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QUOTE SHEET | Minnesota, Rayo OKC Improve Stock In The Championship Race

Find out how coaches and players reacted to results in Week 16
NASL Staff (@naslofficial} | Oct 17, 2016

Photo credit: Rayo OKC

The New York Cosmos clinched the Fall Season title and the No. 1 seed in The Championship, while Minnesota Unired and Rayo OKC improved their positions in the race for the final postseason spot. 

Here's how coaches and players reacted to a thrilling Week 16: 

Rayo OKC coach Gerard Nus on the team’s second-half performance in the win over Ottawa

“We knew we played a mediocre first half that wasn’t good enough, but at halftime we were challenged to take it to Ottawa and play with no fear, I think we did that and we are happy to move on to face Fort Lauderdale. We just need to keep winning.”

Ottawa Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish on the loss

"I'm disappointed. At the beginning of the match I felt that we had control, but once [Rayo] OKC scored we started playing a type of soccer I've never seen us play before."

Minnesota United coach Carl Craig on a confidence-boosting win over FC Edmonton

"Absolutely massive, we're in a good position, we've got the three points, we go to Carolina next week. We can go into Carolina now with a bit of confidence knowing that we can get results, so in that regard it's good, it's positive.”

Minnesota forward Christian Ramirez on the team’s togetherness

“The guys put in a shift tonight, it could have gone south really early, we were pumping them and they somehow sneak in a goal. But, the guys stuck together and that's what we talked about before the game and at halftime and throughout the game if we huddled up – that's what we were talking about just to stick together and we ended up getting that third goal that was so crucial.”

FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller on looking to bounce back in the next game

“We will have to regroup. Hopefully within the next few games we will be back up and running again, but we can’t defend as poorly as we did tonight and expect to come here and get a result. It’s been a very tough road trip, three games in a week takes some doing, but we will regroup next week.”

Fort Lauderdale Strikers coach Caio Zanardi on getting a key win to remain in the postseason race

“I spoke to the players beforehand that this was a mandatory match [to win]. A tough game, a nervous game, but in the end we prevailed.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell on earning a draw against Miami FC

"I'm very pleased with our performance in the second half. It was a tough start to the game, but credit to our guys for putting in a shift and finding the equalizer. With the final playoff spot up for grabs, this point was very important for us."

Tampa Bay midfielder Juan Guerra on his equalizer

"It was great to get the equalizer since I think we played very well after they gained a two-goal lead. The team is working hard to get into the playoffs and I think it showed tonight with our effort. Miami is a good team, but we were able to limit their chances, especially in the second half."

Miami FC coach Alessandro Nesta on how his side played in the draw

"We started the first half well and scored early. We started the second half poorly but fought well at the end of the match."

Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson on keeping a clean sheet in a win over the Carolina RailHawks

“We talked before the Jacksonville game [on Wednesday] that, come playoff time, being a team that believes they can shut out an opponent means that if you’re not attacking brilliantly, not getting your shots off, or certain crosses aren’t finding their mark, that as long as you aren’t giving up anything then it’s still yours to win. Sometimes it’s the opponent that makes the mistake and beats themselves, so the priority on the clean sheet doesn’t mean that you’re only defending. It’s obvious tonight that we got out and played, but having the confidence to keep teams out means we can go to Tampa Bay and hopefully keep them out as well.”

Jacksonville Armada FC coach Mark Lowry on his team’s belief despite the loss to New York

“There was a good confidence about the group tonight, and it showed in the performance.”

Jacksonville midfielder Zach Steinberger on the tough result

“Heartbreak, man. That’s like getting broken up with in middle school by the girl you’ve loved since kindergarten.”

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