2021 MLS CUP: PORTLAND VS NEW YORK CITY

December 9, 2021

Ronny Deila

Sean Johnson

New York City FC

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Can you start by telling us your thoughts going into the MLS Cup?

RONNY DEILA: We are excited of course. Had good travel over here, prepared and did will do everything in our power to win and take the trophy home to New York. That's of course our goal.

Injury-wise, as we have been the last times, Taty is back again after suspension, so everything is good so far into the game.

Q. Sean, start with you, two parts. First being for you as one of the longest tenured players on this club, what would the significance be of seeing a MLS Cup come to New York City, and how have you seen this year's team be different in comparison to what's previously been discussed, the heartbreaks of past playoff experiences?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I think for me personally, being at this club now for five years, understanding the standard this club has and how much it means to put ourselves in position to win an MLS Cup, it means everything. Just understanding the passion the fans have had over the years and the support we've had from the organization and everybody involved, it's a special moment for us and one that we are definitely want to go take advantage of.

Second question, I think this team, I think we consider ourselves a family and I think when you look at past years, and this year more than any, we've shown a togetherness and a willingness to do anything and everything for each other and playing for a purpose, and that purpose has been very united and very, very similar for each and every one of us, not only players, but staff across the organization.

I think everybody playing for a similar objective and the meaning being a lot more than just on the field has definitely set this team apart from past years.

Q. You guys had an interesting season where you started well and went through a really rough patch in beginning of the fall and the summer. In the game at Atlanta where you got the equalizer on the free kick seemed like a turning point. What were the emotions heading into that game where the scoreless streak might extend and you might get another loss? And then after, how did it set you up for this run you've been on since?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, that was a run I think where most of our team -- it really brought us together. In a season, you never know what's going to happen. You're going to have ups, you're going to have downs. You're going to have moments of the season that define your team either way.

I think it brought us together in a way that you saw culminate with that Atlanta game, and that summed our team up in terms of our attitude and mentality, fighting until the end, believing in each other and believing that we are going to get the result.

We knew it was just a matter of time, but every single one of the players, staff, was committed to finding, finding a way to get ourselves back on track and on the path to achieving what we want to achieve.

I look at those as learning experiences, and you know, going through that adversity, being through those situations, I think we've used them for the positive, and we've gotten ourselves to this point because of those situations.

Q. Have you been practicing the possibility that the team defense can go man to man against Taty or zone?

RONNY DEILA: I don't know if Portland is going to do something new, but I have seen so much man against man. Obviously they are very good in zone defending, of closing the center of the pitch and try to stop switches through them, and they are good organized, of course, and very, very hard to stop on counterattacks.

So for us, it's of course going to be important to play quick and that we manage to play through them and put Taty up as many situations as possible inside the 18-yard box. That's of course the main goal for every team.

But we have done that many times this year, and I think Taty is different from the other players who play a little bit behind him. He has the physique. He has the threat of the spaces and the others is very good between the lines. I think the players together is doing each other good, and that's going to be an important thing into the game.

Q. You guys are unbeaten in your last eight. How does that impact this team in terms of confidence and momentum now heading into Saturday?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, you know, being unbeaten in the last eight, for us it's about finding form, and obviously the last three games have been playoff games, and to get to this point, we had to win to advance. So for us, we're always putting our best foot forward, trying to win every single game, stepping on the pitch, and this run has just been symbolic of, again, the work ethic and commitment of the group to get it right.

You know, we want to look to put those eight games together and make it nine because, you know, now we understand the moment and understand what we've been working so hard for. But I think to everybody here, it would be worth it more so than anything Saturday to get that ultimate last win.

Q. How do you feel like you've grown and improved in your time since you've been with New York City FC? And Ronny, just what has stood out to you about Sean both as a player and as a person since you've started working with him?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, since coming to the club, I think you know, five years ago, everybody at the club has a rich history in this club, and so many players, staff, coaches have been at this club, and I think there's been a commitment to excellence.

So for me, when I arrived, you know, the club welcomed me with open arms. There was a different style of play. There was a certain period of adaptation that I think helped me grow as a player both on and off the field. We have such a diverse locker room, guys from different backgrounds all over the world.

And, you know, really learning how to bring that all together to become a successful family I think was the most important thing and something that I definitely am appreciative of.

So, yeah, this club has given me everything and more so the opportunity to step into a place that, again, has such high standards, and we finally have gotten to the point where we are on the verge of achieving something that we've all been working so hard for.

RONNY DEILA: Of course, everyone knows that Sean is a fantastic goalkeeper and has been for many years for the club. Has played himself in the national team for the U.S. and done a really good season here, and this year is the same. Of course I see also the personality with Sean. I think always professional, 100 percent committed in everything you do.

And he cares about everyone around him. And that's also one of the reasons why he's the captain of the team, because he goes out in front with the values we want to have, and want to be better, want to practice, want to perform, and at the same time also take care of everybody.

And I say, it's a diverse group, many different personalities, language, and to be a leader for them and bring them together is very important. He's done a fantastic job in that way as well. So I think that's also some of the main things that has improved this season.

