D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen
On the game
The first half, in particular, had no shortage of goals and cards and physicality. I thought we were very aggressive in the first half. I thought we set a good tone. They came very aggressive as well. You saw that with all the goals, energy and the fouls. The second half became more cagey, and [Andrew] Dykstra bails us out there at 4-2 with the big save on the PK. But overall, I’m very pleased with the way the group has dealt with the first part of this season. Now it’s time to exhale for a couple days and get back to work.
On the meaning of first place in the Eastern Conference at this point in the season
It’s nice. It’s nice to look at that, and I’m sure for the guys, they’ll be extremely pleased to see their work being rewarded. But we’ve all been around this league for a while – these players and our staff. We understand that it’s a long season, and we have to keep continuing to do the things that we’ve done well, and more importantly, we’ve got to get better. We’ve got to keep getting better and try to stay here and push the other teams in the Western Conference.
On Davy Arnaud’s return to Montreal
Davy is always very confident and motivating our team. I’m not sure this was that much more special for him. I know he enjoyed his time here and has a lot of respect for this organization. Davy gave us what he always gives us, and that’s a good, solid performance, and he leads us. He’s a huge piece to us.
D.C. United Midfielder Luis Silva
On his performance
I got the second start coming off an injury, and I was just really excited, really pumped, especially knowing that if we win this game we’re going to be in first place. Overall, I think I was just excited for the team and for myself.
Overall impressions of the game
I think it was a crazy first half. We gave them two goals, and I think we did much better in the second half to control the game. Towards the end, we kept a lot of the ball, and we had some looks as well. Obviously, the PK, Dykstra’s save was a big help. That would’ve changed the game. But overall, I just want to congratulate my teammates for going out there and putting 100 percent on the field and not giving up for 90-plus minutes.
On the response after going down, 2-1
It’s very important. It shows a lot of character in the team. I think the guys showed a great attitude. The guys didn’t put their heads down, we kept going, and we got the result we wanted.
D.C. United Midfielder Davy Arnaud
On the return to Montreal
It was good. Obviously, I have some good memories from this stadium. I think it’s one of the more enjoyable stadiums to play in in the league. The atmosphere is always good, and to play against guys that I became good friends with over the two years that I was here, it was fun.
Any extra motivation
Of course, it’s another game, and it was a big game for us. But when you play against guys that you’ve played with for a long time, you maybe have a little bit more motivation because you enjoy playing against them and you want to beat them.
On what was said to Dykstra before Bernier’s penalty
I went over, I’ve seen Patrice take a lot of penalties, and I know that dykstra has watched him and Patrice is very good at them. Maybe it was a little bit of gamesmanship as much as anything else. I just told him that he likes to do the stutter step thing. Our keeper did very well, but Patrice, he’s so good those, it’s not too often that he’s going to miss.
