Post-Match Interviews: Simon Elliott and Elliott Hord

Sacramento Republic FC secured an important three points last night against Portland Timbers 2 at Papa Murphy’s Park. The win moved Republic FC into third place in the Western Conference table and moved them one step closer to hosting a first round match up in the playoffs.

Following the match, we spoke to Republic FC Manager Simon Elliott and Elliott Hord, who was tremendous on both sides of the ball. Hord, who started the season on the injury list, seems to have fully recovered and is playing really well. He recorded a goal a few weeks ago and delivered the cross in the box to Iwasa last night to earn the assist.

Simon Elliott’s overall assessment on his team’s peformance...

We’re always pleased to get points, but I got less and less happy with the performance as time went on. When your number is up, you have to play smartly. We can’t be dropping off. We’re going to have to talk about that, because in playoff football...that’s not going to [cut] it. You can’t just drop off and give teams space.

It’s turning into a horse race at the end. There is no composure, our position is too deep and then we’re stepping out to the ball light and then getting beat and then they are getting behind us. So we have work to do.

His thoughts on Elliott Hord’s performance...

He worked really hard when he was injured and came back...he was in and out...eventually, he got better and better and played more, and I think you are seeing the fruits of his early season labors now.

He’s looking sharp. I thought his defending was really good tonight.

On the quick turnaround this week...

Yeah...this is the thing right...if you are clinical you can kill the game off. But if you invite pressure, then it’s going to be a problem because most of the teams in this league are good teams. So now we got to work more than we should have without the ball, so now we have more of a recovery to do for Wednesday. Such is life.

Thoughts on Mario Penagos’ call up to the U17 U.S. Men’s National Team...

It is great. Mario’s been in the Academy since it began and he’s just slowly made his way up through the age groups. He’s had a little bit of time training with the first team, and we are delighted he gets [this] opportunity.

Elliott Hord on his thoughts on the three points and team’s overall performance...

Yeah, we came out really quick and hot in the first 10-15 minutes, and then they kind of brought the heat and turned it on, so I would say it was just a back and forth game. It was tough because they have a good system [and are] very well organized, but obviously we came out on the top end of it.

[It] was a battle and we’re battling for a home playoff spot and we will probably see those guys again in the first round of the playoffs, [but] we grinded through, stuck to our game plan and that’s what it’s about.

You were obviously out earlier this year with an injury, but you put in a goal earlier this month and added an assist tonight. How are you feeling?

The injury was unexpected, but sometimes you just have to deal with that and take it how it is. It was a long process, but our staff here is great. I think the biggest thing is to be patient and not rush those things, because a lot of guys can come back and rush it and potentially make it worse.

With the goal and assist, it is just about being consistent, reading the game and trying to be on my toes.