Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On overall thoughts of the game...
"Definitely it wasn't an easy match for either team. I think both of us played a lot of different guys in our lineup. It was one of those games where it was going to take a goal to change things. We really didn’t give too much away throughout the game. We were able to put the second goal in, which was a killer goal. (Forward) Latif (Blessing) played really well for us tonight. He was a hand full. He caused the second goal, obviously, he stretched out the defense. It was a good performance all around. We knew coming in with the time a day it would be a difficult game. We also knew it would be difficult for them too, not easy for either team. I thought we did a good job with it."
On Ike Opara's performance...
“When he opens up his account each year all of a sudden he starts to get in this role. He really does, it’s kind of strange. He is in a rhythm at the moment. He was out for two years. I mean for two years in a row he had a season ending injury. I’m happy for him not only for the goals, but really for the fact that he has been playing consistently. He is playing at a higher level at the moment based on the fact that he has put a lot of hard work in and worked hard for it.”
On taking advantage of Opara's height on set pieces...
“We always have. The thing is it always comes down to service and timing. That’s the part that he has gotten back more so than he has had.”
On Opara remaining healthy this season...
“I mean knock on wood. You always hope so. Injuries are part of the game. What he has done in the off season in taking care of himself and getting ready for the season but he has been really, really diligent in making sure he does the proper stuff in between games and that he recovers well.”
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia
Overall thoughts on the game...
“These the type of games you just need to advance, it doesn’t have to be pretty, it doesn’t have to be crowded all around, you just have to advance. We did a really good job coming to a place where this team has had a dominance and fortunately they got the win. Now it’s time for the next round, were going home for the next round, so we are going to put this turn on the backburner for a couple of days. We have a game against Portland and focus on that first and move on.”
On Ike Opara's goal...
“Ike has been lights out all year, weather he’s been scoring spectacular bikes or doing the needed gritty defensive work. His overall presence, his possession in the back has been really good, he is a top priority and we are lucky to have him.”
On Ike Opara
“He is a competitor and he’s going out there. He wants to win and you just can’t say enough things about him of how well he’s doing right now.”
Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara
Thoughts on the match...
“I thought we did well. It was obviously difficult conditions, but we came to play. Houston made it difficult on the first 20 minutes or so, but we stuck to our game plan and we got our goal and then a second one, which we have been lacking at finishing up the game this year.”
On playing against a tough opponent...
“These games are tough no matter who is on the field. They’ve got players who haven’t played regularly, but they are hungry to play and that’s what this league is all about, you want an opportunity to show your coach what you’ve got and those guys who were on the field for Houston today performed well. They made it difficult for us. We knew it was going to be a challenge regardless if it was on the field, but we focused on our game plan.”
On the goal...
“I just really wanted to put myself in a good position and used my athleticism to win the second ball. (Defender) Kevin (Ellis) made a heck of a play to win that ball, off balance, going backwards and putting back to a dangerous location, so he deserves a lot of credit. I was there and did my job.”