As I said, as a family, we take care of each other and we worry about taking everybody in the same direction. And I think Sean has been very, very important in that way. So of course, pitch, fantastic, but also what's been done now outside the pitch, and to show the values and the character you need to have to start winning 22 games.

Q. It's sometimes a challenge for a team playing in their first MLS Cup championship is that trying to make the week as normal as possible with your preparation, but there's a lot of distractions and things like what you're doing right now. So maybe, Ronny, you first, how do you address that with the team, and how are you going about trying to keep it kind of a normal week of preparation?

RONNY DEILA: I think it's been not only one week now. It's been a Cup final for us in two months. So I just feel this is another game in a long period. And we have gone unbeaten in eight games.

That's what's great with this group. I think we have been very calm all the time. I haven't felt that we have played big games. I felt that we just get ourselves ready and we go out and perform and we do it together and we think about what we can do something with.

It's a matter of performance, and we have the confidence. We know that if we are performing well, we are beating anybody, and that's also the teams playing against us now. And we have shown that over and over again over a long time, and this week it's the same thing.

I think when you have bad periods, it's important to try to have fun, laugh, enjoy winning. You have to keep the momentum, keep enjoying being together. And sometimes you can feel the season is very, very long and you just want to have vacation. But I feel we are in the middle of the season all the time just during this two months, and that's a very, very good sign.

We train today, two individual and one more before we go to play this fantastic game. And I see the mood and the intensity and the desire is there, as it's been for the last ten months. That's a good thing. That's -- I think when you're going to be together so much and we can keep the energy so long, says something about how we have to -- how we are together, and that's been very, very good.

So for me, it's like -- it's more like, I don't feel, but the final is there. Yes, we are in different things, but I'm quite convinced that we are in the right mode to go out and perform.

Q. You're at the end of your second year, not only with MLS but with New York City FC. Why did you take on this job and adventure in North America, and how do you feel now approaching the end of your second year in terms of the experience?

RONNY DEILA: I always have a desire of being a coach in the U.S., to experience the country, experience the league. And when you get the opportunity to also come to New York City Football Club, it's a special place. In my mind, there was no doubt when that opportunity was coming.

What I see now, two years later, there's been a lot of things going on with COVID and all different things. But it's been two amazing years. I've learned a lot about myself. I've learned a lot about football. I've learned a lot about U.S. and the club and MLS and everything, and I'm a better coach now than I was two years ago.

And that's always my goal when I do things. I want to do things that develops me and gives me new experiences. And now when we have come so far as well, it's just making it even better because these moments is what you live for. They are special. That's why you do these jobs, to achieve something with a fantastic group and a great club, supporters.

Hopefully it's going to be more.

Q. In a game like this one, is it more important to rile up the fans more or have them be surprised?

RONNY DEILA: I think it's very difficult to say what's going to happen in the game. You know, we are prepared for what Portland is. But a final is a final. I've been through some of them before, and they live them over their own lives.

In the beginning, of course, there's going to be a lot of energy on both teams, I'm sure, and then we'll settle down and we'll see how the game goes. But always is to defend. Well, and especially against Portland. If you don't defend, they will hurt you. And the same if they don't defend, we will hurt them.

So start with that, get the foundation right, and then of course you have to move the ball well and create difficulty for them. And that's what we aim to do, but in the beginning, of course, get settled and get safety into the team, and then we build from there.

Q. You and Portland were pretty evenly matched in the regular season, but now the stadium is going to be packed and it's going to be loud on Saturday. Do you consider yourselves the underdogs and Portland have the burden of expectation? Is that something that you can use to your advantage? And to Ronny, can you talk about the importance of Taty to the team, not just with his goals, but everything he brings on and off the ball, and how big is it for to you have him back for the final?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I don't think this team considers ourselves as underdogs. I don't think we ever have. I think we've been a team that's been confident in our abilities. As Ronny said earlier, we've approached every game the past month or two as Cup finals, but we've approached it in a way that we've been even keel and understanding that if we stick to the things that have gotten us the success that we know we can achieve, that we're confident as a group going into the game.

So we enjoy playing in good atmospheres, and we've done that at home at Yankee Stadium for season after season now, and going and seeing the different places. Obviously this is going to be a great atmosphere on Saturday.

But I think big thing for our group is that we've embraced all these moments, all the moments along the way. We don't look at it as something that's a negative but more so that we have worked hard. We deserve to be here. We'll enjoy every second of this week, the preparation. And going into this Saturday, we'll look to do the same.

RONNY DEILA: Of course I talked a lot about Taty before, and you know, he's a very important player for us. His values is one thing on the pitch. You see how he's fearless and he's very physical. He's a killer, and that's things that gives the whole team energy and belief. And I think his psychology, I think it's an important thing in the games. So the pressure he puts his starter pressure every time. He battles for every ball and that just gives a lot to the team and everybody looks at him and he put that first.

