QUOTE SHEET
REAL SALT LAKE 3-1 SPORTING KANSAS CITY
CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK; MAY 21, 2016
Real Salt Lake
Head Coach Jeff Cassar
On the importance of tonight’s win:
“It's massive. We were tied on points and we had three games in hand on them. To get three points on the road against a very good team is massive.”
On scoring first and the effect it had on the team:
“Kansas City is going to have a lion’s share of the play especially at home. They present a lot of really difficult things for opposing teams. I was really proud of our shape. We knew if we stayed disciplined to what we wanted to do we were going to get our chances. Now it's what you do with them and tonight we put away three of them.”
On chances by Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer:
“It's the movement of all the players that really make you pick your poison. If you follow people inside it allows [Dom] Dwyer to get in those channels and we didn't want to do that but some credit has to go to Kansas City for making you deal with it. They really make you test if you believe in what you're doing and credit to our players they did that. They kept their shape, they kept their discipline and they punished them on the other end.”
On Sporting KC’s high press:
“You know we looked a lot at their last home game when they had 34 shots so we knew they were going to come out firing but we knew we were going to be able to get chances on the other end and that was our game plan. When you score on them early it changes their game plan. They have to push out more and then we can get some more chances.”
On putting together a complete performance:
“We talked a lot about 11 people defending and 11 people attacking. I thought we operated much better as a unit rather than the offense worrying about the offense and the defense worrying about the defense. We had been getting away from what we do best. Again, Kansas City will have their opportunities like when Nick [Rimando] made a fantastic save on Brad Davis that could've turned the tides a little bit and that is what you need when you come to a difficult place like Kansas City. You need a total team effort, some special plays and you need to finish your chances when you get them.”
On having the bounces go your way:
“I think we caused our own luck tonight and that's important. If it's against the complete run of play that's different. I thought the game went how we thought it was going to go and I'm proud of that.”
On winning back to back games in Kansas City for the first time in team history:
“I think the games have been really even, including the games we've lost here have been very even. They're a very good team, they're extremely well coached and their fans are great so you need 11, well actually 14 guys, playing their best. If you have certain players taking plays off its not a place where you're going to get a result.”
On the quick response to go up 3-1 after conceding:
“It was huge. We spoke about it at halftime and we knew what they were going to do. I thought we dealt with it and we were bending and they got that goal and we're feeling pretty good. At halftime we did say they are going to get their chances, they have to push they're down 2-0. Then they scored and they were feeling good and I really liked the response we had after that, especially putting that chance away.”
On increased activity of midfielder Javier Morales:
“I thought he did a fantastic job I thought he was a really nice outlet for our defenders and defensive midfielders. It's not how much he gets the ball it's how dangerous he is when he does get it. Also we need him to have good shape when the play breaks down. He and I had a very good talk his week. We were on the same page. I thought his performance was one of his best all year.”
Midfielder Kyle Beckerman
On holding their shape and knowing when to break out:
“It was huge. I think we were able to stay compact from front to back, which was one of the focuses coming into the game. Then it was about creating some chances and making sure you finished.”
How important was that third goal?
“It was huge. I think when they scored early in the half, they were feeling confident that the momentum was going their way, so we had to kind of nip it in the bud there, and getting the momentum back on our side was really important.”
On tonight’s win after a rough past month:
“I think the last two games we had some chances and we didn’t score, and goals change games. We scored the first one and it changes the game where they have to play a little different, and we scored the second right before halftime. Then when they scored, the momentum went on their side. So it’s about creating those chances and finishing. And last week and the week before, we didn’t, so we lost the game, and tonight we were able to finish.”
On a second win at Children’s Mercy Park this season:
“We looked at last time we played them, and we tried to do similar things from the last game again tonight, and we were able to do a lot of those things, and they helped us win.”
Is this the game that can get you back on track?
“It’s tough when you play five in a row on the road, so I think we felt like it was a little like we were down in the dumps a little because we lost two. But if you spread it out, it’s maybe not as bad. So it was important to get our confidence back and get some momentum going for the next two away games.”
On the importance of holding their shape with Sporting KC pressing so high:
“I think it helps you because they do press so high, and if you can keep your shape, you can break on them. I mean, it’s always a tough game. I think it’s about who can create, and who can keep the other team from creating chances and then, of course, who puts them away.”
On the development of the third goal:
“It was just a play to be made, and I looked up and saw [Joao] Plata and Yura [Movsisyan] were open in the middle, and they did the rest.”
