Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On the game...
These games are never easy. I say that because the team that comes in with the idea that this is the Rocky fight, coming in as the underdog and really has a lot to prove. It’s difficult to keep your team up to the challenge for 90 minutes, because what happens is you score in the first three minutes and you think it’s going to be easy. The other team played well in the first half. They moved the ball and credit to those guys for getting this far.
On advancing to the quarterfinals...
We’re going to have to get prepared for that next round. They’re (Richmond) a team that comes to fight. It’ll be a tough game for us. I think we’ve figured out how to manage a game for 90 minutes. The change from one half to the other is a good thing. I think we have some good depth and some guys that are in good form. We have the right mentality regarding people getting their opportunities. They’re playing hard and not letting those slip away. That creates very good competition within the team. Every time you step in the white lines, you have to be prepared no matter who you play.
On the team's recent run...
I think it’s us taking advantage of the situations that we have. I think we’ve played in some games where we’ve created chances. We’re getting the results right now and I feel comfortable with that.
On the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup...
Every time we have a chance to win a championship, it’s important. It’s a good piece of hardware for the club. It’s the number one thing we want to do. All of those opportunities are very important for us. We are going after this tournament for sure.
Sporting Kansas City Home Grown Player Kevin Ellis
On his debut...
I thought it was good. I got a good 20-some minutes in and it felt good to get out and play with the team. I love my city and the fans, it’s by far the best place to play in MLS. I’m glad I got to make my debut here.
Sporting Kansas City striker Teal Bunbury
On scoring in the match...
Most importantly, we have to win. The biggest thing for me was getting a win. Every time a game goes by and I don’t score, I have to forget about it and just move on. I feel like most of us try to get ready the same way. For the most part, we have to stay focused and go out there and do things we can control.
Sporting Kansas City defender Aurelien Collin
On the team's performance...
We’re happy. In the first half, we had some problems with positions and sometimes we were playing too low and sometimes too high. We have good communication with the staff. Every time I do something wrong, they harp me. Honestly, I feel good in MLS.
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Eric Kronberg
On the shutout...
I think we played decent. First half we came out a little slow. Second half we scored two goals and focused on keeping the ball under control. It’s nice to know you’re playing on a good field in front of a good home crowd, and not in some random high school we’ve never played at before. It’s a definite advantage. It means a lot to everyone, the Open Cup means a lot. This year we’re really concentrating on going far. It says something about your club if you can go far in the Open Cup. We have to focus one game at a time.
