H-E-B Park; Edinburg, Texas
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Midfielder Walmer Martinez
On the match:
“It was unfortunate that we got a red card four minutes in. Obviously, it changed the game because we were a man down and they were one up. It makes it easy for them to keep more possession of the ball, have more opportunities, and tire us out. It was unlucky on our part. I believe that it was a PK, but I don’t think it was a red card and that obviously changes a match. Result was frustrating, no one wants to lose 4-1. I think we scored two own goals, so it was unlucky on our part. Things just didn’t go our way.”
On Jesse Maldonado:
“It was a good opportunity for him to get a taste. To get his first professional goal, I was super excited that I was able to get involved in that. He’s got a bright future. He is going to keep coming on in matches. So, whether it’s five minutes or twenty minutes he can make an impact and he showed that today.”
On the club’s inaugural season:
“The fans were amazing; they were supporting us while we were doing well and when we were doing poorly. They were always there for us; they never turned their back on us. We love them, we appreciate everything they do for us. We hope to see them next year showing the same love.”
Forward Jesse Maldonado
On the result:
“We started off really badly with the red card and the PK. It changed the whole game completely. One man down, the game became very hard and the result showed it. We just have to look to next season now.”
On making an impact as a substitute:
“I was very excited to come on. It’s been a rough season for me, not really getting that many minutes, but I am obviously grateful. I was grateful to come on for the last 15-20 minutes. To get my first professional goal, that’s something that I have always dreamed about, so I am stoked about that. Now I need to build on it.”
On his first professional goal:
“Multiple times in practice, me and Walmer would play together, and he would play me those diagonal balls. I was just hoping he would hit me, and he did. I just had to stay composed and then it happened naturally, so I am very excited, very happy.”
On his thoughts heading into the offseason:
“I am going to work very hard, try to get either a starting spot or a chance to come off the bench regularly and make a difference. That’s something that I tried to do this year, but it didn’t really happen, so I will work harder to make it happen next year.”
