Head Coach Adrian Heath
On the match against Seattle…
“I thought they [Seattle Sounders FC] started well, thought they controlled the first 15, 20 minutes. Their shape changed a little bit more than we were expecting, but once we got in at halftime and made the adjustments that we felt we needed, I thought that we were far and away the better team in the second half, created the better opportunities. That was one thing [Brian] Schmetzer said after the game, he thought we probably deserved a bit more out of the game. But as I said to everybody after the game on Sunday: [in] our last four games, [we have] two wins and two draws against two or three really good teams. We would’ve probably settled for that before the game.”
On earning four to six points in this span of games as a success for the team…
“Exactly. You can’t underestimate playing the likes of Seattle [Sounders FC] on the back of them not winning for five games. They’re an incredible franchise, always there in (contention) and the reason is they don’t take defeat lightly. So, for us to go and play the way we did in the second half, we’re going to take a lot of momentum from that into tomorrow night’s game against Colorado [Rapids].”
On the match against Colorado…
“It’s strange because they’re [Colorado Rapids] in a position where they probably have got no room for error. They’re going to have to win most of their games between now and the end of the season to make the playoffs. The one thing about Robin’s [Fraser] team is they don’t give in. They’ve got talent as well. They’ve got pace all over the field. They change around to ask you questions. I don’t take anybody lightly, not least of all Robin Fraser’s teams because the thing about them is they never quit and that’s always a dangerous opponent. We need to go and get the three points and if we play like we did at the weekend, I think it’ll give us a good chance.”
On the performances of Joseph Rosales and Hassani Dotson…
“I got asked after the game, ‘You’ve got three or four wide guys and we ended up with Joseph [Rosales] and Hassani [Dotson],’ but that just is a testament to the way they played. I thought they were arguably two of our best players at the weekend. Hassani played three different positions and was probably the best player on the field in all three. So, they’re playing really, really well. Now we’ll have to decide tomorrow – one or two of them are hanging on with a few knocks – whether we change it around or not. But we’ve got some real quality to come off the bench if we need to.”
On three games in eight days and the turnaround from Wednesday to an away game on Saturday…
“They’re [San Jose Earthquakes] very good at home. [Cristian] Espinoza is having a great year. Cade Cowell: Big, powerful, strong, quick. Luchi’s [Gonzalez] done a good job, they’ve got an identity now with the way they’re going to play. It’s never easy on the road in this league but I know that we’ve been there [San Jose] and won in the past and we can do it again if we play well.”
On the importance of three points against Colorado ahead of San Jose…
“We’ve not done as well as we wanted at home all year, that’s been well documented. We’ve got to get back to winning ways to give ourselves a really good opportunity not only to make the playoffs but if you look at it with the game in hand that we’ve got, we can conceivably be looking at that third and fourth spot, which would give us home field advantage. That’s what we’ve got to aim for so tomorrow night is crucial for that.”
Midfielder Ismael Tajouri-Shradi
On the importance of positive results in upcoming matches…
“We deserved more than a point [against Seattle Sounders FC]. I think we played a very good game, especially in the second half. We managed to get a lot of chances and kept the ball moving well. We wanted the three points but we walked out with one point. Now we’re looking forward to the next home game against Colorado [Rapids]. The team is ready for three points and we need to get the three points at home to look forward to the next away game [on Saturday].”
On his impact on the game and adjusting to the team…
“I’ve been saying from the beginning when I came here that it’s been great. It’s been amazing. The team welcomed me very well and I’m adjusting slowly, step-by-step, even more to the team and the players, what the coaches want from me, what I can give to the team and what the team can give to me. It’s been good. I can’t wait for more. I just need to get going and I’m looking forward to the next games.”
On staying focused and preparing for the games ahead given a tight turnaround and the playoffs approaching…
“We had Seattle [Sounders FC] at home and now it’s going to be a game tomorrow against Colorado [Rapids] at home, then away in California against San Jose [Earthquakes]. It’s going to be a tough week or 10 days but everyone has a midweek game so everyone is prepared. We just need to take care of our bodies, get our rhythm, get the team together. Togetherness is going to be very important in these next games but I think the team is ready for the packed games. We’re looking to, first, get the three points against Colorado and then looking forward to the San Jose game.”
On getting a result against San Jose considering its impressive home form…
“We know San Jose [Earthquakes] is a very tough team to play against, especially at home, but we know what we can do. We showed that in the last few weeks, few months that we are [good] at home and even better away. We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing, we’re just going to add some other things so we can get the right result at home but also away. San Jose is going to be very tough, but I think the team is ready for it, to get another three points away. But before that, we need to get through our home game, focus on that one and then focus for the San Jose game.”
