MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTESHEET
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 -- COLUMBUS CREW 1, DC UNITED 1
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH TOM SOEHN
On his team’s second half performance:
“At this point we need to learn how to put teams away. That is something that comes with experience. We have had half a season to develop that. At this point in the season that’s a game you need to come away with three points.”
On his team’s energy and focus:
“I thought we worked hard and the energy we had was good. We fell asleep on one of the plays. When you play a good team you have to make sure you see out every play.”
On his team’s defense against Guillermo Barros Schelotto:
“I thought Benny [Olsen] and Clyde [Simms] did a good job of getting in the spaces and channels so he didn’t get the ball. When he did get the ball, we did a good job of closing him down pretty quick. The only thing we couldn’t stop is the free kicks and that’s what he’s good at.”
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER JOSH WICKS
On the Crew’s goal:
“There was a ball chipped into the box and [Alejandro] Moreno slipped his man. He just put a good ball into the back post. I guessed a little early and if Moreno is inside the six he is going to finish the ball.”
On D.C.’s defense against Guillermo Barros Schelotto:
“I think we shut him down today. Benny [Olsen] did a great job of following him around the park and even if Benny was out of position Clyde [Simms] would clean it up or one of the other backs would mark him. As a whole team I think we did the job our coaches wanted us to do.”
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER BEN OLSEN
His overall thoughts on the game:
“I thought it was a good effort. The way we moved the ball allowed us to create chances. We lapsed on one play and we come away with a tie. That’s a disappointing result for us tonight. We were a much better team tonight and we should have come away with a win.”
On the amount of ties in D.C.’s record this season:
“I don’t think we have to press the panic button. It’s just that we’d like to get three points. The majority of our ties I thought we were the better team. This isn’t a game with judges or scorecards, it’s about the end result. Overall, it’s still a tie on the road but it’s a tie where we should have won.”
COLUMBUS HEAD COACH ROBERT WARZYCHA
Overall thoughts on the game:
“I’m happy with the point. I don’t think it was our best game, but it was very important to get the point when you’re not playing your best.”
The key to tonight’s match:
“The key to this game was to win the ball in the middle of the field and we didn’t do that. Ekpo got tired and Fred got away from him a little bit.”
On the play of D.C. United:
“D.C. was a very good passing team and it was difficult for us to get the ball from them. Then when we got it we weren’t sharp enough to create chances.”
COLUMUS GOALKEEPER WILLIAM HESMER
On D.C.’s goal:
“A good through ball was played and I think [Rodney] Wallace was coming inside of Frankie, who couldn’t get a good clearance. The ball fell to [Christian] Gómez who put the ball into the back of the net.”
COLUMBUS FORWARD ALEJANDRO MORENO
His overall thoughts on the game:
“The first 25 to 30 minutes, we were knocking the ball around just fine and creating some chances. It was a difficult game for us, but we will watch the game and learn from it.”
On his goal tonight:
“It was a good flick on by [Steven] Lenhart. The goalie came out pretty quick but I was able to slip it past him. I was happy to get the goal because at that point they had all the play.”
COLUMBUS DEFENDER GINO PADULA
On the absence of Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers:
“No, everyone is important on the team. Of course Chad [Marshall] and Robbie [Rogers] are important players but [Eric] Brunner played well. We have to be happy with the point.”
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
