CHIVAS USA 1, COLORADO RAPIDS 0
CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH BOB BRADLEY
On the game:
"The game was played the way we expected. We were fortunate to score on a good play. Jonny Bornstein slipped a good pass to Pancho (Francisco Mendoza) and he did a great job in cutting into the box and putting us ahead. When you have a team that comes in and plays in that manner, you look for ways to break them down and take the lead."
On Chivas USA's play in the second half:
"In the second half, I don't think we put enough good soccer together but I tought that we, as a group, concentrated well. It's still nice to get three points and, clearly, very nice to move into second place at this point."
CHIVAS USA MIDFIELDER FRANCISCO 'PANCHO' MENDOZA
On his goal:
"Fortunately I was able to score an important goal, but I think the most important thing tonight is that we got three points to keeps our team in the playoff hunt. It was a very good result for us, because we need to get three points every time we play at home. Now, we need to start thinking about our next game (Saturday, vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center)."
On the state of the team for the stretch run:
"I see a very strong team, emotionally, physically and soccerwise, heading into these final games of the regular season. Personally, I'm exicited at the possibility of playing in my first playoffs as a professional. And, of course, wearing the Chivas jersey always is very motivating."
CHIVAS USA DEFENDER JOHNNIE GARCIA
On his debut:
"It was a good debut, with a win that gave us three very valuable points. It was a tough game, a very physical game: fast-paced, typical of this league. Bit by bit, I'm getting used to the style of play."
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH FERNANDO CLAVIJO
On performance of his team tonight:
"We did enough to, at least, get out with a point. We gave them a chance and they took it. In the second half, there was only one team. They just scored to win. We didn't do that, so you pay the price."
On confidence level of making playoffs after the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake lost:
"The confidence is good. We came here and played against Chivas. We had the best part of the game. We had chances. They took two shots on goal and scored one, and that's how you win games. But we couldn't separate ourselves even more from Salt Lake and L.A. We didn't do that and we have to keep working like for the whole season."
On playoff selection coming down to the last day:
"We have a team that realizes how important every game is. I think we have an idea of what we need to do to reach the playoffs, which is finishing, but we didn't do it. I think the attitude and the determination to win the game was superb. Just sometimes you need a little luck and, today, we didn't have it."
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER PABLO MASTROENI
On the game:
"We came with the right attitude, and that was to get a result. But they played well in which they got a good defensive break and a good individual play by Mendoza and they capitalized on it. I think, instead of sitting back, we really came after the game to get the result. We were just unfortunate. I think we played well, and if we continue on this path, then I think we're hitting the playoffs in stride. I think that the outlook in this locker room is positive. However, we know that we still have to do a little more. We're ready to take on the challenge."
