On his side’s entrance into the 2018 U.S. Open Cup:
“We excited and we’re certainly looking forward to the Open Cup. We certainly want to thank [UofL men’s soccer head coach] Ken [Lolla] and everybody over at UofL for allowing us to go and play there. I think it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to access to that stadium and that field so again, many thanks to UofL for all of their help with that. But, that’s Wednesday, we have a big game on Sunday so our eyes are fixed on that.”
On injury updates ahead of the Nashville trip:
“[Kyle Smith] obviously got a knock and had to get his eye glued and then went back on, but he’s a tough lad. We’re really pleased with how he’s been and great to Kyle for just getting on with it. I thought he could’ve done with some stitches but he was able to get it glued and get back in there. That’s the type of attitude that we want to see and it’s great that we have that with Kyle.”
On regrouping after the team’s first loss of the season:
“I think the biggest thing for us is the intensity in training, it’s been great. I think looking at Nashville, they’ve obviously got a lot of experience. The field there is a little narrower than what we’re used to playing on, so for us, it’ll be an interesting test because they’ve got some really good players, a very good coach, and it’s another regional rivalry. It’s a game we’re excited about and really looking forward to.”
On playing narrower:
“I think when we’re at our best we look to be big–as big as we can get–we’re very expansive. I think when it’s like that, it gives teams a chance to get men around the ball a little easier to pressure. But [Nashville] have been playing well, they’ve got some good results, some good football, so we need to be very mindful of them and to obviously make sure that what we need to do this week in regards to our training load and our intensity makes us prepped and ready to go for what will be a very tough game on Sunday.”
On if it’s easier to prepare having already played Nashville this year:
“I think the challenge was, in the first game of the season you’re never quite sure—brand new team, brand new franchise—you have maybe an idea of what you think you might get but you’re not sure. They’ve changed formation in the last couple of games so again, who’s to say they won’t change formation against us? We’ll just have to wait and see how the game goes. I’ve got a lot of respect for [Nashville SC coach] Gary [Smith], he’s a very experienced coach. They have very experienced players and they’ve signed David Edgar, who wasn’t involved the last time we played. For us, whether it’s Nashville or whatever team in the league, it’s going to be a very intense and very tough game, especially when you’ve got the regional rivalries with Cincinnati, Nashville, and Indy—they’re great games for us all to be involved in. We’re excited and looking forward to the game on Sunday.”
On being named Coach of the Month for April:
“It’s a testament to the players and to the work that [assistant coach] Daniel [Byrd] and [goalkeeping coach] Thabane [Sutu] have done. I get the title or award of Coach of the Month, but really the players have been exceptional. I think they deserve enormous credit and Daniel and Thabane, the work that they’ve been doing behind the scenes, I don’t think the two lads there get the credit they deserve. For me, I’m very pleased to accept it but I’m accepting it on behalf of the players and on behalf of Daniel and Thabane because they’ve been putting on some really solid work.”
On working with the University of Louisville for Lynn Stadium:
“It’s huge! For us, we obviously have our stadium coming in 2020 so for UofL to help us out like this, it’s massive. We’re very appreciative of the fact that we’re going to be able to go over there and play. We’re very grateful to them for helping us out and for solidifying the partnership. I get along great with Ken, have huge respect, great coach and he has a great program there. It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to get that for Wednesday.”
