Post-Game Quote Sheet: MNT vs. Turkey – June 1, 2014

The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Turkey 2-0 on Sunday, June 1, at a sold-out Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. The team commented on its second victory of the Send-Off Series:

U.S. MNT defender FABIAN JOHNSON:
On his first international goal:
“I passed it to Michael [Bradley], got a great pass from Michael to me, and I just hit it perfectly. Being a defender, guys like Jozy [Altidore] or Clint [Dempsey] are better at this job, but I’m just happy that I made the goal.”

On the cohesiveness improving among this 23-player group:
“I think it’s getting better and better. We feel comfortable because we’re together now. We know the runs, the plays and how the guys are playing. We are getting better and better.”

On the result against Turkey:
“Turkey had a great team with good players – technically good players. The one goal was unlucky, but we did pretty well.”

On his role at right back:
“I think it’s always better when you have a role you can focus on. I think I got my position now, I think I’ll play at right back. I can focus on that.”

U.S. MNT midfielder BRAD DAVIS:
On the competition for the starting XI among the 23 players heading into the FIFA World Cup:
“It’s been pretty wide open. I don’t think there’s an official starting lineup for the first game or the second game or the third game. I think you’ve seen over the past year-and-a-half in the qualifiers that Jurgen believes in all the players he’s brought in and played in different situations. I don’t know that we’ve played the same lineup twice. It’s definitely been an open conversation that everybody’s going to get minutes and everybody’s going to have their moment. It just depends on what the coaching staff wants to do at that time.”

On what he brings to the midfield:
“I’m more of an attacking-minded guy. Set pieces are definitely what everybody thinks about and knows about with me in those situations. I think I can bring more than that. I’m more of an attacking guy, I can get wide, I can get service in the box, I can come to the middle and try and create that way and get other guys involved. Especially if we’re down a goal, that’s what I’m going to be looking to do.”

On the game against Turkey:
“We had to give Turkey a little bit of credit. We wanted to come out and try and pinch the midfield, but we weren’t getting pressure on the ball high up the field. When that happened, they were able to switch the ball on us. At halftime we made a little bit of a change and tried to drop Clint [Dempsey] more into the midfield and take that extra guy in there and cut that ball off. Like I said, we have to give them a little bit of credit. In the last game they had a lot of guys in the center of the park. They weren’t really playing out to their wings. Today, they changed it up a little bit and in the second half we had to make an adjustment, as well.”

On the connection among the team:
“It’s been good. No problems with communication. It’s just like any couple players trying to get used to each other and create partnerships. We haven’t necessarily played with each other all that much or all that long. It’s still a bit of a work-in-progress, but I thought things went OK. Not too many dangerous opportunities or things like that. The second goal, we were able to get out and connect on a goal going forward. Defensively, we just need to iron some things, but that’s part of the process.”

On his rejuvenation with the National Team with Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm:
“This has actually been a year-and-a-half plan, to be totally honest. I thought the dream had come and gone. When the coaching change came with Jurgen, a little bit of a light bulb went off, saying maybe there is still a possibility here. I just kept working and he gave me the opportunity, and I’m here today.”

U.S. MNT defender GEOFF CAMERON
On his 90-minute performance at center back:
“It felt good. It was good to be out there today and get 90 minutes under my belt. I’m just keeping my head down and working hard for the team and making sure I’m leaving it all on the field.”

On Clint Dempsey’s performance:
“Clint’s a good player. He’s got confidence. He’s good on the ball. He creates a lot of things. Because he’s a big-name player, people recognize that and they see how deadly and dangerous he is.”

On gelling as a 23-player group in preparation of the FIFA World Cup:
“It is hard. We’re dealing with it. We’re getting along with each other. Guys are working hard for one another. We are all on the same page and that’s the most important thing. There are no guys that are trying to their own thing. Everybody is working together as one.”

U.S. MNT midfielder MICHAEL BRADLEY:
His overall assessment of the Turkey match:
“There are little things that can be tweaked, depending on the opponent and depending on the game. In the first half, defensively we were not as organized as much as we would like. They were able to use some of their skill and technical ability to play through us at times. In the second half, with Kyle [Beckerman] and me next to each other, it gave us a little more of a solid foundation.”

On Fabian Johnson’s play:
“He’s a very good player. I wouldn’t expect anything different. He’s shown since the first day that we’ve had him around that he’s just a good soccer player. There’s not much else to say. You can play him at right back, you can play him at left back, right midfield, left midfield – he’s just a good soccer player. Every team in the world could use those types of guys.”

On the connection he had in setting up Johnson’s goal:
“Fabian and I have a really good relationship. Since the first time that he’s come in to the National Team, he and I have a good understanding. He gives me the ball in good spots and with good timing. Today was the same. He gave it to me and I know his movement off the ball is really good. He told me with the way he was running where he wanted it, and it was a great finish by him.”

On his play at the top of the diamond midfield:
“My role is in the center of the field. I try to do as much as possible to help the team, whether it’s scoring goals, setting up goals, winning tackles or intercepting balls. I try to have as big an impact on the game as possible. When you look around the world now, midfielders who can do everything are so important for their team. That’s what I try to do.”

U.S. MNT defender MATT BESLER:
On the back line gaining confidence:
“The whole team is confident in every area. Having said that, consistency in the back line is a big part. We’ve been playing with different guys in training and mixing it up, getting comfortable with each guy. Now, since we’ve done that, whoever Jurgen chooses to go forward, I think everyone’s going to be comfortable with that.”

On Fabian Johnson pushing forward for the goal:
“That’s what we want. Fabian has a lot of talent going forward. We want him to be involved in the attack. That’s why we have Jermaine [Jones] sitting. The key is to have the right balance, and that’s recognizing when our fullbacks are forward and pulling a guy back or making sure me and the other center back and Jermaine are allocated well.”

U.S. MNT forward JOZY ALTIDORE:
On his physical play and how invaluable that is for the team’s success:
“If this is the way I have to help my team, then that’s what I have to do. To have the opportunity to do that in the World Cup on the biggest stage, I’m excited.”

On whether the lack of a goal has affected his confidence:
“Everyone’s so worried about my confidence. My confidence is fine. It’s not going to change whether I score a hat trick or I don’t score at all.”