Vieira declines to discuss Arsenal rumors after NYCFC’s first loss of 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. – New York City FC’s undefeated start to 2018 came to an abrupt end against the Portland Timbers Sunday, and their manager’s postgame reactions were similarly terse.

“Today we played against a team who prepared the game well, who were well-organized,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said after his team’s 3-0 setback. “We had the possession, but it was difficult for us to find the space. They made it real difficult for us and they score the goals in the period where it was difficult for us. All the credit to Portland.”

While Vieira was willing to concede his team’s struggles in defending the Timbers’ transition game, he declined to discuss reports connecting him to the impending managerial vacancy at English powerhouse Arsenal, where he starred at the height of his own playing career from 1996 to 2005.

“I just want to talk about the game,” Vieira responded to a question regarding Arsene Wenger, and he offered similar replies to another about whether rumors of his candidacy to succeed Arsenal’s longtime manager – who announced on Friday that that he will depart the London club at season’s end – had a hand in NYCFC’s first loss.

“I don’t have any comment to make. I just want to talk about today’s game and nothing else.”

Sunday’s setback marked the first time the Frenchman’s team was shut out since Sept. 9 of last year, a 1-0 home loss to these same Timbers.

“We were punished in moments where we made little mistakes and it’s the first time we’ve really been punished as a team,” said NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson. “I don’t think it’s really a big step backwards for us. It’s moreso a wakeup call.”

Even on game-related topics, Vieira gave limited information. When asked for the thought process behind keeping Yangel Herrera and Jesus Medina out of the starting 11, Vieira replied, “I don’t have to go into details of why I make decisions.”

Vieira was a bit more expansive in his compliments to the home side’s supporters and the “really tough” atmosphere they created at Providence Park.

“You have the home fans making that noise, it always give the extra to the home teams, and the support that they had was very good today. And I understand why they are quite strong at home,” he said.

“It was a day where we didn’t find the way to perform, but I still believe that we have a good team and we have been doing so [much] good stuff since the start of the season,” Vieira said. “But of course the game today shows today we still have a lot of work to be done.”