Academy

Postgame Quotes: Swope Park Rangers 1-1 Orange County SC

Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal - Swope Park Rangers vs. Orange County SC - August 12, 2017

Swope Park Rangers Manager Nikola Popovic
Thoughts on the match...

I think we played well. You look at the stats, 13 shots to three. In the second half, we had 67 percent of the ball. We had a good game. We created enough to get out of here with three points. 


On seeing James Musa make his Sporting KC debut today...

He was very good. I was very happy to see him start on the first team. For us, this is the title; like it was with the signing of (Amer) Didic.


On Musa's transition into the senior team...

I think this is the big difference from last year. Our players are playing according to the model and the way the first team plays. That gives them a better chance to succeed in the first team. James did not have any trouble adapting with Sporting KC and I think that is why he had a good performance. 


On Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal starting in place of Musa....

For the players who are always waiting for a chance, this was a chance for him. He had a good game. He is a player we have very high expectations for.


Swope Park Rangers forward Kharlton Belmar
On his goal...

The goal was straight from training. We worked all week on forwards making that run in behind. We timed it perfectly and it was a good ball from (Christian) Duke. I took my chance and was able to put it away first time. 


On scoring early...

I think that's something we set out to do often. We look to come out of the gates hot and pounce to get that goal quick and then play from there. We saw that tonight. We got the goal and completely dominated the game afterward. We were just unlucky to give up a goal there.


On settling for the draw...

We had enough chances where we could have capitalized. It's just one of those days where the ball doesn't bounce our way. We'll get back into training this week and come back stronger next game.


Swope Park Rangers midfielder Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal
Thoughts on the match...

It felt good to be back out there. Obviously, at home, it was a disappointing result. Overall, I think we played pretty well. They sat in and we couldn't find that final ball even though we kept possession.


On his return to the field...

I haven't played in a while so I was kind of nervous. After 5-10 minutes, I got settled down. I have great teammates like (Christian) Duke telling me what to do.


On being an 18-year-old in the USL...

You have to learn how to become a pro and play at a higher level, play faster, play against bigger guys, play against people that are older than you. Overall, it's a good learning experience.


On transitioning from the Academy to SPR...

It prepared me as best as it can. The Academy is a high level. Now I'm playing against older people. There's always a learning curve. From the Academy U-12's to the first team, it's pretty seamless. Once you move up the levels, the model is always the same.


Orange County SC Manager Logan Pause
Thoughts on the match...

Tonight was a really good result against a really good team who likes to play football and, for the most part, had their thumb on the possession. We were fortunate to come back, especially after a slow start to get a goal in the second half.


On the team's congested schedule...

We're in the thick of it right now. We've got a quick turnaround to a game on Tuesday and then a game on Friday so no time to feel sorry for ourselves last week. Coming down here against a good team, we're happy with this result.


On the goal from Zach Kobayashi...

He's doing well. He's a young, promising talent that's been working really hard in training and improving every day. He's got a long way to go but he's right where we want him to be.


Orange County SC midfielder Zach Kobayashi
On scoring his second of the season...

I'm feeling good. It's a good start. It's always hard coming back from a long injury. It was my first full 90 in a while. It felt good to get a run out.


On earning a road result...

It's good to get a point. Obviously, we wanted to get all three coming into this. Swope played a really good game. We come away with a point and we look forward to Tuesday to hopefully get another three.


On bouncing back from a 4-0 loss mid-week...

We were pretty excited to get out on the field again to make up for what happened on Tuesday. It's a good response. The boys put in a good shift. We all worked really hard to make up for what happened then. We always look forward to the next game. The past is behind us.