Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Thoughts on the performance…
I thought we were good. I’m always a little critical when we get scored on but I think, in the end, we played really well in the game. I thought we managed the ball really well and it’s something that we talked about all week. Knowing that we were at home, we felt we were going to have the ball a lot and we did. I thought we were good with it. Other than a couple little mishaps here and there, I thought we were the better team tonight.
On the team’s play in the second half…
I thought we showed a real hunger. If we weren’t a little unlucky, we probably could have scored a couple more goals. I think we’re on the precipice of doing something really good.
On the team finding its chemistry…
It’s hard to tell. I would say that right now, from game to game we’re getting more familiar with each other but we still have a lot to work on. We’re three games in right now. We’ve got 31 left. There’s a long way to go.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Ilie
On his first goal in a Sporting KC uniform…
I am happy for the three points. It was a penalty kick so I am grateful for my teammates that let me shoot the penalty. I’m happier for the win than for the goal.
On being designated as the team’s penalty taker…
I felt confident so I took the responsibility. We will have to wait and see for the next games. We have a lot of good shooters so it’s more about how we are feeling in the game. Today, I had a good feeling.
On his injury prior to the team’s third goal…
It was a hit. I feel good but we will see tomorrow how I wake up and then over the next few days.
On securing the victory at home…
It’s been difficult over these first games for us but we have to be ready here at home in front of our fans. It’s a great win. I hope that this will keep us going in a good way.
Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi
On scoring the team’s second goal…
I got it out wide and started dribbling in. I think at least three of our guys made great runs in behind them. It made their defense commit a little bit to the ball and it opened up for a shot.
On the three points earned at home…
I thought we played very well throughout. We gave up two goals that I think were probably avoidable but for us to stick three in the back of the net, it put us in a good position.
On the offense starting to click in the last two weeks…
For sure. I think on the offensive side we’re creating tons of chances. And it’s a good thing we’re sticking some of those in the back of the net. I think we need to shore up some things on the defensive end though.
San Jose Earthquakes head coach Mikael Stahre
On the game...
First of all, I think we handled the game well in the first half. It was an equal game for sure, and I think we handled the pressure from Sporting Kansas City in a good way. I think we created some really good chances. Then, of course, I am really disappointed we conceded that second goal at that point in the game. I think we controlled the game really well in that moment, and just a few minutes before they scored we had a great chance. Then we lost the momentum when we conceded the second goal. Then, the score became 3-1 and in that part of the match they controlled the game totally. We made some changes and we also changed the shape, and we scored a goal from Wondo in stoppage time and put some pressure on them. Of course, I am disappointed to be leaving here without points, but especially because in the first half andi then in the first 15 minutes of the second we played really well.
On the late push...
We came here with ambition to win the game, or second best to leave with a point. We fought until the end and it was really important for us to score the second goal, but I felt at halftime that we could have won the game. Then we conceded the second goal and we lost the momentum. They are a good team, but I think we can take some positive things with us.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski
On his goal and moving to second place in all-time scoring...
I wish we could have won, but credit to our team and Magnus [Eriksson] for putting that ball in there. To finish it was pretty cool, but hopefully we will get a couple more wins.
On the missed chance at the beginning of the second half...
It is a big shot that is still weighing on my mind and will give me some trouble sleeping tonight. I was a good cross by Magnus [Eriksson], Matt Besler took a little deflection and it put it a little behind me, and it got a little swivel and I missed it. That was a big one.
On the game...
I thought it showed a lot of the character of this team and a lot of the things we have been working on and instilled in our mentality. I thought that when it was 1-1 and we came out in the first 10 minutes it was pretty positive, then I missed that chance to score and it is a pretty fickle game. That is how it goes.
