maybe a
little early for that. But now, when you're playing on a yellow and understanding the depth we have in
the central position, you have to manage the game in an intelligent way. I thought after that second
challenge, shortly after, that Yuya [Kubo] was important to the game in a really good way and
connected passes in a meaningful way, defensively made some good plays. There's still a couple
where we just need to control our footwork to keep plays in front of us where they're able to beat his
pressure, but that's me being critical of a guy that was moved back and hasn't played there in a while,
and played 90 minutes in tough conditions and did a pretty good job.”
On the process of dealing with injuries and absences
Pat Noonan
“This is so new, and we've lost a couple key pieces, and we're trying to find our best group each game.
Positionally or with the matchups with certain opponents, there might be some adjustments or things
that we look at in a different way, but we're still trying to find answers. The short-term process is just
how the narrative has changed with healthy bodies and what we're lacking, and then maybe what our
best group is, is still to be determined, I think. Those are things that we'll try to evaluate in the short
term and continue to try to play in a confident way and get results like we did tonight.”
Comments
Valeron83hek
04, Nov 2024