Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Opening comments on Denmark Men’s National Team forward Christian Eriksen…
From myself and the entire organization, I want to say that we’re with Christian Eriksen and his family. What an unbelievable situation today on the field. That was just incredible. I don’t know any more news than what I heard before so I know that he was stabilized and that’s great news. Our thoughts are with him and his family. We hope that he has a recovery and he’s okay. It was a crazy situation today and could have been a lot worse. Thank God that it’s not.
Thoughts on the match…
I thought their goalkeeper stood on his head. I thought that were a few chances we could have done much better with. Is it a fair result? They would say yes. They had a couple chances, they would say. But the number of high-quality chances that we had was a different level. We had great possession. I’m really proud that our performances, in the last 3-4 games, have been tremendous and they’re steady and there is a consistency to it. That’s what you’re striving for. That part I’m really, really happy with. Their goalkeeper kept them in the game for sure.
On the play of Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver…
It seems like there are a lot of goalkeepers that come into this place and wind up having a good game here. We also just need to be better in those situations. I don’t fault the guys today. The commitment was unreal. The performance was great. The number of chances and the quality of chances were there and to fight back after being down 1-0. It was kind of a strange play in the way they scored. The ball might have even been going out of bounds but Daniel (Salloi) actually headed it to try to save it but he actually heads it and puts the guy forward a little bit. It’s one of those strange ones. Credit to our guys for being able to come back again. That’s different level to me and shows a great mentality.
On the effect of Christian Eriksen’s situation on the team…
It would have been much different I think if the outcome would have been different because it was not looking good while he was on the field. I think most people who are soccer fans and were watching the game understood that. I’m glad that it turned out the way that it did and I think both teams were okay at that point.
On if it’s a concern with the team falling behind in matches…
It’s not at all. I think that when you play the way that we’ve been playing the last 4.5 games and the way that we’re playing, it’s going to continue to keep yielding results. It’s one thing to possess the ball. It’s another thing to possess the ball and create high-quality chances and we’re doing that. Maybe we didn’t find the net today like we should have, but I wouldn’t chastise the guys for that. Sometimes that happens in soccer. You’ve got to give a lot of credit to their goalkeeper. He was standing on his head in some moments. And then some other ones, maybe we could have been a little bit calmer in those situations. Our movement off the ball, our circulation of the ball, playing in between the lines, creating numbers up out wide, the number of services in the box – I’m very, very pleased with the way that the guys are evolving so early on in the season in the way that we’re playing.
On Daniel Salloi hitting a groove…
I think he was from the start of preseason because we talked so much about that. It’s a new season so what do you have to fall back on, right? You’re starting new so there is nothing you need to think about. For him, he started off very well. He came in with the right mentality. I say it all the time, it’s not the goals. It’s the other work that he does that then creates the chances for you. You make your own luck and that’s what he’s doing. It wasn’t like he dribbled six guys and served the ball into the far post. It was a play where again he finds himself in a really good position but he’s ready for it. We talk about that all the time. When we’re going to the goal, there are areas that we need to also cover because if the ball pops out, we have to be ready for it. He was in that area. That’s a good decision by him. It takes work to get there and he did that.
Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi
On how the goal came about...
We find ourselves in great positions, and we must have the most chances in the league because it’s ridiculous. We should score five goals every game but props to Austin. I think they have a great defense and they did really well and they're a tough team to break down. If we were a little bit luckier, then we could have won the game. I think we can’t be sad about this point. It’s a tough game, tough conditions, hot. It’s very difficult. I’m just happy that we found a way to tie it.
On the team’s ability to bounce back after giving up early goals…
Obviously we don’t want to give up goals, but it happens. You can’t blame the defense. It’s the whole team. I think offensively, we are very creative this year. We are all putting everything out there. I think it looks good from inside and outside, and we need to find more ways to score goals in these games. So far it’s been working. Obviously you’re going to tie and lose some games, but you’ve just got to keep going.
On how his goal felt…
It was great. I love our fans and it’s so nice playing in front of a full stadium. I hope you can see how motivated we all are. We are just trying to do everything we can and keep pushing, trying to entertain the crowd and win games. I’m just happy I could be the one who scored and it would have been even nicer if we got the win, but onto the next one.
On the play Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver…
He played very well. We already talked about it in the locker room. Johnny had an unlucky day, I could have scored more goals, Khiry (Shelton) as well. We all had our chances and it’s just one of those when you have to say 'well done' to the other goalkeeper. We’re not getting frustrated, we just keep pushing. I don’t feel frustration about the team. I think we’re just even more motivated to find a way to win the game.
On his attempt Stuver flicked onto the crossbar…
This happened really quickly. When I’m in the box, I always try to be on my toes and wait for those balls to bounce anywhere. Just like how I scored the goal. I just try to find a way to put it on target and direct it towards goal. That’s what I tried there, and if I were more lucky it goes in. It was a great save to be fair.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez
On the advice he was given going into the game...
It was pretty quick. Just come out and do whatever we work on during training. Keep the intensity high and bring some energy to the game. That’s what I try to do when I come in.
On Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver…
Props to him. It’s one of those days where you've just got to tip your hat to him and tell him he had a good game. Obviously, we didn’t really get frustrated because we created 20 chances. He came up with some big saves, but that shows a lot of good things about our team that a keeper makes a save and we just keep going. We’re relentless. Today’s unlucky that we didn’t get the three points, but I’m happy to get one.
