Dallas FC 0 , Toronto FC 0
Q. Congratulations on the road draw and a goal. Just what have you learned and what do you have to say about after the preseason and fighting back from a deficit to earn a draw here, what do you have to say just about with a kind of team that you guys have this year?
JONATHAN OSORIO: I think the character that we have on the team and the fight, the togetherness that we have and the belief that we have, it's still there when things are a little bit hard that we can fight our way back into the game, play our way back into the game. I think for a pretty new team, that's a really positive thing to take out of this game. We know that this process is still new and day-by-day we are going to get better. Today was a big step. I think it was a good step forward. This is not an easy place to play in, and with the way that the game went, I thought we did really well. I thought we did really well. We are going to take the positives and look at where we can improve, of course, this week and be ready for our home opener.
Q. Bob deployed five Canadians and three teenagers. As a Canadian yourself, what was your sort of feeling about him showing so much trust in your countrymen who are still pretty young?
JONATHAN OSORIO: Yeah, we had very young guys on the field today. I think this is a positive for, first of all, those individuals to have that chance, and very positive for the club and for Bob trusting those guys.
I think, you know, we have to trust the young guys and give them that belief that they can go in and do the job. You know, even though we have like Jacob playing left back, which he has not really done and Jahkeele playing right back, you know, maybe they are not so familiar in this position in their careers, but I think for him to have the belief in them to go out there and to be learning on the fly as well, we know that these are young players and we have to live with the fact that they are going to make mistakes. It's just normal.
But I think Bob does a good job of emphasizing that they have to learn from those mistakes, and the quicker they can do that and the more they improve, the more they can help the team. I thought they did well, as well as Jayden had a great game. He's coming into his own. Noble came in and did well. De-Andre did well, first professional game. All these guys are going to get better as they play, so I think it's great for everyone.
Q. You've scored in your last ten seasons with the club with that goal. Can you put that into context of what it means to be such a part of the fabric of the club and the longevity of success you've had for the last ten years here?
JONATHAN OSORIO: It's not really something that I was thinking about going into this game or anything. I think what contributes maybe to that kind of stat is the fact that I take it day-to-day and I try to improve every day and I try to do my job every time I go on the field. This is my duty as a player for this club and more so as somebody who grew up here. I love this club and I think everybody here knows every game, I will give everything for us to win.
So yeah, I don't want to talk too much about myself or anything. I didn't know about that stat. It's great. It's good. But you know, I just try to improve every game and keep going and contribute to this team. A stat is only possible with the support of my teammates and the support that I have here.
Looking forward to getting back home and having a game at our stadium in front of our fans.
Q. Can you sort of walk us through how you saw that goal develop and was that -- was some of that passage of play, some of that really neat footwork and passing at the top of the box, was that emblematic of some of the ideas you're trying to implement?
JONATHAN OSORIO: Yeah, sure, we want to be aggressive. Bob emphasizes we want to be aggressive getting into the box when we get into the box and be positive with our play and combine -- the ball came out to me from Jahkeele and I saw Ale was open in the pocket and I knew I had to get it to him fast, right away. So I gave it to him and he did a good job of controlling it and getting himself in a position to get Jacob going and when you get Jacob going like this, the ball is coming in -- so I just went towards the back post in case anything dropped there, which he's got a great touch there and if he doesn't get that touch, I don't get that chance and landed on my foot and open for me.
I think a great team goal. I think we will see a lot of this this season and this is what we look for. So just going and finding more ways to create occasions like this.
Q. With such a young group out there today with the team, are you relishing the opportunity to maybe take on more of a leadership role with some of the young guys, particularly the Canadians and how much do you get to sort of impart wisdom to them in game while you're on the field?
JONATHAN OSORIO: Yeah, of course, I try to be one of the veteran guys on the team, so I have to help whenever they need my help and whenever they ask, and I'm always available. They know that. You know I'm at a stage in my career where I'm learning to lead in the best way possible along with I had a very good example in Michael Bradley for a very long time now, so I'm still learning to be a positive impact in the best way possible for each individual, the way you talk to them and get them going is different, so those things I pay attention to and I'm trying to -- the young guys, they did great today and we have just got to keep pushing them and keep having that belief in them so they feel comfortable on the field to express themselves and play free, because you know, that's what it's about. I think players are at their best when they play free and not so close-minded. This is a role I'm going to try to keep improving.
Q. You mentioned getting back to BMO Field next week and it's going to be your first home game in two years. What's that experience going to be like?
JONATHAN OSORIO: It's going to be amazing like it always is at BMO Field. We love playing in front of our fans. We've had them obviously for a little bit last year, but I think it just wasn't the same with all the circumstances and where we are in the world.
So this year is going to be great to have -- be home at this time of the year and BMO Field. We are just looking forward to getting back home, first and foremost to our families and to find a routine now and to perform on the week at BMO Field and give the fans what they deserve, which is a great football team and so we're all excited here and we're all looking forward to it. You know, we are going to take it day-by-day and it be to prepare ourselves and to arrive at that day the best possible form.
Q. Whenever we talk to Bob or your other former coaches, they often describe you as a Swiss Army knife that can play a bunch of different roles. Wondering in the role that Bob has you playing there in the center, is there anything different, anything you may be haven't experienced before or has it just been stuff that you've done in the past?
JONATHAN OSORIO: No, I think for the post part, it's a position I played in probably most of my career. I would say what's different is that Bob is pushing me to play it in a way that he sees is best fit for the team and for myself as well.
So yeah, Bob is pushing me to be better and to be more aggressive, pushing me on the defensive side, pushing me on the offensive side, pushing me to be on the ball more. I think in that sense, there's definitely a different way this coach is pushing to get better. This is what I mean, and I'm going to give my hundred percent to play my best and to contribute my best in the best way possible.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports