Swope Park Rangers Head Coach Paulo Nagamura
On the loss…
I think we were second best the entire game tonight. I give credit to Sacramento and their team. I think they did well, but we were not on our game. We were slow with the ball and we gave the ball away. It was definitely a performance to look into and forget.
On lessons from this game…
It is looking into the game and making sure that we learn the lesson, but also looking that if we do not bring the attitude, if we do not bring the will to win the game, it does not matter how talented you are, you will not get the job done. It was frustrating tonight, but I think the guys got the message and hopefully we can learn from this.
Swope Park Rangers defender Graham Smith
On Sacramento’s attack tonight…
I think Sacramento is just a really good team. They came ready to play, ready to fight, ready to work for 90 minutes. For whatever reason, we didn’t and when you don’t come out ready to go against a quality team like that, they will make you pay for it. They put up three on us.
On connecting with the forward line…
As a squad, we pride ourselves on keeping the ball and we failed to do that, especially in the first half. It was uncharacteristic giveaways. I know the guys hold themselves to a better standard. I hold myself to a better standard than what we put out today. It is just frustrating.
On thoughts after SPR goal…
Every time you are out there, you think you have a chance to come out with three points no matter the situation, especially when we were pushing. When we got that one back, I thought we had some momentum and again we just kind of shoot ourselves in the foot there. Another turnover in our end and they make us pay and you don’t really have enough time to come back against a quality team like that.
On moving forward…
Obviously, you have to learn from the negatives, but there are a lot of takeaways from this. This game will not be forgotten, but you have to put it in your rear view mirror. It is a long season and we have to come out and look for three points next time.
Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Simon Elliott
On scoring late in first half…
Huge. The count was even and then just before halftime we managed to get one. We need to be a little more clinical in those situations and it was pleasing that we were tonight.
On the quick turnaround from Saturday’s match…
Same as Swope, it’s not easy you have to get as much rest as you can and make sure the guys understand their roles and responsibilities, but you can’t really train. Ideally it’s good communication between coaches, between players and from coaches to players.
On SPR scoring in the 70th minute…
They’re a good team. We were starting to get a little spread in the midfield and we just tried to tighten up those gaps. Front to back and side to side, we were a little stretched, so we tried to tighten those gaps and communicate clearly to the guys.
