Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
On his team's play on Wednesday...
I would say that I thought we were very good in the first 30 minutes. We were all over their goal. We gave up a soft goal. It was something that we definitely should have been able to deal with. We had a mistake in the back. At that point, we lost the game a little bit there in the last 15 minutes of the first half. But, I thought the adjustments at halftime that we made were good, when C.J. (Sapong) came on in the second-half. Unfortunately, they kind of just played long-ball, and whenever there was stoppage they would just try to slow the game down. There could have been ten minutes at the end of the game of added injury time. Just with the injuries and how much time they were taking. I’m proud of the fact that we were able to get the goal. We’re disappointed that we couldn’t get the three points but I’m proud of the fact that we were able to get back in the game and tie it up.
On the increase in intensity toward the end of the game...
I thought it was great play by us and we had great counter-attacks. Sometimes when it hits the crossbar, it is what it is. But I’m happy that we could score. We had some good chances, and sometimes they don’t drop. You have to look at it from the point of view that you took some chances and you were driving the game. For about 75 minutes, we really controlled the game. It was just those 15 minutes at the end of the first half where we lost hold of the game. Some teams hope that if they kick it 70 yards down field and it will knock the guys head off up front, and that’s great. But we drive the goal and we want to get numbers in there. I’m proud of that.
On C.J. Sapong’s play and improving the team’s energy...
Well, he was fresh at that point, and they were a little tired. I think he has great movement and raw physical ability to just turn on guys. From the very beginning when we drafted him, he plays excellent with his back to the goal and he’s incredible in the air. Other players, they think they have him, then he somehow just slips away. He’s a good target for guys to play into. He got a great chance in the box, and obviously Zusi finished it well.
On the outcome of the match...
Well I thought it should have been 2-0 after the first 30 minutes. That’s just how it is, you’re going to miss some. But we were so around it. We were so unlucky on Teal (Bunbury) and Omar (Bravo’s) shots because they were great shots. But again, credit to the guys for being around the goal the way they were.
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi
On the team's recent run...
It’s really fun and special what we've got going right now and it never gets old...It’s really unbelievable.
On coming back to secure a point...
We knew that we deserved better than where we were and we started to get some momentum in the second half. We got our goal and we’re lucky. We just knew we needed to do it and that we could.
Sporting Kansas City defender Michael Harrington
Thoughts on the game…
We shut them down for the most part, and we're happy with that. Unfortunately we made a mistake on their goal, but it was still a strong performance defensively, and we've just got to keep that going moving forward."
Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler
On the team's performance…
It would have been great to get the three points. I think we probably deserved it, but in the grand scheme of things we played well, we're still undefeated at home and we still have the unbeaten streak intact, so those are positives.
On the team not having allowed multiple goals in their last ten MLS games...
That's the goal as a defender. We've done a good job of limiting the amount of chances, and anytime you can do that it's going to give you a good chance to win.
On the home-field advantage the team is building at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
Tonight's a great example of the crowd's effect. Coming in at halftime, we needed a boost, and it was a hot and humid night. The second half was electric in here and we really fed off their energy. It would have been great to get one more goal, because this place was about to erupt.
Colorado Rapids Manager Gary Smith
Thoughts on the match...
I thought it was a pretty competitive game. However, I thought during the second half, Sporting Kansas City looked like the home team. It was a very confident team, who are in a terrific run of form. It was a well-deserved point for both teams, for us on the road. There’s a bit more pressure on our games. But overall, it was a very pleasing display.
On the physicality of the game...
You tell me. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It’s always competitive. These are some strong, willing, disciplined and hard-working groups. So that always means there’s going to be some competitive moments. I didn’t see anything tonight that was out of the ordinary. We expected a tough game if that’s what you’re saying.
On Colorado’s performance late in games based on them training in higher altitude…
Scientifically, it might suggest that the guys, working in thinner air then coming down to sea level, might be in better condition. But, you know what, more than any of those statistics from a scientist is goals scored against you because it affects you mentally. It (goals scored on you) affects the momentum of the game. There are so many things in any given game that are a problem and are more determinant regarding winning and losing a game.
On the play of Sporting KC striker C.J. Sapong…
He made an immediate impact. The lad is in good form and he looked bright when he came on. When you’re on a good run and you’re feeling confident, you can see one or two of the Sporting Kansas City guys that, maybe in the past weren’t quite as confident, but now look capable of beating anyone and Sapong is no different. As far as effort, I was a bit disappointed from our point of view. The ball was given away, and he immediately penetrates towards the goal.
On the atmosphere of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
What we have here is a wonderful stadium. I mean it’s truly a special place. The surface is identical to the one we play on in Denver, similar dimensions I believe. To a degree, I think a lot of teams are looking forward to coming here. It’s a very very nice surface to play on, and extremely nice facility. (The Sporting Club organization) is looking after people now. The last place you never felt welcomed, and couldn’t wait to get out of there. Now we want to hang around and have a drink!
Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey
On his goal…
Tyrone (Marshall) played a nice long ball, their defender chested it down and I caught it right and hit it in the corner.
On playing in LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
It's a really cool stadium. It seems a lot higher and taller than a lot of stadiums. They did a really nice job.
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens
On LIVESTRONG Sporting Park...
“It’s beautiful. They did a really good job here. We’re going to love coming here and playing, and I think everybody in this League is.”
On playing back in the Midwest…
I like it, I’m used to this area. I’ve lived in this community for 18 years, but coming back here it still hits you. You never really get used to this humidity.