Sporting KC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin
On the improvement from last week’s 3-3 draw…
I think we were undone in the first half once again. I think New England got the better of us last week and certainly in the first 15-20 minutes Houston did the same thing to us. We were slow out of the gate, but credit to Houston. They had come off two wins and they were coming back home. They were a house on fire. We went down early and we were trying to find ourselves within the game. I think both last week and this week it was really our defensive organization. The back line was stretched a little bit too deep which gave them opportunities between the lines. We made a substitution at half and we made a few adjustments as we did last week. I think part of that helped turn the game in our favor certainly in the second half. When we got the goal and then we got a little bit more of the ball, that helped us kind of compose ourselves and gain more control of the game. The second goal that put us ahead was excellent, as the first was clinical. I also think that the substitutions tonight with the guys that came into the game really helped us not just to preserve the win, but to add on to the lead with (Santiago) Munoz's goal.
On Dejan Joveljic’s brace…
From day one, he's been really an incredible worker. He's calm. He's collective. He's deadly. He's persistent and despite the fact that he didn't score a few goals as the season kicked off for us, he has certainly found his rhythm now. In a game that that we were struggling to get a hold of, his timely goals is exactly what you're looking for in a striker, certainly of that caliber. We know he has scored many goals in this league before and he's doing it once again. I'm happy for him and we're all happy that he's on our team.
On the play of the backline…
I think it's the consistent message. We talk about energy. We talk about the emotional commitment to the game and we talk about believing and trusting in each other. I know those are words and they sound good, but when you see it in action, day in and day out, and I don't mean game in and game out, I see it day in and day out. It gives you confidence to come into situations like this. Another moment of adversity and to see the group bounce back, I think I've said this before, it's the only thing that a coach wants is that perseverance, that grit, that determination because you can't control the ultimate result. Sometimes, as I said, it's a random game, but you're always in it when you have those characteristics. We have great people in the locker room. We have great competitors and they showed it once again tonight.
On the team’s momentum…
We've been trending in the direction of performances. Our next evolution or iteration is being able to win consistently. We're not there yet. It would be great to say that we're going to go into every game and we're going to win every game and we're going to go on an incredible streak. It's not to say that it can't happen. But the expectation of where we're at is first being competitive, which we are. And now going on the road -- I don't ever remember a time coming here and not suffering. Whether it's the dead heat of summer or a game like tonight which was still warm, we've had great competition with Houston over the years. Tonight was no different. We suffered the same as we have every other time we've come here. It's just adding another layer on top of us being a closer version of what we ultimately want to be.
On continuing to attack late…
I think that was part of the intention of bringing (Santiago) Munoz on, I think it was the 79th minute, to get someone that might be able to capitalize on all their numbers going forward. That was the intention of the sub. Dejan (Joveljic) was getting a little bit tired, but we felt like we needed one more if we could do that. Fortunately for us, and great for Santiago, that he's that he's gotten his first goal with the club. It's just a really great night for the team.
On the play of John Pulskamp…
He's developing, not just into a big save goalkeeper, but a goalkeeper that produces consistently week in and week out. He's obviously in a good run of form and a huge reason why we've been able to get results over the last couple of months. The rest of the group gains confidence when John comes up with big saves. Obviously, in the beginning of the game tonight, I think it was three minutes in and they had two shots. I think they were headers right on the doorstep, which he came up huge for. (He was) not to blame certainly on the goal itself. We could have done much better in front of him. He's had to come up big and not when the game's out of hand. It's when the game is in the balance and he's come up big time and time again. It shows his maturity as a goalkeeper, but he deserves it. He works incredibly hard for what he's been able to produce on the field.
On the possible penalty before halftime…
We have a video on the bench and the assistant coaches were looking at it. Maybe it's said in other games it could have been. I couldn't tell and I haven't seen it close up postgame. Fortunately for us, it really didn't matter. I take those calls and we take those calls as they come. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don't but tonight we got the goals we needed to preserve the result.
Sporting KC forward Dejan Joveljic
On scoring two goals after the birth of his first child…
Probably the best week ever. One day before my wife delivered -- actually
few hours before my wife delivered -- we played against New England and I scored and we took one point, which is great after (going) 2-0 down. This game on the road in a very tough place to play -- I hate this place to be honest -- so it’s a huge three points. Now we go to LA and then we play three games at home. It's going to be hard, but we need to get points to be in the race for a playoff spot.
On his second goal…
Sometimes you need to close your eyes and do a bicycle kick and then maybe you'll score. I was lucky enough this time and hopefully many more times again.
On scoring twice against Houston…
I don't like to play here, but as a team I like them a lot. They have a lot of good players and a lot of young players who are very good. It means a lot. It is always nice to score one goal, but two goals are always special, especially because we are not playing great football right now. We are playing better, but still it's not what I think that we can do and how we can play. Hopefully in the next games we are going to create more proper chances and we are going to score more goals.
Sporting KC forward Santiago Munoz
On his first goal for the club…
It was an exciting moment and a unique moment. I can describe it like that that. Since the moment that I've arrived to Kansas City, the team, the staff and everyone has welcomed me. I think that this is for the team and for all the people in Kansas City in the club and, of course, for my family and for my partner that is in Kansas City with me.
On the instructions given to him before entering…
It was a tough moment. In that moment we needed to keep the score up so he just told me to get into the defensive part and when we get the ball to be in positionand try to do something forward. That's what I did and I helped defensively. That counter attack came that I was able to score for the team.
On not relinquishing a lead this week…
I think that we have shown as a team that we can score and that we can play. As the manager always tell us, I think that all the energy that we have is a unique energy that as a team that we have and we need to take advantage. The last game was 3-3 but I think that the energy and I think that the atmosphere of the stadium was something. I think that we're coming back as a team and now that I'm getting to know more and more about Kansas City, I'm excited. I think that we need to keep going with that energy that the manager always tells us and keep going forward.
