QUOTE SHEET
REAL SALT LAKE 1-3 TORONTO FC
BMO FIELD; MARCH 30, 2018
Real Salt Lake
Head Coach Mike Petke
On the match:
“I know what the problem is, that’s all you’re going to get. I know what the problem is and it’s going to be fixed one way or another.”
On Corey Baird scoring his first MLS goal:
“Corey Baird took his opportunities tonight, excellent.”
Midfielder Kyle Beckerman
On the result:
“They’re a really good team and the PK’s put us behind the 8 ball. Playing catch up the rest of the game pretty much. Credit to them, they’re a good team and we know it was going to be difficult for us and it was.”
On the improved second half:
“We tried to pick it up and being down two goals, we pushed for it a little more and we were able to get that goal to get to 2-1 and had a couple chances but a big save by their keeper and we just have to learn from it and move on.”
On Corey Baird’s first goal:
“The kid’s got quality. He’s a young player but he’s got quality which he’s shown in the games he’s played. I’m happy for him to get the goal and I think he’s got a bright future.”
Forward Corey Baird
On his first goal:
“It’s an incredible milestone and something I dreamed of for years and to finally come true it’s a great feeling but in the end it’s the results that matter so still a little upset.”
On building confidence after scoring with Real Monarchs last week:
“When you’re playing well everything starts to click and you get more confidence in yourself. I’m getting more comfortable around my teammates and around the ball and I’m hoping to continue progressing throughout the season.”
On late energy in the match:
“The message for the second half was to bring energy. Especially coming off the bench that’s what I wanted to do, bring energy and work hard for the team and that’s always what I want to do coming into a game.”
Toronto FC
Head Coach Greg Vanney
Thoughts on the match:
“I was pleased with the first half, I thought we could have taken a more out of it than we did but I was pleased with our movement defensively, where we were and how we were winning balls. I was pleased with a lot of our attacks, the spaces we were getting into, getting behind their back line, converting a few more or at least one more would have been appropriate and put us in a little better spot. The second half, we were playing with a two-goal lead and we were playing in possession a lot and maybe not looking to play as aggressive going to goal. We still had a few moments. The guys that came in did a nice job and played a role in the game. Some of the movements we had defensively and some of those things got a little lost with some of the substitutions but at the same time those guys came in and did a nice job. Tactically I thought we as we switched the system up and added a few guys into it, it got a touch disjointed. All in all, with what’s ahead of us we had good concentration tonight, focus and took care of the business.”
On Altidore’s brace and 50th goal for the club:
“I think for a while now Jozy has been excellent, probably one of the best players in the league in my opinion. He brings us this presence up top, outside of Jozy we are not the biggest team in the world when you at our attacking group, So Jozy brings us this presence that we can target and play into. He has done a nice job of stretching teams out, looking for moments to get in behind which keeps the back line honest. He worked very hard for us tonight defensively, him and Seba did a great job of initiating the defensive work and made it clear for everybody else. I thought both of them were great. Jozy getting the two goals, stepping up and burying the second PK was bold and we needed it. It was interesting because Rimando is notoriously the best goalkeeper when you are dealing with PKs, and I was hoping that Jozy wasn’t going to go up the middle because I had this sense that Rimando wasn’t going to dive on the second one and wait and see. Jozy very wisely just smashed it into the side and that was great. The rest of it is, Jozy does what Jozy does. But he has been motivated and been great for us.”
Was the win or the performance more important?
“I think the performance is important because as you go into the champions league semi-final against Club America you want to have certain things clicking and some guys fitting together, especially after coming off of break like we just did. But at the same time the win is critical as there is a confidence that builds with that, when you put a W on the board and you go onto the next game with a win, it is obviously a better feeling than going into the next game (regardless of what it is) with a loss. I am not answering your question, I am saying both are very important. We needed this tonight, because it was an aggressive performance both on the attacking and defending sides for large chunks of it and that is going to be important in the next series.”
Forward Jozy Altidore
On his goals:
“We’ve been kind of stuttering the first couple games this season so to finally get some points on the board is a positive. You’re not in the cellar anymore looking up at everybody else so it’s good to get off to a good start there and obviously it gives us some confidence for Tuesday night.”
On how he is playing:
“Yeah I feel good but I still think there is another level for me, I think I can play better. I’m content with scoring, it’s great, but I think I can play better in my passing, my overall game can be better. Like I said it’s good to get the goals but I’m looking forward to training and trying to get sharper and ready for the rest of the season.”
Defender Ashtone Morgan
On being back to full fitness:
“Yeah definitely, I’m taking my games as they come and I feel like I’m getting back to my usual self. I’m excited and I just want to help the team out to get the ‘W’.”
On getting forward in the attack:
“Yeah, just play aggressive. When we as a team play aggressive great things happen. We get plays, corners, goals and good things happen.”
On the performance:
“We want to put our front foot forward to be ready for Tuesday. This game is preparation as well and now this game is done and we’re looking at the Champions League.”
