Toronto FC Media Conference

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Sean Johnson

Media Conference


Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

Q. Maybe not the final result you wanted but overall, what did you think of the performance? Getting a point in Atlanta, that's a pretty good result; would you not agree?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I think all things considered, it's a really tough place to play. They are a good opponent. You know what games are like coming here. Traditionally it's going to be a grind. I think everybody came in with the right mentality. Can't ask anything more of the guys.

We got our goal; a bit unfortunate but at the end of the day, deflections happen and in the course of the game, you do all you can to get a result. So an important point and one that I think when you look back, there's not a lot of teams that are going to come here and take a point.

Q. That was a big test for a new back line, a lot of guys getting to know each other. Did you see those partnerships strengthen from D.C. to tonight?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, 100 percent. It's a came that called for a lot of guys to step up and be voices on the pitch and we did a great job of that tonight. Really, really important, Matt just to keep it in front of me, to keep guys organized, keep guys locked in. It wasn't easy down the stretch, so I see big improvements as a group and we are going to continue to do that, especially on the road. But I think it's something that we are continuing to build as a group and you could definitely say we've taken steps forward this match.

Q. From a defensive setup, it was a compact sort of shape that you guys had, really sort of forcing them to sort of build out through the wide. Is that sort of the way to from us taste Atlanta? I'm guessing that was a deliberate sort of tactic on your part.

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, the way we set up today, I think it's going to give us the best chance to come out here and win and ultimately put ourselves in a position to do that. Credit to Bob. We set up everybody who was clear with the match plan and we came in and executed what we needed to. Just unfortunate to come away without all three points.

Q. I know you played a fair number of games back in Atlanta, but is it special to be back home and play in front of those crowds?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I believe so. I think most importantly, it's special to come back and play in front of family. This is where my family lives, my mom, dad, best friends. Everybody is still here, so having that support team to come out to these games and be able to play in front of them and say hello to them after and feel that energy is something that's always going to be special coming here to Atlanta.

Yeah, on the night, it was special when they came out here and to perform in front of my family.

Q. Looking ahead to the home opener, it's a day on the calendar you guys will have had circled for a while now. How excited are the guys, and does a little snow scare the guys or you'll be all right with that?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, we are super excited about the home opener. Two games on the road, two tough matches and now to be in front of our fans at BMO Field is something we are all looking forward to. Wanted to get through the match today. Put everything into it, and ultimately carrying a point to the weekend; if we can make it three on the weekend and have a four-point swing, I think put ourselves in good position. Being at home is definitely the place to do that, and yeah, looking forward to the first home game.

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129572-1-1003 2023-03-05 03:29:00 GMT

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