KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MANAGER PETER VERMES
On Kei Kamara
“We have him starting out wide right now, but because he can play multiple positions up front, and he’s such a mismatch for so many players, we felt that size became an important factor in the middle of the field. As soon as Kei went in there he made a difference. We’ve talked about that each game he needs to have a desire to score, and his attitude has been very, very good from that point of view.”
On the physical nature of the game
“We have to know that there are a lot of games like this that are going to be very physical. Once you go up, you have to grind everything out, and I thought tonight, being able to fight like that for 90 plus minutes was a big thing for our team.”
On the U.S. Open Cup play-in game Tuesday
“Any competition that comes our way, we want to try and win it. We also have a game four days later in Seattle. We have a 24-man roster, and we are going to try and use our guys to the best of their ability.
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS STRIKER KEI KAMARA
On scoring the game’s only goal
“That’s what I like to do. I am happy when I score goals. The game was fun and everybody is happy when you win. I’m here to help the team win and it just gets me more hyped up when I score goals. As you know I’m a forward and when I go out there I want to score, and scoring goals helps the team win.”
So rumor is that a little girl gave you her lucky wristband before the game. Is that true?
“Yah, a little girl came up to me before the game and said that it was good luck for her and that I should wear it. It turns out that it was good luck for me too.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS WINGER RYAN SMITH
On the game
“This game was much different than two weeks ago. Today we were scrapping for every ball and we proved that we can do that too. So we proved that we can win that way too. This is a great start, and I am so happy for the team.”
On the match compared to the D.C. United game
“I think it was a lot more physical and more direct. I give thanks to our defenders tonight. Our goalie had a great game tonight.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER DAVY ARNAUD
On the win
“We knew that they were tough coming in, and we said at halftime that we were going to have to grind this one out. I think it’s a good thing for our team after the D.C. game because we realized that we can win games in different kinds of ways. It’s fun to win 4-0, but it’s fun to win a game like that and grind one out. It’s a good win.”
On the team’s cohesion
“It means a lot. Teams that are successful and do well during the season are teams that find a way to win games no matter what. In the past couple of years we haven’t been able to do that very often. Now, we showed that we can do that, and we showed that we can do it early in the year.”
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH GARY SMITH
On the game
“I thought we were competitive against a decent side. We defended well. We had good energy. There were some slight disappointments of quality at times. But if anyone looks at that game and says we don't deserve a point, they saw a different game than me. It was a well fought game, a tough battle."
On the ejection of Baudet
"It changed the course of events. We're one man down and in a very difficult spot. But I can't praise the players enough for the work that they put in. We had one or two opportunities we should have converted and didn't. This game is about fine lines."
On the goal that got called offside
“I couldn't see it from where I was. I thought Wells (Thompson) did terrifically to break inside and get a good shot off. I couldn't see down in that corner. Until I see a replay…I hope it was [offside].”
On not securing a point on the road
"It's a huge disappointment. Certainly we need to improve our quality inside, there's no doubt about that. I think early season you get that. Maybe it’s a lack of fluency and connection between certain individuals. But we’re absolutely delighted with how they played in the game. To come away with nothing in this game is a real kick in the teeth for us.”
On playing Kansas City in Open Cup play in a few days
"We'll mix our group up a little bit. I'm sure it will be no less competitive. There are a lot of guys in there looking for their opportunity. If we can get something out of that game, I'd be delighted. We certainly want to win it."
COLORADO RAPIDS DEFENDER JULIEN BAUDET
On the offside goal being called back
"They called it offside. I haven't seen a replay so I can't comment on it."
On frustration in the game
"Yeah, sure. We never really got in the flow of the game."
