Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez
On the extra-time comeback victory…
So proud of the guys. I think that, we talk about being resilient, we talk about dealing with adversity. We said tonight the only way that we can predict the future is by doing it together. And, the key right now is to really focus on one game at a time.
Even when we go down in games, I know we will want that one back. There’s such a belief in resilience to just keep going, keep playing our way. And look, I haven’t seen all the statistics yet, but I know I felt like we had a lot of the ball. I felt like we had more opportunities and sure enough these guys are just pushing through and have a level of resilience. Again, I couldn’t be more proud of them.
On performing in adverse weather conditions…
Again, a credit to them. I think it was hard to see on TV, but the heat definitely was a factor. I think that Phoenix is also a team that wants to have the ball. So, it’s still being protective and diligent in our press, but also trying to do it at the right time. The guys put in a great shift physically as well.
On continuing to find ways to improve…
One, we talk a lot about when we arrive into the final third. How we can continue to improve our decision-making in the moments where we have space and we have the advantage to be a little bit more cutthroat and actually finish the attacks versus retaining the ball and playing in our attacking half and allowing us to have close connections.
I didn’t think that we did a good enough job of that in the first half, which led to some transition moments, but with that said, I thought that when it came to defending our penalty area in our box, guys are putting themselves on the line and doing everything they can to stop those opportunities. That is something that we’ve been talking about and working on all season long.”
On extending the unbeaten streak…
I feel good. Look, we’re still going to take a one game at a time. I think our motto all year is don’t get too high, don’t get too low.
Again, Phoenix is a good side. They have really good players. There’s a reason why they won it last year. I think that this is just another step in building momentum and the belief within the group. These guys are flying at the right time.
