MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2004 - CHICAGO FIRE 3, COLUMBUS CREW 3
COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH GREG ANDRULIS
On the game:
"Well I'm sorry we couldn't get it done tonight at home in front of a great crowd but I thought the guys played hard and were determined. It was just one of those nights."
On giving up two goals with a man advantage and three for the game:
"We scored two as well, so it's a wash. That's disappointing, but you're going to have games like that and we haven't had one. Again it's unfortunate that it happened tonight because some things were working for us but that's the way the ball bounces sometimes. You have to give Andy Herron credit. Their second goal, his first, was a terrific goal. In the third goal we made a couple mistakes. We've got to get the boots laced up again and get after them on Wednesday."
On Danny Szetela's play in his first career start:
"I thought he was terrific. I really thought he had an excellent game for his first start and I think we can all see what lies ahead for him. (He's a) terrific player."
On giving up three goals:
"We'll have to look and see. Obviously the first one we were a little sloppy on the ball that led to the penalty kick. The second one again the ball was bouncing around a little bit but Andy Herron hits a terrific one and the third ball we don't clear. The third goal we don't clear a second chance after a knock down and we'll get it right."
On the play of Jeff Cunningham:
"I thought he did well. Obviously, setting up our third goal was huge. We need to do a little bit better of a job linking him. I don't know if we gave him enough touches but I thought he did good."
COLUMBUS CREW MIDFIELDER DANNY SZETELA
On making his first career start:
"It felt good. The more I practice with these guys the more I am learning, and the more confidence I am gaining. I felt good out there on the field, I felt comfortable."
COLUMBUS CREW FORWARD JEFF CUNNINGHAM
On making his first start since July 24:
"I felt like a rookie all over again. I was nervous before the game. I didn't know if I would make it 90 minutes but it was good. I felt fresh."
On his first goal:
"Duncan (Oughton) played a beautiful pass. All I had to do was settle and shoot. He made me look good on that play. They say that great players make good players look great and Duncan did on that goal."
On his second goal:
"Simon (Elliott) played a great ball. I didn't strike it as well as I would have liked but I think it was going in."
On scoring his first goal since July 3 vs. Chicago:
"It feels good. I need goals like a fish needs water."
CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH DAVE SARACHAN
Thoughts on the match:
"It was a playoff atmosphere and I'm very proud of my team. To come away (with a point) with the adversity we went through tonight was remarkable and it will go a long way as we move along."
On how his team reacted to playing most of the match a man down:
"This is the measure of what teams are about and I couldn't be more proud. All year long we've been the victims of tough stretches, and through it all we've worked and competed, and tonight it paid off. It's a true testament to this group that they are all fighters and they go down swinging."
On the performance of Andy Herron:
"He's a real forward and he came through huge for us tonight. We're obviously pleased to have him. He goes to Costa Rica next week, so the timing is not good, but he's been great for us in the games he's been with us."
On the effort without the services of some key members of the squad:
"I have great confidence in my team from the first guy on the roster through the 24th. Tonight we were missing some very good players, and other guys were able to step in and do a great job. We just have to turn to the next core of guys and hope that we can get through it on Wednesday [against Columbus]."
CHICAGO FIRE FORWARD ANDY HERRON
On his performance tonight:
"I just work for my team and work for the guys and try to score on all the opportunities I have. That's been my mentality since I've come to Chicago and I think if I keep on working like this we'll get into the playoffs."
On his goals:
"They were fighting for the ball and then it came to me. I didn't think about it twice, I just spun my body and hit it. It was incredible.
"On the second one I tried to stop the ball and popped it over a defender. Then I just touched it through the goalkeeper because he was coming out; I just touched it to his side."
On having to leave the Fire for Wednesday's match because of national team duty:
"That's going to really hurt because I enjoy being with these guys. I love Chicago and I love this team. These guys make me feel great, that's why everything has happened the way it has so far."
CHICAGO FIRE DEFENDER C.J. BROWN
On the Fire's effort tonight:
"The guys came out hard in the first half. We got a lot of early cards, which is maybe not a good thing but it showed that we were not going to give up without a fight. We're getting goals and we're not quitting when we get scored on. All the way around the guys fought hard and worked hard, and under the circumstances, we got a point out of it like we needed."
On facing the Columbus frontline:
"[Kyle] Martino and [Jeff] Cunningham are both good with the ball, and it's tough to deal with them when they've got it on their feet. When you dive in, you're probably going to get a card or a foul, so we probably didn't do so well. But we did better in not allowing them to score on those drives down the middle. They are a clever team with the ball at they're feet, but if you close them down and be honest defenders, they don't have very many options."
On the play of the Fire midfield:
"It's hard to play without Chris [Armas] because he's the anchor in the center of the field, but Jesse [Marsch], [Craig] Capano and Scott Buete did well. They closed the center down as much as possible with what Columbus was bringing and were able to bring the ball forward. They didn't have to do too much offensively, but they did well defending, and that's what we needed."
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFIELDER CRAIG CAPANO
On his game this evening:
"I was happy to get out there and help the team. When we went down a man it was tough to keep possession, but as far as trying to follow their midfielders and keep it tight in the middle of the field I think all three of us did a good job. I thought with the way we played we deserved the tie, if not a win."
