Ben Olsen, D.C. United Head Coach
On the importance of the Open Cup win
“It’s been such a struggle in the league that I think after we got to the quarters there was a real focus on our part to understand that this was extremely important and if we’re going to have a chance to win anything this year our best shot is the Open Cup. What I’m encouraged about is that the last two games we look like a team. We have actually played some good stuff and we look like we have some rhythm and our attack is more dangerous. Part of that is we are getting guys fit and getting guys rhythm. Silva is a huge piece that has changed the way we can play. [Conor] Doyle, [Jared] Jeffery, these guys are all now guys that are helping out on the bench and there is just a different feel about the group as well. It’s a little late from a league standpoint, and that’s disappointing, but if you are going to be in a situation that we are in the league, it’s nice to be in the finals.”
On Chicago’s offense
“We dodged some bullets for sure but you are going to have to when you are up 2-0 and you are going against an attack like theirs [Chicago’s]. Magee and Rolfe together are a handful, I’m very surprised at how quickly their chemistry has come together.”
On DeRosario being back in the line-up:
“He lead us tonight. His last two games he has played hungry and the guys are feeding off that. When Dwayne plays in that manner it is easy to get behind him and follow his lead.”
On the team’s excitement to play Portland or Salt Lake
“Yeah, obviously it’s a difficult one. Salt Lake and Portland are both having good years but it’s one off. And this is soccer so we are looking forward to that challenge. We will be the extreme underdog, and which is certainly okay on our part, and we will go in there and give it our best shot.”
Nick DeLeon, D.C. United Midfielder
On his goal
“I got a little fortunate with the deflection but you get rewarded sometimes when you shoot so you just have to take the chance. But it feels good to head to the finals of the Open Cup.”
On if D.C. is the Cinderella Story
“Yeah, I mean, just the way the season has been going for us just to put ourselves in this position to win a championship really feels amazing and there’s just a really good vibe going on through the team right now. I couldn’t be happier that we put ourselves in this position considering the season we are having.”
On the team’s cohesiveness that has started late in the season:
“We got some late pieces, we got Luis Silva, who has impacted our team tremendously, Conor Doyle, has impacted us as well and we’ve just started to gel. We are starting to put those pieces together and we are starting to put complete performances together. It’s a little late, but it’s starting.”
On if the team is ready to play in the finals and if there is apprehension:
“Yeah, whoever let’s go, let’s do it. Both teams are good. Salt Lake is a great team. Portland are having a great year, they are a great team. Both places will be a tough atmosphere. So it doesn’t matter [which team we play].”
On if the road win gives the team confidence
“Yeah I think it gives the team confidence not only for that game but for the season. Maybe we can put in a good steak here at the end and head out of the season strong so we are coming into next year looking fit. We are playing good right now and as far as who we are going to play it doesn’t matter, it will be a tough game.”
On how it feels to play a complete 90 minute game as a team
“Like I said, I think it turned when we picked up some really crucial players, Luis Silva, Jared Jeffery, and Conor Doyle. They have impacted our team a lot and getting people to play together. We’ve had Chris Pontius injured, I’ve been injured, DeRo has been injured, so not that we are starting to get all those pieces together I think that we our starting to gel together in our attack.”
On if he would have predicted this win 6 weeks ago
“Not at all. I hoped for it, I always try to stay positive no matter what. Even though we lose I come into the next game thinking we are going to win, you have got to stay positive. But to answer your question, probably not but I always stay positive and hope for the best.”
On the difference between this locker celebration and the silent locker room of their last trip to Chicago
“Yeah, a lot of the guys had a pretty big chip on their shoulder because we got our butts handed to us the last time we were here. So a lot of us came out and we had to prove something, that this is not going to be the same game as it was last time. I think we came out and did that so credit to the guys and their attitude, we came out right this game.”
On the Fire having control of the last fifteen minutes of the game
“Yeah, it got a little scary there. They got very close there on a few opportunities but we stuck together, grinded it out, and we held the shutout. Joe Willis had some big plays, James Riley cleared one off the line, it was just a good team effort all the way around, good grind especially at the end there.”
Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United Forward
On his reaction after the ball came off Sean Johnson’s hands
“I was kind of anticipating that, I saw [Sean Johnson] go up to grab the ball while Luis [Silva] was going up and I figured [Johnson] was going to catch this so I there might be a fumble. Credit to Luis for going up for that ball because its all him really and the rest was the domino effect in terms of the ball falling right in front of me, and then the keeper was still trying to come out to get the ball and I was able to touch it around him and slot it home.”
