Swope Park Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos
On tonight’s result:
“The first 65 minutes was a very equal game. There was a lot of respect and suddenly there’s this mistake that we do that leads to their goal – which is unfortunate because we don’t think it was deserved at all. Then the reaction of the guys was fantastic. We tied the game and continued pushing. I think we had opportunities to win it. I think overall the reaction of the players, the attitude, the mentality, we wanted the three points but it’s not a bad tie. “
On Akeil Barrett’s debut:
“Akeil is a very fast player. He creates a lot of problems, getting in behind. He has a lot of pace, he’s dynamic. We knew this is the type of player that would help coming in, especially with games being a little stretched. So it’s just good to count on a player like that.”
On the performance of the three Academy players:
“At the end of the day, we had Patrick (Wilkinson) coming in. Will (Little), Ezra (Armstrong) and you make the subs and the team continues pushing. It’s positive for the team and the club in general. It’s a good message for the academy players that are working very hard to try to get a chance with this team. When they see days like this, it’s a day of encouragement for players like that.”
On James Musa’s challenges in the fourth and 45th minutes:
“I think it’s a red card. It’s too bad because overall, I think the ref didn’t have a really bad game but then he makes a decision like that. It’s those cards that are orange going towards red. Then there’s this play where he drags his foot at the end of the half. It’s things that happen, some decisions are made by the ref.”
On the growing rivalry with Saint Louis FC:
“There was flashes in the game of rivalry. Big flashes of rivalry, where the players tackle. Now this year’s record is 1-1-2. It sets the tone for next season against Saint Louis.”
Swope Park Rangers forward Akeil Barrett
On his debut:
“It was a great debut. I’m glad I was able to score the equalizing goal. Hopefully, I can keep scoring for the team.”
On his style of play:
“(With a lot of speed), that’s how I like to play. I like to run behind, to create chances, to score chances. That’s definitely the way I like to play."
On being signed by the Rangers:
“I knew the coach from when I was in Jacksonville. He coached in the NASL and he thought I was a good player.”
Swope Park Rangers midfielder Patrick Wilkinson
On signing with the Rangers:
“It’s a dream come true. I’m a Kansas City kid. I’ve been in the academy for five, six years now and I’ve grown up in the stands watching the first team, watching Swope this past year and its hard to take it all in.”
On making his debut:
“It didn’t hit until they called my name to substitute on. I’m going out there to play a professional game with professional players and that’s when it hit me.”
On training with the Rangers leading into the game:
“It went well. I’ve practiced with them a few times before, so I knew how they worked and how the trainings worked, so I felt comfortable already.
On if playing with the Sporting KC Academy prepared him for the step up:
“The coaching staff with the Academy has always been great. They’ve always prepared us technically, soccer-wise – more importantly mentality. You need that tough mentally to have to be able to be out on the field.”
