D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the game …
“That’s three games in a row that, defensively, we have had a lot of trouble. We need to kind of assess where we stand with this team. Overall, today was just men vs. boys. It’s pretty simple. We talked all week about what it would take here, that it wasn’t really about tactics, it’s about who is the most manly, who are the most guys that are committed and ready to do the work that you need to get a result at Houston or away. But it was just unacceptable. We lost every matchup on the field. It was man 4-4-2 vs. 4-4-2, with man matchups all around. Not one went our way.”
On allowing a quick go-ahead goal …
"We get a goal back and we are 1-1, just like [at] Colorado [on April 3]. We didn’t learn the Colorado lesson. I don’t know how they get behind us that quick and we don’t deal with marks very well.”
D.C. UNITED FORWARD CHARLIE DAVIES
On the game …
“We didn’t play well enough today. We didn’t match their intensity, and they outplayed us. They won every 50/50 battle, and it showed it in the scoreline.”
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER DAX McCARTY
On the game …
“It was embarrassing. Not good enough from everyone. The effort and desire wasn’t there. You know it’s not going to be pretty soccer in Houston. Tonight we got punished for it, and that was the one thing we had to bring. It’s embarrassing. We should all take a long hard look in the mirror. We should all realize this isn’t little kids stuff. If we don’t bring the effort and desire, we aren’t going to win in this league. That’s 75 percent of the game in this league is just out fighting the opponent. We didn’t do that tonight.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the game …
“The team played very well tonight. Offensively, we were very potent. It’s great to see Will [Bruin] score a hat trick. His goals came in all different fashions. He was a handful for D.C.”
On Will Bruin …
“He listens and he learns and he wants to get better. The guys appreciate his energy and effort on the field.”
On so many new players from last season …
“You never know what kind of character you will bring in with such a high turnover. It is really competitive on the field. Off the field, everyone is clicking.”
On scoring from another free kick …
“There is a lot of talk with our set pieces, and they are still dangerous. Delivery is the most important thing. I think you need that attitude and aggression.”
DYNAMO FORWARD WILL BRUIN
On the hat trick …
“Against New England in the last home game, I had some chances, and I didn’t put them away. Tonight I finished them. As a forward, you have to have a short memory. I really wasn’t thinking about the misses at New England. I just went out and took my first opportunity from today’s game, and it carried on.”
Describing the goals …
“On the first one I peeled out and opened up. Geoff played me a great ball, and all I had to do was just finish it. On the second one, I saw Cam make the near-post run, Brad whipped it in, and I just headed in. On the third one, I just went up and got it.”
DYNAMO FORWARD CAM WEAVER
On his goal …
“It was a really heads-up play by Hunter. I saw him pick up the ball and throw it to me. I think the defenders weren’t expecting us to get the ball in play that quickly.”
DYNAMO GOALKEEPER TALLY HALL
On being in first place …
“It’s kind of crazy. You always say in the beginning of the season that I want the season to start well. You know it’s one thing wishing it, but the guys have been great. How many times did Andrew [Hainault] slide in for a blocked shot? Hunter [Freeman] did it, and all the guys slide in for a blocked shot.”
On Will Bruin …
“This is the performance the whole team knows that he is capable of. No question the guy has a nose for the net. Tonight he showed it. Great performance.”
On the club honoring Pat Onstad …
“He’s been a big figure, if not the figure, for a lot of the championships.Hats off to him and his career. I’m glad I could be a part of the team he was on. Best of luck to him and his career. It’s great that the city and the team honored him tonight.”
