LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 29, 2021

Jesus Murillo

Press Conference

Portland 2, LAFC 1

JESUS MURILLO: First and foremost, I want to thank our supporters. They continue to be the best and make our home the best in the League, so I'm very thankful for them. As far as tonight's match, it's football where we look and we try different methods, and we're doing good but it doesn't -- it doesn't give. The opponent in this case gets two goals with less of an effort and that's football, but we must continue working, working hard every day and we must continue believing in ourselves and our group, and with that, we'll continue pushing and try to get the objectives.

I had an opportunity to say some words to the team in the locker room. Tonight the mistakes were not really mistakes from the group, but my individual, but I did say we must continue to work, and committing mistakes like tonight, we really can't afford that. But you know, the group is strong. We're humble. We're united.

We work hard and we wake up every day to achieve great things for this great institution, and you know, like I said, we're conscious about what we need to do and continue fighting and correct those mistakes, and we'll work towards getting to those results.

It's definitely a hard situation. I believe we must be more alert. We're in a position where we miss an opportunity and then they capitalize. So just continue working on that and hopefully we can turn it around.

Q. Can you talk about the game coming up against the Galaxy and the rivalry?

JESUS MURILLO: As you know, you mention the rivalry, and yeah, I agree, it's a new opportunity to turn it around, a great opportunity in the derby. We are going to continue working hard as we believe in our team and our teammates and our work. Like you said, we do have a new opportunity this weekend to turn it around and hopefully go from there.

Q. You mentioned that you spoke to the team. Is that something that you normally do, and what type of leader would you characterize yourself as?

JESUS MURILLO: Yeah, the times I've spoken hasn't always been in situations like today where the -- where I made individual mistakes and it was a situation where I wanted to own up to it and make the team aware that it wasn't something that the team did.

But I also wanted them to know that I am going to work hard every day and continue working hard ask to make sure that I'm there when they need me.

Q. Why is that important for you to speak up and own your mistakes?

JESUS MURILLO: I think it was important that they know that I acknowledge not only my mistakes but also their efforts. Everyone put in a great effort tonight. They are also a young group, so sometimes when things don't go our way, it makes it a little difficult to think straight but it's important to take ownership.

That's how we learn from our mistakes, and we're human. We make mistakes. We make adjustments. We wake up every day and have a new shot at everything. That's why I think it's important.

Q. How did the team respond to your message?

JESUS MURILLO: Just very warming that it's a humble group that continues to take in our teammates. Yeah, the group is young but everyone has a big heart and everyone supported me, so I'm very happy to share a locker room with a team that's not only talented but overall they are beautiful people. You know, as far as your second question, as the positives, yeah, I mean, our team always plays and the respect is always seen on the field.

Today the rival made use of the time and that's okay; that's soccer. But home or away, we always impose our game and make sure that everyone knows that we're there. You know, we're in a situation where results aren't going our way but in soccer, anything can turn around at any time. We must continue to work together and give confidence to each teammate. But yeah, that's it.