Marlon LeBlanc’s View
How do you evaluate the result, especially considering how the match ended late?
“That’s one of the top teams in the league. Under most circumstances, we’d probably be really pleased with a 1–1 result. But the way it ended in the last second of the game, seeing them steal a point when you felt like you had all three, leaves a bit of a disappointing taste.”
What was your message to the team after the match, and what do you want to see from the group moving forward?
“We told the guys we have to pick our teammate up. We made an error, but we have another game on the weekend, so we’ve got to lift each other and come together. These are the moments where real teams show what they’re made of.”
Match Reactions
Markus Anderson, forward, #35
Walk us through your goal from outside the box, what did you see in that moment and how did it feel to deliver such an important contribution?
“I felt good. We started by building out from the back. It came from all of us pushing forward in a pressing moment, and I was in the right place at the right time. I slid it into the bottom corner. It felt good, helped my confidence a little, helped the team. It felt good.”
You’ve stepped into a major role this season as one of the younger players, what has helped you perform so consistently and lead the team in goals and assists?
“I would say what helps me the most is having good teammates around me. Everyone has great quality and pushes each other in training. I also have my old coach here with me, who always pushes me, tells me what I should be doing, and helps me day in and day out. Overall, this team gives me the confidence I need to keep performing.”
Vuk Latinovich, center back, #6
How would you assess the defensive performance as a unit?
“We could be pretty satisfied that we kept one of the best teams in the league at zero goals up until the 95th minute. I think overall we held our own. Over the last two to three games, we’ve shown as a unit that we can go up against anyone and really compete against any offense. As a team, we’ve defended collectively really well the past couple of games.”
As a center back, you’re not only defending but also helping initiate attacks, how do you approach balancing those responsibilities within the team’s system?
“We’ve been set up to play in a way that satisfies the players we have. All the guys in the backline are capable of playing long balls and playing in between lines, and the way the team is set up allows us to do that. At times, we have to be a little more direct, and other times we can play more, it all depends on the opponent and how they’re set up. I think we did a bit of both today and created problems in both ways.”
