Head Coach Ben Olsen:
Overall thoughts...
"I thought in the first half we looked a little rusty from the bye week, and we lacked a little composure, but we were fairly organized. We came into this game wanting to make sure we were very connected defensively, and they didn't create a lot of chances in the first half. We failed to clear a free kick properly, and it ends up costing us a goal. In the second half, I started to see signs of the team that we are. It came at a good time. I thought our composure and our build-outs were better, our ideas were better, our execution was better. Everything was just raised a little bit, and then we held on down the stretch. They had a couple of good chances after we tied it, and we dug in and found a way. That's what this team is about, and it was really good to see that second half performance from us. Now we have to build on that second half as we get ready for Columbus. But it's a big point. It's a big point for us right now."
On the message at halftime...
"I told them at halftime that we just needed to raise everything, raise our quality, and they did that. It wasn't a screaming halftime speech. I thought we were fairly organized and tough to break down, but on the offensive side we were pretty toothless. I think that changed once our composure on the ball got better in the second half."
On Espindola, Birnbaum and Halsti...
"That's what Fabi does for us. He creates those overloads out wide, and he's very tough to stop. When he gets service into the box, it creates good opportunities for us because we've got some boys that can put it into the net.
"I thought Steve was fantastic tonight. I thought he played like a real man, and we had a bunch of guys step up in the second half.
"We asked a lot of Halsti today, to come here at altitude and travel again after a long trip to Europe. I thought he did well and helped us out in a big way."
D.C. United Defender, Steve Birnbaum
On the result…
I thought we covered each other’s backs pretty well most of the game. Bill [Hamid] came up with a couple good saves and then I was in the right place at the right time and Fabian [Espindola] had a great ball in so I was able to nod that in. Overall, I’m just proud of the guys. We were able to cover each other’s backs and kind of get back to fundamentals of our games.
On if they felt their backs were against the walls in the second half…
We knew we needed a result. It was great for us to get it, first of all, it’s not a win, but it’s a step in the right direction. We felt like a goal was going to come at some point, so if we kept playing our game, we figured we would be in good shape.
On the goal…
I think it was a free kick out wide. Taylor [Kemp] was on the ball and he was smart to play it to Fabian [Espindola] who was down the line wide open and Fabi put a great ball in back post. I just kind of headed it across and it ended up going in the back of the net, so I was pretty happy about that.
Colorado Rapids Head Coach, Pablo Mastroeni
On 87th minute equalizer…
It was a silly foul that we committed there in that part of the field. We didn’t handle that situation right. It’s a game that is unforgivable; it doesn’t give you any breaks. For the better part of that game, we were fantastic. We deserved so much more from that game. We controlled every aspect of it. You’ve got to strike when your chances come. We had two great chances on goal in injury time.
On D.C. United...
Our guys worked their tails off, created really good opportunities, and shut down a dynamic attack in [Álvaro] Saborio and [Fabian] Espíndola. To not come away with a win, our guys are gutted and I am gutted for them. We did everything that we wanted to achieve tonight. At the end of the day it’s one play that bites us in the tail. Now we’ve got to recoup.
On Bobby Burling…
His play speaks for himself. He gave both of those guys up top a run for their money. To have that type of defensive performance, and then to contribute to the score sheet is fantastic.
On Marcelo Sarvas…
He’s dealing with an inflammation of the knee, so he wasn’t available for the 18 tonight.
On team’s mindset…
I can’t fault them for their performance - it was fantastic. In the first half we dictated where we wanted to play, and where we wanted them to play. I think we started the second half out all right and then jumped into a shell. The couple of changes we made gave us a bit more life, then they scored, and we came up again. It just wasn’t our night.
On playoff run…
We want to win every game. It’s easy to make excuses, but these guys never make excuses. Tonight they executed the tactics. You couldn’t have taken it from paper and put it on the field any better.
Colorado Rapids Midfielder, Dillon Serna (#17)
On match…
We can play with any team in the league. We controlled the majority of that game. We need to take care of business here at home. The first half was a great example of how well we can play. We were disciplined and concentrated. If it weren’t for a couple of mistakes we would have won that game.
On errors…
We deserved to win that game, and they punished us on a moment where we weren’t organized. We switched off for a minute, and that is why they are sitting at the top of the table Eastern Conference. It takes one moment and they’ll punish you.
On having a week off…
I think we had a bit of momentum the last month. We had a break going into Vancouver. We might have had too much time to rest, but it’s always a tough place to play in Vancouver. That’s no excuse for us; we want to win every game we can. There are a lot of positives we can take out of tonight, but we needed to win tonight.
On playoff run…
It’s always there, we see where we sit. This league is crazy in the fact that you win four games, and you’re right back in the middle of things. We need a couple of results to go our way. If they do we still have a chance.
On International duty…
They had a really good side, but we played well. We competed against England really well and had a chance to win that game. In the Qatar game we played really well as well. We finished our chances and were really solid defensively. I played left back with the National team, which is a bit different from here. I’ll do whatever I have to get on the field.
Colorado Rapids Defender, Bobby Burling (#23)
On the match…
It’s a crushing defeat. Unfortunately we didn’t get the second goal, and gave up a set piece. It hurts. We spend a lot of time on those weekly. That’s a tough one to swallow for sure. I thought the guys put in a great effort. If we got a second one earlier that game is done and finished. That’s the game sometimes- it’s harsh to take it like that especially in the space we are on the table. There’s not much wiggle room. Every game is a must win from here on out. It’s definitely disappointing to lose a win like that, and end up with just one point at home.
On late errors…
For the most part we kept everything in front of us. It’s disappointing to give up a goal late, especially off of a set piece. It’s a game of opportunities and those can go a long way if you capitalize on them.
On goal…
It was a set piece. Maynor [Figueroa] challenged the initial header which took a fortunate deflection. I was happy to be there and to get a high bounce off of it. I think Bill [Hamid] saw it late. I knew if it got through it had a chance. I was fortunate enough to get it off of the post.
On two goals in one season…
It would have put the icing on the cake to get a win tonight. It was Drew [Moor]’s 300th appearance, something that isn’t done too often in this league, it would have been nice to get him a W for his service at this club for six years. I call him the Cal Ripken of MLS. He seems to play 34 games every year. He had a tough injury last year, and I think it is a testament of who he is as a player and a person to come back and have a great season for him. He’s a great guy off of the field as well. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a W for him as well.
On Rapids standings…
This one definitely is crushing. The mentality doesn’t change. Pablo [Mastroeni] has instilled in the group that every game is a must win. We don’t go anywhere to play for a tie; we go in for a win. At this point in the season we have to.
On season…
It’s a testament to the work that the guys have put in, bringing in players and working on more offensive stuff going forward. It’s been a roller coaster. We’ve got to right the ship the right way. Toronto is a really good squad, but if we go in and play as a team we can come out with a W.
