Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Thoughts on the 3-0 victory over Columbus...
There was no doubt that we were the dominant team and really gave absolutely nothing away. Scoring with three goals, especially with the change that they made to their coach recently, it definitely caused an emotional spike within the team. I thought our work ethic and the way we play the ball was very, very well, allowing us to finish some great goals. It is always nice when the opposing coach gives you some motivation with previous comments that have been made before game day. It makes my job of motivating the players really easy.
On the team's first game without Kei Kamara...
I think that there are two things to look at the moment: we are number one in the conference in goals scored, number two in goals against. When you look at those states and the way that we play and the work ethic within the team, all of that shows how this is a team effort. It is all about the team, and when we play as a team we go out, like we did tonight and come away victorious. When we step on the field and play like we did tonight, our soccer will always play itself out. Tonight we brought more intensity that the opposing team and that is why we were able to score fantastic goals. It is all about working hard and when players get their opportunities that they are ready to perform.
On missing four players due to international duty...
As a coaching staff, we have an incredible amount of confidence in our entire roster and you were able to see that on the field today. With players like Jimmy Medranda, who is 19 years old, it is evident that we have a lot of guys that are competing to make it out on the field. If you look at the players that we had out for the national team, and Chance Meyers being out injury, it says a lot about the group of guys that we have on our team. It says a lot about the guys' commitment they have when they are out there between the white lines; they follow the game plan and give the effort that they need.
On Claudio Bieler returning to the scoresheet...
It was great, and outside of the goal he scored, I thought he just played really well tonight. His play between the lines was excellent. He was laying off balls, holding the ball for us and he was very busy making sure that they were not comfortable with the ball in the back. That is the kind of play that we want, and when he brings that he is an extremely valuable player for us.
Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong
Thoughts on the victory over Columbus...
I am in agreement with the comments Peter said regarding the motivation. I feel like there was extra motivation going into the game due to said comments, and I believe 3-0 was the statement that we made. It was good for us to see what it was that we could accomplish, and to execute on both sides of the ball. We put in the effort and it was great to see that effort with a 3-0 win.
On making a statement...
I feel that it was more of a statement to myself. It was nice to show everyone that I can provide an impact on this team and in the games. I have taken it as it has come, and it has become a night that I can celebrate. It was just a matter of getting some confidence back, and hopefully that will continue on to the end of the season.
Sporting KC defender Ike Opara
Comments on the match...
We came out with a great focus and a great mindset. We wanted to drive the game from the opening whistle and I thought we did. Benny (Feilhaber) made a great play getting the pk and that set us up to drive forward. It gave us some confidence and we did a pretty good job defensively of not letting them back into the game.
On the keys to the team's success...
We took what the game gave us. I think we were smart with how we approached the game attacking wise and defensively, not letting them get behind with counters because we know with (Dominic) Oduro that's what he's looking to do and (Ryan) Finley underneath. We were smart throughout the game.
On the team's international absences...
I think everybody on this team is prideful. Whoever steps on the field wants to do well. Our organization has done a great job bringing in good players from 1-30 on the roster. Everybody has come in at some point and done well and tonight that shows again.
Sporting KC forward Soony Saad
On the team's performance...
I think that this shows that we're a very deep team. We have a lot of guys who can step in and fill in when they need to be called. I think it was really good to get three different players on the scoresheet. It was a great performance defensively and I think it was a really convincing victory.
On his form...
I think it's all about confidence. I'm very confident right now. The coaches and a lot of different teammates are showing they trust me and believe in me and I really feel that. I just want to keep improving and keep doing well and keep helping the team in any way I can. I'm not too worried about scoring goals. I'm worried about winning and improving every single game.
On Dom Dwyer's four goals for Orlando City in the USL PRO Championship...
I think Orlando City used a cheat code tonight. It's incredible for them and it's great for Dom. I can't wait to have him back here in Kansas City.
Columbus Crew Interim Head Coach Brian Bliss
Thoughts on the game...
It is tough to play from behind early, the first goal was close into the first ten minutes and the second was in the twenty-eight minute. It is very difficult to come from behind against a quality squad at their home field, but overall I think tactically we were set up pretty well to do what we had set out to do. We did have a mental lapse in the short corner, which caused the PK, and from there it was an up-hill battle.
On the quick turnaround from Wednesday's match...
Sure, we had a couple injuries during the week and a few guys had dropped off, forcing us to come out with the same guys as Wednesday against Houston. I am sure there were some tired legs, but I think mostly it was psychological and mental.
On the team's whirlwind week...
It is not easy. We were thrown in the deep end right away and had to change things for the short term as well as keep in mind the long term. Having two games in a week, opposed to having the entire week to train made it a tough week to jump in there. I believe our guys responded well on Wednesday and today was just a tough one. Kansas City is no slouch; they're a good team.
On the absence of Federico Higuain...
We did have a role cut out for him this weekend, but at the last second we had to make that change. I won't say that it affected much, because we came back out with the same guys we used on Wednesday. But as a group, he is our leader, so when he is out it truly is a blow to the entire team because we do lean on him a little bit. Psychologically, it was kind of a blow.
Columbus Crew defender Chad Barson
Three matches in seven days...
We never want to use excuses. Kansas City was just the better team on the night. Even when they are missing guys they can plug guys in and they can still have the same philosophy and style. They showed tonight that they deserved to win.
Impact of going down by an early goal...
It's never easy. You give them momentum, you're on the road, it just dampens your spirit a little bit when they can get up early on you. But, I thought throughout the whole game, we fought hard. There are certainly individual plays that I think guys on the team wish we could have back. Individual plays that led to goals. I think most of their goals came off our mistakes, so if we limit those, we are in a different situation come the end of the game.
Fundamental difference between the win on Wednesday against Houston and tonight's match...
I think we need more time together with coach Bliss' style and philosophy. That will come with a normal workweek this upcoming week. He can ingrain into us the way he wants to play, how we are going to press, how we're going to possess the ball. I'm really looking forward to it because I know we have an honest group of guys that are willing to work hard and put in the work to make sure we get results.
Columbus Crew striker Ryan Finley
General comments on the match...
Coming here is a tough place to play. On the first two goals, we had a little bit of a mental lapse so that put us behind the eight ball early. I would say it's a tough place to dig yourself out of a hole.
Fatigue as a factor...
Obviously it seemed like they were a little bit fresher than us. The game on Wednesday factors into it a little bit. But still, we could have done a little bit better and in the future prevent those mental errors.
Sporting KC's overall performance...
Obviously they are a good team. They're in first place now, so hats off to them. They played a good game and they have some quality players.
Looking ahead to Montreal and having a full week together with Bliss at the helm...
That will be big. A week under our belts to figure out the way we want to play and have a full week of practice and no midweek game will be big gearing up for Montreal.
