The Portland Timbers are gearing up for their MLS Cup final matchup with Atlanta, but before they make the flight to Georgia, Timbers players and coach Giovanni Savarese took time to speak with reporters following Monday’s training session.

Here’s a look at what they had to say about facing Atlanta United, embracing their underdog status in this final and more.

Giovanni Savarese: “[To be successful in a championship final] I think you always have to respect the team you are playing against and you always have to find an emotional balance despite the stage being bigger than any other stage. Also believing in yourself and what you do to stay within the things that got you to this point. I think those are the most important parts of competing in a final.”

Sebastian Blanco: “I’m enjoying the game more right now because I’m playing so much better. I’m playing with less pressure on me. There will always be pressure because I want to win, but now I’m enjoying myself and the profession more both on and off the field ... this is why I wanted to come to Portland. For the opportunity to play for a championship.”

Liam Ridgewell: “Everyone’s putting it on Atlanta to win at home and they’ve had a great season and this and that, but that don’t make a difference when it comes to playoffs and it certainly don’t make a difference when it comes to a final ..... We don’t listen to you lot (the media) and we don’t watch or read any of what you lot say. We ignore what you say [about our chances.]”

Jorge Villafana on the Timbers playoff runs in 2015 and 2018: “We don’t get the recognition that we deserve, but we always end up making a statement.”

Jeff Attinella: “I’ll reflect on the experience of making an MLS Cup final in the offseason, but right now we’re staying focused on the task at hand. Every single game feels like an opportunity to prove that I belong here, that we belong to be playing in this type of moment.”

Diego Chara: “In 2015 we made the playoffs in similar fashion, but this time it’s a bit [more] challenging because we are facing Atlanta and people are already saying they’re champions right now. But in soccer, you need to play the games.”