On the team going to the Open Cup finals
“Its huge man, its huge. Like I said, despite what we have been through this year, the trials and tribulations, its nice that we come together in tough times and that we get something out of it still. And that’s what I’ve been stressing to these guys. Listen, you want to let this opportunity pass you by? We came and we showed that tonight. We showed that we wanted it more. We were first to everything. I think the better team on the night won because we wanted it more. And we have to show up every week for that. We did it against Montréal, we did it tonight, and hopefully we continue to build on that and finish out the end of the season strong. Its definitely nice to be a part of a final.”
On if the last game vs. the Fire was motivation
“Yeah, definitely. Like you said it was a spanking. 4-1 was embarrassing. I was at home watching it on TV and it was tough to even watch. It’s nice to come into an environment where we struggled in the past and to reward ourselves and reward our supporters that always came out through those tough times, and supported us again tonight, it was nice to reward them with a big win.”
On how he felt being back and leading the team
“I live the game so when I’m not playing and I’m injured its tough to sit down and watch the game before me. But I’m always trying to encourage them and motivate them verbally but it’s nothing like being on the field with the guys and playing the game I love. To be a part of this Semifinal was huge for me and I really wanted to come here and like I said in a tough environment where we struggled show these guys we could come out with a win and I wanted to set the tone and lead these guys and thankfully I was able to do that.”
On if he is excited for the U.S. Open Cup Finals
“Definitely but right now I just want to enjoy this win. It’s been long coming and it’s just nice to be in a final again with a great group of guys. Whoever we play we will have to deal with that when the time comes but right now we are just enjoying the moment.”
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Head Coach
On the game today
“I don’t think the team was that different but it’s a tough loss. Obviously, a great opportunity at home Wednesday night playing at home, the fan support was fantastic. Sometimes it’s one of those games where those little things don’t go our way. Obviously the goals given up late and then the start…but we pushed and we had some chances that didn’t go in but what are you going to do. Definitely it’s going to hurt us tonight and for tomorrow we have to regroup and now really focus on the league because we’re right there and some big games are coming up to put ourselves in a spot in the playoffs.”
On what D.C. did differently today
“I don’t think they were that different. Pretty much their back line was the same other than Jakovic. We played this team before the way they were. I just think the little things went our way [in the last game vs. D.C.]. Obviously this was their whole season they put into this. I think our guys were ready, we competed, for sure Patrick [Nyarko] coming out I think at that moment with his head injury had a little bit of effect with his ability with pace to stretch the team. We were a little bit different [after he came out]. Look, we had chances and sometimes it doesn’t go your way but I am proud of the group. It’s disappointing right now, obviously a great opportunity one more game to go to the final. We talked about it, we put a lot into it, and it’s going to be a hard night but tomorrow it’s a new day and we have to move on and get ready for Montreal.”
Gonzalo Segares, Chicago Fire defender
On D.C.’s first goal:
“The goal they scored was unfortunate, then we were fighting from 1-0 behind to get back into the game.
On Nyarko's injury:
"I think that was key. Patrick [Nyarko]was creating a lot of danger over there, he and Dilly [Duka] are very dangerous players – we had a lot of opportunity on the flanks, and having Patrick come off was one the keys for them, even for us. Losing a guy like Patrick is definitely a tough situation and made a difference, that’s for sure.”
On D.C.’s motivation to win this game:
“Every game is different, because their season has gone so badly, so they have extra motivation to get into the Finals. Today they were the better team and took advantage of their chances and that’s what made the difference.”
On putting the loss behind them to prepare for Saturday:
“It’s always tough to lose in the Semi-Finals, we always take this seriously. From the first game we played we used the starting line-up, and every single game had the starting line-up so that shows how seriously we take it. We were pretty excited to come out today to try and get a win and go on to the Final. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen and now we have to turn around, lift up our heads and tomorrow get ready for Montreal. We are still in the hunt for the playoffs and we have a key game on Saturday on short rest and we have to be mentally ready for sure."
Jeff Larentowicz, Chicago Fire midfielder
On the difference in D.C.’s play from the last time they played each other:
“The difference between this game and the last time we played them is that we scored early. It was a tight half – this is a different game, it’s a cup game, so it’s probably going to be tighter. I thought it was even in the first half, they scored on a mistake. Then in the second half I don’t know how we don’t score. They scored on a deflected shot, I thought they were a little fortunate tonight, but overall I thought it was fairly even.”
On Nyarko’s injury:
“Pat’s [Nyarko] a dangerous player. Even in the period he was on the field he was dangerous. Joel’s a very good player and a dangerous player, a different type of player, but I don’t think it was a big difference.”
Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire goalkeeper:
On the first goal and contact:
“Yes [there was contact], I think he did a good job getting in position where he could challenge. Looking back, I should have probably just punched through it. I thought I could have collected it, I thought I got a good jump, but there was a little bit of contact between me and the ball at the same time. Credit to him, I should have just punched it away, I should have done better.”
