Sporting Kansas City head coach Raphael Wicky
On the penalty in stoppage time…
I haven't seen the play. I've heard that it could be soft. It's always the same with these handballs. It's pretty difficult. But in the end, obviously it was an amazing save. He took a decision to go to that side, I think because in Dallas (Petar) Musa went to the other side so Stefan (Cleveland) took that decision. It’s a great save. I believe it's a deserved point. It would have been (keeping) with the season, right? Lots of things went that way, but I'm happy, actually, that we were able to finish the home games with not a loss. I think the fans deserve not to have lost this game. I want to thank to everyone who comes and supports us in every single game. I know the season hasn't gone the way we wanted or everyone wanted, but still people show up and we appreciate that. I think that the guys gave a great effort against a team who is second in the West where we were very competitive. Still, there are a lot of things we can do better but I believe that, in the end, it is a deserved point.
On the team’s defense…
I think over a big time we defended pretty well, but then there is, again, two cutback passes where they have actually two big chances and that has been a little bit of our Achilles in the last months. It’s also probably normal that another team creates a chance. They have a good team. They're second in the West. Overall, I think it's a solid, good team performance. We defended compactly with some moments where we pressed them. We wanted to press them a bit aggressive, but not just chasing around. And on the other hand, I believe we have always moments where we play good football and we create chances. There are still moments where we can play a little bit and where we have to be less sloppy and lose less easy balls to then give the other team these moments. But I believe there is a group getting together and, I have said this a few times now, I strongly believe if this group we have is at one point fully healthy and fit with some other players who will join in the next year, there will be a competitive team and I believe strongly in that.
On Owen Wolff…
We all know from the recent years from Owen in Austin that he's a really good football player. He's a really good player who is very intelligent and very smart. I knew that with the ball, he can play a double pivot. It was more the question of how disciplined and how much can he defend because it's important, especially when you play in a 4-4-2. He did a good job there. Again, he was on minutes restrictions, I had to take him out, otherwise I would have obviously left him on the field, because he positions himself very smart and very good in bringing the ball up. It's not a surprise that he had this assist. He hits a really good ball and is really good with free kicks. Owen is a player who has a lot of talent and who has shown that over the years. Hopefully he can be healthy and we can get him fit and then he will have lots of success here, no doubt.
On Ruben Ramos Jr…
I wanted some fresh legs in there. Stephen Afrifa has done really good for us. He has played well. The connection with Taylor (Calheira) has been really good but I wanted some fresh legs because there were a lot of games and I put Ruben in there. I believe Ruben is a talented young player who can play probably all four positions out there if you play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. And he shows moments. I think there are things to do better today, but it's also not easy when you never have a rhythm and then suddenly come in and perform. But he works hard for the team and he's definitely a very talented player.
On Lasse Berg Johnsen…
Lasse brings structure. Lasse is our midfielder who dictates a rhythm, who has the understanding of how to move the ball up, and can calm the game also down. I’ve said it a few times. When he's not there, we miss him because he's a different profile. I’m happy that he's back. Hopefully he can have four good training days next week, with no setback, and then he can be available again for San Diego for the last game.
On Jansen Miller…
I'm very happy that he obviously scored today. He is probably our best player in the air heading the ball. He's very strong defensively, but it's nice that he showed it today as well that he can do it attacking-wise. He told me yesterday he was going to score so I'm very happy that he already knew that he was going to score today. I think I have seen a different Jansen before the summer and after the summer. We had conversations about that with him. So I think it's good that he got minutes again a lot and grows and takes this experience and hopefully can keep doing that.
On the team’s morale…
I think in the last three months, we had obviously a few games where teams were better -- Nashville was better, I think Salt Lake we didn't have a good performance here, Vancouver was here -- but other than that, we had many good performances where I see what I want to see from the team in moments where we created a lot and where we played as a team. Unfortunately we conceded a lot of goals, but where we were every time competitive and actually could have won probably a few more games or at least not lost them. I saw a lot of improvements. It has been very tricky with all the injuries. You're almost never able to play the same team. Guys are not able to get rhythm because some of them get re-hurt like Justin Reynolds and Zorhan Bassong (who are) important players for us (as well as) Or (Blorian) and (Moises) Mosquera and we can go on and on, right? I have seen a lot of improvements and, again, I know where the club wants to go. I know where this roster goes and I believe there will be a very competitive team in 2027.
Sporting Kansas City defender Jansen Miller
On his goal…
Amazing. It's been a long time coming being the target for almost two years now. I think me and Owen (Wolff) have this thing going on because in Minnesota I flicked it and it hits the inside of the post and then I score. Maybe we have that connection. I'm super excited. I wish it had happened earlier but it's exciting to tie the game up and give us a point.
On the defensive performance…
I think we were just compact. We knew that they're a dangerous team in transition so if we can squeeze the field and not give up a bunch of space in behind, they're going to struggle more. Because they have fast wingers so I think it was just shrinking that space.
On the penalty…
It's getting frustrating. It's not like I'm going into these stupid tackles. I've definitely given up a penalty before but I can't remember the last time I did until the last 10 games. It's just hitting my hand. It might not be natural but it's hitting my face. I don't think it's going to go anywhere else so it's frustrating. It’s just being more conscious and putting my hands behind my back but when it's from a yard away, I think you can call that stuff unlucky.
On his thoughts after the penalty save…
Thank you, thank you. (Stefan Cleveland) is one of my better friends on the team so as I'm coming off the field I’m like, ‘Thank you so much.’ I mean this would have just ruined my goal. I'm very excited about the goal. And he's the reason I'm not in tears in here because of how our season has been going. That moment was huge. I know it's not a win, but I think just getting a draw in front of these fans and I think that would have been a really crappy way to end the season. I also just want to say thank you to the fans. It's on Halloween and they are coming out to support us. It was cool seeing the amount of people that were still there.
On getting a result…
Coming in here and not being sad, upset, frustrated is way better. The season has been tough but I don't think there's one person in here who hasn't given 110% effort. We work our tails off every single day. It’s been a long season and I think we're excited for the future.
On telling the coach he would score…
Yesterday he told me, ‘You're going to score’ so I remember it in a different way. I don't know. I ran up to Ash (Wallace). As I said, I've been the target for the last two years and getting one for him was exciting. Being so close in Minnesota, that gave me some confidence.
Referee Fotis Bazakos (via MLS pool reporter)
Why was the foul on Sporting KC #19 Taylor Calheira in the 26th minute committed by Lalas Abubakar not considered DOGSO?
The presence of Dallas #25 Sebastien Ibeagha as a covering defender meant all the criteria for DOGSO were not met.
In 39th minute, SKC #16 Jacob Bartlett was whistled for a foul and yellow on Dallas #17 Ramiro. Why was this a foul on him despite him getting to the ball cleanly and Ramiro making contact late to Bartlett's plant leg with no touch on the ball?
While both players touched the ball, it was judged the Sporting Kansas City #16 Jacob Barlett came from a distance with speed and did not take care in bringing force to the challenge.
