Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On tonight's game...
I thought it was a pretty even match all the way through. In the middle of the first half I thought we started giving the ball away in the middle part of the field and they had a few counterattacks based on us losing the ball, and I thought we fixed that going into halftime 0-0. I had a good idea the game would end 0-0, 1-0, somebody might sneak (a goal), but it was a good effort from our part. I don't think at any time we were overplayed. It was just an even match.
On his team's 65% possession advantage for the game...
You always want to have the ball as much as you can, but it doesn't necessarily always equate into anything. When I look at the number of times on goal for both teams it's very similar. Statistics can play a lot of different ways, but they were pretty even for the most part. Possession was just a fact that, at times, we were good with the ball.
Sporting Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic
On tonight's game...
It was a difficult match for us. We weren't as sharp as we typically are, and Dallas was on the front foot. We've got to have a better performance if we want to get a result.
Was the gameplan to slow down FC Dallas...
I don't think we're ever looking to slow the game down. We like to come out and play, and put a stamp on the game. Unfortunately, we probably didn't have our best game tonight, but it's still early and we've got time to bounce back.
Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara
On tonight's game...
We weren't good enough when we needed to be, they drove the game for a decent bit of it, got their goal, and they deserved to win that game. We've got to look forward to this coming weekend, correct ourselves and get ready for our next game.
On his team's offensive struggles...
They did a pretty good job of pressing when they had the right moments. They make it a track meet so it's difficult for us to get our rhythm. That's the way they play, and we knew it. They implemented their gameplan to perfection. We need to be better at playing opponents like that, who want to make it up and down, and figure out ways to control the ball and get in behind.
On his team's 65% possession advantage for the game...
I didn't even realize it was that much but, again,that's what they do. They'll let you have the ball a little bit, then when they pick you off, they've got guys that are ready to go. That's what they live off of is that counterattack, and they had a couple moments in the first half. I'm not sure their goal came off the counter, but unfortunately we allowed one late in the game today.
