Columbus Crew SC vs Atlanta United: Post Match Quotes

Second half momentum: “We wanted to come out, put a lot of pressure on them. We had a fantastic crowd. We weren’t moving the ball quick enough, and unfortunately, we weren’t able to create enough chances.”

Toughness defending Atlanta: “The shape wasn’t bad. I don’t think they picked us apart at all. We need to clean that side up. When you look at their goals, their assists are from the goalkeeper and you wonder ‘How did that happen?”

Tuesday Game: “It’s a Wednesday-Saturday gap. Same difference. Two days in between. We’ll be ready for it.”

Jonathan Mensah’s performance on the first goal: “I’m not gonna dissect the goals here, we’re gonna do that as a group. Defending, you do it as a group. Regardless of what happens on the ball, you need guys in positions to deal with it. I don’t think we had that.”

Atlanta’s First Goal: “Atlanta has two things that they do very well. It’s offense transition and high pressure. By the time of the first goal, we were getting after them, pressuring them into the ball. I don’t think it caught us off guard, I just think we need to do better.”

Jonathan Mensah’s First Half of the Year: “What I’d say is that it’s difficult for defenders to adapt to this league sometimes. What we’re doing is, we’re working with Jonathan to help him adapt. In general, I think, at times it’s been very good, and at times it hasn’t been good. But I don’t think it’s anyone in the back line has (inaudible).

Performance from last week to this week: “I wasn’t happy with the performance at all. Let’s not sugar coat this. It wasn’t our best performance and on a night when we had a great crowd, we had a great opponent, we had an opponent that’s nipping at our heels, that’s where you go out and show who you are as a group. I think as individuals, we didn’t have enough and collectively we didn’t have enough. Of course, we’re disappointed.

Nico Naess’ Role at the club: “I think he stands where every other player stands. Any guys who want to play want to work and get on the field. Any guys who are playing want to work and stay on the field. He falls in the category of guys who haven’t played and wants to work his way onto the field.”