Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Thoughts on the match...
“I thought we were good in the first half, created some chances. Probably should have scored a second goal in the first half but we didn’t. We come in up one-nil into the second half. That’s what we want to do: be up or even at half time, and we did that. We come in the second half, I don’t think we put our foot on the gas pedal enough in the second half to go get a second goal. They get the equalizer, the momentum shifts and they just had more hunger at the end to get the second goal.”
On any chances for the rematch on Sunday...
“That’s what the playoffs are all about. Hopefully we can use it as a two-game series and go home and do what we have to, to get the result at home.”
On challenges Sporting KC has had against Houston recently...
“Obviously, head-to-head they are better than us at the moment. We have to figure something out and it has to do with our desire and intensity on the field.”
Sporting KC midfielder Ilie
On the message to the team after the match...
“We have two games to end the season, the regular season. We are still not in the playoffs; the first objective is reach the playoffs in these two games. We have an opportunity at home where we know we are really strong. I hope we can take this chance next Sunday. Try to learn because we just make the same mistake in every game and I think it will take everyone, the 25 players. Try to learn, be aware and do it the next game on Sunday.”
On not winning the second ball...
“Obviously when you have a cross, the first ball is important, and then if you don’t win the next ball you have a problem. Maybe it is a thing we have to keep training, but at the end we have to be ready 100 percent in the game. You can train every day the same, but you have to do it in the game.”
