Quotes: RSL 1, LA 1 (5-4, PKs)
MLS CUP 2009
SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 2009 -- REAL SALT LAKE 1, LOS ANGELES GALAXY 1 (5-4 PK)
REAL SALT LAKE HEAD COACH JASON KREIS
On the game:
"Where to begin? Obviously, extremely, extremely pleased for the players first and foremost. They've put in so much work over two years most of them have been together now. Started off with a dream and an idea about what this team could look like and would look like overtime.
What we saw this year was that at certain points in the season and in certain games we saw what we were capable of. We saw when we played our best soccer we were one of the best teams in the league. So now it's nice to say we are the best team in the league.
On whether the outcome was what he expected:
"Yeah, unfortunately, it did a little bit. Don't tell the players I said that. No, I thought the first half was almost exactly like I was hoping it wouldn't be, but thought chances were that it would."
"L.A. I thought sat back a lot. Looked to counter attack a lot. Played very direct. You know, you could see it from their goal kicks, putting it into our third. And every free kick opportunity they had, putting it into our box and making it difficult on us.
"We didn't settle down as nicely as I would have liked us to. And we didn't possess the ball as nicely as I would have liked us to. But in the second half I thought we did a much better job. My honest opinion was that we deserved to win that game, so I'm glad that we did."
On the second half:
"Well, you have to say fitness if you consider injuries and sickness, yeah, because we had to make two subs by halftime. One for injury, and the other one due to an illness that Will Johnson had taken on last night in the middle of the night. So he gave us everything he could.
"But you don't typically have to burn two subs by halftime. The guys that came in did a phenomenal job. Ned Grabavoy and Clint Mathis, these guys played fantastically for us and were a big part of winning this game.
"I think that's one of the most gratifying things for me is that there are so many players now over the course of the season that have contributed to this championship."
On the change of systems after the Colorado game:
"I think it was very, very important. I think that it was a good decision by us. It was not an easy decision to take. You know, systems are one thing. So I give our coaching staff a half pat on the back, then I give the players three pats on the back because it was their change in mentality. It was their willingness to take on the message that we gave to them over that 18 days whereby we said it hasn't been good enough.
"We believe that you guys are good, and what you've done up to this point, quite frankly, is unacceptable. Now it's time for you guys to hold your hands up and be better, and they took that on full throttle and have been fantastic for me ever since."
On giving Utah its first title:
"I think it would give a small indication of what it means by how many people were there tonight. I thought it was outstanding fan support. I was walking down the Fish Market today and I must have seen a hundred Real Salt Lake fans and maybe five Galaxy fans. So I think that was an indication of how well supported we were tonight, and how important it is to the people of Salt Lake City.
"Over the next couple of days we'll get another indicator of how important it is to Salt Lake City. I have a feeling that it's really, really important, and a really big thing for Utah. We have to feel proud of that that we've helped to bring that to them."
On halftime adjustments:
"Yeah, as I said, for me it wasn't so much about the switches we made, it was just about the mentality of the group being able to calm down and play soccer. I thought we were just too often trying to thread those very narrow passes in through things through the middle. Robbie Findley was offsides a few times. We needed to play out wide and be a bit more patient.
"The switch, the one personnel decision that was made was made by the player. Will Johnson could no longer carry on. So he let us know that. He was sick all night last night and into today with food poisoning, and gave us everything he had. But his tank was empty after 45. So Ned Grabavoy came in. And for me, he was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic."
On adjusting to Javier Morales' injury:
"It took a little bit. I mean, Javier's been a very, very important player for us. In all of our good moments at Real Salt Lake, he's been a central figure. He's been somebody that we like to get the ball to. He's our play maker for a reason. So it was difficult when he went down, and it did take a little bit. But in the end, I think the guys adjusted well and carried on."
On feeling a sense of satisfaction before the game "Can I ask you a question first? Did you lose your voice yelling for us (laughing)?
"Yeah, I don't know what to tell you but towards the end of the season things have become really fun for me as they were last year. There is something gratifying about having an idea or a vision about how you want to put a team together and how you'd like them to play. When that comes to fruition, and you get to look out there and see them do that, and be the better team in every game we've played since that last Dallas game away. In my opinion we've been the best team out there in every single game we've played, and played really, really good soccer.
"As Kyle said, he plays the game, he doesn't watch. I tell you as somebody that watches, I really enjoy watching this team play when they're clicking. So it has been fun for me. Today before the game, and really almost the entire game, I'm just smiling and having fun."
REAL SALT LAKE GOALKEEPER NICK RIMANDO
On his level of confidence heading to PKs:
"Yeah. I think me and all the guys knew if it came down to penalty kicks we were confident just going back from last week. We handled business in Chicago. But I really think we could have won this in regulation, we were that good in the second half and kept possession, and really played some good soccer, and unfortunate not to get a goal. Then we scored some and the penalty kicks, that counted."
On whether his history against Landon Donovan helped:
"No, Landon's been in that position before. Probably with more people in the stands than tonight. I wanted to stay in the middle as long as I could, because I knew he was going to look up and he likes to go down the middle high. I thought he was going to go to the right a little bit. I think just staying that extra bit kind of made him think a little bit.
