Toronto 8, Saint-Laurent 1
Q. Deandre, congratulations on the win. John, can you talk about the opposition a little bit? Lopsided score, but there are (indiscernible) (regarding first-ever goal.)
JOHN HERDMAN: Yeah, I thought they did really well at their place, and I thought they came in here tonight again with that transitional strategy which was really effective.
We knew we would be playing with three centre-backs and they matched a lot of pace up against our centre-backs tonight and had some great opportunities.
Yeah, I know the scoreline is what it is, but they took some big steps I think getting their first goal inside. I was actually happy for them. I thought they'd done enough to get a goal tonight. They forced Luka into some saves, hit the post.
For us, we had our focus tonight as well. Yeah, I think that's just to make sure that we got minutes and players that needed minutes and got the result, and we can move onto this weekend against Cincinnati without any injuries.
So it was a good night.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
JOHN HERDMAN: Yeah, I mean, looking ahead to the weekend, strategy with Lorenzo, Derrick and Feder, 30 minutes each, and obviously with for Feder being suspended we had to balance some minutes there.
So I'll not be giving my lineup away, but they're going to be pretty involved.
Q. Deandre, four goals today. Just your thoughts on how...
DEANDRE KERR: Yeah, it was -- the team came into the game with an objective, which was to set a team goal scoring record, so I was personally laser focused on that, gaining that objective. And when I would get opportunities, just being laser focused and concentrated on finishing and putting the ball in the back of the net over and over.
I was happy I was able to do that and we were able to get our target.
Q. John, is there an update an Alsonso? What did you see on that red card?
JOHN HERDMAN: Yeah, I mean, sometimes they're given sometimes they're not. Yeah, I mean, I feel for Alonso. He's got a big swelling on his face. Probably going to have to be really looked at after the game.
I was a little bit disappointed on that one. The lad was committed. Their midfielder was just committed to the ball. I don't think there was malice in it, but it was reckless.
Q. John was that the goal, to sort of score 8 times and break the record for most goals in a game?
JOHN HERDMAN: Yeah, I mean, I always try and just make sure that there is a focus for these matches. I say to these lads always that there is moments that will be presented where you get a chance there to make history, write your name in a record book, and that was tonight.
When you come into a match like that you see a lot of the those games from other teams where they end up with a 2-nil win or 3-nil win, or for us, I had to match their motivation tonight.
That's what I always try and do. Proud of DK because his commitment to that has given his first career hat trick and sort of first four goals in a match. It was exciting to see, and that's the laser focus. That first finish he had was -- I mean, that was top level, the volley and the delivery from Jahkeele.
So we had to push that out because I knew they were dangerous. They're a dangerous team. If we weren't laser focused on scoring goals, I think they could have easily nicked one and bunkered in against us.
So, yeah.
Q. Not much time to celebrate with more games coming up, but 5 goals on the weekend, 8 goals tonight; that seems to be a pretty positive statement.
JOHN HERDMAN: Just enjoying football at the minute. Really enjoying it. I mean, the clean sheets is -- I've got Jason deVos in my ear a bit. He would like to see that clean sheet be kept and certainly will be driving the defenders.
I got to tip my hat to lads like DK. When he comes in he's been laser focused on getting his job done. We didn't have Bernardeschi out there for 90 minutes or Insigne, but just can't wait to see this whole team playing together.
I think there is still levels to TFC, and I'm hoping we can find them in the next three, four weeks and keep pushing.
Q. Is Sean Johnson injured?
JOHN HERDMAN: No. We just gave Greg Ranjitsin that backup opportunity, and always giving Luka those opportunities when we can.
Q. I mean, you end up using them for spots that you talked about last week, but was that...
JOHN HERDMAN: Yeah, we had to. Just rotation, playing numbers. You know, coming into that match there was a big process in Cincinnati. They've had a week off this week. I don't think they played the U.S. Open Cup, so they've had a week. We really had that in the front of our minds, that we had to rest as many players off as we could.
So Matty Longstaff, there was a few lads we kept out of the roster.
Q. As you go into the semifinals with possibly MLS opposition, will you keep going with the same kind of upside you've had so far with MA and Luka, or will you gradually change the roster, who you're playing?
JOHN HERDMAN: I think it'll be based on what the schedule's looking like. We are prioritizing the league this year. There is no doubt hitting the playoffs, trying to get a home playoff. I mean, that's the prize that we've all got our eyes on.
But the Cup, to actually bring a Cup home is important as well. So part of it will depend on the rotation at that time. You have to look at the players that have contributed and keep some of that balance, but when it comes to semifinal matches and Lorenzo, Insigne, Bernardeschi, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea; you know, the DPs have to play.
Q. Deandre, I don't know if you know, but you're the first player in club history to score four goals in a single game.
DEANDRE KERR: Wow.
Q. (Indiscernible.) Just curious if you knew that and how you feel about your place in history.
DEANDRE KERR: Yeah, no, I didn't know that. That's obviously good to hear. Scoring four goals, I'm happy and I was happy I was able to, again, contribute to our objective and just now look forward to this weekend.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports