FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez
On the team's performance tonight…
The first 20 to 25 minutes of the match we were up against the ropes. They were generating crosses and taking shots. We were forced to make plays defensively. We definitely suffered. We talked before the game as a team, about suffering. The game is not a beauty pageant and we have to be better at suffering and not getting frustrated. We have to learn how to weather these tough moments. Whether it’s at the beginning of the half, the beginning of the game or the end of the game. We have to weather the difficult moments and do it together and find a way. That’s a mentality we want to keep improving and that’s the attitude we want to keep improving. I think that is something that we showed today. The game in life is not perfect but if we can keep responding and not reacting. To respond to sticking to the plans, keep believing, making runs, and push on to the next play. I thought we met the resilience over 90 minutes and I think this is the most complete game we’ve had this season. We have to grab it as a reference and grow with it and do it even better.
On Ricardo Pepi’s performance…Â
If you ask him how many goals he could’ve scored tonight he would tell you four. That’s just his hunger and desire he has. We’re starting to see his potential and we always talk in terms of challenging him. We know you’re the player of the future but it’s up to you to work hard to be that player now. We saw him show an example that can be that player now. We take it one step at a time and he’s a humble kid. He’s such a respectful young man, he comes from a great family and he just wants to work his butt off. Whether he scores or his teammates score he just wants to help the team win. I’m so proud of him. Now it’s very clear he’s going to get marked harder and teams are going to be more physical and teams will be scouting him. His job is only going to get harder. I know he has this mentality to train the extra and to do the extra and think the extra so he can help his team.
FC Dallas winger Szabolcs SchönÂ
On how he’s adjusting to MLS…
The first month was difficult for me because of the travel. For me, it was like 12 hours from Hungary to the U.S, and after three weeks I had to go to the Euros. And after I came back here again, so the first month was a bit difficult. But I trained well and I’m really happy to have made my first start tonight.
On his comfort level with his new teammates…
The first two or three games were a little difficult because my teammates didn’t know me, how I play, my movements. But I think in training we started to know each other and I’m very happy.
On how he’s worked to improve the team…
Nothing is impossible. You can reach a high level if you train hard, if you play hard and not give up. Like I said, the first month was difficult for me but I think I played and trained well so I’m really happy.
FC Dallas forward Ricardo Pepi
Thoughts on the importance of tonight’s win…
The most important thing is that the team knew that we had to win. I wasn’t really expecting to score a hat trick, I had the opportunities and I put them away. The team wanted to win, I wanted to win so I think that was important.
Thought on starting at the nine position…
I was happy to start at the nine again, I feel like that is my strong position. I was happy I had different players on the field, I had all my team supporting me, so I was very excited to go out and play.
Meaning behind tonight’s hat trick…
A year ago today my grandpa passed away so it was for him, this night was for him. It was a very special night, I knew I was going to do this. It was for him, all three goals were dedicated to him. His name was the same name as me, I’m the second. He was down there in El Paso and my grandma is back home by herself, so it’s for him.
Thoughts on the performance at home…
I feel like at home the team just starts more aggressive, we start with no fear. I feel like the fans give us the confidence I feel like we have to bring that confidence to away games and if we fix that then we can have great away competition.
