Head Coach Ben Olsen
Overall thoughts on the game…
They [Querétaro] are obviously in good form and we knew we were going to have to defend for stretches. I thought we weathered the storm early very well and we give them credit. That was a heck of a shot against Dykstra and then we give up a late one that hurt a little bit.
Overall I’m pleased with the performance of our group and we’re better for having come down here and played this game. It was a good effort, but disappointing to give up that second goal. But that’s the game and we now have to go back to D.C. and score a couple of goals on our own.
On the difficulty for MLS teams to get results in the late stages of this tournament…
It’s a reality, we’re used to it, but it doesn’t set us up to succeed. It’s not an excuse, it’s just a reality. But until CONCACAF changes it, it’s the reality and we do our best. I think it will change but in the meantime we have to do what we can with what we have.
On the team’s state physically…
They worked their tails off tonight; they’re exhausted. That was a lot of work, especially when you can’t get ahold of the ball and you’re defending for long stretches. But, we will keep working and we try to get better. This game tonight makes us a better group, as will the next one, and we keep on moving forward.
Thoughts on development of shape…
I thought, for the most part, our shape was very good. We were looking out for each other but, I think you saw in the second half, that we got leggy. And once you defend for long stretches against good teams that are fit, it can be very dangerous thing if you get stretched and that’s where the goals came from. Overall, I’m disappointed with the loss but excited for a chance to play them again in a week’s time.
Andrew Dykstra
On the first goal...
It was a hell of a shot. I don’t think he could’ve placed it any better than he did.
Takeaways from the match...
We’ve had four weeks of preseason, and I thought that for the effort we gave and how we looked in terms of managing our shape and going forward, we looked good.
Steve Birnbaum
Takeaways from this result...
Obviously we’re not happy with the result, but there were some good moments out there. It’s the beginning of our season and the guys defended well I thought for most of the game, but we looked tired at the end and that took a toll on us. Other than that, we just have to go home and take care of business.
On the difference between marking Emmanuel Villa and the other Querétaro forwards
Villa, he’s a good player, he checks to the ball and lays it off to then spin and run. The others sit on your back shoulder and make runs in behind, so you learn their tendencies after several minutes throughout the game and adjust.
Sean Franklin
On the end of the match...
It’s frustrating for us to play the way we did and lose 2-0. One good goal, the second was a little soft, but it is what it is. We’re down 2-0 at half time so we have to make sure that we handle business next week at home.
On the chances in this game...
There are plenty of positives we can take from this game; we had our chances. Credit to them with their defending and their goalkeeping making big plays that kept them in this game. We just have to look at the film and what we did right, and I think it’s all there to play for in the second leg. Next week we can’t miss our opportunities to score goals.
