Academy

Postgame Quotes: Swope Park Rangers 1-4 Reno 1868 FC

Swope Park Rangers head coach Nikola Popovic
Thoughts on the match...

I think the team was absent many times during this game. This was the first time the team didn't appear with the energy that we need to have to play our model. When it's like that and you have a very difficult opponent, then it's always possible you will suffer. And we suffered from the beginning. It was the first minute of the game we suffered a goal. 


On controlling possession but not creating chances...

The scoreboard was right. We had possession but it was not the possession that we want to have. It's a deserved win from Reno. We have to learn from these mistakes. We have to build from this to try to create a new cycle of good performances. This, for sure, wasn't a good one.


Swope Park Rangers midfielder Felipe Hernandez
On his goal...

It's my first professional goal. (James) Musa might have gotten a touch but he pointed at me so I took it. We wanted three points. I keep working hard every 20 minutes, 90 minutes, whatever they give me. I work my butt off.


On his adaptation to the team's system of play...

I've gotten more adapted to the playing style. Sometimes I move up to the first team to play with them a little bit in practice. From the academy to the first team, we play the same. So when you go from one level to another, you already know how the playing style is because it's played throughout the whole organization. So it's an easy transition.


On his adaptation to the professional level...

I'm getting used to the toughness and the bigger guys here in the USL. The academy is a big level but it's just not as strong. The transition has been alright and hopefully will continue to get better.


Reno 1868 FC head coach Ian Russell
Thoughts on the match...

We watched a lot of film on Swope (Park). I'm really impressed with that team and with how they play. They press well. I think we finished our chances. The game got pretty tight after they scored their goal to make it 2-1. I thought we should have had more goals in the first 15 minutes. We should have been up a couple. 


On scoring four against SPR...

We've been scoring a lot of goals all year. We have some dynamic players that like to score. There's no secret really, just trying to play the way we want to play and trying to get goals.


On the team's success in expansion season...

I think we have a really good group of guys that work hard. I was fortunate to be in MLS in the last eight years with the Quakes as an assistant so I know a lot of the players. I had an idea of the players I wanted to get here and I think that helped.


Reno 1868 FC forward Dane Kelly
On leading the USL in goals...

It's been a great season. I've been fit. I'm playing with very good teammates. It's definitely been a very good season.


On scoring against his former club...

It was mixed emotions. I was sad that I have to play my old team and see some of my old teammates. But in the end I was happy with the result that we got.


On Reno's rise in the standings...

We just have to take it game by game. We have to try to three points when we can. If we can get a tie, that's good. We just don't want to lose games.