Toronto FC Media Conference

Friday, September 30, 2022

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bob Bradley

Media Conference


Inter Miami 1, Toronto FC 0

BOB BRADLEY: I didn't think the subs -- I thought overall the second half wasn't good enough.

Q. What did you see on the goal?

BOB BRADLEY: Yeah, we are slow to move over. We were spread out. You know, Richie had gone forward. He had not done a good enough job of coming back quickly. Jayden needed to then replace him, and then when they came inside with the little -- I think Ayo might have gotten a touch on the ball and it went back to Mota and then Shane just got caught on the wrong side stepping in on Higuaín, and obviously give him a chance like that, he's going to put it away.

Q. Based on the performances of both sides more the majority of the game, would you argue that it was a fair result?

BOB BRADLEY: Look, I don't think about it that way. The way I look at it is I taught the first half I thought overall was good. I thought some of the chances we created were big moments and then I felt strongly that we needed to continue in the second half and just we didn't have the same push in the second half; allowed them to come in the game more and we gave up a late goal. I think that explains everything.

Q. What do you think -- inaudible.

BOB BRADLEY: You know, Lorenzo early in the game felt something lower leg. Thought he might have to come out at halftime. Felt like he could keep going. I'm not sure if he had the same push in the second half.

As the game wears on, you know, I thought Jesús also had a good first half. Was dangerous. Also had a good chance or two.

But our ability to sustain that pressure, to keep going, yeah, I mean, both teams have put a lot into the game and then when you feel the need to make some changes, to see if some energy can come in at the right time, that didn't seem to get us anything.

So by the end, there was a little bit of frustration in the group. Maybe frustration plays a part earlier that there's some good chances. We're still there but overall you have to say the second half wasn't as good. Didn't have the same energy. Not enough guys, you know, with the ability to just keep going in the game.

Q. You were able to do a great job against the big, tall guy. Nobody passed through him. Do you think he was one of the reasons they kept him in the game?

BOB BRADLEY: Yeah, he made some good plays but I still would go back and say it again. In the first half we got into the box in a couple of moments with really big chances. I think Jesús has one or two. Lorenzo has one really big one. You know, it's on us to take advantage of some of those opportunities, and take the lead especially in a game like this where there's pressure on them to take points.

Q. Do you believe we are missing Osorio to make some combinations? We saw a little back of creation in the middle?

BOB BRADLEY: I've said it over and over, Oso is an important player. Whenever you take an important player out of a team, out of a midfield three, it hurts the team. You know, Deandre and Jayden are young players. Each played a half in the midfield with Michael and Mark Anthony. Those are young players I think are moving in the right direction.

But probably at the moment, neither one of those guys is as good as Oso when Oso is at his best. Look, we all have been disappointed for Oso in this last stretch. We are hopeful that every day that he's feeling better and when the season's over can get himself into the camp in Canada -- with Canada and be ready to go.

Q. Tonight was Jesús's first start since --

BOB BRADLEY: We look at these guys every day in training and try to figure out who seems to be a little bit sharper. I think Jesús scored a couple goals in training this week and we felt that the way we wanted to start, the kind of game it might be, he seemed ready to give us a good game in the last home game of the year.

Like I said, I thought for the time he was on the field, I thought that was a pretty solid effort from Jesús.

Q. A couple words on Quentin's performance after the team giving up some goals the past few games?

BOB BRADLEY: He made a couple of big saves, and in the second half when we needed him, he made a couple of plays that were important.

Q. Looking forward what do you learn from this season in a game that you might change for the next following season, maybe changing signing some players, new players?

BOB BRADLEY: Yeah, I think the work to build this team and this roster is just going to continue. There was a lot that needed to be done this year. There were things at the beginning that were certain guys that probably for different reasons didn't really want to be here anymore. And then there was obviously new guys that came in halfway through the season. There was hope when -- when everybody arrived that we could finish strong.

But it's still been difficult to get the same group of players on the field game after game after game, and I think that's going to be important for us moving forward.

Q. There's a lot of rumors saying that Giovinco might come back next season. Are you going to give him a chance?

BOB BRADLEY: The situation, he was with us early in the year. There were different factors that came into play. Then he left and went to Sampdoria. I'm not sure what he's been doing since he's back. I know a statement came out on Instagram but I don't know where that fits in.

Q. Fan Appreciation Day, final home match of the season, wonder if you can reflect on the first year of this being home ground?

BOB BRADLEY: Look, it's awesome to see the fans in and game out. I think we have been able to give them a few moments of the football they deserve but not enough moments, not consistent enough. These fans deserve a team that's going to compete at the top part of the league and we know that, and that is the work that goes on every day to get back to where that is what we can do.

I think it's a crowd that understands football, so you have to have a team that the way you play fits in there as well. That's what I mean when I say I think there's been some moments where the football that we have been able to play is something that fans can see is going in a good direction, but we have hurt ourselves all too often with inconsistency. Too many mistakes in different moments and just not an ability to go from game-to-game to game. We know there's work to do but we thank the fans for always being there, and we know the responsibility we all have to give them a team that can compete at the top of the league, a team that plays great football and a team that plays with great energy and passion every game.

Q. Are you happy with TFC 2, that you were able to see a lot of players?

BOB BRADLEY: Very proud of the job that Johnny and Marco and Yani have done. It's a good group of guys and good team spirit, and hoping that they can do well on Sunday.

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