Following practice on Tuesday morning, atlantasilverbacksfc.com caught up with midfielders Milton Blanco and Richie Menjivar, and forwards Kellen Gulley and Jahbari Willis to discuss Saturday’s clash with FC Edmonton and defending the top spot in the North American Soccer League.
MIDFIELDER RICHIE MENJIVAR
On the state of the team right now:
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“I think we deserve to be in first place, and I think that we’ve shown that we can play better than most teams. We need to continue to work hard, though. We lost to Edmonton last time, so it will be a good rematch here at home. I think it’s very important to beat them and stay in first place. We need to come out focused and strong.”
“The first few games, we gave up too many goals, so we really emphasized playing better defensively and from the Carolina game and the San Antonio game, we got two shutouts. I think that’s the biggest difference. We know we’re going to score goals we just need to stop conceding.”
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On the loss to Real Salt Lake:
“We had a pretty good game against Real Salt Lake. I think we worked very hard and got our defensive shape and how we wanted to pressure, which is something that will help us against Edmonton.”
MIDFIELDER MILTON BLANCO
On resting up during the bye weekend:
“I think the break last week allowed our bodies to rest. We had 4 games in 10 days, so I think we needed the break. We rested up and it also made us hungry to get after it again.”
On the home stretch of the NASL Spring Season:
“We have five games left and we’re fresh, so we fully expect to push for the spring championship. We just need to play our game. Last time we played up there, we were a little tired from the trip, but now we’re at home – a place we’ve been playing well at lately - so hopefully we can get the win.”
On midfield play:
“Growing up, I was taught that whoever wins the midfield wins the game, so I think the midfielders are like the quarterbacks. They call the plays and control the game, so it’s very important we control the midfield against Edmonton.”
FORWARD KELLEN GULLEY
On scoring his first pro goal against Real Salt Lake:
“I’m just trying to get back and get healthy. I played Real Salt Lake’s reserve team when I was with Chicago, so I know a few of their players and I had seen how they play. On the goal, it was just a great setup and Luna played me a great ball. It was a great buildup from the team.”
On where the team is right now:
“We’re still in first place after last weekend, so we just need to keep getting results.”
FORWARD JAHBARI WILLIS
On the team’s mindset going into the weekend:
“I think we’ll prepare for it like we do every game and we’ll come out ready to fight. I mean, what happened last time at Edmonton was unfortunate. I thought that we were really good when we had 11 men on the field, but then things happened and it didn’t turn out in our favor.”
“But I feel like this weekend, the guys are going to come out with the same focus and the same intensity that we’ve been showing all year and we’re going to come out and work to get the result.”
“The home crowd is big. The Atlanta crowd comes out, they make noise, and they’re a twelfth man for us at the stadium, so it’s going to be huge.”
“I think the momentum we have and the level of focus our guys have is phenomenal right now. I’m happy to be with this group of players and I love being here. I think the home field advantage, our fans, and the fact that we have a lot of momentum coming into this game means a lot, but we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”