Quote Sheet
Real Salt Lake 1-1 Colorado Rapids
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
April 2, 2022
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni
Thoughts on ability and importance of withstanding long periods of pressure
“It’s really everything. Coming to a place where Colorado has been dominant in their first few performances at home, it was critical. We knew we were going to endure waves of possession. As long as we stayed organized and had cover for each other, although it’s agonizing at times, at the same time it builds belief in the group with every wave that you snuff out. Given our current situation, nothing is ideal that we’re going through. What is ideal is the mindset of the guys to not make excuses for what we don’t have but really step up, be brave in difficult moments and come away with a result. At the end of the day, we know how important this point is. Come September and October, this is a huge point for us.”
Thoughts on Jaziel Orozco and his play
“There are a lot of kids of former players that absorb themselves in the game almost because they have to. Wanting to play football and having this desire as a young kid. Some of his movements with the ball, his positioning, it’s hard to find a 17-year-old that has that. The next level for Jaziel [Orozco] is the physical part, but I think tonight he held his own and did a fantastic job. It’s a lot of hard work. I don’t want to dismiss that because he’s been working extremely hard, nutritionally, working in the weight room, and all the other stuff you need to do at a young age. He’s put himself in a great position, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Thoughts on bouncing back from a loss
“It’s about finding ways to win. You’re not always going to have your best stuff. It’s not going to always be easy. Playing as a visitor is very difficult in this league, so finding ways to stay in games, to overcome adversity, that’s what road points are. Tonight was a great example of that.”
Thoughts on Pablo Ruiz’s goal, reaction, and attitude
“Pablo’s been playing at an extremely high level this year. There have been so many chances he’s had that haven’t come through in the back of the net. I think for him, it was almost like taking the piano off of his back that he’s been carrying in that regard. Taking the ball and slotting it was a release of emotion. Getting on the board first on the road is a critical moment, so it’s not only a celebration for him but for his teammates as well.”
Thoughts on Rocky Mountain Cup Rivalry’s state and intensity
“Being on the field, you felt the emotion of the game. You felt the intensity of the players. I can hear Robin across the way, I can hear the fans. While it’s an early game in the season, it really did have the feel of a big match. It was a contested battle from kickoff to the end. The pace of the game was really intense, so from that perspective, I think the Rocky Mountain Cup is alive and well.”
Forward Justin Meram
Thoughts on travel and the amount of time played in recent weeks
“My body is taking a toll right now. My sleep is nonexistent, at 3 a.m. or 5 a.m. I am wide awake, and it’s hard to get myself back to sleep, but I knew I had 48 hours to get my body right. I was with the massage therapist and trainers. My wife is an angel for taking care of my son and letting me rest for the 24 hours I was home. It was just doing all the little things to get up to this time zone as quickly as possible, and I am still going to need some time to adjust as a 10 hour time difference is hard to adjust in two or three days.”
Thoughts on overall play throughout the season
“I think I came into this season in a very good mindset, and I worked extremely hard to be fit. Pablo [Mastroeni] has instilled a lot of confidence in me. This is the first time in my career that there haven’t been designated players in the way to take set pieces or corners. I have always had that ability, I just have never had that chance. This year, I was given the green light, and I am taking full advantage. Serving a good ball, we have big guys to get on the end of it. I have always had this ability. I feel like I have always been a good shooter, dribbler, passer, and this year I have just been confident. That is what happens when you have good coaches, not just Pablo [Mastroeni], but our assistants really make you feel that, so you can go out and execute.”
On the penalty kick he earned
“To my knowledge, it was a 50/50 challenge, and I won the ball. I felt my plant leg, or the leg behind me, get scooped from under me. As I went to take my next touch I didn’t have that leg to push off and go towards goal. That’s how I felt it happen, I have not seen it, but I know he did make contact on my back leg.”
Thoughts on if he would play if the team was fully healthy
“I have full health, and I would have played. This is nothing new to me, I have done this for the last seven years I’ve played internationally. I remember in Columbus I arrived on a Friday night and I played Saturday night. It is a little bit of a mentality, ‘put your big boy pants on and find a way to get out there and help your team.’ If we were healthy, I still think I would’ve played, and I have been at the start of this season. I have been in good form, and I want to continue that for this club.”
Thoughts on the team as a whole
I tell you what, this is a team where there’s this weird feeling. It doesn’t matter who steps on the field for us, where we play, who we play, we feel we’re going to win the game or get a result. Last year, we didn’t feel it all the time. There’s something about this year, and Pablo’s [Mastroeni] installing this confidence and mentality in us. We don’t shy away, we don’t think the moments are too big, it doesn't matter where we play. It’s just a great feeling because there’s been a lot of road games to start the season, and we’re going in and we want to ruin their night. We’ve been pretty successful at that this season on the road.
Thoughts on 300 career appearances
“I feel really old, that’s what it feels like. I’m just so thankful and blessed for the coaches that I’ve had in my career, my teammates, my wife, my son, and lastly my family. Being in the league for 12 years and my 300th game, I wouldn’t have done it without my family supporting me through the tough times, keeping my mind sane, and keeping me pushing. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m so thankful for everybody in my circle that has helped me.”
