Head coach Ben Olsen
On the match…
“Overall, I thought we played ourselves into the game. In the second half, we looked much more comfortable. They had the lead at that point and anytime you’re chasing [Atlanta United] after you give up the first goal, it’s going to be tough because they’re so scary in transition. If we aren’t perfect in the way we press, they’ll punish you. Almirón is one of the best players I’ve ever seen in this league. They’re a good team, but he is special and makes them tick. Today, he showed up and played very well."
On the overall performance of the team…
"The goals in the second half showed their quality. We addressed some things at halftime that we didn’t do well and it looked better and more comfortable in the second half. I like the makeup of this team and I think we’ll respond well. We understand that this is a long first half of the year and we’re not going to get a result in every road match. We went up against a good team and a very good player in Almirón."
On the offensive ability of the team…
"We’re scoring goals and I still think we’re going to be a tough team to score against this season.
On playing in two home openers…
"There was a lot of energy in both home openers in Atlanta and Orlando. It will be nice to sort of come home next weekend. It’s going to be a unique experience playing in a tight venue at the Maryland SoccerPlex. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the fans and will give us a little bit of a home field advantage. We've played well so far this season with two good performances… this is a process and we’re finding out about ourselves each game. We’re finding out about ourselves as a group and how individuals fit into this team. We have a long way to go until we’re a final product but each game is exciting."
Forward Darren Mattocks
On D.C. United’s performance...
“We have to do a better job of trying to play. We have a bunch of games on the road, so as a team we have to figure something out. It’s a tough league, especially when you play on the road and you try your best to get a result. For the first half of the season, we have all away games, so we have to figure something out because right now no one should be satisfied with the way we played. The effort was there for sure, 100 percent from everyone, but we still have to find a way to play on the road.”
On D.C. United’s adjustments heading into next match...
“We have to do what the last two teams have done to us. Keep the ball, create chances, be dangerous. It’s good to get a game in D.C., so hopefully we go and get three points, because that is maybe our only home game for the first half of the season. We have to go and get three points.”
Defender Steven Birnbaum
On D.C. United’s performance...
"It’s tough. Obviously, [Atlanta] was on the front-foot for most of the game. That goal in the first half kind of hurt us. I thought we came out in the second half and looked pretty good. Obviously, [Miguel] Almirón had a great goal, which that was a bit of a stinger, they we were on our back foot for a while. It’s tough. We have a lot to work on, still trying to gel as a group, but we just have to be better on both sides of the ball.We have to take better care of the ball everywhere and we can’t let them into the 18 too easily.”
On Atlanta’s two quick goals in the second half...
“That first goal hurt. I guess it deflated us a little bit, and then we can’t give up a set-piece goal like that right after. We have to turn back on, focus and make sure we get through the end of the game without conceding another goal, especially that quick together.”
On D.C. United’s adjustments heading into next match...
“We have a lot to fix. It will be good for us to not travel for a weekend, get our bearings straight and then we want to get a win. We need a win, especially at home, because we have another long road ahead of us.”
