Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Overall thoughts on the game...
I think it was a pretty even match to be honest with you. I thought that maybe at the outset, when we first started, I thought we had some good chances. I thought we had some good runs at them. The second half obviously I thought that we went after the goal quite a bit more than they did against us.
Unfortunately we give up a very poor foul. Credit to Sanvezzo, it's a fantastic shot. It's a great shot. I don't think Jimmy gets to the ball ever. It's just one of those shots, it's a great ball. You have to applaud that but we just shouldn't have given up such an easy set piece.
The effort is good. The only other thing I have to say, we had a lot of good actions going towards goal but I thought we were a little impatient. We could have moved the ball around just a little bit more at times and found some guys who were clearly open, who had better chances and had better percentage shots if you will.
Outside of that, the effort was good. We tried to give everything we had. The crowd was fantastic tonight. I wish we could have given them more because they were great.
On losing the lead...
I'm not going to say that we're bad at it by any means. That goal tonight, I would agree with Collin. I don't think it's a foul, it's called, it is what it is. You know we could have maybe managed the situation a little differently but that's not as if somebody missed their mark and the guy flicks it in or heads it in. The guy hit a great shot so that's the way it goes sometimes. The key factor is that we gave up two fouls consecutively on that play that we didn't deal with well and we could have easily dealt with either of them much better and I think that's the part that's probably the most frustrating is that we could have dealt with those situations much differently.
Thoughts on Kevin Ellis in his first MLS start...
I think he actually was very good, I really do, especially because he's a right footed guy being asked to play on the left side. I actually think he did a very, very good job. The more difficult thing for him maybe is going forward because he's not used to playing with his left but you know I thought he was good. I thought he was good on the defensive side. I thought that even when he was called upon to go forward he was good on the ball. I thought he did an excellent job.
On the team's second half subs...
We changed our formation with Benny first because we were playing two holding midfielders. We went to two attacking so we put Oriol as a holding in that position. I think we started to get more run of the play at that point or higher pressed up the field. We're playing three games in nine days, sometimes you need fresh legs. In regards to Claudio, I just wanted to get fresh legs and I think Dom has been in form so that was the decision there. And the final one, with Kevin not being able to go forward as much and not having as good a left foot as Josh Gardner, it was to try to get service into the game. We saw a couple times as he got down there, he actually had some good balls in. I think if maybe he would have chipped one like he should've I think we maybe would've gotten something more out of it but that was really the idea there.
Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin
On losing the lead...
When we concede a goal in the last five (minutes of the half). As many games that have been happening like that, we really have to work on that and remain focus. We talk about the last five, I scream 'Last five! Be careful, be careful!' and we were not focused enough. After seeing the replay, maybe it was an amazing shot. For me there was no foul on the free kick because Kei and Soony came and he fell on the floor by himself but you know it's part of the game. The referee is part of the game so I respect that. We just need to be more focused the last five of each half.
On his goal...
I don't remember that much. I'm glad I could help the team. I was very blessed, very lucky on that play and I scored. In the second half, we had a lot of opportunities. Coach said we did a great job, he was impressed with the way the team played. Maybe we could have been a little more patient, that's true. We have the opportunity next game. We just have to maintain this focus that we had the full game and go on to Chicago and try to win.
Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer
On the team's offensive pressure...
We are going forward, but if the final pass isn't there we aren't going to score. We're having a few long shots here and there, which is okay, but we need to go down and play and have some quality in the final third and we didn't have that tonight.
On his performance...
I was pleased with it. I kept the ball well and I was trying...I felt I was getting myself into the right positions. I was just trying to be moving off the ball and being an option and our last bit of quality wasn't quite there and we didn't get a goal at the end of the day.
His thoughts on the team's shot quality...
It's not good enough. You look at the percentage, whatever it is, and you know that it's too low. I'm sure we'll work on that, but they just weren't falling the right way tonight. I felt that we started to rush it a bit at the end. We had a few times where we pushed it and took some long shots. We've just got to work on our final balls and clean it up.
On what needs to change before the next game...
We just need better quality in the final third and to keep working. We're a good team and if we play to our strengths, we'll win the game.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen
On Vancouver's goal...
Of course there's always something you want to do. You have to give him credit. It was a good shot. That's just part of the game.
