New York Red Bulls Head Coach Troy Lesesne
On facing a coach like Bruce Arena…
Yeah, so the first part of the question, again, appreciate the question, and I really appreciate you referencing someone like Bob Lilley. That's a guy that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I spoke to him maybe a month and a half ago, actually, as they were going into play Cincinnati in the Open Cup. Because that's what the matchup would have been if we would have we would have progressed obviously versus them. So, he's someone that I think is maybe one of the smartest coaches certainly at the Second Division level but even at any division, this guy's incredible. And again, his record reflects that he's won everywhere he's been and in a similar fashion with someone like Bruce Arena. I said this going into the game, he's someone that I look up to more than he understands. Because he's done it for such a long period of time at such a high level. And that's what someone like myself aspires to do, and it's very difficult to do that. I have a long way to go to ever reach anywhere close to Bob Lilley or Bruce Arena, and what they've done in the game, but I learned a ton from him even in the match the other night. One thing in particular, which I mentioned after the game, him bringing on four players at one time when they're down a man is something that I'll remember because he sent a clear message to us. He sent a clear message to his team that this game wasn't over there's a lot of fight left and there was.
On the play of Frankie Amaya…
It's hard to get center midfielders to score goals, you know, especially the type of demand that they have against the ball for us. Also what Frankie does with the ball. I mean, he's probably one of our best playmakers in terms of breaking lines. But similar to Cristian Casseres, he would produce goals from the central midfield role and when you have that it just relieves pressure a lot of times for everyone else. And so I think Frankie's done that and that's what I'm talking about him being a leader and taking on some of that responsibility. I'm happy to see that and I hope it provides more confidence and relieves that pressure for our 10s and our 9s so they feel confident they can go and score goals as well which, the more we're able to have multiple goal matches, which we've done often lately, I think the better chance we have to win.
On Ibrahim Kasule’s call up…
This kid has come in and worked tirelessly for the second team and trying to improve his status and work his way up to the first team. He is a wonderful personality, and he has a lot of personality, which I think shows up on the field. He's very confident but he's also very humble. So his opportunity to be in the roster the other night was earned. He wants that next opportunity of getting his first appearance. I think the more times he's able to continue to produce goals but also help his team win, which I think the second team has been very consistent in their form in terms of being able to get results as well. It's only going to help every one of those players that are case towards getting their next opportunity. And you know this this weekend, or excuse me this week versus Cincinnati he could very well be involved in the roster again.
New York Red Bulls Forward Dante Vanzeir
On having his family watch him…
Yeah, it is always good to get more minutes and especially when family is around. It is always nice to be able to play and back in Belgium they use to come to every game, every home game and watch me play, of course it is a little bit more difficult when I’m here in New York. Yeah, it is nice, my family is over here now for two weeks. They got to see some games and it is actually their last home game right now against Cincinnati that they can witness so yeah, let’s make it a good one and hopefully a night to remember.
On adapting to MLS…
I think in general, the whole team helped me a lot. We have been through some difficult times, but I think they showed me. Yeah, like that the Red Bulls are a real family, so it is difficult to have one specific person that really helped me. I think the game talks for itself and everybody here loves the game and it brings the kind of bonding toward each other and I remember a lot of people talking with me the first days I have arrived so I had a good feeling with this team and that helps me also to find my rhythm to find my form. Yeah, let’s say pay them back with hopefully goals and assists.