Head Coach Adrian Heath
On dropping points in Dallas over the weekend…
“If you look at the 90 minutes, which we’ve done, tried to analyze it, I don’t think we started particularly well but we certainly finished well. The fact that their goalkeeper [Phelipe] got man of the match, and after the game, he’s talking about it being his best performance within the first team, I think that tells you everything you need to know. We certainly had three of four great opportunities and that’s really the disappointment. But certainly wasn’t the performance, we were pleased with the performance.”
On hosting an open training session at Allianz Field and connecting with the fans…
“We’ve had a lovely morning. It’s always great to get out here, it’s a great place to play. You can see the spring in the step of the players because they’ve come out and the surface is beautiful. It’s nice to have the supporters in and have that little relationship with them and long may it continue because we’ve got a great group of supporters, for sure.”
On preparing for Colorado Rapids this weekend…
“We know it’s going to be tough. They’ve had an exceptional year. I think Robin [Frazer] has done an incredible job in a short period of time. Turned the roster over quite considerably. Brought a lot of players from within the league, traded for a lot of players. Ideally, it would have been nice to have the full complement of players but they are missing a couple as well so big game for us. And it’s a big game for them as well on the back of their last few results. If we want to keep putting pressure on the teams around us, certainly the three points is what we’re after this weekend.”
On Robin Frazer managing such a successful season…
“The fact that they know what they’ve got I think helps. You look at the players they’ve got, they haven’t had an incredible turnover but they’ve bought and traded from within the league, that’s something they’ve made a conscious effort for. Robin [Frazer] has done a great job and I think, universally, everybody you speak to thinks what he’s done is terrific in a short period of time. He’s obviously got a lot of belief there and even in the game at the weekend against Seattle – they didn’t have a particularly good start but at the end of the game, they’re still going forward, still trying to get back in the game. They’ve obviously got a good team spirit, a lot of belief so it’s going to be tough.”
On preparing for the players not available this weekend…
“Well as I’ve spoke to the players yesterday and today, let’s talk about the players who are here and not the ones who aren’t. There’s nothing we can do about that. We’re fully aware of what was going to happen a few weeks ago when we got the invitation letters from the federations. We knew who was going to be gone. That’s what it is. Next man up. Step up. Come and give us a problem next week because you played that well this weekend.”
On how big is Sunday’s game given there’s only seven games left in the season…
“I think if we’ve got any designs on that fourth spot, this game in hand would take us up to five points and we’ve got the teams above us to play, everything to play for. I mentioned it to you guys a few weeks ago, after that win against the Galaxy here, Greg Vanney said that every game between now and the end of the season takes on extra significance. Depending on are you trying to get into the playoffs, do you want to be a home game in the playoffs. Every game and every point is crucial.
Defender Chase Gasper
On dropping points in Dallas over the weekend…
“Definitely. We had opportunities. I had a huge one that I should have put away but those games are going to happen and like you said, we are away on the road and it is a big point to get and it could play a big role later on in the season. You’ll always take an away point but in hindsight, I feel like we should have gotten the win but just wasn’t our night.”
On hosting an open training session at Allianz Field and connecting with the fans…
“It was a lot of fun. It adds just a little extra excitement coming out to practice and when you do train. Especially after a really long week on the road last week, it’s nice to be home, on our home field in front of the fans in the country and we thank everyone here who did come out, thank you for coming out. Just puts a little extra in your step so it’s fun to see all of them today.”
On if Colorado this weekend is the biggest game of the season…
“Potentially. Home games, the expectation is that we do get three points and win, especially against this Colorado team who, this season especially, we feel haven’t gotten the performances or results that we deserve. We’re really looking forward to…and going into the game with the expectation that we’re going to win and get three points. It’s going to be tough one. Missing the guys that we do with national team but we have full confidence in the next two guys that step up that they’re going to fill the position just as well.”
On the successful season the Colorado Rapids have had…
“[Robin Frazer] has done a great job. They’re a tough team to play because they’re physical, they’re mentally strong, all the players do the job that they’re asked and that’s why they are where they are in the table right now. We know the challenge we’re up against on Sunday. We’re going to prepare hard this week. We’ve had a good start to the week in preparation and we’ll be ready for Sunday.”
On what makes Colorado work the way they do…
“They’re counter-press is good but they’re good at finding their front man and the building runners off of him and set pieces. It’s a pretty direct game they play but it’s very efficient and as we’ve seen, with where they are in the standings, and everyone on the team, it’s like full team buy-in. When you do lose the ball in their attacking third, they do the counter-press and win it back and get back in the box as soon as possible. It’s very direct but it’s very effective and that’s why they are where they are right now.”
On playing a big game at home…
“It’s a huge benefit to play in front of the 12th man factor, the incredible fans that we get here every home game. We’re going to need them all on Sunday, being loud, cheering on the entire game. We’re really going to need them but we’ll be ready. We’ll be ready for Sunday, definitely.”
Midfielder Niko Hansen
On dropping points in Dallas over the weekend…
“We definitely left that trip feeling a little bit gutted that we didn’t get three points. Dallas is a tough place to play though so I think we go away with a point but I think we deserved a little bit more.”
On hosting an open training session at Allianz Field and connecting with the fans…
“We were just talking about how it was a nice atmosphere. It adds a little more joy to the game and passion. People just being able to enjoy the little things, enjoy a few passes that we sometimes take for granted at times how fun it is and how great it is.”
On Jan Gregus’ bicycle kick and celebration in training…
“We’ll give it to him today. We’ll give him a little for it the next couple of days.”
On the successful season the Colorado Rapids have had…
“That’s a good question. It’s a team that has depth and I think they’re working well together and moving well together. And they’re scoring goals. it’s a team that’s been building towards this for a few years and it’s finally coming together for them. They’ve added a few other pieces. It’s a strong team and I think they’ve always been but I think they’ve put it together with the run of games.”
On what makes Colorado work the way they do…
“They do well to keep the ball. They run a lot. They make it difficult for you on the ball. They finish their chances. They get in front of goal and have guys that are scoring and that are creating good chances for scoring opportunities.”
On preparing for the players not available this weekend…
“With any team, the depth of the team is what takes them forward towards the end of the season. With our team, you see the depth. You see the guys that can step up and it ends right into the machine. It doesn’t matter who is in, we play at a certain high level and we expect to win.”
On playing a big game at home…
“You’ve seen how strong we are at home and what we’ve done to teams that have come to us. Aside from a couple games, we’ve dominated every single game we’ve played here. Especially towards this last little run of games leading into the playoffs, I think it’s going to be our 12th man on the field and really push us over to have a dominating game.”
