BSS: After a rough few weeks, you must be looking forward to playing at home again.

AM: Montreal was rough.  We played very poorly against a motivated team.  Made a bunch of mistakes and failed to match their energy and workrate.


BSS: What will you have to do differently playing on the big field in Blaine as opposed to the smallness of the Jimmy?  

AM: After giving up 7 goals in the last two games, we have worked very hard on our defensive shape and keeping our team compact.  We have given up 7 out of 10 goals off of crosses and so we have spent a good deal of time dealing with this.  The more compact we are, the better we will be defensively and the easier it will be to get numbers into the attack.


BSS: What kind of mood are the players in after Montreal?

AM: We, myself included, were all a little shell shocked after the Montreal game but I have been happy about our response.  After initially sulking on Tuesday morning's training, we have responded with our best, most intense week of training.


BSS: Do you have plans for any major line up changes to what we have seen so far in your first 5 games which have seen relatively few line up changes (personel and tactic wise)?  

AM: We may play a 4-4-2 with Godfrey and Freddy back.  We haven't had the same line-up in any of our 5 games (which is less than ideal) since guys have been unable to play due to injury and immigration issues.


BSS: How do you take something like a 4-0 loss to a team we all know to be very good and make positives out of it?

AM: The way the players have responded: by rechanneling that energy and anger into intense, positive training.


BSS: What are you expecting to see from Portland? Will they play a more defensive style on the road?

AM: They've given up 6 goals in their last two road games so... I expect that they will put more of an emphasis on defending.


BSS: Is there anyone from Portland's squad that you will have to be more aware of from the match at their place 2 weeks ago?

AM: They are playing some burners up front (Bullen and Chisoni) and have experimented with Hugo Alvarez as an attacking mf. I like their amf Gutierrez who is busy and skilled.


BSS: Are there particular players on your team that you are looking at to step up and take more load for the whole squad to follow?  

AM: We have asked our veteran players to step up and set the tone for our younger guys.


BSS: How about lingering injuries, any progress with players that we may or may not see on the field?

AM: Besides Mike Wilson (NZ national team duty) we finally have a full compliment of players.  It is beautiful to see.