QUOTE SHEET
REAL SALT LAKE 2-2 PORTLAND TIMBERS
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016; PROVIDENCE PARK
Real Salt Lake
Head Coach Jeff Cassar
On the overall match...
“We seem to make these games really exciting. Our first three have been nail-biters. I’m really proud of my team’s effort tonight. We talk about battling and sacrificing for each other and a commitment level and that was all there tonight. Obviously, continuing moving forward we got to make sure we work on our discipline and try to keep 11 players on the field but a point here at Providence Park is a good thing. The good thing for us is there are areas for us to improve and I’m excited about that.”
On if he’s concerned about his players having three red cards already this season…
“No. I mean listen, I don’t think any of them were malicious. I think they were quick decisions that were made and when you leave your feet, and you leave your cleat exposed, you leave it up to the referee to make a tough decision. I don’t think any of them were dirty. I don’t think we’re that type of team at all. I just think we’re putting ourselves in tough decision making. We’re trying to do the right things and it’s not working out. With [defender Jamison] Olave’s [red card], a look back at it, he’s just trying to find the person. [He’s] not trying to elbow him in the face, which again, he’s trying to do the right thing but his hand did get up a little bit high and it hit him in the face.”
On if midfielder Javier Morales’ prior rib injury was an issue tonight...
“Yes, it was bothering him right at the end of the first half. We wanted to push him as long as we possibly could and get him out. We talk about sacrifice, he sacrificed himself for our team. I couldn’t be more proud of him but he’s in a lot of pain.”
On forward Yura Movsisyan’s goal…
“I mean we talked about any time you can get Yura 1v1 with a center back, doesn’t matter who it is, I like our chances. I really like that we’ve scored goals even being down a man. Now the goal is to keep as many players on the field as possible but it’s good. He needed to be rewarded for all the hard work he’s been doing and I’m really happy for him.”
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando
On if he’s happy with the result considering the two red cards…
“Considering that, I’m happy with the point. Happy to see the guys fight and give it their all in front of me. It’s a little disappointing not to get three points when you’re up 2-0 but they brought a lot. Their fans got them into it and they threw everything at us. They got a penalty kick at the end and we didn’t give up anything easy. They had to work for it and so I’m proud of the guys in front of me.”
On how the team reacts when losing a player to a red card...
“I think we regroup and know it’s going to be a long game. Whenever you go down a player you have to organize and really fight for each other. I think that’s what we did in both games. Those red cards don’t come easy. It’s not something intentional that we’re doing. It’s just the fight in us. We’re fighting for the team and it’s unlucky for us to get these red cards but we have to deal with them when we do get them and I think we do well when we do.”
On how it felt to see forwards Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan get goals...
“It’s great. It’s good for our forwards to get some goals and get some confidence but in this locker room it doesn’t matter who scores. It’s the results that count and right now we’re getting the results. Obviously I think we could have a couple more points but we’re happy with it. Were happy coming here in Portland, it’s a tough place to play, and at least getting a result.”
On how the team needs to regroup leading into the game against SKC…
“Stay focused. There’s always room for improvement and I think everyone on the field knows that. Stay focused. We’re not where we want to be. A lot of work ahead of us. It’s a young season and we can’t be patting ourselves on the back right now. We haven’t done anything but it is good to get two results on the road to start the season.”
Forward Yura Movsisyan
General thoughts on the match…
“We lost two points. It sucks. It’s really terrible, but at the end of the day getting a point is very good. At the end there we should have won the game. I give a lot of props to our guys.”
On scoring his first goal for Real Salt Lake…
“It’s amazing. It’s good to get that first goal. I’m very happy with that.”
On what Salt Lake needs to do to prepare for the next game…
“Recover, get back to training, get back to doing things the right way again. Anxiously waiting for the next game.”
