Swope Park Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos
On the game:
“The same way deserved to lose against OKC, or we didn’t do well, or the subs didn’t come in well, now it was the opposite. We had a game that we lost a little bit of control of in a span of twenty minutes in the first half, where they were a little bit on us. After that, in the second half, we stepped it up. The substitutes, Grant, Ayrton, Nansel (Selbol); everybody that came in brought a plus, and Mark Anthony (Gonzalez). So, I think overall, it was a game we deserved.”
On if the team is closer to reaching season objectives:
“We said before the game in the locker room, that we have a chance to be in the top eight with a win – top eight puts you in the playoffs, that’s our objective. So I think we answered well in a week that was very tough.”
On the difficulties of the midweek road trip:
“We played in Colorado, and then we had a very tough trip back due to cancellation of flights and all of that, we had to cancel yesterday’s training session, and the guys were able to answer. Inside they were fatigued, but the attitude was good, the mentality good, the three points excellent, and it’s good.”
On Tommy Meyer playing right back:
“With Chance Myers playing for us that went back to the first team, Jimmy (Mulligan) that was called back to the New York Cosmos, and Grant is more of an offensive fullback and in this game due to the dynamic they had with Campbell and number 21 (Didier Crettenand) that comes more inside, we needed a right back that was more defensive, and held more ground so I think it was a good option at the end of the day. Everybody has to be ready to play in different positions and help the team, so I think it’s positive how Meyer played today.”
On Dane Kelly back on the scoresheet:
“Believe, believe in Kelly. Believe in Kelly, because I know what Kelly is, the league knows what Kelly is and Kelly needs confidence. Kelly needs to play, so it would be easy today to start Mark (Gonzalez) again, but Mark started in Colorado, again a tough trip, and we just felt that Dane Kelly could alternate with Mark. The proof is that Dane played a bit, scored, then Mark a little bit, scored. We need both of them, we need both of them to be healthy and energetic.”
Swope Park Rangers forward Dane Kelly
On scoring his first goal since April 2:
“It feels good. It's been a while. I've been missing some easy chances to score. So it feels great.”
On if his confidence has suffered through the goal drought:
“I would not say my confidence is getting lower because scoring that first goal wasn't easy, but I get that. So hopefully next game I can score a few goals.”
On taking his chances:
“I probably had six or seven chances, I should have scored two or three but it’s one of those days. You get a lot of chances and you can only score one. Then the team gets the win, so that's great. We definitely are getting stronger because everyone is getting in the same rhythm. Keeping the ball and adding more pressure – we’re definitely getting stronger.”
Swope Park Rangers defender Johnny Grant
On scoring his first goal for the club:
“The goal is nice. The win is better. We had a quick turnaround because you can see the team was a little slow but I think we managed the game well, finished our chances and got a big W.”
On the team’s progression:
“I think we're getting stronger as the season goes on overall. Every game we're getting better, we're learning more. Hopefully we get on a streak here, keep the wins going.”
On the play that led to his goal:
“Ayrton did all the work. Cut it back for me, (I was) wide open. If I had missed it, I would be back on the bench again.”
