2021 MLS CUP: PORTLAND VS NEW YORK CITY

December 11, 2021

Alfredo Morales

New York City FC

Postgame Press Conference

New York City 1, Portland 1

4-2 Penalties

Q. What was the mood on the field when that late goal goes in, and how did you rally yourselves and regain your composure and be able to go on for the win?

ALFREDO MORALES: Yeah, of course, in the first moment, it's devastating. We deserved to win, but we gave up a goal -- that's how it is. This is soccer. You have to get up again and stick together, be calm and do your job. Just keep on going. We struggled for a few minutes, we are only human beings, but this group is special. We stuck together and we made it.

Q. I wanted to ask you about the leadership and the performance of the spine of this team with Maxim, your center backs, Taty. The spine has been important for your success this year.

ALFREDO MORALES: Everybody is important, everybody who works for us, the staff, the coaches, everybody is important here. We really believe it, and this group is special. We just deserve it. We just deserve it. I have no words for this team. It's a privilege to be a part of this team. It's just amazing; the work we put in the whole year. We had our ups and downs, but like I said, we stuck together. We went all the way. Give credit to everybody, and like I said, it's just a privilege to be a part of this team.

Q. Just talk about the way that the game unfolded, especially with them equalizing late. Do you think that the way the New England game unfolded where it was similar, you guys took the lead in extra time, they equalize late, and then you guys won in a penalty shootout, do you think that maybe you guys drew on that experience to know that it's okay, you'll be fine, you have Sean back there if it does get to penalties? Did that enter your mind at all?

ALFREDO MORALES: No, not at all. We always talk about before the game that we have to stick to the game plan. Doesn't matter if we score. Doesn't matter if we concede a goal. Doesn't matter if they score in the last second. It's not about this; it's about executing our game plan, be organized, do what we do, and do what makes us who we are.

It's just about getting up and being calm, like I said before, maybe take a deep breath. Just we wanted to win this game, and we wanted to win this game for the fans, for the city, for us, and we made it. That's it.