Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On facing Houston for a second time this season…
I think the difference is, in the first half in Houston, we didn’t play all that well. But in the second half, we were a different team. Tonight from the opening whistle basically until the end, we were in control of the game. The way we dominated from that perspective and the number of chances and just our attitude and patience – it was tremendous.
On the play of Alan Pulido…
Alan has incredible street smarts for the game. He knows what the team needs at specific times and he always knows how to provide it. He was excellent tonight again…Overall in the game, he was very, very good. He was very active. He played in between the lines at a very, very high level.
On Gianluca Busio’s goal…
What I’m happy about is that people are getting a chance to see what I see every day in that kid and that is that he is not only an incredible talent, but he’s incredibly mature for his age. The things that he’s able to pull off on a regular basis and do it consistently is incredible. He’s just got a great attitude. I don’t think he gets the recognition that he deserves. He is a fantastic player. He is a great kid. He continues to display what a great soccer player he is every time he steps onto the field.
On keeping the team’s momentum over the upcoming break…
You always have to have a good balance between a little bit of rest and trying to keep the guys in rhythm with playing. You have to be careful. It’s a fine balance. Usually when you come back after two weeks and having a week off, both teams are a little bit rusty. We’ll try to do everything we can to keep the guys in form if possible but it won’t be easy.
On playing in front of a full-capacity crowd…
If you’re a fan and you came and watched the game today, you were incredibly entertained. So I applaud the players for that – a tremendous effort from that point of view. I said this from day one when everything shut down and we couldn’t have fans in the stands: at the end, the game is about the fans. If they’re not in the stadium, the environment just doesn’t exist. Tab Ramos, the coach of Houston, is obviously a friend of mine and we go back a long way. Right before the match started, we both kind of came together and we both were saying the same thing to each other which is, ‘It’s great to have the fans here. It changes everything.’ This is what we do this for. It’s for the fans. It was a tremendous environment. They were great. They were loud. They were so energetic. They haven’t lost their connection to the team. It was just rekindled tonight. It was exciting for us to be able to win the game, entertain and give them a good taste leaving tonight.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gianluca Busio
On if he’s ever struck a ball that perfectly…
It’s tough to say. I take pride in taking free kicks. I think I’ve hit one close to that, but I think that was definitely my best one yet. That was the perfect spot and I’m happy that it when in like that. I definitely think it was my best one yet.
On playing in front of a full-capacity crowd…
The fans play a huge part. The feeling you get when you score a goal and the stadium goes crazy, you can’t beat that feeling. It’s great to have them back. We can’t do this without fans. They give us another level to push. We want to give a treat to fans. We have the best fans in MLS. Thanks to them for coming out. We couldn’t do anything without them. It’s really special to have them back and it’s a great feeling to be scoring goals like that in front of them.
On turning 19 on Friday and recording a goal and an assist on Saturday…
On my birthday, I was thinking about how I could make it an even better one. I wanted to get on the scoresheet and I did it in a really, really good way. I’m happy with that. I’ve had a good weekend so far.
On his goal sparking the team’s comeback win…
I think it was really important. Obviously, getting that first one to tie the game that was going to be good for the team. No matter who scored it or how we scored it, we needed that goal. Players are going to have to step up and create moments of brilliance and that’s what happened and it happened to be me today. That’s what happens when we have teams who sit back; we’re going to have to have moments like that. I knew once we got one, we’d get two and three and we did.
On his evolving role within the team…
Anywhere on the field, I want to help the team. Wherever they need me, I’m going to play. I’ve been playing really well at the 6 right now and I’ll continue to play that way. I enjoy every position on the field, really. Stepping on the field is good for me right now. I think I’ve done really well at the 6 so far and I just want to help the team win games. That’s what has been happening lately and I don’t want to change anything right now. I’m happy where I’m at.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gadi Kinda
On the team’s comeback…
I would say that we have a good attitude. We play the same football if we have one goal more or less against us. I’m very happy with our second half. We showed our character. We played very good. I’m happy with the three points.
On the play of Gianluca Busio…
This guy is amazing. He plays every game better than his last game. I’ve never seen a 19-year-old play like this. I love to see him play. He’s a top-level player.
On his goal…
I just shot the ball. I wanted to shoot on the first touch and I’m happy that it went inside.
On playing in front of a full-capacity crowd…
It’s amazing. Last year, I played just one game with a full stadium. It was amazing. I’m happy that the fans are coming back. We need them. We just need to continue like this.
