Quioto Thoughts With Those in His Homeland

Romell Quioto ran to the touchline last evening for his Honduran flag after scoring the goal which propelled his team-mates into the MLS Play-offs.

It had been a troubling week for Montreal Impact’s top scorer after news filtered through about the effect Hurricane Eta was having on his home country.

Coming from Belfate in the north of the country, it’s not the worst region affected, but he was still unable to contact his mother for four days after the hurricane hit.

So with such a crucial game coming up, it was understandably difficult for Quioto to focus until news finally filtered through that his family was safe and well.

Speaking through an interpreter, Romell said, “Just a few days ago I was able to locate my mother and have had the chance to speak, so I could focus on the game a bit better.

“But I am very aware of how difficult the situation is for the people at home, I feel deeply affected. At the end of the day these people lost everything, their houses. I try to remain positive that God has something better coming. I am very saddened by everything that’s happening and I send all my love and support to them [the people of Honduras].”

Strike partner Bojan had earlier spoken about the delicate situation surrounding Romell Quioto in relation to events in his homeland. “Clearly he is seeing the images from Honduras and he has family and friends over there, so it’s been tough for him.

“I am really happy for him [tonight]. He has managed to put this difficult thing to the side, he went to the field, did an amazing job and deserved his goal and assists.”

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Quioto has been a top performer for the Impact this season after joining from Houston Dynamo. And while he was delighted with the team’s progression to the play-offs, was also keen to underline the pain he feels for those affected by the natural disaster in his homeland. He also had words of appreciation for his team-mates and staff at Montreal Impact.

Speaking at last night’s post-match video-conference he had this to say...

“I’m obviously very happy at qualifying for the play-offs and very proud of the group. As a team we fought to the end to reach our set objective from the beginning.

“But I am very sad at what is happening in my country. I really trust in God that all the people who are suffering can be better and I send all the Honduran people my love and support as well as my trust in God.

“I’d like also to thank my team-mates and the Impact staff who since what’s happened in Honduras, have been very supportive in terms of kindness and showing concern. I also want to give a lot of appreciation and love to Bojan for his kind words.

“He is someone who has helped me tremendously since arriving here and we get along very well. Somebody who is important for the team, but also important for me personally.”

Quioto also spoke of how he felt compelled to obtain the Honduran flag.

“It means a lot to me to represent my country especially in a delicate moment like now. I felt a lot of satisfaction, but also pride going to get this flag. It’s something that I managed to get despite being out of town, trusting I would get the goal for the team, but also for the people of Honduras

Montreal’s 27-year-old top scorer also admitted it had been difficult to separate the events going on in central America from his professional commitments to the Impact, saying it was important for him to be brave, strong and not show his sadness.

“I’d rather choose to train hard and to be focused on my craft and find these little moments of happiness with my team-mates,” said Quioto.