SDH had the opportunity to sit down with Noah Cobb this week, after his big performance off the bench in Game 3 at Inter Miami helped Atlanta United advance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Watch the whole interview in our latest Training Ground Dispatch here:
Below are selected portions from our interview with Noah along with photos from Sofia Cupertino:
Madison Crews: What was the excitement after that game against Miami? Just getting to celebrate with the team in that locker room? What was the energy?
Noah Cobb: Yeah, I mean, the energy was really high, as you can imagine. For me personally, it was really cool because I've never been in a locker room that has celebrated like that. So for me personally, it was really, really special. Then just for the team, you know, we had a bit of an up and down season, and then we've been in must-win games for the past month now.
So this one honestly felt no different. I think that kind of gave us an advantage in the game because pretty much every game for the past month, month and a half, has been a must-win game. It just felt like any other game for us. I think ,given that, it gave us the edge, and then after the game we were all happy because we knew we could do it and we proved ourselves right.
Madison Crews: You were told to come on in last couple minutes, full on defending. What was the message from Rob and the coaching staff heading into the game and then being in those situations that you were in, had one great block that helped decide the game. How do you stay composed in those situations?
Noah Cobb: I get nervous before games and I was nervous going into the game. But once I got on the field, I wasn't really nervous. Because I've played so much soccer in my life. It's there's just like a level of trust there that I trust myself that I can do the job. Like a little bit of confidence, a little bit of trust. The message from the coaching staff was just, you know, get tight to somebody and then kick it away. It was really kind of just do or die, do whatever you got to do. Don't let them score and just get the ball away and defend with your life.
Just kind of like walking through the play... anytime the keeper steps out and I'm on the opposite side, I always just run to the line just in case something happens. It's just kind of instinct that I do that. And it just so happened. And then I saw Brad come out and I think it was either Luis or somebody headed it and it went back towards the middle and then I saw their player was gonna get it first. Then I just darted to the line and luckily the ball came pretty slow and it was honestly not that hard of a block and it worked out.
Madison Crews: We've seen you this the whole season, I think every time we've been out here, you've been one of the first people out of the building. Is that a ritual for you?
Noah Cobb: I don't know if I'm necessarily trying to be the first one out, but I think once I get out of the gym doing the activation and stuff, I just want to get on the field as fast as possible because I mean, it's what makes me happiest.
I love being out here. I love training with the guys and thankfully the season is still going on so I can still do that. But, there is a little bit of peace to being the first one on the field. You get a couple of minutes to yourself with the ball and just kind of hang out, look around, soak it in that we're still still going on.
It's one of those things like there's honestly probably nothing going through my head. I know that sounds like a cliche that I'm not thinking of anything, but like genuinely, I think there's nothing going through my head when I come out here by myself, I'm just walking around, kicking it up, just doing whatever.
Sofia Cupertino: How would you describe your mentality and the team's going into Orlando next week?
Noah Cobb: I think right now this is probably the most confident this team has felt. I don't think any of us believe anybody can stop us at this moment if we play the way we know how we can play. I don't really think that if we play our game, I don't see why we can't go down there and win. You know, we just knocked out the best team, the best regular season team in MLS history. So I think we have full confidence that we can beat Orlando.
Sofia Cupertino: How has the coaching staff helped with that mentality in the past couple of week especially?
Noah Cobb: Yeah, I was actually just talking to Tyler (Wolff) about it this morning. There's been a lot of video sessions, more than usual, and that's just because we know who we're going to play, and there's more time in between games, so we're able to prepare a little bit more.
I think that extra preparation gives us a little more confidence. We go into the game and we have a clear idea of what we want to do. Every player knows their role, and I think just knowing what each other's going to do, we can worry less about that and more just about fighting.
Jason Longshore: Game one, Rob talked about it. After all the craziness happened with injuries and things, and he had to shuffle the deck. Going into game two, he said it was difficult to not play you, because you played very well. What was the conversation like with him about that decision?
Noah Cobb: Yeah, he said that he wanted to rely on a bit of experience with Ronald. Since we switched to a three back, or five back, however you want to see it and Saba going higher, he wanted a bit more of a natural fullback, so that way Saba could stay higher. I knew that maybe my role in that game wasn't to start, but you know, maybe we would have been up one zero and I have to come in and close the game out, which is equally as important of a role and you just have to do what you're asked and do it to the best of your ability because if the team wins, I win.
So that's the mentality. Yeah, it's definitely disappointing. You know, as a player, I want to start every game. I want to play every minute of every game. But, I realize I'm a young center back and in must-win games that might not be my role right now even though I believe that I could do it if I was asked.
It's just knowing that, maybe this is my role today. That role could change tomorrow. But yeah, just doing your role to the best of your ability. And, like I said, if the team wins, I win. That's the most important thing, just survive and advance at this point.
Jason Longshore: Is there anything you feel like in your game has grown from last year to this year that you've learned and been able to execute better?
Noah Cobb: Yeah, one of the biggest things that I think as a center back is just consistency and reliability, not making mistakes and understanding moments in the game. Like, 'Hey, maybe I have to go a bit more direct. Maybe, you know, it's not the time to control this ball, just stick it back in their half.' I think just managing those moments in the game of when it might be the right time to play.
And when we've been getting attacked for a few minutes and we just need to get it in their half and get up the field. I think some of the older players like Derrick, Dax, Brad, Stian... they've helped me with that, and I'm still growing obviously in that in that area, but I think that's one of the biggest improvements.
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