D.C. UNITED’S CHAD ASHTON
General Impressions on the game...
It was a little bit heartbreaking for us, I felt like we played well, created enough chances, especially on the road, to get out of here with some sort of result, so it is disappointing. But we are very happy with our team’s effort and thought we played a very good game.
What were your expectations coming into the game against Montreal...
We knew it was going to be difficult, they haven’t had the best run over the past seven or eight games and we knew they would be very hungry to come out and get three points. They are very deeply entrenched in the playoff race and so it was a very big game for them. We knew it was going to be difficult but I think overall we came in here and executed our game plan for the most part. It’s just tough to be giving up a late one.
What will you be looking to change for your upcoming game...
We will look at the tape, evaluate that and go from there.
D.C. UNITED FORWARD CONOR DOYLE
General Impressions on the game...
Well I thought that we were a bit slow on our start in the first 15 to 20 minutes, but I think we put ourselves back in the game, had a few chances, didn’t take them... Then we were able to get back into the game 1-1 and gave away another goal late on to make it 2-1. But I thought we played really well for the most part and I thought we deserved at least one point out of this game.
Can you tell me about the lead up to the goal...
I saw Luis pick it up in a little hole and made a run off of him. He put a great ball in and I was able to put it away.
D.C. UNITED MID NICK DELEON
General Impressions on the game...
Tough game, tough loss, it was a great goal by Di Vaio at the end, but I feel like it was a back and forth game, it was a good battle but, unfortunately we came up short.
What were your expectations coming into the game against Montreal…
To Win! To take the game to them and press them, hopefully force them to turn over the ball in better places and counter from there. We had some pretty good opportunities in the first half. We just weren’t lucky to finish, I think it was a good group effort from the guys. Tough loss for today!
IMPACT HEAD COACH MARCO SCHALLIBAUM
On Felipe’s performance…
He was very good tonight. We need Felipe to play the way he did tonight. He’s had a few difficult games, but was feeling good this past week. We spoke a few times and he’s been able to turn things around tonight.
On the team’s performance…
We should have put this game away a little earlier. In the first half we were dangerous, but managed just the one goal and that’s dangerous. But thankfully, Marco hits his second goal of the night. But overall, I thought we had a really good game. We put a lot of pressure from the wings with Justin Mapp and Andres Romero. We played well defensively, as it’s not an easy game against D.C. United. They are a very smart team.
On the fight his team showed after DCU tied it up…
We saw against Chicago that we were ready to come and fight to win games in the second half of that one. With 11 games left in the season, we need to continue to work like we did today to make our objective, even though it’s still a little ways away, we are getting closer.
IMPACT DP MARCO DI VAIO
On scoring his second goal…
When D.C. United scored the goal to tie it, I was very sad. I missed a couple of chances, one in the first half and another in the second. Either one of those goals would have made it 2-0 for us. We could have breathed a little easier. But thankfully, I was lucky in the end to get one and help the team get the three points and was good for our confidence.
On his performance…
I felt much better tonight on the field after a good 3-4 weeks where I’ve felt a little off, some fatigue and with the family stuff in Italy, the long travels. It’s been a tough month. But I felt better and I am really happy to help my team get an important win. It’s very good for the morale.
IMPACT MIDFIELDER PATRICE BERNIER
On getting the three points…
One point would have been very disappointing for us tonight. We got the three points we needed and we are now keeping pace with the other teams, putting some distance between us and those trailing us in the standings.
On a solid first half…
We could have had at least a second goal in the first half with all the chances we had. In the second half, they made some adjustments to us and we couldn’t find the same rhythm at first. They managed to tie the score, but we kept playing hard with a little luck, character and Marco Di Vaio who scored his second of the game.
