Post-game quotes: D.C. United 1 - Columbus Crew 2

U.S. OPEN CUP 2010 QUOTESHEET

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 – D.C. UNITED 1, COLUMBUS CREW 2

D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN

On having the lead with minutes left

I mean, yeah, we had it. What do you want me to say? We had it. You know. In the end you got to finish it up. The guys, I’m very proud of them. We just, can’t reward ourselves. It’s very frustrating.

On the way they handled playing with 10 men

They were a gutsy group. I just wish they would, we would reward ourselves for some of the good work we did. It’s just pretty cruel sometimes, we do, the guys, for the most part do it all, and they go out and they fight and they do create chances, and we just don’t reward ourselves.

On the red card

I can’t comment obviously, but I don’t know. That obstacle, it’s a big one to overcome obviously for that long, and we did pretty good. It’s amazing, the little bounce of the ball here and there and uh a different situation and we’re good. It’s a reoccurring theme, and we’ll keep pushing, somehow regroup tomorrow, then start again on the weekend.

D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER SANTINO QUARANTA

On the Open Cup as motivation

It was everything, obviously. This was the only trophy we could win this year, and at the end of the day we wanted to give something back to the fans because this season has been abysmal and [the Open Cup] was the only thing we had going for us.

On getting out of last place in the League

As players we are playing for our jobs, we are playing for our families, and it's embarrassing sometimes to have to go home and say you lost again. So we'll pick the guys up, we'll move on and for our fans we want to win some games. I take pride personally in this and so does everyone else on the team as well.

On Hernandez's red card

I didn't see it. I didn't see. The referee told me that the fourth official and the sideline referee said that [Pablo Hernandez] deserved a red card. At the end of the day if he deserved a red card that's their decision. [Hernandez] is my teammate and I back him, but that's that.

D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER CLYDE SIMMS

On the loss

Yeah, it was definitely a frustrating game. We played well enough to win, even a man down, and [Columbus] got one late, and that's kind of how our season has been unfortunately. But even after they scored we had a couple of chances to go ahead 2-1, but we have been bad at finishing our chances all season as well, so it's definitely frustrating.

On Hernandez's red card

We knew that they were going to push numbers [following the red card], and we were confident as a team, and I saw that confidence in other guys' eyes, and I thought we were ready for it. We kept the ball some and even created a chance or two, but unfortunately we gave up that late goal.

On Columbus winning a penalty

I don't have anything to say about it. It was a good call - the right call, that's all I can say.

D.C. UNITED DEFENDER DEJAN JAKOVIC

On the result

I'm heartbroken. I felt we fought really hard the whole game, we scored first, and we did sit back a little bit after we got the red card, but we were so close. In the 89th minute, to have the ball bouncing in the six [yard box], it was awful to see the ball hit, deflect, and go in [the goal]. We continued to fight, we had chances, we were just unlucky, kind of like our season has been going.

On Columbus’ penalty

The tackle came from behind - there's no question. It was unfortunate.

On his scoring opportunity in extra time

I felt good, I made a few runs on the counter, and at the end I was pushed into the midfield. But yeah, I made a few runs and finally the ball came to me and my eyes lit up. But the ball sat up on me a little bit and I wish it had landed on my right foot, but it hit my left [foot] and I popped it over [the crossbar]. I should have done better, you don't get chances like that very often.

COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH ROBERT WARZYCHA

On the game

I thought we played very well, especially in the first half. Overall, I’m very proud of the team. We came here to win.

On going 120 minutes with a packed schedule

Absolutely. Absolutely. We would rather have to go only 90 minutes. The temperature was very hot today and we [had some] players injured. On Saturday it’s not going to be any different, so hopefully nobody gets injured.

On the lineup for Saturday

We’ll see how they are tomorrow after we get some sleep. We have some cramps and other stuff. The field was very hard today, to be honest with you, so that didn’t help.

COLUMBUS CREW DEFENDER FRANKIE HEJDUK

On having to play United again Saturday

You always look forward to a game. It’s another game, you know, a game’s a game. We take one game at a time. That’s what tournaments are all about, especially semifinals of tournaments. They become scrappy games because both teams are fighting and want to win the game. Tonight was a great battle by both teams. I think it changed a little bit once they got the red card and we got some momentum, so we were able to keep the ball better and make them run. We tired them out a bit. A little lucky by getting the late goal, but I thought in overtime that we dominated and did what we needed to do.

On the Crew’s performance tonight

I thought the first 45 minutes they kind of brought it to us, took it to us. They didn’t have too many chances but they had more of the possession and were a little more lively. The second half we woke up a little bit and started to possess the ball, and all year we’ve been a second half team. That’s no secret. For whatever reason, that’s what’s going on with us right now. I think we played better in the second half, and once they got their red card, like I said, the game completely changed and, you know, I think we had the momentum and, you know, we were making them chase after the ball and I think they tired out near the end and we do what we need to do. Scrappy game, it was a great performance by both teams… Coming to D.C. is never easy for us and, you know, it was one of those games when we all came together and battled and some guys stepped up and had some big games, and we fought hard and fought through and now we’re in a final.