"I was fortunate that he went over, because he usually buries those. But I'm 2-for-2, right? With him (laughing)?"
REAL SALT LAKE MIDFIELDER KYLE BECKERMAN
On the game:
"thought we played our hearts out tonight. We played our style of soccer. When we play our style it's pretty fun to watch, I think. It's fun to play. We create some chances, and it was fun tonight. Went longer than we would have wanted."
On the halftime adjustments:
"Yeah, I don't know what their game plan was, but it seemed like they were just going to try to counter attack. I think they switched their formation a bit to try to match with us in the midfield. But I don't know if they know or they're used to playing that style or playing the diamond.
"But we were able to possess the ball a lot in the midfield. When we made the extra pass in the midfield, we were able to really create a lot and get into their half and get pretty deep and behind some of their players."
On whether RSL's fitness gave it an advantage:
"Yeah, you could see a bunch of them starting to cramp up. And I think it just wears on you when you're playing defense a lot and your counter attack is just such a you know, it's at a high pace. So when you're counter attacking, you go from defending, defending, defending to now sprint. It starts to take on your legs a bit.
"I don't think all of them were out of gas, but they had quite a few players that were gassing at the end. I think when you take care of the ball at the end of matches, you're going to have more steam than the other team."
On whether this was a team victory:
"Well, I think since we've had the designated player, I don't think they've won yet, a team has won that with a designated player. I might be wrong, but, yeah, we've really bought into the star is the team here in Salt Lake.
"When we work as a team and doing well, it's because everybody's playing well. Yeah, I guess now we start to really it pays off, I guess. You buy into things, but you don't really know what the result's going to be at the end of the year or whatever.
"But we had to believe it, even though it might not come out to work for us, but it sure did. So it feels great. But, you know, those guys are great players."
On the team's mentality:
"Coming in we were thinking that we can win this game. If I could choose a team to play on, I'd play on this one. It felt right and it worked out. If we can play our style of soccer, we think our style is good for games like this. We were able to knock it into the midfield and play our game. Would have liked to win it in regulation, but in PKs we have a great goalkeeper and we were confident."
On the team's future:
"As a team, we are young and still growing. I was ready for our end of the team meeting because I didn't think we were going to make the playoffs. I thought we were close. We're young and have a lot of promise and a lot of talent and we all buy into the system that coach wants us to buy into. In two years we took a team on the doormat and became champions."
REAL SALT LAKE FORWARD ROBBIE FINDLEY
On whether or not it was difficult to find space:
"Just like Kyle said. Maybe in the second half they began to get a little tired. Their legs were wearing on them. Seemed like Berhalter, he played me well. He would sit on off me a lot of times and try to make me go in there and get the ball.
"But for the most part the corners were open for us, because their wide backs would step up to our mid fielders. And we found success just putting it in the corners."
On his goal:
"Yeah, we went down 1-0 in the first. Heads were up. Nothing that really mattered, but we had had plenty of time to get another one back.
"But the ball was just bouncing around on the 18 minute. Fell by my foot, and I was able to get my left foot on it, and put it in the goal."
REAL SALT LAKE MIDFIELDER CLINT MATHIS
On the game: "I haven't had a championship since I've been playing futbol, so it's been awhile. Last time I played in a game like this was 10 years ago and I was on the losing side. To be on the goal side feels a lot better."
On penalty kicks:
""You take it as pressure or you tell yourself you're going to go out there and make it. To me, watching is more pressure than actually taking it. I felt less pressure going up there and telling myself that I was going to make it than I did watching my teammates."
On the excitement:
"We can't decide if we want to win it yet. We wanted to see how many heart attacks we could cause to the fans and family. But none of that matters. What matters is having a gold medal and we are champions. You don't worry about how to get there. You want to get there."
REAL SALT LAKE DEFENDER ROBBIE RUSSELL
On the surface at Qwest Field:
"I'm not a fan of turf, but Qwest Field is a great place to play. The stadium is amazing and Seattle is a beautiful city and they really support futbol. Playing in front of a crowd like that was great. It was a lot better than I expected."
On the team:
"We're confident and always ready to go in there and make some plays. Their goalkeeper played well, but we felt confident in that position because we were in that position in Chicago."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On the game:
"Well, you know, the end of a long year. Unfortunate that we couldn't win in the penalty kick shootout. I think both goalkeepers were tremendous. Absolutely outstanding.
"I thought that Josh Saunders was remarkable that he had to make two big saves to keep us alive there. You know, I think the second half Salt Lake played well. I think it was a tough night that the field conditions would be the wet field. It was a sloppy game. I think both teams were awfully tired at the end of regulation, certainly in the overtimes. It was just a battle of attrition.
"I don't think at either end there were a whole lot of chances tonight. The soccer wasn't that good at times. I just think the conditions were difficult tonight with the cold weather, the wet field and the wind at times. But, you know, we didn't play well enough over 120 minutes to win the game. When you get into the shootout, anything can happen, and certainly we came out at the short end tonight.
