MLS 2009 QUOTESHEET
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009 - D.C. UNITED 2, SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 2
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH TOM SOEHN
On tonight’s performance
“Coming into tonight’s game we came in with the mentality of getting over that hump of finishing opportunities that we have available to us. We exposed plenty of the gaps given to us and we should have put them away, instead we gave up a 2-0 lead and let them back into the game.”
On giving up a 2-0 lead
“The first 30 minutes we came out strong and were taking advantage of our opportunities. We got a penalty early in the game giving us a 1-0 lead and then Christian (Gomez) finishing off another opportunity, put us up 2-0, which is very comfortable. We let them get a goal late in the first half and in the second, we came out soft and flat-footed which cost us the three points we needed.”
D.C. UNITED FORWARD JAIME MORENO
On team’s performance
“There were a few mistakes that we have not experienced this season giving up a 2-0 lead, but we have to move on because we need to focus on going forward and use this game as a lesson so we don’t repeat this mistake. Next week we visit Houston and cannot let this game affect us.”
On giving up a 2-0 lead
“In the second half we came out soft. As a team we just fell asleep and the Earthquakes took advantage of our mistakes. After their first goal they got pumped and just came right at us. We let the three points go away on simple mistakes.”
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER CHRISTIAN GOMEZ
On first 30 minutes
“Well the first 30 minutes were very different from the last 60. We came out strong and got two goals giving us a good lead. Unfortunately, in soccer a 2-0 lead is the worst to have because giving up a goal gets the other team back in the game.”
On two goals scored
“Well the first goal was scored on a penalty kick early on in the game. We were playing really well, Andrew (Jacobson) had a shot from long distance then I came in and got another goal giving us a 2-0 lead. Being too confident throughout the rest of the match got us only one point, not the three we were looking forward to.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On team’s overall performance
“At halftime we had a good talk about what we’re trying to do, getting tight to them, really pressing them, and breaking wide and trying to getting some chances, and I thought we did that. And it was a little bit unfortunate to not get the win.”
On the atmosphere
“To me the crowd was great. They could have got on to us, and on me and the players. But they got behind us, and I think that was big for our players.”
On second half corrections
“I thought we saw a team that really did try hard to get back in the game, didn’t quit, showed a lot of spirit and I was really proud of the way they kept going.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD RYAN JOHNSON
On his first half goal
“I saw Cornell (Glen) flick it on and I saw where it was going, and honestly it was a half chance, and I put it away. I just had to keep my eye on the ball and concentrate and finish. The goal was significant because it allowed us to get back in the game, and give us an opportunity to equalize, and maybe come away with three points.”
On early deficit
“It was unfortunate that we went down two goals so early in the game. We had some tough calls against us but we fought back and got back into the game. I am happy to see the fight that we had as a team to get back up from a 2-0 deficit.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ
On defending
“We gave them a lot of space in the first half and they are good players so they were moving the ball well. We stepped up our pressure in the second half and started to press higher up on the field. Once we did that, we disrupted their play a bit more and forced them to play long balls. I think the game turned a bit in our favor after that.”
On the result
“This is the kind of result you can build on. We stuck together as a team and had some good performances out there. We are looking forward to next week.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER RAMON SANCHEZ
On debut
“I am excited to make my debut for the Earthquakes tonight. I was hoping that we would come out with three points tonight, but we did well to recover from a 2-0 deficit.”
On his confidence
“I felt good out there but each game I play I will get more and more confident with the team. We had a tough start but we started pressuring them more in the second half and we got more control of the game. This is a game we can build on.”
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
