QUOTE SHEET
Real Salt Lake 1-2 LA Galaxy
Dignity Health Sports Park; Carson, California
Saturday, November 1, 2020
Head Coach Freddy Juarez
Initial thoughts:
“We started off with good possession, but not enough firepower to get in behind. We weren't aggressive enough in our movements to get in behind then we gave up the set piece goal, which is never a good thing. I thought we had some decent control of the game except just not aggressive enough to get in behind. Second half I thought that changed. We controlled the tempo of the game, we were in their half, we had possession, we had attacks. We were the better team and then the one opportunity that Pavon gets with the pace that he has was a little bit of a miscue from us because we knew that's what they're looking for. They got it and they scored and we continued to chase the game. We made some adjustments, we were very aggressive bringing in Chang as a left back, getting Dougie in there and getting the goal. Towards the end of the game they're desperate, they're clearing everything, we just lacked a little bit of quality there to get a couple good looks. But my guys gave a lot of energy, a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice and I think if you look at the stats we're probably better in the majority of it.”
On missing the playoffs:
“I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that there were some very close games that we just couldn't put away, very similar games to these. We feel like we're the better team, we had a pretty good grasp of the game and just aren't lethal enough or ruthless enough to keep the ball out of the net but also to have a little more quality and composure when attacking their goal. Effort was there. The tactics were pretty good, especially in the second half. We talked about some things to free up some players and we did that. It's disappointing and I know the guys are disappointed. I feel for them. I feel for my staff. I feel for the club. I feel for the fans. I know they're disappointed in me and they should be. We busted our butt to try to get the team in there and I wasn’t good enough to get them in this year, but it’s not because of lack of effort. I thought they fought their hearts out tonight.”
On motivation in final game:
“I'm motivated. I mean, when you see the team play like they did tonight with that energy then you would hope that they can carry that on again, that's how it should be and that's what we will aim for. Obviously we’ve got to be better to put away the goals and keep some out. It's the final game of the season and the motivation is there because the fans deserve it. They paid to watch us and they support us, and they deserve the last energy that we have and give it all and all the mental strength that we have. We should be motivated because every year teams change. It might be the last time you play with a teammate. When we signed up for this we all knew that from when you sign the dotted line to the last day that you're there, you have to give everything that you have.”
On giving up an unlucky set piece goal:
“There's been some odd ones for sure, but I don't think that one is an odd one. I have to look at it again, but from what I saw I think Putna might be a little bit out of position and then he tries to spring off from his stance. I think he could’ve done a little bit better with that. He knows that and we'll talk to him. I think he could have taken a hop and then exploded. I think he leaps from where he's standing so you don't generate power because that's usually his strength. We didn't do a good job of attacking that ball before that and it's something that we put a lot of focus on. That one is not unlucky to me, that one's just a lack of some detail. You’ve got to have focus in all moments of the game. I really didn't see LA Galaxy scoring on us unless it was one of those or in transition and they got both. We got a free kick and then they got a transition play.”
On the team’s effort:
“In moments it was good, other times it wasn't. Obviously I'm not happy because we didn't get a goal from it, but overall I think the effort from the guys was really good. Our technique and quality sometimes failed us, but it wasn't for lack of understanding or lack of commitment. The team gave everything they had today and we just weren't good enough.”
On Glad at right back:
“I thought Glad was very good. I thought he was very good in his 1v1 defending. I thought he looked comfortable on the ball. A lot of people are probably shocked when he plays there and I'm sure I already got killed by it in the media, but I thought he was very good. The one thing I know is Justen is a very good 1v1 defender. He's very fast and he showed that on multiple occasions when he got caught.”
On putting the team in better positions to score:
“We just have to be willing to do it. That was definitely the game plan. In the first half we didn't do a good job of that and we weren't threatening enough behind. If we can give the direct ball in over the top then let's do it if the movement is there, if not then we have to find the highest man after that. In the second half we did some things where we asked Dami and Meram to occupy the back four. Then from there we would want to isolate our wingers where they could receive it facing up the field and then try to distribute from there. If they adjusted to that then we were going to get a little more freedom in the middle of the field to give that temperature.”
On the team’s off-ball movement:
“The movement was pretty good up until we got to the final third where they had eight or nine guys behind the ball. It was five or so passes that we connected with eighty-seven percent accuracy. It wasn't just around the back line, we did a pretty good job from center back to center back, getting it to the midfielders and moving the ball in the middle third and attacking half. Where we could have done better was in the final third when now that it’s congested, it takes a special little movement or takes a special player. We created one awesome play where Douglas gets on the end of it from great service, but the nine isn't going to be good enough. You need to maybe try to create double that.”