"But congratulations to Salt Lake. Our players, our team, our organization had a great year. Can't be disappointed. I think we did a great job in turning our team around, and Landon had a fabulous year. He's been a great captain and leader. I applaud our guys. It was a very good season for the Galaxy."
On the play of Josh Saunders:
"He played great. And one of the difficulties both teams had there was the substitution pattern. Certainly in our case having to use one substitution for goalkeeper is never good. But those are the cards that were dealt to us.
"But I think Josh Saunders did a fabulous job. Both teams were exhausted. You know, we wanted to manage the substitutions in the second half. When the first one had to be used on Rick, it handcuffed us a little bit, because we had a couple of other guys that were hurting physically. Then obviously Omar had to come out, so that was difficult."
"But to answer your question, Saunders was great tonight. Can't argue that. Did a fabulous job in the shootout."
On Dema Kovalenko's absence:
"Dema came down with maybe it's a viral infection this week. He was pretty ill. He started to respond yesterday where he started feeling better, but to start him today would have been a real issue. He would not have had a full tank, and we had to make that decision.
"And certainly we were going to actually put him in around the 70 minute mark. But then when we had had to make the change with the goalkeeper and then they he got the goal, we didn't want to make a change for defensive purposes. We were a little bit handcuffed there. But he was able to play tonight in a reserve role if we called on him, but, unfortunately, he got ill."
On other illnesses on the club:
"You know, this time of year there's a lot, and this weather here is a little bit difficult. Certainly colds and both teams probably had a few players under the weather, but that's all part of it."
On whether or not his club was fully fit:
"What's your definition of fully fit?
"There are probably very few players that are 100 percent this time of the year. No he was obviously a little bit hobbled. Certainly wasn't 100 percent."
On whether the Galaxy prepared for Nick Rimando:
"Yeah. Obviously in practice and penalty kicks for however long the playoffs have been going on. Penalty kicks are every player is quite capable of making a penalty, and he's just dealing with the pressure and putting it away. You know, at the end of 120 minutes, it's tough on players. They're tired.
"Goalkeepers, I thought both goalkeepers were great. What more can you say? I thought they both saved two penalties tonight, that's pretty remarkable. They did a great job."
On the atmosphere in Seattle:
"Well, I think the city of Seattle really embraced the MLS Cup. It's a beautiful stadium. I think it was a great moment for MLS. You know, what more can I say? I played here and lived here in the '70s, and professional soccer should never have left Seattle. I think the pacific northwest is a fabulous geographic area for professional soccer, and I'm happy it's back.
"I remember the on old days of the King Dome, going to games and watching the sound. I think Seattle's always been a great city for professional soccer.
"I'm happy it's back. They really embraced this MLS Cup, and embraced the season and the team, and it's a fantastic story for MLS."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY MIDFIELDER LANDON DONOVAN
On the game and his PK:
"We knew in the second half that they were going to throw a lot at us, and they did a good job of moving the ball and putting us under pressure. I'm not quite sure what happened on their goal. It was pretty sloppy. But in the end they probably deserved to get a goal at some point.
"The penalty I hit like I hit any penalty. I made sure he was going the other way, and I closed my body. I just put it in the air. You know, it's probably partially due to tired legs and not concentrating in that moment."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY MIDFIELDER DAVID BECKHAM
On tonight's loss:
"We can be proud of ourselves as a team. It's always tough losing whether it is in penalties or normal play. Of course we should be proud of where we have come to."
On penalty kicks:
"I wouldn't say that it is tougher to lose on penalties. It's Russian roulette. It's not a nice way to go out but it's the way it is in soccer."
On flow of game:
"I think we controlled the first half. They came out in the second half naturally and were down one to nil and pushed us a little bit. They kept control of the ball and had their chances."
On Real Salt Lake:
"I've been hearing that all week that Salt Lake are not favored. People talk about them being the underdog coming into this. We drew and lost against them during the regular season. I wouldn't say they were underdogs. They are a very good team and we said that before we stepped out for the game. They deserve to be here and they deserve to win tonight."
On taking penalty shots:
"People who are brave enough to step up. If you score, great. If you miss, it's hard to take. Josh [Saunders] did great saving a couple and that's all you can ask of a goalkeeper."
On injury:
"I had three injections in my ankle and it wore off after about 15 minutes."
On next season:
"I said I will be back after hopefully the World Cup and that's not going to change."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY GOALKEEPER JOSH SAUNDERS
On replacing Donovan Ricketts after injury:
"It was a situation unfortunately where Donovan [Ricketts] went down and I had to come in to play. That's something that I have been focusing on because that's my job. Bruce [Arena] and all of the coaching staff have prepared me. I felt like I could come in and somewhat contribute to the team. ... I'm proud but devastated at the same time."
On penalty kicks:
"It was a situation where I decided to wait as much as possible to see what he was going to do first because you could see him cramping up through the last two overtime periods. I tried to be as patient as possible and somewhat read it. ... I knew there was still a lot to do. Your percentages are kind of against you when you are in a shootout. So I didn't think I had won anything yet. I knew there were a couple kicks left to go."
On practicing penalty kicks:
"For the last three weeks since the playoffs started, I was there for probably 10 or 15 minutes every day doing a little bit."
