U17: Aspire Academy vs Seattle Sounders Post-Match Press Conference Day 5

At a post-match press conference, Seattle Sounders Head
Coach Ethan O’Neill emphasized the resilience and character of his team despite
the loss. He acknowledged that losing is part of the game and highlighted how
the squad showed great determination in their previous two matches, which
helped them advance to the semifinals. Expressing pride in his players, he
stressed that the team’s success depended on contributions from all 22 players,
noting that squad rotation was crucial in keeping fresh legs on the field.

Speaking about their opponents, the coach praised Aspire
Academy for their strong performance and talented players. He pointed out that
Aspire was a physically dominant team, with some players being a year or two
older than his squad, making the match even more challenging. However, he
admired the academy’s ability to develop top-tier talent and appreciated the
opportunity to compete against them.

Meanwhile, Aspire Academy Head Coach Alvaro Mejia Perez
reflected on his team’s performance, admitting that their first half was not up
to the mark. He noted that certain attitudes and behaviors affected their game,
which ultimately led to a disappointing result. However, he emphasized the
importance of learning from both victories and defeats, as his young players
are still in the developmental stage. Despite the loss, he commended his team for
fighting until the last minutes and acknowledged Seattle Sounders for their
strong defensive play.

Looking at the broader tournament, the Aspire coach
recognized the progress his team had made, highlighting their solid
performances in previous matches. While he admitted that the first half of this
game was their weakest of the competition, he remained optimistic about the
team’s growth and learning experience. He reassured his players of his support,
expressing confidence that better performances would come in the future.