Orlando City Forward Dom Dwyer



On the explanation of call after Wayne Rooney’s goal



“Yeah, it’s unbelievable to be honest. You know, I think, after all the hard work we put in tonight, it’s sad that we have to look back and that’s one of the turning points. You know, I thought maybe having the VAR would help the referee’s, but it seems to be doing the opposite. They’re killing us at the moment.”



On what can be done [about VAR]



“I don’t know, the league’s got to do something, it’s continually happening.. I don’t really know a solution, you know, I don’t want to blame that on the result. I think we had a fantastic performance, but it’s a shame that the referees keep making the difference.”



On mood in the locker room



“Yeah, I mean we’re upbeat. The group sees a lot of positives from tonight. We played very well, I think we had a lot of chances and we concede off two set pieces. That’s just how it goes, you’ve got to defend them a little better, but there’s a lot of positives to take [from] tonight.”





Orlando City Forward Benji Michel



On how it was to get his professional debut



“It was a dream come true for me. I’ve been dreaming about this ever since I was young. So I’ve been working my way up to get to this point. So, really good for me.”



On his perspective of what Orlando City was trying to do in the second half



“Honestly we were just putting the attackers in so we could get numbers in and score a goal and get back in the game”



On what James told him to do before he got on the field



“James just told me to have fun, and play my butt off and work hard to score a goal for the team.”





D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen



On his reaction to the game



“Very excited. Again, it’s been a while since we have been able to win on the road. It’s good to get this one out of the way on a day we weren’t very sharp. We looked like it was a real struggle for large portions of the game. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s a bye week, just a hair off, and the sharpness just wasn’t there... technically, I think some of the decision-making. However, such is life in professional soccer and days like this come around and there is a winning spirit about the group and we have guys who can make plays. And again, very happy for the win and hopefully we can grow from it, look at the tape, and take some lessons and lessons are easier with three points.”



On Steve Birnbaum’s goal and Wayne Rooney’s goal



“I don’t necessarily know when Steve’s [Birnbaum] got his last goal on a set piece. I know he’s been waiting for that for a while so I’m very, very happy for him. He’s been great this year and for him to get a reward for all his hard work and his defensive efforts is great. And Wayne [Rooney], that’s what we got Wayne for -- to make special plays and he did that tonight. No doubt that he tried that and he’s in really good form.”





D.C. United Forward Wayne Rooney



On the unbeaten start to the season



“Yeah, we are pleased with the victory obviously. It was a tough game. We fought hard, we battled, maybe a little bit naive tonight. But we got through it and got three points. Of course, we are delighted to see points but there is a lot we can take away and look at and learn on.”



On the goals scored by D.C.



“I know with Steve [Birnbaum] if I put the ball in the right area, he is fantastic in the air and he’s got a chance of scoring. Thankfully he did, a great header. And mine was in that position to try and get the ball towards the back post and force the keeper to do something or a defender to head it and thankfully it went in.”

