Head Coach Adrian Heath
On any frustration at the draw against SKC…
"My overriding thoughts of the whole of last week is that we didn’t get what we deserved. San Jose and SKC played a man down for a long period of time and I don’t think our quality in the final third was perhaps good enough. But when I look over the amount of work the players put in I’m disappointed that we only got two points to show, when really we were the better team in all three games."
On the lack of scoring in the final third…
"We are working hard enough in training, we are certainly getting enough of the ball in the final third; comfortable possession. The final ball has not helped us and we need one or two things to go our way in the box. It’s just one of those things, we can’t seem to get a bounce to go our way. You’ve got to be honest and say sometimes it’s been poor finishing. Overall, I’ve been delighted with the efforts of the players. They kept going to the very last whistle in all three games. Keep believing in what we are doing, keep getting the ball into the right spots and hopefully it will change."
On Emanuel Reynoso’s play lately…
"He’s been terrific. Obviously a lot has been said about the treatment he got over the weekend and I’m not too pleased with some of the tackles that are going in on him. It seems to me it’s not just one person, they are spreading it around. He’s been battered and bruised for sure. That’s why he has not been able to go to the all star game."
On the defense keeping a clean sheet…
"The back four have been great. Overall I’ve been delighted with the effort of the players. We are moving the ball into the final third, I’ve been happy with the possession, so overall we just need a break to go our way."
On the Houston Dynamo…
"It’s a big game for them as well. That pack behind us and the playoff line is getting congested and teams are picking up a lot of points around there. Every game is going to be important. We know that they are traditionally hard to play against at Houston. The weather normally is stifling down there. If we can play like we have been doing we should give a good account of ourselves."
On play style this weekend…
"Hopefully we will take the game to them and play our normal game. Its getting to the stage where we need to start winning some of these games. We know its going to be tough. The good things is that once we get this out of the way we’ve got two weeks [off] and I’m hoping Robin Lod will be available and Franco Fragapane will be available. It’s a big game for us. They have got some good players. It’s always nice for me personally to see Darwin Ceren, he’s a player I gave a chance to at Orlando City. They are a well organized side and they’ve got a lot of pace and if we don’t play as well as we can on the weekend, chances are we are going to get beat."
Defender Chase Gasper
On the atmosphere after the SKC game…
"We were disappointed. A frustrating game. It was in our hands and we didn’t produce. You’ve got to score goals. That’s what it comes down to."
On why the team didn’t get a result…
"It was just one of those days, we had a few opportunities to put it away, but it just didn’t bounce right for us. That happens throughout the season, we are just focused on Houston this weekend and putting the ball in the back of the net."
On the defensive success of late…
"Yeah, especially this summer, I think we’ve had 14 games or so where the whole team’s defensive mentality we have been super proud of. We have really been focused on that and we are looking to continue that."
On looking forward to the a single game this week…
"The extra days rest make a huge difference. Houston is not an easy place to play, its going to be hot down there, but we have had a hot summer and its going to be hot for them too. We are looking to go get a result."
On facing Houston…
"They have a lot of great players. Just like we saw last time when Houston came to Minnesota. We controlled the game for the most part, but they can always catch you on a split second play. They have players that can produce great plays. We are looking to eliminate those threats and hopefully score a couple goals."
On the approach for this weekend…
"Being on the road and especially with the [potential] humidity, you need to be more tactical with you approach. If we bomb and press like we do at home in much cooler Minnesota evenings, it’s way different. For the most part our approach will be the same. We are looking forward to trying to get a result."
Defender Michael Boxall
On frustrations against SKC…
"With the amount of time we were up a man, we had to do a better job at creating chances. We created enough to win the game. We may have to be a bit more creative in the final third, but also just make the most of the chances that we do create."
On why the team has struggled scoring…
"I’m not so sure. We are doing the work, we are making the runs. Because we haven’t had the consistency of players, so the fluidity and movement of personnel just makes things a bit difficult. Every week it changes and that never makes it easy. We are putting in the work, so soon enough its just got to come right."
On missing key offensive players…
"Obviously Robin [Lod] one of our top finishers, doesn’t need too many opportunities in the box and just puts them away. So we definitely miss him. In the buildup, with [Franco] Fragapane and how he combines so well with [Emanuel] Reynoso, when we advance the ball he’s a threat anywhere from 40-50 yards from the goal. He’s very dynamic and hopefully he will be back shortly."
On the cleansheet against SKC…
"For sure, obviously the ten men kind of turned it into a training match for us in the back four, but we still had a few counterattacks to deal with.  The body felt right right, I was a little nervous I wasn’t going to last the ninety, it had been a while but the body held together nicely."
On playing against [Alan] Pulido…
"In the first twenty minutes when we were 11 v 11 we matched up well. It helps when we are surrounded by Romain [Metanire] and Bakaye [Dibassy] who are more than able to cover when whoever does step it. He didn’t cause too many issues. Not sure if he was fully healthy, but you can only play what you are up against."
On Houston…
"We are expecting three points. We have gone through far too many matches where we have dropped points and let results slip away. Most games we go into thinking we can get something out of, and this game is no different. Despite their form, it’s a game we can put our stamp on and get after them."
On concerns on playing specific players on Houston…
"Not really. After [playing] Pulido and Khiry Shelton, they can do a lot. Whether its running behind, being physical or they are smart on the ball too. So after that warmup, I know I’m in the right mindset and as long as we stay focused and work together as a back four with Tyler [Miller] we should be ok."
On playing in the Houston heat…
"In my first few years going down to Texas was always a bit of a struggle, but now you’ve just got to get on with it. I don’t think it will be too much of an issue – I haven’t looked at the forecast just yet so don’t quote me on it – but it’s the same for both sides."
On what a win would mean…
"Our mindset from the beginning of the season was to host a playoff game and that’s what we are still pushing for. We have kind of let results slip away and we have left ourselves with a bit more work than we would like to do. This three points would be massive in pushing us in that direction."
