After Lane United FC’s explosive 6-2 win to kick off USL League 2 play vs Capital FC, hear from midfielder Hugo Rodriguez, Englishmen Wade Muttitt, and head coach John Galas on their thoughts about the victory.
HEAD COACH JOHN GALAS
On the goal fest and overall sense of the match:
“I thought we did enough in the first half to go up 3-0, then [we were] just sloppy. The fact that we conceded three or four corners in a row… it’s just a mental lapse that I think we can grow from and get better. The message at the half was that the next goal is going to change this game, it’s either we give them a lifeline or we’re going to take the game and run away with it. The red card influenced the game and we were able to settle down because they pressed and they tried to get back in the game. We put in some gazelles that could run and get in behind to solve those situations and came out 6-2 winners.”
On what he saw that he’d like to carry over into Friday:
“The scoring is impressive. We can be a very dangerous attacking team and we need to continue to have that mentality. I’d like to see us clean up our possession and be a little more patient, and ruthless in our possession as well. We certainly have depth, we have quality all over the field, and I think it was a really good start. Coming up here and playing in Salem isn’t easy. The fans are at us for 90 minutes, the field is a little narrow, it’s a tough place to play, and historically we haven’t gotten many points here so it’s a good first step for us.”
CENTER MIDFIELDER HUGO RODRIGUEZ
On his first USL League Two match:
“It was very nice playing here with the team. It’s a new team, I’m getting to know and play with new people and I think we showed a very good game today here versus Capital. It was a big result and three points.”
On how the team was able to jump ahead 3-0:
“We practiced counterattacking earlier in the week. The wingers and midfielders were able to do this and set up the 3-0 lead. We let up some easy goals before halftime, but we recovered stronger in the second half.”
On the team’s overall performance:
“I think the team did pretty good. All the starters and the bench players that came in the second half… we all contributed to the three points.”
STRIKER WADE MUTTITT
On his first day in USL League Two:
“It was a great game. The boys fought hard, we got the job done.”
On his two goals:
“The first one, I saw Hugo making the run with it and I thought I’d make the run. He slipped me in, [I hit it] first time with the left foot and it wasn’t a bad finish. The second one was right place, right time, just in the box, got the deflection, and tapped it in.”
On what the team needs to work on ahead of Ballard FC next week:
“We’ll probably just be working on shape work, and what Ballard really has to offer. Just trying to find their weaknesses so we can go there and get the win.”
(Main photo: Barbara Minkler)