Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes
On Sporting KC’s last two performances in CCL play…
I actually don’t think that we played the pace we wanted to play at in the first half. Still, we didn’t really give much away and we scored one goal. We could have scored another, at least. Playing down in Nicaragua was not easy for us, so I think we’ve managed the group well. But business isn’t done yet; we’ve just put ourselves in a good position. We’ve got to make sure when we go down [to Saprissa] we’re ready to play because it’s going to be an interesting atmosphere for sure.
On the eight yellow cards given in the match…
You know what’s sad is that Graham Zusi, if not the best, he’s one of the best players on the field in these games. And it absolutely frustrates me to no end to think that he gets a yellow card. He’s gotten two now, there in Nicaragua and here. They come through on our guys and they don’t get yellows. It’s amazing to me the lack of respect (Zusi) gets in CONCACAF, especially with the presence that he and Matt (Besler) have had with the National Team. He gets fouled from behind, he keeps trying to play, so the referee doesn’t make the call. But he gives him a yellow card for stepping in on a guy diving. It’s not right, and that’s the kind of stuff that has to change.
On Eric Kronberg’s clean sheet…
It was good for him; it was good for everybody. Obviously we’ve had a tremendous amount of injuries throughout the season, and it’s good that we’re getting a bunch of these guys back towards the end to make the big push. And more importantly, we’re they’re getting games under their belt to get back into rhythm with the group.
On Claudio Bieler’s to less playing time this season…
He comes to training everyday, he doesn’t mess around, he works hard, and he’s been very professional about taking his opportunities when they come. He’s a total team guy and I’m happy he got the two goals tonight. He’s actually on really great form, playing very well any time he’s come on. He was an important part of the team in last year’s success, and we’re going to need him again some point this year as well.
Sporting KC defender Matt Besler
On the physicality of a match in which there were eight total yellow cards…
Going into the game, we talked about not trying to focus on the referee, but certainly at some point when you’re trying to manage the game, you do. Personally, I was on a card. So it’s definitely in the back of your mind. You have to be smart about the plays you step into. And there at the end when we’re up 3-0, you’re just making sure guys don’t do anything stupid. You’re making sure that guys on yellows don’t commit more fouls, because you never know what can happen.
On goalkeeper Eric Kronberg’s return to the starting lineup…
I think he’s going to help our team. I think this year has proven we have three goalkeepers that can play in MLS, so we have no drop off on this team. Kronberg is a guy that gives us a lot of confidence back there with his presence and ability to come out on crosses. Any ball that is floated into the box is his, and that really helps us out as a backline.
Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi
On Sporting KC’s 3-0 win over Real Esteli…
It as good that we got the early goal, but I thought the first half was a bit sluggish at times. I thought our pressure was a bit late, but to our credit, we didn’t give much away. I thought in the second half we did a much better job anticipating their actions, pressing them higher up the field and really not giving them anything. Our high work rate made them tired, and I think they died out in the second half. And that’s when we punished them with a couple more goals. The second half was better—the second straight game we had three goals. It’s a good sign that we’re getting on the score sheet. Now we control our destiny going into the final game [against Saprissa on Oct. 23].
On the physicality of a match in which there were eight total yellow cards…
These CONCACAF games are naturally a bit more physical because the implications of each game are so high. There are only a couple games in each group and it’s kind of an all-or-nothing situation. So teams are going to go out there and give everything they can, and that’s why these games are little more physical.
On Sporting KC’s improved form over the last three games…
To be honest, our improvement started back in the New York game [on Sept. 6]. Although that result didn’t turn out in our favor, I think we got back to who we are. Against Chivas, it kind of all came together. And it’s going back to the basics—we’re a team that prides ourselves on outworking the other team and putting them under an enormous amount of pressure. In the past three games, we’ve gotten back to that.
On Sporting KC’s upcoming MLS match against New England on Friday…
The first matchup against them [in April] we played well but were a bit unlucky. The second game was part of that skid that we were in, and that just wasn’t us. They’re a team who goes on streaks of their own, and right now they’re on a good one. I expect them to come in and try to play with us as much as possible. We’re coming down to the final stretch of our season and each game has postseason implications. So we need to get a good result.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Eric Kronberg
On playing his first game since July 6 due to injury…
I felt good—very comfortable. The team played really well in front of me, and my decision-making was good when I was forced into action. I felt really sharp.
It was a strong all-around performance from everyone. We improved as the game went on. They’re not an easy opponent—we know them, but they know us. I thought they exploited some of our weaknesses in the first half, but we came out in the second half and really took it to them. Our last game when we played down in Nicaragua on their turf field was tough, especially with their crowd down there. So I’m just glad we got the win tonight.
On the physicality of the match…
All these CCL matches are very competitive. Especially for a Nicaraguan team, this is a very important game for them. It’s important for us, too. All these games are competitive and physical. I think we went toe-to-toe with them tonight, and the referee was calling a lot of fouls. But for the most part, I thought it was pretty even.
On Sporting KC’s improved performances over the last three games…
It’s all about regaining confidence and good form. Sometimes you can falter a little bit, so we had to kind of rediscover what we’re all about. And now we’re getting results. Part of it’s just getting guys back healthy. (Paulo) Nagamura’s back in the lineup. We just have to go out there and not question who we are. Peter (Vermes) has kept harping on us to “work hard, work hard, work hard.” And we’ll do that for the stretch run of the season.
Real Esteli FC Manager Otoniel Olivas
Thoughts on his team’s performance…
It actually comes to the mentality of the game. We always want to get the results whether we’re away or home. We had a couple of mistakes there that led us to the way we were playing; we actually thought we were playing good soccer, but it comes to the mentality of that result, we were looking for those points.
On the challenge of CONCACAF Champions League…
We can’t disregard the level of play we’ve been participating in all these years. Obviously we would like to continue in this tournament and keep growing in this tournament but we have to go back and look at the errors that really cost us this game. And we’re in the process of learning and growing and we would like to continue to expand that and keep working into actually making in into the next round next time.
Real Esteli FC midfielder Manuel Rosas
On Tuesday’s match and the team’s run in CCL…
Obviously when a team comes out instinctively from the gate with the pressure, the defensive line was great, they did pressure. They obviously were playing at home so that creates an added pressure for them and for us. But like coach mentioned we did have a couple of good games, good attack games. A couple of errors that lead to this result but overall I believe that once they have a team that comes out attacking and pressuring that leads to the result today.
