Orlando City 2, LA Galaxy 1
Q. On a more positive note, your fourth goal in four games now. Talked to Greg and he said he really feels like you're starting to fit into the right pieces at the right time. Do you feel like everything is really clicking for you? Four goals in four games is nothing to laugh at.
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: Yeah, I'm starting to get comfortable and understand my teammates, and the more I understand them, the more they understand me and my movements and where I'm going to be.
Stuff like tonight will happen. Those are great moments, and it's a great understanding of Miki and a great understanding by myself to understand the play that's being built; the interaction that Gabe causing in that pocket to allow Miki in behind, and I'm seeing that run. It's a great team goal, and just wish it would have been on the end of a win.
Q. Greg mentioned, also, on some of the defensive stuff you're working on in terms of closing off lanes, forcing them into different sides where you guys wanted the ball. Do you feel like that's coming along, too?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: Yeah, I think everything was going to plan today. I don't think they were very dangerous. I think question were in control for a large portion of the game, and in times when they had stretches of possession, I don't think they are very dangerous. It's just going around us, and that was something that we knew they were going to do and try and pick us apart.
And then they started to overload numbers in the middle of the the field behind myself and Tucker when Tucker was in, or it was Diego. But I think we handled that very well, and they didn't really pose a threat.
Q. What do you see from just the collapse, the soft penalty kick and giving up the goal? You guys were in control of the game for a good portion. What went wrong with that?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: I think it's just the story of our season so far. Trying to get over that hurdle, and when you don't get over that hurdle, every action just becomes a bit more important or a bit more of -- you keep looking over your shoulder, and the time seems to not be moving.
It happens, but we have to stick together in this locker room and turn it around. I think the majority of us playing that stretch and now getting healthy again is a vote of confidence, and now we just have to put it together for 90 minutes and regroup and re-energize for Tuesday.
Q. You didn't celebrate your last goal against Minnesota. You decided to show some respect and seemed like love for a club that you have a lot of history with, but you did get a chance to celebrate tonight. Was there any pent-up joy that you got to release there?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: It's been a tough couple days for my family. My dad had to fly to Colombia to see his dad pass away but he was able to get there today, and he passed during the game. I knew that he was watching by his side. So it was cool to store in that moment.
Yeah, it was a release of energy. I think the last time that we played here in regular season, it wasn't too fun of an afternoon for myself after being subbed out.
Yeah, it's come a long way in six weeks and enjoying myself, and I can't ask for a better place to be in the moment and a better challenge than to get us moving in the right direction.
Q. Sorry to hear that. You are finding yourselves in the goals. Is there any planning for future celebrations behind the scenes?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: I always ask my daughter what celebration they want to see, and I let them go for it. They had told me that I had not done that one in a while, and I used to do that one with Couchie (Cucho) in Columbus, so they asked me to do it. So it's a cool one that I think will stick with me a lot more.
Q. Condolences to the family first and foremost. You kind of mentioned the challenge of trying to turn this around. It's weird because defending champions and fans are voicing displeasure already even though it's only a few games but you mentioned the turnaround. On Tuesday, how does the team put this aside, going into CONCACAF against a tough opponent? How do you compartmentalize that challenge?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: We understand it's a knock out round and there's a desperation that comes with it. I think that will help us, like it did the last time we were in this situation for league play because it brings that intensity and desperation that we need right now.
So this is something that is good to get us going. But yeah, I think we understand that this team is last year's champions, and we're getting everybody's best game. We have to, like the manager said in the dressing room, we have to play with a chip on our shoulder and understand that, and put our best foot forward for a complete game.
Q. I know the sample size was small on the field but maybe in practice, how different is the dynamic when you have somebody like Paintsil on the field and how things flow on the offense?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: I'm happy for know, to have him back. I know how hard he's been working on the sideline. It's great. I was hoping to get a few minutes with him, and I'm glad I did. He almost broke through on one, and then if the ball gets played to him, I have a tap-in.
I know that there's a threat on both sides now and behind to be able to read those balls being played to them. Gabe had one, also, in the second half that he gets fouled and he tried to stay up on his feet and if e gets through, I'll have another tap-in. Just trying to read those plays because those guys are the highest of quality.
Q. First of all, sorry for your loss. Last time we talked, you mentioned that your confidence never wavered. Today, you are the club's most consistent scorer. How does that feel for you, and are we yet to see more of you scoring throughout the season?
CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ: Yeah, I mean, I hope so. I think like I said before, for me, it's more about the win columns. I'll just continue to do the dirty things and the little things that maybe don't pop up on the stat sheet, the defensive work, the tracking back so it helps free other guys.
But I'll continue to put myself in those situations, and on this team, the guy also continue to find me. Yeah, hopefully more goals that lead to victories.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports