Soccer
Bradford: 'It was a dominant performance'
North Carolina FC head coach John Bradford praises his team's commitment and preparation after beating Hailstorm FC 3-1 in the USL League One semifinals on Saturday.
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North Carolina FC head coach John Bradford praises his team's commitment and preparation after beating Hailstorm FC 3-1 in the USL League One semifinals on Saturday.
NCFC win in A US L league one semifinal, North Carolina FC will now host the US L final next week. Coach dominant performance in A MA I think overall it was a dominant performance and it's been two weeks of really positive training that ended up with my energy from the get go and I thought the guys were up for the game and disappointed with conceding the shutout at the end. But other than that, it was a highly dominant performance. So credit to the guys having that week off time to prepare for a big seal. What did that do to your guys? It was important and obviously that's why you try to shoot for one of the top two seeds throughout the entire season. So you have that break going into the playoffs. So you guys took advantage of it. Training has been excellent. And now we got one more week to win a championship. To be honest how much scoreboard was. Are you guys doing when Omaha and Charlotte were going into extra time there? Zero? We were out here. But no, it's funny how it works out. So obviously, our rival Charlotte will be here on Sunday for a championship so it couldn't be any better. So we're looking forward to it. Other questions after this, there were over 2300 people on the stage that had a great atmosphere to it. How much did that help you guys? I mean, you can hear, you can hear the fans throughout the entire second half, the entire game really. But, you know, during those moments where it's 2 to 0 and then almost before it's three, you get the drums, the chanting, you know, and the fans came out in full support tonight. So we need them again on Sunday for sure. I asked you yesterday about the guys is ready to get out there, somebody besides each other. It just seemed like there's just so much jump and so much energy right out of the gate. What was the message to have them kind of keep that energy and not lose any focus? I think the group, the rosters built from guys that were in the championship final last year or have not been to a playoff before for the guys that were here with us at NCFC. So I think there's a level of determination that want to make the most out of what this group is. They can do this year. So the message at halftime was don't be satisfied. We, we've one nothing in the way that we're playing and make sure that you continue to push. Um And I think you guys to just that, to get a second goal within 10 minutes of the second half certainly sets a tone for the rest of the game. And then obviously, you know, they start pushing numbers. We get a third and highly, highly so, but it looks like your center backs are really getting into this play here. What was your thoughts on David Garcia's race tonight? David saw that, I bet Gustavo $100 that I'd give him $100 if he scored a goal. So I had to do that a couple of games ago. So now is going to come to me 200 now, but no credit to those guys. I mean, us trying to get really quality service out of Rafa and lo on these, on these set pieces and find these guys to be able to get, get good headers and that kind of stuff and just being smart. I mean, obviously the first goal is the second phase goal that Da just puts himself in an advantageous position and comes away with the goal. So thrill for him now that you know that it's going to be Charlotte and you're gonna be hosting here. Um You know, how do you even begin to assess that to know that you have a chance to play for a final right here on this tour? No, I mean, I think the whole idea throughout the season was to try to host a championship here. So, so it's coming first of the regular season, which we felt spot short from, but it worked out in a situation where we get to play here for a championship in front of our home fans and our home field and obviously throw in Charlotte. And now it means a little bit more for the rivalry and everything from that standpoint. So we'll enjoy this for tonight and then we'll get prepared and we'll go into Sunday possibly next week. Yes, of course. It was a great night. Do you have time to celebrate? I want to watch our game back and we're gonna watch Charlotte's game tomorrow. But, yeah, I'll enjoy it tonight. You know, I think the performance was, was positive and, uh, we'll get right into it tomorrow in terms of preparation and make sure the guys recover well, and have a positive week and go for a championship next Sunday.