Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes
On the injury sustained by goalkeeper Tim Melia …
No word yet. They think he got a cramp in there, so we will know more tomorrow morning. If someone has to step up, then someone has to step up. That's the way it is.
On Diego Rubio scoring and coming back from injury …
He’s been really good for us. He’s creating good partnerships with the guys around him and has found success putting the ball in the back of the net here and there, now we just have to do it a little more.
On if he expects Rubio to be a key scorer in the playoffs …
I hope he’s one of them. The big thing for us is with the amount of chances we create, it should be more of a goals scored by committee type of thing. It's a team concept and not just one guy. There has to be other guys doing that. We had numerous chances tonight and we should’ve had more than one.
On the challenges of being in the middle of a playoff race while also having to account for players on international duty …
It’s always a difficult situation. You lose a lot of continuity within your team. I’m a big believer that every game is a big one, but obviously at this point in the season everything means a little more due to knowing where everyone stands and who you are going after. I think at this point in the season when guys are gone for qualifiers or national team exhibition games, it’s difficult but you still have to find a way. I think we did enough to walk away with three points.
On if his team did enough to get the win and three points …
I do. I thought for the majority of the game we were playing very good on the ball and did a good job creating chances. We had five clear-cut chances, but [Bobby] Shuttleworth makes a great save on the header from [Roger] Espinoza, but we have to finish that.
On if he is expecting a playoff berth next week…
We’d love to. But performing well is one thing, finishing games are a whole different story. I think we’ve shown we can play well this season numerous times but tonight was one of those games we should’ve finished off.
Sporting KC forward Diego Rubio
On his goal and what he brings to the team …
I really, first of all it’s difficult to think about me after the game. I just want to say like I try to give my best for the team. Help the team, give energy and give what the coach asks to do. That’s all. I try to do my work.
On looking ahead to the rest of the season and playoffs as a leading scorer …
I always say, of course I am the striker, I need to score goals. But I always say we have 26, 27 or 28 guys and they are going to be so important every time. We’re not in the playoffs yet, so I don’t want to speak about that. I want to speak about the next game. And if we win the next game, and if we win the next game. Nothing. I just think about the next game.
