Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On the match...
“They wanted it more than us. The first half especially we were second to everything. They got the early goal and I don’t think we ever responded in the first half. Second half we did, we got a lot of chances and pulled one back but it was too late. We should have pulled one back earlier with the number of chances we had around the goal, but we didn’t. They deserve it. They deserve the three points today.”
On what they can take from this game going into playoffs...
“That you can’t play like this if you want to keep going in the playoffs. And I’m not being sarcastic or facetious, I’m being serious. First of all in this league if you don’t come with effort you are never going to win. So, maybe this was really good opportunity for us to get a wake-up call into the playoffs that you can’t do that because you’re done. I know that’s what we can’t do.”
On seeing Houston in the first round...
“We’ve seen them three times this year, once in the open cup and twice in the league. We both won once and we tied once. It’s not like we’re far removed from each other. It’s going to be a real battle. They can be a very explosive team if you allow them to be. It’s going to be a little bit like this game and if you don’t come with the effort, then you’re cooked.”
On Melia’s availability for the game against Houston..
“I don’t know if he is going to be ready. Every day is going to count. As much as I get the question, that hasn’t been our problem. We have to bring the effort.”
On losing the last three years in the knockout rounds...
“In every one of those games we played well. I think last year I wish we had VAR, because I think it would have helped us. And I’m being both sarcastic and maybe trying to be a little humorous because I think it would have changed the game immensely. All three of those games we played extremely well. Each one we had a chance to win. We didn’t play poorly.”
On finishing fifth in the West this year...
“Not satisfied at all. The fact that we’re not one or two is very disappointing for me. I’m going to speak for myself and say that’s very disappointing. We were in a good place for a good portion of the year and for us to finish off at fifth place is very disappointing, underachieved for sure.”
Sporting KC Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra
On what they expect from Houston this coming match...
“They are a team that is hitting their stride at the right time. We know the way they play and we’ve seen them pretty recently. I would hope that our confidence is high going into that game. We know what to expect since we were just there. I know what I’m ready for.”
On having more settled nerves from being so familiar with Houston...
“I think our emotions are pretty hot right now. Guys are probably going to need a day to cool down from this before we take a look ahead. I can’t speak for everyone but for me it doesn’t matter who it would be. You study the opponent and familiarize yourself with them and I guess in our case we could be lucky since we’ve seen these guys so recently.”
On effort missing from today’s performance...
“Effort is the name of the game at the end of the season, especially when it comes to playoffs. Hungry teams often get it. I was a part of DC United for a long time and we had success off of just gutting out time. Kicking and scratching out on the opponent. But we absolutely lacked it in the first half. Me personally I think it comes down to the individual. You can’t inspire anybody but everyone in the locker room needs to dig deep. And we have the capability, it’s just a matter of getting our stuff together for the week.”
