Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On using a different formation and the overall game plan…
Just based on personnel available, based on guys being tired defensively, we wanted to do something different, especially because the way that they play – at times they have four to five guys up on the front line, a lot of combination play in the middle of park, so that was the reason.
On what changed following the first 30 minutes…
I don't know. Look, I think the guys gave a good effort. They got behind us the one time, cut the ball back to the top of the box, they score, and then we're on the wrong side of one of the crosses that comes across. That second goal didn't help right before halftime. After that, I think we just got incredibly tired. But they're a good team, they're a very good team. They deserved to win for sure. They played with a lot of confidence, but they're a very good team.
On Kayden Pierre’s injury…
Something with his hand, not sure yet. I think something’s broke, but I can't tell you exactly what.
On Robert Castellanos’ injury…
Turned his ankle, couldn't go in the second half, so we had to make the changes that we did. We weren't planning on doing that, but we had to.
On if there was a plan to revert back to a 4-3-3 formation before the injuries…
No, not in this situation. I think that it was very important for us – especially with the way the change was and the tiredness of certain guys. We just don't have other guys to put in certain positions, so it was very difficult, especially in the midfield.
On what the team can do to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle of the field…
I don't think that happened on the first two goals. The second two, we were pushing, trying to get it, trying to get a goal, trying to get back into the game. I think there was a little bit of that. We were high pressed up the field and I think they made some good decisions, and we were out of position a little bit.
On if the team will have players returning from injury in upcoming games…
That's the plan. That's obviously what we're going to try and do. It would be nice to get a few guys back and get back on a winning way.
