Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
Q. Julian, it had been awhile since you've had an opportunity to start for TFC, two or three seasons. How did it feel to be back in the lineup and how do you feel did you in such a tough place to play in Atlanta?
JULIAN DUNN: It felt great to be back in the lineup, and yeah, it was a challenge. I've been working hard. Been working for a long time to just get back with the team and it felt good to be back out there. The guys helped me, and teammates around me did well, and really helped me also.
Q. Just in terms of the wait for your next start, obviously three years is a long time to be waiting. Did this performance from yourself validate that self-belief you had while waiting in the wings for your next opportunity?
JULIAN DUNN: For sure. It definitely meant a lot. It meant a lot for me. Obviously it's been a long time since I've been back on the field with the guys, so just to be out there, you know, just really proud of myself. I always know that I had the capability. Just a matter of getting the opportunity. I'm just extremely proud of myself and I just want to keep doing.
Q. Nice to see you back out there tonight. I know you've had several injuries that held you on the sidelines. Can you walk us through the challenges you've had the past couple years?
JULIAN DUNN: Obviously for any soccer player, being out with injury, it's like one of the toughest things, like mentally and physically. You don't know how it's going to be when you return.
But had a great staff to help me come back and be sharp. It's just a matter of -- when you're injured, it's just a matter of having the right people around you, just spending time with your family and allow them to keep you sharp mentally and you just stay in it and focus.
Q. Can you just talk about the challenge tonight of coming into this game and playing against some of the top attacking talent at MLS, going up against the likes of Joseph Martinez and Barco, and you were able to put them in your pocket for most of the night. Tell us how you dealt with that challenge tonight?
JULIAN DUNN: You know what, I was up for the challenge. I watched the film on both the guys. I know Marco favored his right foot. He liked -- (indiscernible) -- gap player, so I just tried to keep my ground, just wait for him to kind of make an errant touch and take my moment to get him.
With Joseph, same thing. I know he likes to stay off the back shoulder, and just find the right moment to pop him. So I was just communicating with my guys and my guys helped me through it. Credit to them, and you know, just really made it easy for me.
Q. What do you take away from an experience like this? What do you want keep bidding?
JULIAN DUNN: Regardless of what obstacles you face, as long as you stay dedicated and committed, anything is possible. You can make it back and make a name for yourself. I know carried a lot of -- here with Toronto FC, just stay grounded and work, work, work, and I'm just happy to get the opportunity.
You know, just staying true to yourself and what you're capable of, that's the most important thing I can take away from all of this.
Q. Javi said after the match that you proved that you belong at this level. So do you believe that you belong at this level, and do you think you deserve more minutes moving forward?
JULIAN DUNN: Yeah, I definitely think I can play at this level for sure. I think I held my own, and like I said, I've been training long and hard for this opportunity. So just to get it and just do well, and to hear Javi speak good things about me, it's big for myself and my family and my friends. It just really means a lot.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports