Sporting KC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin
Thoughts on the match…
Again, right out of the gate, we started the game fine. We got a few corner kicks. We were in their end very, very quickly to start the game. Unfortunately, we give up an easy ball at midfield which leads to a corner kick and once again the game starts before five minutes off of a corner kick with another set piece that we give up and that already started pointing us in the direction of setting the game up and certainly lacking confidence moving forward in the game. I thought the effort continued to be okay. There were moments and situations that we created that were decent. But again with the third goal three minutes before halftime, we weren't able to see out the half. And certainly when you come in 3-1 at halftime after having so many promising ideas in the attack, but giving up way too much defensively, I think that led to our downfall. The second half was a little bit more of the same, where there seemed to be moments where we looked promising and dangerous. Unfortunately, we were just too soft and weak and vulnerable defensively, which has been most of our issues this year. But again tonight, certainly that was the reason for the result.
On conceding early and late in the first half…
I think when you look at the concentration and the discipline of the group to play every roll of the ball and to start the game on the front foot, which I've seen time and time again this year that from the kickoff it looks like we're coming out with energy and it looks somewhat promising where we end up in their end very, very quickly only to give up a very easy play that results in a goal for them. I think that's happened too many times this year. Certainly, when you get to the 35th or 40th minute of the first half, the lack of awareness within the group to understand that there are only five minutes left in the half and you're down 2-1 away from home. It's not the best position, but certainly one that you can overcome. Once again, we lacked our concentration and focus, and 3-1 is a lot different than 2-1 going into halftime.
On the explanation of the red card to Shapi Suleymanov…
I had asked for it. I was unable to see the replay. I had asked on the sideline if it was a reviewed play and they said yes. I still couldn't get quite the explanation of why he was thrown out, but I really didn't dig that far into it. We had other issues in the game and on the field, but I'll have to review that.
On the goals conceded…
As we've talked on the attacking side of the ball, we like those crosses or those passbacks from the half space into the second six-yard box and a lot of teams are trying to do that. Unfortunately, no matter what formation we're putting in, whether we put a defensive midfielder in there to help protect that space or a double pivot, it doesn't seem to be working. It doesn't work. Time and time again you have balls that are played behind our outside backs and then as we lose a center back trying to cover the space, we don't cover the important spaces. We're going to try to get better at that. We've tried to get better at that all year, but unfortunately it's one of the big issues within our team.
On the play of Stephen Afrifa…
I think he had moments where he was dangerous. Even on the right side -- he's more accustomed to playing on the left -- but we knew that if we were able to pull their outside backs out and stretch them wide, that they have difficulty also connecting with the game. We were hoping to expose that space. On his chance early in the second half, he arrived well. I think he got good wood on it. Unfortunately, it didn't go in but there were some good moments from him tonight and certainly something to build on.
Sporting KC forward Mason Toye
Thoughts on the match…
I think all in all, it just wasn't our night. Everything was just a little bit off. Finishing, timing of pass, all that type of stuff was just a little bit off tonight. We were able to create some chances in the game. Dejan (Joveljic) did a great job of finishing one off and made it 2-1. And then again, it's just this season we've had a really tough time of managing the game and managing moments. When you give up the third goal to go down 3-1 before the half, it's a tough one to take.It just really wasn't our night.
On the goal from Dejan Joveljic…
It's a pleasure playing with him. As I always say, he's one of the best strikers in MLS and he shows it every week. You just see it in the stats, but also in training. I know he's always going to find good spots so I'm always looking for him and I know he's going to finish it off so when I got the ball I just tried to give it a good way to pass and I had no doubt he was going to finish it. I'm ecstatic for him. It was a special night for him to get the ring and for him to get a goal as well which was special. Obviously, it's a really crappy result but again I'm just stoked for him because he deserves to get his flowers.
