In the return to Allianz Field after a long midseason break, MNUFC fought top of the west Vancouver to a nil-nil draw. A match that Cameron Knowles felt was a fair result rather than points left on the table.
"I think it’s a really, really solid performance against a good team. I think the last time we ground out a result like that here, we set ourselves up for the best run that we’ve had so far this season, said Knowles. "So, I think we should take a lot of confidence from it with a clean sheet against the best team in the league, that’s pretty good going."
The match saw a breakout performance from Mamadou Dieng and the long awaited debut of Peter Stroud. Stroud had suffered from injury for much of the season recovering and getting back to full fitness. Even with the much delayed debut Stroud was happy to finally make his club debut.
“I feel good, [it was] kind of like a weight off of my shoulders. It’s been a tough few months. I’ve had injuries before in my career, but this one was probably the most frustrating just because I felt pretty good, then had a reaggravation," said the midfielder. "It was super frustrating and kind of had to be patient, but I feel good now. Instead of going on break, I was in Minnesota doing the work, so it was worth it tonight.”
Cameron Knowles also had positive things to say about Stroud after making his debut.
“I thought it was great. You see the energy he brings, we really needed it. Those guys, Wil [Trapp] and Owen [Gene] in the last game covered so much ground for us and had to do it again tonight," Cameron Knowles said. "So there were certainly some heavy legs, and I thought the energy that he brought, the quality of that he brought, you could see the fight, the toughness. He’s a real competitor.”
Stroud has previously played at Allianz Field, coming over to play with the New York Red Bulls. But the 24 year old New Jersey native said it was different coming here as part of the Loons.
"Every game I was just amazed by the atmosphere. It was so special. I kind of knew it because, obviously, I have played here [with New York Red Bulls], said Stroud. "It was an amazing atmosphere. It makes you want to play in front of your home fans. It was special.”
As for the result of the match, Stroud agreed with Knowles assessment on the match result. Feeling that it was a positive outcome and showing the Loons can hang with a top club in the league.
“I think it was fair, to be honest . . . I think at the end of the day you can see where they are on the table. Unfortunately you have to take the point. We want to get all three here [at home], but we have a couple games to go so hopefully we can get some good moments.”
