Sporting KC II Manager Benny Feilhaber
Thoughts on the match...
It was a tale of two halves within the first half. We played very poorly in the first 20 minutes, low on energy we weren't getting guys close to the ball defensively and we were giving them a lot of space. They were clearly the better team and then we shifted back into a 4-3-3 and we looked a lot more comfortable. We started getting people on the ball, winning balls and connecting passes. In the last 20 minutes, we were clearly the better team and had some chances. We were dangerous on set pieces. The second half was a pretty even game. Neither team looked like they wanted to win the game. It looked like we were destined for a 0-0 game. We were not aggressive enough on their first goal. They had an opportunity to pin them against the sideline but we let them turn, drive to our box and we put ourselves in a situation that was more dangerous than it should have been. Disappointing with that but it's something we can work on with the team. The reaction was not great, giving up a second goal and now it felt like we were miles away from getting a result. We still have things to learn from these games. They turn in an instant and you have to maintain. If you're tied 0-0 don't give up anything, and if you're down one, do not give up a second because you will have the opportunity to come back and win the game. We didn't do that well enough today.
On Rauf Salifu's goal...
Salifu has been up and down the whole season and he's just not found the back of the net. It's tough as a coach because you can see the quality that he has and you know the things that he brings. You see him in training and see some really good things. In games, as a striker, you have got to get goals. He's had those opportunities and just hasn't been able to put them away. It's great for him today. That is one of the silver linings. If you can ask for one goal from somebody today it would be him so hopefully, he gets that monkey off his back and he starts banging the goals now, which is what we need from him. I'm glad to see that he got the first one.
On the upcoming schedule, and the message to the team...
Including today, these next games before that little break are huge. Minnesota and St Louis are teams that we're trying to catch in terms of a playoff spot. Today was huge and unfortunately for us, it didn't go our way. We have the opportunity against Houston next week, who lost to St Louis tonight. Then we have St. Louis at home again. Things can change quickly in our sport as we know. It's hard to look to far into the future but these are the games that you have to get results. Today we weren't able to do it and we'll have to be better next week.