On getting players up for final game:
“We signed a contract, we love to do this and we should be proud of what we do. We owe the fans every day that we show up to work, every day that we show up to a game. I know as far as the result went that the fans aren't proud of us, but I think they should be proud of the effort the guys put in today. We kept fighting until the end and I hope it's the same against KC. It will be from myself and I expect my players to do it. What's the motivation? First and foremost, we owe it to the club because they hired us. Second, the fans. The fans live for this every day and they support us through thick and thin. We owe it to them to put a smile on their face. Then it's potentially the last time you play with your teammates. The team is never the same the next year. People have to leave and people have to come so you have to enjoy each other for the last time in the last game of the season.”
Midfielder Damir Kreilach
On the effort:
“It’s hard to find the words. We are disappointed with this year and frustrated as well because I think we played a solid match. First of all, I want to apologize to the fans for the team because we didn’t reach the playoff spot that we wanted this year. We were in a situation where everything was in the open and a shot on a goal is a goal. Two times today, we had control of the game and we conceded a goal. It wasn't what we wanted. At the end of the day, I think we controlled the game. We had ball possession and the effort was there. It was a solid performance, we just didn’t get enough shots on the goal and weren’t dangerous enough. Unfortunately, it is what it is and we have to keep our heads up to finish the season strong to try to get three points against SKC and then analyze the season.”
On finding the motivation to get three points against SKC:
“Even if you play how you train, when you take games side by side, you want to win and that's when we have to have the motivation and effort. There should always be 100% given on the field without any question. At the end of the day, we didn't win the last three games, and I think now it's time to win against Sporting KC. It's not going to be an easy game. It’s going to be a good game because they are fighting for the first or second spot. The motivation must be on the field, and this is how you are going to take this game.”
On coming back from conceding first:
“It’s really tough, because our goal is to come in every game and score first to get a lead and then we have more confidence to finish the game and take three points. Maybe 80 to 90 percent of the games where we get the lead we won those games, and the games we conceded the first goal, of course, it's very hard to come from behind. With a game every three to four days, it’s hard to change the game. It’s really tough, our biggest problem is concentration. The Galaxy, in the first 15 minutes, they gave us space on the ball and possession. We controlled the game and then the set piece happened. In the second half, we had control for about 25 minutes, then off a corner transition we conceded the second one. Of course, it's frustrating and disappointing but it is what it is. It’s the last week to put it together and get 3 points against SKC.”
On the season overall:
“Unfortunately, this year is going to be remembered just for the Coronavirus. It is what it is and I think at the end of the day, it's the most important thing that the people stay healthy. That's what it’s all about. Sometimes in life you have more important things than soccer because there are other people that have other important jobs. It’s been a weird year. First of all with the tournament in Orlando. We started the season in March and then the season was cancelled and after that there was the tournament in Orlando and then after that we started the season for the third time. We have to respect that we had at least around 20 games. I'm looking forward to next year, and hopefully it’s going to be normal and that we as players will be allowed to play in front of our fans.”
On off the ball movement:
“I think the off the ball movement was very good. The final third we were not that aggressive. We did not find the space to create 100% chances or find the solutions where we could take shots from outside of the box. The off the ball movement, because of the possession that we had, was good, but our final ball wasn’t as good as it was against Dallas or Portland at home. We have to find the solution to be better in the final third and be more aggressive in creating chances.”
Defender Justen Glad
On being out of the playoffs:
“I'm very disappointed. I think we had plenty of opportunities this year to get results and pick up points. We failed to do so and I speak for the whole team when I say we're upset and it's very disappointing.”
On motivation ahead of SKC
“It's a home game and we'll have fans there, so as always we'll play our hearts out for the fans. I know it doesn't mean as much because we are eliminated, but as a competitor and as an RSL player for six years, we'll leave it all on the field and we'll try to make the fans proud.”
On the game:
“I thought we were on top of them for a lot of the game, but what it comes down to at the end of the day is goals and you need to score goals in soccer. We just weren't dangerous in front of goal. We had the ball, and we had them tired. At the end of the day if you don't score goals, if you don't capitalize, it's tough to walk away with points.”
On where the breakdown was:
“I still have to process some of the game, but speaking for myself I didn't think I had the greatest service in the box. Besides that I think we just didn't really threaten in behind enough. We played in front of them a lot which, as a defender, makes me comfortable, knowing what’s in front of you. It's the runs in behind that are tough to stop. I don't think we were dynamic enough and we didn't take shots. If we did take a shot there wasn't enough space and they blocked it, so there's a couple things you look at and point at.”
