Swope Park Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos
On the game:
“It was tough. We knew to beat LA, you need a very good defensive performance. They are the team in the league with the most goals in our division. They have a lot of power and a lot of options up top, they just have a lot of quality and I think at the end of the day, defensively we were very strong, we worked together, everybody next to each other and then I think that overall the most dangerous chances are our chances and we deserve to win because collectively we were bigger than them and better than them.”
On Adrian Zendejas’ debut:
“He looked great. It’s tough for a goalkeeper that is very young and his first game he comes in and after one minute we are down in the score. Again, it shows a lot of the mental strength of the ‘keeper, he always stayed in the game, continued communicating and also a lot of mental strength from our guys. There was no panic. Adrian played a good role, it’s good that we try to give opportunities to young guys like that and we get answers. It’s a very good win. Very good mentality from our guys. Good getting the two goals to win the game and at the end of the day holding off everything defensively, it was positive.”
On the physicality of the match:
“It was (physical). We never had this kind of rivalry in 90 minutes, this was more than a game against St. Louis or OKC, from the start I think there’s a lot of vitriol on the field from our side and their side, it’s good. They talk, we don’t shut up, we answer and it was intense. It was good we got out there with three points. Excellent team performance.”
Swope Park Rangers captain and midfielder Christian Duke
On the game:
“We knew they have some special players that could create anything out of nothing and that’s what happened. We were a little out of sorts defensively and they got one. We said we are going to play like a team tonight and I think collectively we did that. We always believed. Got one back and another one and actually got a couple more chances. We need to start capitalizing on those chances towards the end of the game, especially when playoffs come around. Anything can happen off a set piece and we’ve got to be smart about that.”
On scoring his first goal:
“I was due. I saw an opening and attacked the space and actually did the same run in practice and scored. Yesterday, I was talking to our fitness coach and I said ‘Hey, It’s coming. I feel it coming,’ and I just made a late run and got a great ball in.”
On Adrian Zendejas’ first start:
“He did well. I felt confident with him back there. He likes to play in the back and I think that’s what we need to start doing more of and start making the team open up and make more room in the midfield and get it out wide to our guys. He’s confident back there and that’s what we like to see.”
On the physicality of the match:
“We knew they were a (physical) team, I think they had a couple red cards in their previous games or yellow cards that could have been sent off. We were told to keep our head and be composed and disciplined. I think we got the job done tonight.”
Swope Park Rangers goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas
On tonight’s result:
“I was kind of mad I got the first goal real quick but I’m glad the team reacted really quickly. This is a battle and it was really fun.”
On the physicality of the match:
“Of course, it’s LA Galaxy. They are one of the best clubs out here and they want to win every game. This was a war. It’s always going to be in soccer.”
On making his first appearance with the Rangers:
“There’s always nerves out here. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the field but I’m glad our coach gave me the confidence. I’m really happy. I’m glad he brought me out here. It’s a great facility to be in. The next day, it’s just keep going forward. That’s all I can do.”
On training with the backline:
“Once I started doing some scrimmages with Amer Didic and Oumar Ballo, they gave me a lot of confidence. They told me: ‘Just do your thing man and just have fun with us. We’re here to help you out and we’ve got your back.’ That’s all we did and it was great communication.”
