Toronto 2, D.C. United 2
Q. Derrick, can you just give us your thoughts on how the game tonight played out?
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: Yeah, I mean, I think we had a very good start to the game. We emphasized that. Had a game plan we went out there and executed well.
I think the second half came around and we just didn't play enough, we didn't do everything that we needed to do it get the three points.
Yeah, everyone is disappointed in that because we fel like that's two points lost. We were 2-0 and tie the game 2-2. Very disappointing. (Indiscernible) scoreline. Just weren't able to get that third goal. Makes it tough when you're playing a team like D.C. who are fighting for points, fighting for their lives.
So yeah, just good start, but weren't able to put a full 90 minutes together, so that's disappointing.
Q. What's the mood like after a result like that where it seems like you had the game firmly in hand and it's two late goals, two guys get sent off, having to settle for a point after what looks like it was going to be a win? What's the general mood right now?
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: Very disappointed. All of us are. We let that game slip away and we're a team that is striving to be a championship team, that's striving to win trophies. We have to learn from this.
Yeah, guys are very, very disappointed in the fact, like you said, we went up 2-0, had the game in our hands, and we weren't able to put the game away.
When you leave desperate teams in the game, this is exactly what happens. So we'll learn from it. Hopefully it doesn't happen again, because, yeah, I think a large range of emotions are coming from the guys: disappointment, embarrassment, anger, all those things. Nothing real positive to be honest.
Q. Not the result you wanted, but your first goal for the club. What did that mean to you? And your celebration seemed like there a lot of emotion in it.
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: Yeah, I mean, scoring is the most fun part of the game, so to be able to score felt good for me. My parents were in the crowd. It's their anniversary. My mom told me I was going to score, so when I scored I was happy about that. Just I was able to get a goal in front of them.
That's something that big being born in Virginia. Yeah, just more so just being able to give my parents an anniversary gift.
Q. Derrick, that's two goals in four matches for you with Toronto. Life with TFC seems to be suiting you well. What's working for you? How do you fit in so well and so quickly with this side?
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: I mean, the guys, the quality that's in the locker room makes it very easy for me. You know, Prince, DK, Oso, Fede, Lorenzo, I can keep going. There is just so much quality.
Yeah, I feel like when you play with good players it brings out the best in you. Yeah, the guys have welcomed me. They've been encouraging and let me be the player that I am.
I just felt like when I got here I could help bring something to the team and just want to continue to keep doing that.
Q. Derrick, just further to that point, seemed like -- and you'll correct me if I'm wrong -- that you're really enjoying your football in Toronto. I wonder how much of that has led to this -- rediscovery of form isn't the right word -- but after the tough time in Atlanta, I wonder how much of the fact that you're enjoying your football is leading to this great spell you're enjoying?
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: Yeah, definitely. I was excited to be here. I was excited to play with the guys in the locker room. You know, when you're playing with this much quality it makes the game easy for you. You have more time, more space. When you have guys like Fede, Oso, Lorenzo, it's easy because everyone is really worried about them so you get less attention and I'm able to make little plays when I can.
And, yeah, to be enjoying football is the most important thing for me. I grew up watching (indiscernible). He was probably one of my favorite players growing up, and the way he enjoyed the game is the way I saw myself.
To be able to enjoy the football that's being played. It's something and it definitely brings more confidence and I think you guys are able to see that.
Hopefully I'm going to be able to continue to do that.
Q. Derrick, after a really busy spell you guys now have a long break before this next game. Is this going to be a result that sits with you for a bit or something that fuels you for when the action returns?
DERRICK ETIENNE JR: I think it's both to be honest. Because we don't have a quick turnaround we're going to be able to sit there and think about things that you could have done differently, things you could have done better, things that you did that you can continue to do.
But then also I think it definitely lights a fire under you. Gives you a little bit of an incentive to get back to training and fighting every single day.
So I think it's a little bit of both, and I think everyone in the locker room is going to reflect on this loss, maybe for the next two days, then have a little bit of time to reset body, reset the mind, and then pretty sure everyone is ready to fire back up and get going.
We feel like that's four points dropped in the last two games and that's unacceptable for a club of this stature.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports