LOS ANGELES GALAXY 0, COLUMBUS CREW 0
LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH STEVE SAMPSON
On the game:
"In the first half, we created some very good opportunities. It was very important to finish those, at least one, so that we could start to get Columbus to creating a bit more space in between their lines. The longer the game went without us scoring, it just allowed them to sit back, defend and play for the tie. So, it was very, very important that we get that goal early on and it didn't come."
On his substitutions:
"We tried to look at a couple of different combinations. We brought Joseph Ngwenya on with his speed and finally got Mamba Chisoni on to use his speed to get in behind. A few players just didn't have a good night tonight and we just couldn't find that rhythm in the second half that we normally have."
On the MLS debut of Ben Benditson:
"I'm very pleased with the play of Ben Benditson, who came on and got his first minutes."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER TODD DUNIVANT
Overall thoughts on the match:
"I'm happy to get the shutout on the one hand, but I think we're disappointed with that result. I thought we played well, we kept the ball well; we just didn't have that answer in the final third. I think we were a little too panicky or we weren't quite calm enough in the final third, we weren't able to figure it out. I think that was the difference. We were able to get down there. They gave us the midfield. I thought we controlled the game very well; we just didn't have that answer in the final third.
On Saturday's match versus Chivas:
"It's going to be a big one. They're going to be looking to fight for their lives. They've had some bad results and this game could put them right on track for their season. They're going to be coming out hard and we have to be ready for them. We'll get ourselves reorganized and we'll definitely be ready for them."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER TYRONE MARSHALL
Overall thoughts on the match:
"Their plan was to come in here to get a result, seeing that they had lost their lost couple of games, besides their last one at home. They wanted to get in a good little groove ... they were coming here hoping to get a point. I think that's what they did tonight. They were only playing with one striker up top and get 10 guys behind the ball."
On Columbus's defensive performance:
"Obviously, we didn't get that movement to get in behind them. They played well defensively. We couldn't break that defense of theirs. It's one of those, we get the point and we just have to move on. We have a game on Saturday, and we have to try to get three points in it."
On Saturday's match versus Chivas:
"Obviously, the Chivas game is the Clásico. Now, it's a must-win for us. We need three points. We're in second place right now, and we need to get back in that groove where we get maximum points, and I think Saturday is a good start for us."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER BEN BENDITSON
On his MLS debut:
"It was fun but I was really nervous. I had a good time out there."
On the difference between the MLS and the Reserve Squad games:
"A lot more fans, a lot more pressure. It was toward the end of the game, and it seemed as if they kind of withdrew a little bit of the pressure. It was definitely a thrill."
COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH GREG ANDRULIS
Overall thoughts on the match:
"Well, we would like to play better. But shutting out L.A. here is not an easy task. I thought defensively we were pretty good. We limited their chances, especially in the second half."
On the offense:
"Offensively, it's got to get better for us. I think we can see the potential of what Chris Henderson will add to our attack. [But] we'll take a point on the road."
COLUMBUS CREW MIDFIELDER CHAD MARSHALL
On the team's performance:
"It was a tough game, it was a battle for sure. Playing L.A. on the road, with the big field. Overall we battled hard."
On playing defensively:
"On the road you want to be solid defensively, then when you get your counterattacks you take those. But towards the end, we were trying to get a point out of it."
On Bill Gaudette's performance:
"Billy stepped up big. That's how careers start right there - someone gets hurt and someone steps in. Obviously, we're gonna miss Buschie, hopefully he's back up and ready for us pretty soon; he's a great player. But [Gaudette] will step up and we'll be all right."
COLUMBUS CREW GOALKEEPER BILL GAUDETTE
On his first MLS action:
"There are always nerves anytime you get your first MLS start, even though it was the second half. But I was just worried about the ball in play."
On the team's defensive performance:
"It was a great effort by our team. Any time you have the guys working in front of you and getting in the right spots, it's a joy to be in goal."
