MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2004 - COLORADO RAPIDS 1, METROSTARS 0
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH TIM HANKINSON
On the importance of getting three points tonight:
"It's necessary, that's what it is. We've only got seven games left; our record against West teams has not been good and here was a game at home, against a team that we had beaten before and it was important that we protect our home park."
On the importance of finishing chances:
"You make opportunities for yourself. I think [Chris] Henderson's header and [Mark] Chung's volley were just as important, and Jordan [Cila] is one of those poachers that is in the right place at the right time. That is the kind of game that he has shown, he did it in New York, and he did it again tonight."
COLORADO RAPIDS DEFENDER DARRYL POWELL
On returning from a hamstring injury:
"It felt really good to get back out there. It was quite a bad tear, but I made good progress to get back. Last week my aim was to be on the bench and do 20 minutes, but as the week progressed it felt better and it looked like I could start, so I was really pleased to get an hour out there and be on the winning side."
On playing left back:
"It helps that I can get forward from there, but tonight really was about me getting through the game and us winning the game and obviously my fitness wasn't where it was before I got injured so I couldn't get forward as much, but it was enjoyable and good to get three points."
COLORADO RAPIDS FORWARD JORDAN CILA
On his goal:
"The ball just bounced my way, and those are the ones as forwards that are the worst ones because if you miss one you're the goat for the rest of the game. Luckily I was able to lob it up over the keeper and it was a goal."
On the importance of this win going into the stretch run of the season:
"This is huge to win two games in a row. Our conference is so tight right now that every game matters and every point matters, so to get three [points] out of this knowing that we have a tough game going into San Jose next weekend is huge for us, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into there now."
METROSTARS COACH BOB BRADLEY
On the play of his team:
"I think we were in the position to create chances, but I don't think we were sharp enough. I don't think that our passing was good. I don't think our first touch in certain cases when we had a bit of an advantage was good and I don't think our finishing was good. We let ourselves down a little bit."
On the play of his backline:
"There were a few times that we didn't clear balls well, and they were able to take advantage of it. But for the most part we were pretty solid defensively."
METROSTARS DEFENDER KENNY ARENA
On learning that he was starting so close to kickoff:
"Sometimes it's a little different finding out after warmups that you will be playing, but I am always ready. I appreciate any time that I get."
On the play of the MetroStars defense on the night:
"There were a couple of plays that some of the guys in the back had trouble seeing how far it (the ball) was going to fly, but we didn't give them much. Overall I think we were a bit sluggish."
METROSTARS FORWARD FABIAN TAYLOR
On his return from injury:
"It feels great to get back out there, I was dying to get out there. I'm not 100 percent yet. But I hope to get there this week."
On the MetroStars attack after he went on:
"We were just playing a lot of long balls and they were getting the first header to them, so that wasn't working. It was a tough game, a hard-fought game."