And also of course his ability to score goals and to attack spaces, that's important. So he gives more space to the other players around him because of his strength up front and inside the box.

And I talked a lot about leadership during the two years I've been here. Sean has been a natural leader all the time and been captain this year. We have lost some players who has been leaders, and then somebody else has to step up, and Taty is one of them that has really stepped up going up front and shown in training and matches that, here, this is the way we go. And then to have that in the central line is important with Maxim, Callens, Sean, and then Alfredo, James, Maxime and Taty. That's an important central line that's brought us a lot of success.

Q. Ronny, you won a couple of Cups in Europe, and I wanted to get you to compare and contrast what the experience there is like to the MLS Cup?

RONNY DEILA: I think it's very big for me personally to win this I think would be one of the biggest things I've ever achieved. It's one of the toughest to do, it's 28 teams competing on the same economic level, and to do that, you have to get the most out of what you have, and that's a big, big honor if we can achieve that on Saturday. You train Celtic; you have to win. The differences are so big. It's Rangers, Celtic and then the others are way behind. So if you're playing 80 percent, you have a big chance to win the league.

But of course Cups is different in Norway, as well. When I was winning, was a little bit underdogs and go and win the Cup in the league, but this is going to be a huge one. I think the whole energy around MLS is getting better and it's the start of something big that's going to happen in the U.S. with soccer, because you see the kids around playing soccer everywhere. I see the interest is getting more and more, not only from here but also from Europe.

So for me, I'm delighted to be here and I'm just looking forward to the future because this country knows sports and they know how to create a lot of -- a lot of support and energy into it, so it's just -- I think it's a bright future.

Q. Can you talk about how your abilities help you in your communication on and off the field with your centerbacks, Chanot and Callens?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I think it's important, the communication between, you know, not only the center backs but everybody on the team. The guys you referenced in particular with Maxime and Callens, we have been at this club since I've gotten to the club, we've all played together and we've grown together as well. Getting to know each other on and off the pitch, a big part of that's communication and a big part of that is just playing day-in and day-out together and going through a lot of those experiences, both good and bad, and it really has kind of shaped I think how we are as players and helped us grow as people as well. Definitely happy for the relationships with those two in particular.

And yeah, looking forward. It's been a long journey but we definitely -- nothing means more than a win on Saturday to us. We talked about that week-in and week-out and that's what our goal was coming to the season, and now we're right there.

Q. Ronny, Sebastián Blanco was obviously very influential for Portland down the stretch. His status is uncertain. How do you prepare your team for the possibility of him starting from the beginning or potentially coming off the bench?

RONNY DEILA: We've been talking a lot during the hundreds of press conferences I have had here in the MLS about specific players, and Blanco is one of them who is really good, of course, but I have top four players plus a couple on the bench, as well, that can cause any team problems.

So again, it's not about one guy. It's about stopping them as the team, and if players, good players get a lot of space, they become really good. It's not only Blanco; it's whatever player you play against who has quality, and that's why everything is about how we close spaces and make it tight for them; and that is very little time and space in the situation around the box, because he can hurt us.

And we've been good at that this year. We've been defensively very solid, and that's the foundation, as I said before, that we have to have there to get the results.

Q. I know you played Portland in the MLS is Back Tournament last year, but a tournament you don't play a lot, east versus west, how much time did it take you to prepare for them and get used to their trends and see what you're going to be able to do to attack them and defend them? And for Sean and Taty, you've had a couple tough road games, the win in New England and having to come-from-behind against Philadelphia, so how much can you take from those experiences and be able to use that in this match on Saturday?

RONNY DEILA: I've used of course, a lot of hours now to see a lot of games of Portland but to give them a compliment, it's easy to see what they are good at and not so good at. At the same time they are very clear in how they play and that for me is a compliment. Then you see what they have defensively and offensively.

I think every coach, we have played in MLS so many different styles, so many different teams and so many different places to play, artificial, in the heat, up in the mountains, it can be everything.

So I think everybody knows how to do it, but you have to know how to do it within your own style because we have to be ourselves. I think the small things that we have to do right to get the best possible chance to win, and I think this point is very clear for me. We start to get that into the players as well, and so they are ready for Saturday.

SEAN JOHNSON: As a team, we've had a lot of experiences both -- both through playoff games with the lead-up to this game and also with the regular season all the way back to preseason as well. I think it's important as a group to take those experiences and learn from them, learn from the good, learn from the bad. Take those moments; you can't replicate being away at New England or being away at Philly in the playoffs with the single goal in mind of advancing to the next round. Those are experiences you have to have as a player and you get those by being involved in those games and in big matches.

So I think we have a group that's prepared. We understand that it's a Cup final, but again, Saturday is its own game, and no one knows how that game is going to start, how that game is going to go, but I think what's important is that, you know, whatever happens in the game, I think we can prepare the best we can for whatever happens and be able to adapt, be able to react and ultimately put our best foot forward I think is where those past experiences in the past games are going to come into play Saturday.

THE MODERATOR: With that, we thank New York City FC for your participation in today's press conference.