MLS 2016 week 1: Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 DC United
Bruce Arena on the victory:
On tonight’s game:
“Conceding a goal four minutes in is not easy. I thought D.C. United did a good job being organized and getting numbers behind the ball and making things difficult for us in the first half. But having said that, we still played OK in the first half. We obviously had to get a goal and get ourselves back in the game in the early part of the second half and I think we did that.”
On tonight’s result:
“I think it’s a good kind of win for us. We had to come from behind, dig a little bit, and work really hard. We’ve got a nice blend of experience. We have enough guys that can settle everyone down and keep their composure. It’s a good balance. I think you see the experience that Nigel [de Jong] brings in the midfield and that Ashley [Cole] brings in the back. Bringing in a goalkeeper in the first half is highly unusual and we dealt with some issues and overcame them so I think it’s a real good win for our team.”
Robbie Keane:
On his goals:
“I was the beneficiary of some incredible movement on the first goal and an incredible ball by Sebastian [Lletget]. My touch was just bad enough to bounce up and the rest was easy. The second time I was just trying to get in the box and it just hit me in the head. Stevie [Gerrard] played a perfect ball. Not easy at all as far as I go, but my teammates made it look easy for me.”
Steven Gerrard:
On the difference between the Galaxy’s first and second half:
“I think we were a bit open the first 10-15 minutes and unfortunately conceded a goal. Then it was just all about being patient and then we lifted the tempo in the second half. Midweek I mentioned that in Mexico we were very passive and slow on the ball and tonight we changed that. Tonight we changed that and we were a lot closer to where we want to be in the second half.”
