Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Thoughts on the 3-0 victory over Columbus…
There was no doubt that we were the dominant team and really gave absolutely nothing away. Scoring with three goals, especially with the change that they made to their coach recently, it definitely caused an emotional spike within the team. I thought our work ethic and the way we play the ball was very, very well, allowing us to finish some great goals. It is always nice when the opposing coach gives you some motivation with previous comments that have been made before game day. It makes my job of motivating the players really easy.
On the team’s first game without Kei Kamara…
I think that there are two things to look at the moment: we are number one in the conference in goals scored, number two in goals against. When you look at those states and the way that we play and the work ethic within the team, all of that shows how this is a team effort. It is all about the team, and when we play as a team we go out, like we did tonight and come away victorious. When we step on the field and play like we did tonight, our soccer will always play itself out. Tonight we brought more intensity that the opposing team and that is why we were able to score fantastic goals. It is all about working hard and when players get their opportunities that they are ready to perform.
On the keys to the team’s success…
We took what the game gave us. I think we were smart with how we approached the game attacking wise and defensively, not letting them get behind with counters because we know with (Dominic) Oduro that’s what he’s looking to do and (Ryan) Finley underneath. We were smart throughout the game.
Columbus Crew Interim Head Coach Brian Bliss
Thoughts on the game…
It is tough to play from behind early, the first goal was close into the first ten minutes and the second was in the twenty-eight minute. It is very difficult to come from behind against a quality squad at their home field, but overall I think tactically we were set up pretty well to do what we had set out to do. We did have a mental lapse in the short corner, which caused the PK, and from there it was an up-hill battle.
On the quick turnaround from Wednesday’s match…
Sure, we had a couple injuries during the week and a few guys had dropped off, forcing us to come out with the same guys as Wednesday against Houston. I am sure there were some tired legs, but I think mostly it was psychological and mental.
