2022 MLS CUP: LAFC VS PHILADELPHIA

November 3, 2022

Daniel Gazdag

Banc of California Stadium

Philadelphia Union

Pregame Press Conference

Q. This is the first time Philadelphia Union are in the MLS Cup final. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans watching back in Philly and the fans making the trip here to LA?

DANIEL GAZDAG: We have great fans at home. I'm sure a lot of them will come here, as well, and support us, and we have to say thank you for them for the support the whole season.

Q. Daniel, just wanted to ask, obviously last year you came in, new adjustment to a new league, country, and then this year your production and stats have really jumped up. What things have changed for you from last off-season to this season to help Philadelphia get to this point today?

DANIEL GAZDAG: Yeah, last year I arrived during the season. The team played already 10 games almost when I got here. I needed time to get used to everything. It was a huge change for me, for my family, as well. So I needed time to get used to my teammates. They needed time to get used to my playing style.

Yeah, I think the key is the time.

This year, just everything worked out well. They know me. I know them better. I know the style, how the team plays. That's why I scored more goals and gave more assists.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the differences in a team like Philadelphia and a team like Los Angeles, and what are their basic differences? One team has a lot of big-name players, the other team is sort of blue collar. How would you characterize the differences between the two teams?

DANIEL GAZDAG: I would like to say more about our side. We have a very good team. We are together. We don't have big names like them, but our strength is in the team, and we are fighting and working for each other every time.

Every game if we need somebody, every time somebody asks, they just step forward and shows that he's good and he can help us. For example, last game Blake had a great save when we were down 1-0, and after that we scored the equalizer goal.

So I would say that our strength is in the team, and they have obviously very good players individually, which we respect, but I really believe that we have a better team.

Q. For you, what's it like during this playoff push, and also kind of being in the middle of a sporting culture where you guys are doing well but the other major teams in this city are doing well? I think it's a lot different from what goes on in Europe and everything.

DANIEL GAZDAG: Yeah, the system of the league is different here. We are really excited that we have the Eagles and the Phillies who are doing great this season, and we support them and are rooting for them. I hope they can win it, as well, and obviously us.

So it's exciting for me as a European. How you said, it's different, but it's also good.

Q. Both Andre and Alejandro talked about the change in culture that Philadelphia experienced. Obviously you weren't there for most of this change. You just arrived. But when you entered the locker room, what did you see from the team? What was that change in culture that you first met when you arrived in Philadelphia?

DANIEL GAZDAG: I think I arrived in the new culture. A lot of things doesn't change since I'm here. We have some new players, but since I'm here, I feel the same, that we are playing for the win every time, and we want to show that we have a very good team, and we want to win as many games as we can and as many trophies as we can.