Sporting Kansas City head coach Raphael Wicky
Thoughts on the match…
I'm mostly very, very happy about the result and the win, but I'm even more happy about the performance. I think the performance we showed was very, very good and was very mature over 90 plus four minutes. I think we were the better team. We had so many shots. We didn't give up much. Of course, there were a few moments for them in transition but honestly, the performance was really, really good. I’m very proud of the team. A week ago, obviously we were in a bad place and then the team and the boys show up twice like that with two really, really brave and good performances and as a team. That really makes me really happy.
On the insertion of Manu Garcia into the game…
I think we had before a very good game as well. I would have to see the game again, how clear the chances were, but we had many shots. We were really in the final third a lot. And I think we had a good game before Manu came in. I'm very happy that the guys who came in, everyone, helped the team with good performances to turn this game around. We said in halftime that we have to just keep doing what we do and that we were the better team in the first half as well and that we can turn this around. Manu came in really well. The plan was if we're still losing 1-0 that Manu comes in center mid with Lasse (Berg Johnsen) together to help bring the ball forward and he did that. I'm very happy that he actually scored, because Manu is a player who can produce and I feel like his production in the beginning of the season so far hasn't been the best. Now, on Wednesday he came in and had a great assist for Calvin Harris. Tonight, he made some great passes. He played very secure in the midfield and scored so I'm very happy about that. Why I bring him from the bench is a technical choice. I choose on Wednesday to go with Taylor (Calheira) next to Dejan (Joveljic). I wanted a second striker there and a player a little bit higher up. And I think Taylor did really well in both games and I think that's what a team is. And then the subs came in well on Wednesday as well. They came in well today and I think that's what a team has to be. But it was a technical decision, so there's not a specific reason.
On the play of Calvin Harris…
He looked very confident on Wednesday. He looked very confident today as well. He's always a threat. But to be fair, he was a threat in many games we have had this season. He is one who, next to Dejan, who has had the most chances to score goals or to give assists early in the season. It just didn't go in. He got rewarded in both games with good performances and I think that's what, as a coach, what you want to see. I'm happy for him.
On the play of Stephen Afrifa…
I’m very, very happy for Stephen. A great goal for him to cut in. But first and foremost, what I always want to see is that work ethic, that the guys come in and work first hard for the team. He has done that. He helps the team. And then obviously he adds an attacking quality, which he has. He has a 1v1. He is fast. That's what we want to see from him when he comes in. Today, I'm really happy that he actually took this 1v1 on and hit the ball on target. When we speak with him, it's always to try to hit the ball on target. If you hit the ball on target, you have a chance that it goes in. Today, obviously, you can't hit it better. I’m very happy for him and I think it just shows that when you keep working hard, that you get rewarded as well.
Sporting Kansas City forward Stephen Afrifa
On the feeling of scoring the game-winner…
Good. I’m just happy to help the team get the win. That's pretty much it. I came in and I was asked to do one thing: to help the team out. I was able to do it, so I’m very happy.
On the back-to-back wins…
We're nearing the end before this little break we have and the whole story in the building has just been, let's close it out on a high and let's see what we can do to try to turn it around. The last two games have gone very well. Tonight, we showed out. We have just got to look forward to next weekend and hopefully show the same.
On the message from coach before he entered…
It’s pretty simple. Obviously, just keep the energy and raise it. We have the fresh legs, so that's just the basics of it. Come out and defend first and then do what you can do in the attack. It's pretty straightforward, just simple stuff and we just try to execute it.
On his goal…
It's a shot I like a lot, cutting inside and curling it back post. The ball fell to my feet. I looked up and I saw one defender and just more about timing to just try to get him off balance. I was able to do it and the shot came off exactly how I wanted it.
On the feeling of the victories…
It feels great. In the locker room, all the guys know that we're a lot better than our performances have shown. We didn't let our heads stay low. We just try to be the best that we can be out there. We have got a long season ahead. We still can say that we're at the start of it and these two results are very massive in us turning the season around.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Manu Garcia
On coming off the bench to make an impact…
Of course, it's not the place where you want to be but (you do) whatever so the team can win. The team has been good the last two games. I’m really happy for the guys, because it's very, very much needed. I’m just happy to help them in the way that I can and to finally that the things start to work out.
On the biggest difference in the last two games…
I think we're doing things all together. Everyone is going in the same line, is in the same points. And we're taking care of the ball much better. We've been trying to play this way since the start. It's difficult at times, but now it's starting to click which I'm very happy for the guys because it's not easy to be in the situation that we've been in.
