Toronto FC 2, Atlanta 0
TYRESE SPICER: Just fight for each other, that's what we did today and I stepped up the to opportunity and took it. Feels really good, honestly.
Q. So no butterflies?
TYRESE SPICER: Honestly, I was a bit nervy at the start. And then I started settling down a little bit. But the day before I was definitely nervous. I was like, this is a big opportunity. I don't want to mess it up. But I overcame it, so it was good.
Q. Did you anticipate Deandre was going to play that one touch quick pass into the box?
TYRESE SPICER: No, it was just instinctive honestly. Like one, two -- John would say that I find the third player and I'm the free player in the pocket, and I just went in their instinctively. Normally I just say out back but I said let me just go ahead, and instinctively just shot it. Since I was young, my dad always taught me to connect with the ball and always just put it on target and I think that's what I did. I think I did it effectively and it was good.
Q. How has the whole experience been since you were drafted I understand that you have an injury that slowed you down a bit but what has the whole experience been like? A lot's changed in your life?
TYRESE SPICER: Yeah, a lot has changed very quickly. I was just in college and, and now I'm in professional life and professional environment. I think I just have to adapt really quickly. I was injured, I had a broken toe, and coming back from that was difficult. But like I had my teammates there. I had John talking to me, Alex, the wing back specific coach was always talking to me, yeah, keep grinding and keep working and keep my head down. And I just have to keep focused most of all and keep going, like film behind the scenes, and just looking at like different players, how they play, how they adapt in different situations so when I get my opportunity, I could take it.
Q. Are you having fun?
TYRESE SPICER: Yeah, I'm definitely having so much fun. So honestly, like I've been praying for this. I've been dreaming about this for my whole life and then now being in this moment is surreal. I still can't believe I scored honestly. I still can't believe it but it's good, it's really good, man.
Q. Did your phone blow up?
TYRESE SPICER: I just took it off honestly. It too much notifications going on.
Q. What went through your mind? Can you take us inside that moment?
TYRESE SPICER: Honestly I was shocked. I was like, let me run to the shot because John put me on that field. I take that need slide in there before I went. It was great, man. When I shot it all I saw was the keeper, I think he touched it a little bit and it just went in and after that it was just friendly. I was just going X-rays I honestly.
Q. With were your friends and family back home watching the game?
TYRESE SPICER: Yeah, as soon as I hit the dressing room, I texted my dad, you saw the goal, and he was like, yeah, son, I saw it. Thank God he saw it. Being able to score, I'm sure he's very proud. Where I came from, it was a struggle when I was home. Never really had a lot of stuff and never had a lot of money. It was a grind. Sometimes I wouldn't have money to go to school and stuff. So like, it was tough. But knowing where I come from and grinding to be in this spot right now, it was a hell of a journey.
Q. Are you enjoying life in Toronto? Obviously it's different from Trinidad. The weather is not quite as nice right now.
TYRESE SPICER: Yeah, yeah, it's super cold. Probably the coldest I ever played in my life. This is too close to me. I like the beach and sand, that's what I like.
Q. What happened to the toe? How did you injure that?
TYRESE SPICER: So I wasn't supposed to play without my sole in in my cleats and during the game, I just like jumped and it tweaked, and after I felt it, I had to do MRI and I realized it was broken and I was out.
Q. It took you a couple minutes into your game to get that ball -- today, the first half, you scored your first goal. I think I remember you telling us at beginning of the year that you thought you could prove that you could be --
TYRESE SPICER: I still have a long way to go. I still want to keep my humility and humbleness. I want to keep going every single game, every single training session, and just soaking as much information from the lads that's been here and been in this spot for years and just keep going. I just want to be able to contribute to the team as much as I can, and whenever I'm on that field, I'm just going to give my hundred percent every time.
Q. I think this was your first appearance at BMO Field and you got a nice little cheer at the start of the game and loud roar.
TYRESE SPICER: Yeah, the atmosphere is really crazy. I know that was a situation of the trains and stuff, not working, and the fans still showed up. I just want to say thank you for showing up. The love with the fans is crazy here. I really respect it. I guess they will show up, like even it's a difficult route because I know Toronto is always traffic, there's so much traffic, it's crazy, but just to come out and to hear that standing ovation is crazy, so I really thank the fans for coming out today.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports