Sporting Kansas Manager Peter Vermes
Thoughts on the game:
“I actually think that in the first half we played well, I really do. I think that obviously the goal that they scored was based off a set piece and credit to them—our guy lost his mark and they scored. Coming out in the second half I thought we were in good shape because I thought we were playing well. I didn’t think we were poor, I thought we were actually moving the ball well and creating some chances. I thought we had good energy. I don’t know what happens based on replay yet on that second goal because I’m not sure if their guy flicks because if he flicks then Brek Shea is offsides. If he doesn’t touch it or nobody touches it, then Brek is not offsides. I don’t know. But regardless of that we should have done a much better job with recovering in the space. The bottom line is that all three goals from my opinion from our perspective were way too soft. But credit to them I thought they had good energy and worked hard, and they took the opportunities when they could.”
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi:
“It was really fun to play in front of my friends and family for the first time. Obviously, I’m disappointed with the result but to see and hear a lot of familiar faces was fun. I guess they accepted me as the enemy. You hear the occasional jeer, but that’s to be expected. I’m sure they’ll be happy that their home team won.”
Coach Adrian Heath
On his thoughts on the game:
"I think we deserved it [the win]. I thought we stared really well. We didn’t allow them to settle. I am really pleased for the players. Delighted for our supporters, who have been incredible, and we have given them something to cheer tonight. I think it has been a really good night for everybody.”
On Sporting Kansas City’s defense:
“We expected at some stage that Cyle Larin would be tired. He has never played this long in his career, and certainly with this intensity. I felt that he looked a little bit laggy and there wasn’t that zip in his legs. We thought it would be a good chance for Bryan Róchez to come in and give us a lift, which he did. He put people under pressure. It was a good night for Bryan because it’s been a difficult and frustrating first season for him. It was nice for him I am really pleased for him. Brek Shea back on the field gives the crowd a lift, and his teammates a lift. When you make two substitutions and they have an effect in the game, it makes you look as though you know what you are doing.”
On if he has a sense of relief after tonight’s win:
“I said before the last game that I thought we were capable of winning our last four home games, and I said this week we are capable of winning our last three home games, and I really believe that. We have New York City FC and Montreal to come here and Chicago and Philly away. All the teams around us are all vying for that last place. We are all going to be in Montreal’s hands, but they have a lot of games to play in not many days. We will see where we go. Tonight gave us another chance and we got close to that red line.”
On Brek Shea having the spark the team needed:
“I have said all along that the playoffs are the goal. The playoffs are still the goal. I think we would be well above that red line had we kept all of our best players fit all season. It is just good to have him back. He can win things in the air, he can run behind people, he can create things. He is more responsible in his defensive duties. You saw the reception he got from the crowd. We will be a better team having him fit and well.”
On Adrian Winters goal being the fastest in Club history:
“It gives you obviously a little bit on confidents. It gives you an opportunity to get settled in the game. Actually I don’t know what he was doing in there because he shouldn’t have been in there. Probably let him do what he wants in the future probably get better positions in the box. It was a good goal for him, and I thought the third goal (his second goal) was an excellent goal. Got a little bit of play from Lewis Neal. Must mention Lewis Neal I thought he played excellent tonight in that role and never gave the ball away. Always looking to get good position and behind that midfield play and get the ball forward and kept the continuity of the game going. I thought he was excellent.”
On how the team keeps themselves focused for getting a playoff spot:
“Well that’s what we have to do. We have a game against New York and Montreal and two more games in-between that we have to go to Chicago and get a result. We have to go to Chicago and prove them other than that they are a very good attacking team. They got really good weapons so we are going to have to play really well. But I want the players to enjoy themselves. We have got the day off tomorrow and then we will start to prepare for Chicago. Because if we could go there and get a result it would be useful to us.”
Brek Shea
On the game:
“It’s a great win tonight. They guys put in a great effort and hopefully the momentum we had tonight carries over to next week.”
“I think we came out and we attacked and we went at them and got a goal early. When we do that it puts them on their heels and us on the front foot and I think that carried us through the game.”
On returning to play:
“Obviously I’ve been out a while. I’m really excited to be back. I felt fine, which is the best part for me. Injuries are never fun no matter if it’s big or small. To come back and to play my first game injury free, pain free is a big plus for me.”
“It’s not fun especially when things aren’t going our way. I want to be out there and I want to do everything I can to help the team. When I’m on the sideline, I can’t do anything but give the guys good luck. So I’m excited to be back out there and help tonight.”
On Brek’s assist:
“I just made a run, Róchez challenged, ball came to me and I was going to goal and he kept running so I just laid off for a simple finish. I was trying to get the ball for a while and luckily got the ball in the goal, which I like to do. It gave us the lead and the momentum to get another goal.”
On the fans being loud and supportive:
“I heard it, but I was focused on going in and just excited to be there. I’m excited to be back on the field and our crowd is amazing. They stick with us through thick and thin so far.”
On team’s motivation:
“If you’re not motivated you probably shouldn’t be here. I think we go out and play like we did tonight and the last few games and do everything we can do, and that’s all we can ask for. If it doesn’t go our way it doesn’t go our way. But we’ll go out and try to get points every chance we get.”
Adrian Winter
Thoughts on scoring two goals for the team:
"It is very important victory for the team. Coach said before the game that we have to make the supporters happy, and win our home games. It was a super free kick from Luke Boden and I scored with the header. It was a great feeling.”
On what made him want to get in the box on Boden’s free kick:
“We practiced this yesterday, and I was supposed to go to second post. I went to the second post and the ball came and I made the goal.”
On getting comfortable with the team and feeling like he is a big part:
“Yeah. We are a team and every player is important. I always want to help the team so today I score two times. But it isn’t important who scores the goals it is important that the team wins the games. I hope it goes like this again.”
Bryan Róchez
On helping the team get a win tonight:
“The most important thing is to help the team get a win tonight. I tried to pass the ball to myself, but Brek caught it. The pass was a good one and thank god, I was able to finish it. We still have the hope of making into the playoffs and we will continue to compete until the last game.
I had a tough time in New Zealand fighting through injuries. I have had to work harder than usual to get back into shape. At this point, it is up to the coach to play me when he sees fit.”
Aurélien Collin
On breaking the losing streak:
“It was a good win, we had our opportunities and we were able to finish them. We know that when we play like we did tonight that we are good and tonight we were able to get the win. The next two games are very important against Chicago and New York, if we can get 6 more points we should be good.”
On what this means going forward:
“Tonight we showed a lot of discipline, from the first minute to the last minute. We were able to score two more goals after they tied so our discipline was amazing.”
