Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On conceding twice at the end of the first half…
You don’t want that to happen. We were in a good position at 1-0. Giving up two goals like we did, it changed the game. We were already dominating them at their own place and we had the ball a lot and we were moving it well. We were dictating a lot of the game and we did it for the whole game really. Two very good lessons for us today, but I’m very proud of the guys because we dominated the game with the ball. We created a lot of opportunities too. I’m not going to say they were high quality. There were some good chances there. There were a few quality chances there we could have maybe snuck in. It was a little bit difficult, but I think the guys played really, really well – especially away from home.
On converting the team’s shots into goals…
Today, we missed a couple of really good chances. That happens sometimes. There is nothing you can say when you look at the way that we played. I get it, it’s all about winning. Believe me, that’s at the forefront of every game we play. Outside of losing the game, I feel really good about the fact that the guys are in sync with each other and the quality in which we play is very good. It’s going to get results. We drove the game at someone else’s place. We always feel it’s very, very important for us to drive the game when we’re at home and entertain our fans. That’s part of it. Part of it is winning, as well. They beat us today. They scored their goals and they won. But I’m very encouraged by the way that we’re playing at the moment.
On the play of Felipe Hernandez…
I thought Felipe was good. Obviously, we’ve got quite a few guys out with Remi Walter and Gadi (Kinda). The fact that’s he able to come in and play the way that he does is a testament to him. I give Felipe a lot of credit. He’s worked his way through the ranks. That’s what allows him to have the kind of performances that he does. He plays very, very well in our team. He never takes a shift off. All the guys respect him for that. It was a very good performance from him.
On Alan Pulido’s return from international duty…
You’ve got to give them credit. They were doing everything they could to stop him. There were three or four guys around him. Every time he got the ball there were two guys. When he was inside the box, there were four guys going to block the ball. It’s not going to be easy every time. You’ve got to give the other team credit for defending and blocking shots and doing all those things, as well.
On what needs to be solved looking ahead to Colorado…
All aspects for us, week after week, are worked on so it’s not one thing or another. The obvious thing is you don’t want to give up goals and you want to score your chances. Those are easy ones. I have faith in the team on both sides of the ball. Those things will continue to be worked just like they are normally.
On the play of Jaylin Lindsey and the team’s depth at right back…
We have a solid rotation of players there. We have good depth. We have two guys that can really play the position well and a third guy who is up and coming. The future is bright there.
Sporting Kansas City defender Jaylin Lindsey
On his goal in the first half…
It was kind of a play it out kind of play. I saw Alan got the ball on the touchline and he was dribbling in. He wanted a little cut back ball and it missed a couple of guys. I feel like I was in the right position at the top of the box for it to be there. The ball popped out and I took the shot. Once I took the shot, it was kind of quiet. I didn’t know I scored until I went to the corner. It was a good goal.
On if it was a better goal than his goal in San Jose…
The goal that felt better, I would say, was this game against Portland. Obviously, it was a better quality goal. But I would say the goal in San Jose meant more because we were down 1-0 and it was to tie the game and get us back into gear a little bit.
On playing in Portland…
It’s always tough to come here to Portland and play in front of their fans. They have a good atmosphere. I feel like we really dominated the game. The sad part is we were moving the ball and we created chances. We just couldn’t put anything else into the back of the net. It was one of those game that I think we just came out unlucky. We dominated with our possession style of play. We’ve got to learn from this and move on to Wednesday.
On playing on Juneteenth with special kits…
It really means a lot, especially coming from this time last year when we had those issues going on around the world. Now to make it a national holiday, I think it’s really good to have that recognition. To go out on the field and to wear it in front of TV and all those fans really shows representation for Black Players for Change. It’s a step in the right direction. To have Juneteenth, to show representation to the world, to other races – it’s really a blessing to go out there and wear those Juneteenth numbers.
On developing at the right back position and competing with Graham Zusi…
I think we’re both really good players. Obviously, Zusi is a legend. You learn a lot of things from him. He’s always talking to me – giving me some steps and pointers. It’s more just evaluating the way he plays because he knows the system very well under Peter. For me, I’m in my fourth year and I’ve got down the style of play but there’s still stuff to learn. There’s always something to learn each and every day. That’s what I learn from Zusi when I watch him play. We’re always just pushing each other each and every practice and every game. We’re supporting each other. At this stage in the season, we’re making each other better. When Zusi goes out, he performs. When I go out, I put in a little shift as well. I think we kind of feed off each other and we make each other better.