On Copa America coming up:
“It’s a really exciting tournament. I’m really happy to be a part of it and see if we can go in there and make some noise and hopefully get out of the group. Who knows what will happen?”
On playing in this game after being out last time Real Salt Lake was in KC:
“It’s a beautiful stadium and a great atmosphere. It’s always a tough place to play as an away game, but we’re looking to get wins in any game and any stadium, and we were fortunate to get the win.”
What was it like winning against Sporting KC in particular?
“Three points is three points. They’re a good team. I’m sure they’ll win plenty of games, so it’s good to get one of them.”
Midfielder Javier Morales
On getting the win in Kansas City:
“I’m super proud of my team because we deserved the three points the way that we did it. It was great for us.”
What did you do differently this game to take home three points?
“Different games happen, you know? I think in Colorado we decided to score one of two goals and we didn’t, and the last game we didn’t play good. SO I think tonight we had a great show, and we started to work as a team again, and we scored three goals.”
On how this helps for upcoming road games:
“I told the guys before the game it’s time to change the mentality because two losses in a row is not good for any team, and I think the reaction was great. We got a win, and now we’re ready to go to Columbus.”
On Yura’s performance:
“I think he’s working hard, and I think tonight he played great. He scored a goal, and I think he’s very happy about it.”
Sporting Kansas City
Head Coach Peter Vermes
On how the pressure after the first goal affected the rest of the game:
“It didn’t take us out. I think we just kept trying to play, when it came to all three goals. The problem is that we gave them three goals. We have talked about this before. If you make mistakes and you’re chasing the game, being one nil down, now you are two nil down, you come back and now you score. You are in it 2-1 and you are in good position and again, you make another bad mistake by giving the goal away. It is hard to chase games when it is one-nil, two-nil, two to one, and three to one. People talk about chances. It’s not about scoring goals; it is about giving away silly goals. We have given away too many silly goals. The players that are making those mistakes is a little bit hard to understand; it is just not normal.”
On veterans making mistakes:
“Whenever you make mistakes it is concerning. The fact that our more experienced guys are making mistakes becomes difficult, but we have to keep working to not make those mistakes.”
On losing the momentum moving forward:
“I am not worried about our play. Our play is good. I am worried about giving up goals. Unfortunately, right now we have given up very easy goals to these teams. I don’t take any credit away from them, but it is just that you are gifting them stuff in and around your own box. The second goal just happens in games like that sometimes. If the ball didn’t hit Brad, then it goes out for a throw-in on the opposite side. It just is the way it works. They are just bad goals on our side. The guys were more upset then I was at halftime. I said, “Hey, look. We are still in this. We get one goal; it is going to start to tumble. Especially, if you just don’t give anything away and go after the game.” I thought we were in a good position after we scored. I really did. I felt it. I felt we were playing well in the first half. We can look at some of the opportunities like [Graham] Zusi in front of the goal, five yards out. Sometimes those things just don’t go in. I get it. Different people can lose faith. I have been doing this for a long time as a player and coach; I get it. It happens sometimes. The thing is it still comes down to giving up easy goals. We are just gifting things to teams. It is hard to chase back.”
On how much did it take away after RSL answered with the third goal:
“Again, it was a gift. Yes, of course it takes a ton of steam out of you, but we kept going. It is not like we put our heads down and didn’t play. Again, it just becomes at some point instrumental.”
Goalkeeper Tim Melia
Thoughts on the match:
“We weren’t helping each other, but it’s over with, it’s behind us and we have another game at home against D.C. [United] on Friday with a short week. After these types of games, you just want to play the next day. We have to regroup, look within ourselves and move forward.”
On if individual mistakes hurt the team tonight:
“I don’t think it’s one individual thing. It’s not an individual person making a mistake. There are so many actions that happen before and after. When a mistake happens, we have to be good enough as team, maybe don’t put the person in that situation to make the mistake or help him out after the mistake. I don’t look at it as individuals making mistakes because as a group we need to do a better job covering for each other.”
Forward Dom Dwyer
On the level of frustration after playing well but not getting results:
“When you play well you always want to get a result. I think we made a few mistakes and we got punished for them.”
On getting positive results if the team limits mistakes:
“I think we need to finish a couple more chances, but maybe the pressure of the game got to us. We were forcing it a little bit and we had to chase the game so it was difficult.”
On whether it’s frustrating chasing the game so often:
“It’s interesting because we have been controlling most games this year and that’s a very big positive to take. All the stats show how we have dominated most games, we just have to get the result right.”
