Swope Park Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos
On the game:
“You play a team that has a lot of habits and you have a little bit less, you know, because there were so many changes, but it’s normal. It’s like if you’re in a game where you’re trying to find yourself all the time and they’re a very good team. That’s why they’re up there in the standings. They have a lot of quality and we needed to be at our A game, and unfortunately we weren’t. But I don’t want to make it like a story of the first team and the B team, because it’s very difficult when you come down and you play nine guys. It’s not only difficult for the team, but it’s difficult for the nine guys. Hopefully they got the rhythm they need, hopefully we were able to push them to become better and be more ready for the first team.”
On the importance of the game:
“We wanted to get the most points possible in this three-game stretch and the nine points. We got six out of nine and we play home Tulsa on Saturday – now we have to focus on that game.”
Swope Park Rangers midfielder Paulo Nagamura
On the game:
“It was a tough game. I mean we knew that RGV was a team that was in a good moment and we had to match their intensity and their game. Unfortunately, we conceded a very early goal on a good ball and after that we had to chase the game and they made it very difficult for us and we couldn’t really break them down and have a chance to score. I missed a PK, beginning of the second half, that was a chance we could’ve tied the game, but I think we did create enough chances to score goals.”
On gaining fitness:
“I think that was the key tonight, even though we know Swope is playing for a spot in the playoffs. We knew that most our guys were having the playing time to gain fitness and be ready for this last push with Sporting, but at the same time we wanted to help Swope to go to the playoffs as well. That was unfortunate that we could not get them ourselves, but I know they have enough good guys to make this push as well, for the Rangers to make the playoffs.”
On being able to get minutes locally:
“I don’t mind to be honest, I don’t mind. It’s great to have that, I think guys get minutes, playing time and it’s only going to help the squad in the future.”
On playing with new teammates:
“We have been playing this team, this team that played tonight played in CONCACAF together twice already, so I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal, so I just thought that we could have done much better than what we did today. Unfortunately, we conceded the early goal and that changed the whole game, but (credit) to RGV, they did well, now we’ve got to focus on the next one.”
