LA Galaxy 2, FC Dallas 1
Q. Elijah, congratulations on the goal. Greg was talking to us a little bit about how he gave you more instructions to stay high and to search for spots to get forward. One, what did you think of playing in that role and maybe having those responsibilities? And then if you can tell us a little bit about your goal and what you saw.
ELIJAH WYNDER: Yeah, I mean, obviously, like you said, it was a different position than I've been playing lately. It was higher up. But he talked to me thoroughly throughout the week, basically reading the center backs and then when to go in behind and when to check in. It was a lot of that, just reading it.
I made way runs in my line than I've probably done all season, but he made it very clear when to go in behind, when to check in. So props to him for that.
And my goal guy had a bad touch. Just gave it to Pec and I saw that I had the possession on him and Gabby had hit an amazing ball to finish it.
Q. Did you see the goalkeeper coming out whenever you shot it? Greg said I don't know whether or not -- it was a difficult finish because he had come out so far and he was wondering whether or not you --
ELIJAH WYNDER: Yeah, I saw that and thought about chipping or not and decided to go with the way I scored it.
Q. Talking about your progression, coming up from USL and getting thrust into the team because of injuries and everything else and having to do that, and then some time down in Ventura and coming back, how has this year, especially with just the way the last maybe four games, five games have gone, how has this year changed your outlook on who you are as a player and what you're capable of?
ELIJAH WYNDER: Th it's really changed my outlook on who I am as a player. I think I've learned a lot this year. I mean, coming into this team with the system that Greg wants to play was very difficult for me at first because I wasn't used to the style he wants to play.
But I think, like, the first six months, took it on to learn and they helped me out a lot with that. I think as of recently, I've learned a lot, gotten more comfortable in the system, and I can't wait to keep building on this.
Q. What's the biggest thing you've had to learn?
ELIJAH WYNDER: I think he likes to manipulate the opponents with the midfielders, and I was not used to, like, where to show up, when to get out of that. So I spent a whole lot of time with the coaching staff, like Nick, JB, with movements and when to do that timing and stuff like that.
Q. Were there times when you doubted yourself that you would find time here or how did you work through that stretch where you played early, and then you didn't play and you were down in Ventura County for a couple games?
ELIJAH WYNDER: I don't think I doubted myself because I was in a similar situation on my old team three years ago, I was in and out of the team and wasn't playing, and I did what I did when I was with them which is learn what you can learn, control what you can control and work harder each day.
Q. Not that it changes your game or makes you a different player, but going through this experience, the education you get dealing with a Greg system and all that, in what ways has it broadened you as a player and in what ways has it opened other paths for where your game will go as you move forward?
ELIJAH WYNDER: Yeah, I've talked to Greg about that, which is -- he told me, "If you can learn my system and feel comfortable in it, then it should open up more doors for you."
So I think it's added on to what I've already been able to do, and now I'm feeling more comfortable in Greg's system.
Q. As you approach the last game of the season, obviously we've all seen your progression this year but do you have any other personal goals to finish out the year and maybe are there any team goals that you would like to see your teammates accomplish?
ELIJAH WYNDER: I think my personal goal and the team goal is pretty much the same going into this last game, which is just to end the season on a high note, as high a note as possible with the season that we've had, which is go out next week and win the game and end the season with a win.
Q. Just talk to us a little bit about just playing with Diego in the midfield. Maybe there's a cup things that you learned from Diego, as well.
ELIJAH WYNDER: Yeah, like I said, Diego is a veteran midfielder so I learned a lot from him with his advice he's given me in the games, after the games, during halftime, whether it's in training. I've also learned a lot watching him play, like picking up little things that he does. He's a very technical player, so he's good in tight spaces and good in the pocket. So I've picked up a lot from Diego in my team here.
Q. Just to touch on something you mentioned earlier, you were making those runs in behind, especially in the first half time and time again but not necessarily getting found. You said you felt like you made a bad touch, but to us it looked like that you took it upon yourself to go ahead and create that goal, pouncing on the mistake from the defenders, bring it our wide, making that run again, this time Gabriel with the fantastic pass to find you. You were trying something new tonight. How satisfying was it to get it right on, essentially one of the first goes?
ELIJAH WYNDER: Yeah, it was definitely very satisfying, like you said. I made a lot of runs early in the in the game and didn't get the ball.
But it not necessarily is for me the runs because it can open up space for other players. I was just going to keep doing those runs whether I got the ball or not.
Q. What's your experience been like watching the brother?
ELIJAH WYNDER: It's different from playing with him. It was probably the best year of my life when we got to play together. To see him grow and where he's going and where he's capable of going, I'm so proud of him that I can't wait to see what he does.
Q. Are you watching the U- 20 game?
ELIJAH WYNDER: Every game.
Q. What's your impression?
ELIJAH WYNDER: I mean, I can't like they have got a game tomorrow. Good luck to them tomorrow and he's going to do his thing.
Q. Did you get a chance to talk to him about your goal yet?
ELIJAH WYNDER: My goal? I haven't checked my phone.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports