Sporting KC interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin
Thoughts on the match…
We were slow out of the gate. I think we were slow getting pressure on the ball and that led to a lot of opportunities for them. Obviously the two goals that they got had us chasing again from early in the game. We started stepping up the field, but not with any real sort of organization. We wanted to, we were just late to a lot of things. We made a little shift tactically to start the second half. We brought on three new players, which gave great energy to the game and kind of started turning the game in our favor. But after the instructions were given at halftime, I told the guys, ‘As much as we're going to make these tactical changes, the real way to get back in this game is to start to compete. We need energy and we need an emotional commitment to the second half.’ We, as a group, have been through a lot this year already. To come back from 2-0 with 45 minutes to play at our home is not that big of a deal compared to what this group has been through. I said that to them as well and all credit to them. They've made us proud once again. Although the result didn't go in the most positive direction, you can see the competitiveness, the spirit, the will, the want in the group and it's very difficult to be disappointed when you have a group like that.
On the team’s first match since Gadi Kinda passed away…
There was a part of that emotion that led to the outburst. They didn't want to let the night and that way. You would probably have to ask them individually, because this was very much an individual feeling based on the loss of Gadi. We all feel it, some at a different level, but throughout the week all of the club has supported each other. Once again tonight, in a difficult moment of adversity on the field, there was that support again. I certainly believe that there was someone watching tonight.
On the play of Zorhan Bassong…
No doubt, he was the instigator through the midfield. The ball that he won through the midfield that resulted in the goal was just one of the many plays he made in the second half. He's been building confidence. He's been playing a lot. He's been understanding his role more and more. And he's got a gigantic heart. We saw that tonight. Everyone was able to see that tonight. We see it every day, but tonight we saw it on full display.
On the offensive changes in the second half…
I think it always starts with mentality and the will and the want with a true intention of accomplishing something as a group. After that, you have your organization. You want your players in certain areas on the field. We went higher in the game in the second half to press the ball and we turned them over in dangerous areas. Manu (Garcia’s) goal was the result of something we saw in them in the way that they defended at the top of the box. Maybe that was an intentional action based on scouting and training, but the rest is all on the players. We saw the will and the determination and that was the difference in the first and second half.
On the tactical change to help Manu Garcia…
Part of it was our defensive starting positions. We wanted our wingbacks to be a little bit higher up the field in the first half. Their outside backs were getting a lot of the ball and we were late to arrive there. Being more aggressive there in more of a man-orientated way allowed Manu to be up the field because his direct opponent was close. When that ball turned over, he was very quick and he was close so he was able to make actions in the final third. I think that contributed to it, but I say it to you like I did the players: you can make all the tactical adjustments you want. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. But without the will and the determination, it's useless. That is really the story for me tonight. Once again, the courage, the bravery, the determination of a group. That's fantastic to be around.
On the injury to Robert Voloder…
I don't know what the extent of the injury is. As he went down, he was holding his shoulder. It looks like a collarbone but it’s too early to tell. I haven't heard anything, but that was a loss that at that moment of the game. You didn't want to change out a central defender, certainly one that was having a good game. That hurt us at the end of the day but we move on.
On Dany Rosero and Joaquin Fernandez entering the match…
(Jacob) Bartlett has been sick all week and he gave a monster effort tonight after having missed a few days with flu-like symptoms. I would say he was close to 100%, but by no means at his top level. We were planning on that sub to begin with and Joaquin, having played as a defensive midfielder in his previous teams, was the natural solution considering we don't have another real number six. In recent weeks, we've shown the ability to drop our defensive midfielder into the back and make a five-man backline. With them putting so many players in forward positions trying to get the tying goal, that was the sub to put Joaquin in the back and go into more of a 5-4-1 to try to hold it down. We were up 3-2 so that was the intention of it. We wanted our wing backs, Logan (Ndenbe) and Khiry (Shelton), to get out and stop crosses and limit those opportunities. We did the best we could on the day and certainly stepping in after having been out for so long is not an easy situation to be in. They got those reps and we keep moving on.
Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi
On the comeback from 2-0 down…
We made some changes with player changes and tactical changes. We stepped up higher and the guys who came in did amazing and brought the energy. The whole team reacted well. I'm just proud of the team and the way we came back. It's shocking how we can play when we change our mindset and we are more forward. I'm very proud of the team but, at the same time, it's bittersweet not getting the win after that. It’s tough. That stretch was amazing. Everything else, we have got to analyze it.
On the emotions after the death of Gadi Kinda…
I want to thank our ownership group, our president, our coaching staff and everyone for helping us honor him. This club helped us give him the tribute he deserved. It's just an extra thing that we could get some goals for him. I dedicate my goal for him. It's special and we're all going to miss him. I hope he was watching. He wanted us to win it, but I know he's smiling up there to see us fight for him.
On the significance of his goal tonight…
I'm just glad I could get one today. It was definitely a special night and after lots of emotions this week, it's nice to get on the scoreboard and dedicate this for him.
On the play of Zorhan Bassong…
We do see that. He's a great player and the way he pushed the team in the second half was amazing. I'm pretty sure he started all three attacks. It was just great and I’m proud of him. We need more of that and we need that for the whole game. We have all got to work on making that 15-minute stretch into 90-minute stretches.
