Quote Sheet: MB 1-1 NM
Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Head Coach Jordan Stewart
On the result:
“I thought the first half was really good. I thought we dominated. They are a good team and we had the better of them in the first half. Second half as well, we started well. Xavi [Gnaulati] was unbelievable tonight. Him and Nico Gordon, and we were good on the wings with Johnny [Klein] and Adrian [Rebollar]. Everyone gave 100 percent effort. It’s just parts of the game where, for whatever reason, we can’t get over the hump. I think when that happens, it’s one obviously game management, but we also have to be more on high alert – especially in the last nine minutes. So disappointed that we only came away with a point, but the positive is that it’s a point. After last week, it was a complete shift in the way we played and performed so you have to take those positives. But once again, all of the results [around the league] went our way and we couldn’t get a win. So it’s disappointing, but unfortunately that’s how the season has been this far. I told the boys that we just need to keep fighting until the end.”
On the squad’s defensive effort:
“I think our defense was great, the tactics were spot on on what we wanted to do. Sometimes it’s just those little actions where we don’t necessarily fall asleep, but not being on high alert. Especially in the defending third. When you play against good teams like New Mexico, they can punish you. Yeah it was a flukey goal, but as a former defender I’m always looking at how we could have stopped that play. Overall though excellent defensively. Aerial duels, we won a lot. Like I said they are a very good team and we went toe to toe with them. Unfortunately we just couldn’t get the three points.”
On closing out the season strong:
“For us we have to keep fighting. From last week to this week was an unrecognizable team, so kudos to the boys for changing that momentum. Because we easily could’ve gone into this game and got bopped all over the pitch, or just laid down and let them beat us. But we showed character and fight tonight. And that’s what we have to do for the next four games. Somehow we still have an outside chance but even if there wasn’t – you have four games – you’ve got to give your all. Because as a professional, that’s your duty. We have to make sure that we fight to the end and if we play like this, we’re going to pick up more points than we lose.”
Midfielder Xavi Gnaulati
On the match:
“I thought it was a good overall performance. I think the boys needed to put that together for ourselves and also for the fans. Everyone is a bit frustrated to concede late there, that always sucks. But I think from everyone tonight that was a step in the right direction.”
On his first league goal of the season:
“Honestly, I don’t remember too much of it. I remember that the ball was with Johnny [Klein], he made the choice to shoot which was a great decision, but it bounced to me, I was in the right place at the right time and I just slotted it into the bottom left corner with my left foot.”
On the final four league matches:
“There’s four matches left, three at home. We’re looking to give everything in these matches. There’s still a lot to play for, anything can happen in this league. So we’re just going to keep pushing. I want the fans to know that all of the players are going to keep pushing with everything we have for the rest of the season. We love your support every game. We’re just going to keep pushing and try to make that run.”
