QUOTE SHEET
Real Salt Lake 0-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Avaya Stadium; San Jose, California
July 6, 2019
Real Salt Lake
Head Coach Mike Petke
On the result:
“For 92 and a half minutes we frustrated them a bit, we were tight defensively and we had our opportunities in transition and through the run of play. They did too, but after the first 10-12 minutes we were able to control the midfield and move the ball. We were comfortable and we were in it. This one hurts. Soccer is cruel sometimes and at times, it just takes one second to switch off and you get punched.”
On the message to the team:
“The message is this should hurt. It should hurt because we deserved a point out of that. Look at Saucedo’s opportunity, Besler’s opportunity, Silva’s header. Of course, San Jose had opportunities, don’t get me wrong. This one should hurt. If it doesn’t, then they don’t deserve to be out here. Whether you lose 4-0 or whatever, it better hurt, and I know it does hurt them. Six points of a possible nine in the last eight days, we’ll be happy with that. It’s not a bad week.”
On the match before stoppage:
“It was great performance from a mentality standpoint. It was gritty. We know they have key moments in the match when they go man-on-man, and you look at the moments someone like Brooks had in the second half where he turns and he almost created a goal from it. It was a great mentality for the entire game for 92 and a half minutes. But it takes a second to turn off to get punished.
On Rimando’s 500th appearance:
“He’s the best goalkeeper in league history. He holds every record. It would’ve been nice if he ended his 500th with a shutout or a win. At the end of the day it didn’t happen, and it doesn’t take away from what Nick has done and who he is.”
On the Earthquakes:
“They have a lot of energy. They have a good understanding of their roles. They’re very aggressive in 1v1 situations and we identified that and prepared for that to exploit them. Almeyda is obviously a great coach and they’re doing well right now. They didn’t start well, and people wrote them off and now they’re back and he’s done what he’s capable of. Tonight, we gave them a good fight. It was a bitter pill to swallow in the last 10 seconds.”
On the chances created:
“It’s tough to swallow. A bit more technique, a bit better composure in the moments that we had our chances. We need to be a bit more clinical in those moments and we could’ve had 2-3 goals. San Jose is at home and had great opportunities as well, but I feel like we had more clear-cut chances and based off the way we were playing, they didn’t have as many clear-cut chances, but they had opportunities. In this league against opponents like this, if you don’t put away the chances, nine of ten times that’s what happens.”
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando
On the last-second goal:
“The ball comes out wide, towards the corner so they were quick. We were a bit surprised and took one play off. Just like that they score. A lot of hard work was shown tonight. The guys showed again how tough we can be defensively and how hard we can be to break down. Just one play shows that if you shut off, you go away with nothing. It hurts and is a learning experience and looking back to the last three games in a week, we got six points and we have to move on.”
On how the result feels:
“We thought we’d at least come here to San Jose and get a point. At least. Our performance showed that tonight and that’s why it hurts a little more. For me, it hurts because it was the 93rd minute and you tend to try and lock things down at the end. Especially when we lost focus on a set piece that gave them the three points.”
On his 500th appearance:
“Right now I’m thinking about the result and the guys inside the locker room. To get to 500 when my mom was happy with me playing one game, it feels great. If anything I take away from this is the longevity of being able to play and continue to play through this season and to do it in an RSL shirt feels great. 500 feels good and I hope to get a few more before the year’s end and keep moving.”
On the fan support:
“It’s nice to know that the clubs, players and fans that I’ve reached have a special place in their heart for me. I was here a long time ago and there are fans that probably know of me in San Jose. To get pictures and cards feels good to know I reached at least one person. And hopefully I’ll leave a legacy at each place I’ve been.”
Forward Brooks Lennon
On the result:
“We took a half second off and we got punished. It hurts.”
On the opportunities created:
“I thought defensively we were fantastic tonight. I thought the whole first half we were great and the whole second half we were great. For one second, we weren’t and we conceded so late. I think we need to finish the chances that we had. Sometimes soccer is a cruel game so we just need to bite our tongues on this one and move on.”
On starting up top:
“It’s special for me to play my natural position again. It was a fun night for me. But again, it’s a tough one to take and we need to take the positives out of this one and move on.”