On what the team needs to do different for Chicago...
I think we just need to continue what we're doing. We put in a great effort today. We kept chasing and chasing for the three points and it just wasn't our day to get the three points. A little unlucky in a few situations, but overall it was a decent performance.
On the team giving up a lead...
It's happened a few times. We want to play some offensive and some attractive soccer and sometimes it costs us a goal on the other end.
Sporting KC defender Kevin Ellis
On getting the start against Vancouver...
I found out on Tuesday, but I think I was more excited than nervous to play and do what I can to help the team.
On his performance in his first career start...
I've told quite a few people that I still think I have a lot to work on. I feel that I left everything I had on the field and I take pride in that attitude. But like I said, I have a lot of things to work on and I learned a lot of things this game.
On playing on the left side of the field compared to playing on the right...
It was difficult. At the end of the day though, when it comes down to it, it's still just playing soccer and your instincts take over. Not saying that it's easy by any means, but it's just the same position on the opposite side of the field. It's just trying to reverse everything.
On starting compared to coming off the bench...
You definitely prepare different, but even when you're just one of the 18 subs, you always prepare yourself as if something is going to happen and you'll have to start. It's definitely different knowing that you're going to play. It gives you a little more confidence and a little bit more focus and it feels good to get the confidence from your coaching staff to start in a big game like that.
On assuming an important role for Sporting KC...
It feels good that they have confidence in me to do that and I just try to do the best with the opportunities that I'm given. I appreciate it and I just feel that I left everything I had out there tonight.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Manager Martin Rennie
Thoughts on Camilo's goal...
It was fantastic. That's his 13th goal in the past 14 competitions, which is an incredible rate. He works a lot on his free kicks and that was a fantastic hit. It was a great goal and I don't think there are many people that are going to save that.
On the team's recent road performances...
In recent games we have been a lot more forward thinking and a lot more dominant in the opposition's half. We have had players scoring goals and we are doing a good job putting them in positions to get chances and again, tonight, we did that. I just think the team is rolling in belief, but I also think earlier in the season we were playing well and not getting the results we deserved. But the players realized we are a good team and we have a good chance against anybody.
On Johnny Leveron's recent performances...
He is another one of our younger players. He is an exciting player. We think he can get a lot better but he is already very good. He is still learning the language and getting acclimatized to the league, but he already at 22 years old, he has played more than 20 times for Honduras. He is a very talented player and he looked fantastic tonight. I thought he and Brad Rusin showed a good partnership and that is encouraging for us moving forward.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Kenny Miller
On Vancouver's 1-1 draw with Sporting KC...
Did we do enough to win the game? Probably not. A draw was a fair result I'd say. But the way we started the second half, it was disappointing that we never really stepped on it and tried to push them a little more. We started sitting deep to try to hang on. So we're probably happy with one point.
On Vancouver's successful road trip and recent unbeaten streak...
We've got four point from two away games. It's always tough with these Eastern Conference double headers. It takes a lot out of you with the traveling, but to get four points out of six on this trip is pleasing. This was probably a game that we could have won, so we're disappointed in that sense. But in the end we're okay with it.
On battling from behind to avoid defeat...
Our resilience is becoming a habit, not just on the road but at home. We had to come back in our last two home games to get a win as well. That's something we're pleased about. We've got that character and resilience to come back, but we'd much rather be going two goals up than having to come back all the time.
On his free kick goal...
It was fantastic from Camilo (Sanvezzo) to draw is level just before the half. That took the pressure off us a little bit. 1-0 down would have been tough for us to get back in the game, but it was a delightful finish from him.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Camilo Sanvezzo
On Vancouver's 1-1 draw with Sporting KC...
I thought this was a game we could win and take all three points. But we didn't lose (either). We are happy with one point.
On his free kick goal...
Yes, I knew I was going to take it when the foul (was called). This is my position. I am comfortable taking those shots-it is what I can do for the team.
On his recent goal scoring hot streak...
I feel very good, but it's not just me-its our team. Our team is playing very strong. When the team is playing well, that gives me confidence. We are a little tired from this trip, but we have a big game Saturday. Tomorrow and Friday we will do everything we can to get fresh and continue to play well for our supporters.
