KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 3, COLORADO RAPIDS 2
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game:
"We kind of expected a game where there would be a lot of numbers put behind the ball. I was very happy that we scored on two set pieces, we weren't good on those last year. I was really disappointed in the fact that we gave up goals, especially the second goal off of a set piece. We talked at halftime that we do pretty good with the initial run but we've got to do a much better job of reacting to that. We took a risk at the end, took out a defender and went to a 3-4-3, and it worked out for us. Give credit to all our guys for finding a way to win the game."
On Scott Sealy substitution:
"He came in and I thought he had an extremely big impact on the game. It was a good team effort and I'm proud of the guys."
On relinquishing a 2-0 lead:
"Sometimes 2-0 can be one of those scores where you get a little bit comfortable. I don't necessarily think that was the case. Give credit to Colorado. They're a very good team, hard to play against. Fernando (Clavijo) has a really good job with them."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the game:
"We got the win and that was important. We battled back after giving up two goals. It was unfortunate about the goals we gave up. We were in the right places, we were working hard and scrapping. They just ended up getting to the second ball a little quicker than we did. (Goalkeeper) Kevin (Hartman) got a fingers on them but just not enough. It's something we can correct. It's not due to lack of effort and I think that's a good thing."
On scoring off of set pieces:
"We didn't score off of many set pieces last year. So to get two in one game, we could call that a borderline miracle. It's nice to be on the end of that. I can't remember the last time I scored two goals... maybe high school? Those were good days."
On his jump into the Cauldron following his second goal:
"They're right there, right at field level. They're very welcoming, and they smell like beer, which is great. It was fun and I had to go in there. They're our diehards."
On Colorado:
"Colorado was very good. They're very organized. Christian Gomez is a very good playmaker. He causes problem because he doesn't really have one position where you can just mark him and you know he's going to be there. He floats all around the field and it causes a lot of trouble. We have a young team so communication becomes key. If we're not talking early enough it causes problems. I thought they (Colorado) did a good job, but we did enough to get the win today."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD SCOTT SEALY
On scoring the game-winning goal:
"When a player comes off the bench, you've got to bring something to the game. My job was to find the goal and bring energy and I thought that's what I did."
On Colorado:
"We knew coming into this game that Colorado was a good, attacking team. They scored four against L.A. We knew they were very good coming forward. We were able to get up 2-0, and at home you think that's going to be enough. They showed great resilience to come back and get two goals, and I was able to come in and make a difference."
On the upcoming quick turnaround:
"We've just got to keep our focus. New England is a very good team. We just have to take these couple days and get our guys feeling energized and ready to go on Wednesday."
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH FERNANDO CLAVIJO
On the game:
"Set pieces were the difference today. I thought we played well enough to get out of here with at least a point. But that's the name of the game, you have to score more goals to be able to win and we were not able to do that today."
On not quitting after going down 2-0:
"When you look at the second half, they come out and score two goals quick. We never quit. We kept playing. We score one, then we score the other one. Then we had one that hit the post. We never were content with 2-2. The ball bounced a little bit better in their direction today than ours, there's not much you can say about it."
On solid first two games:
"I don't think we have to prove anything to anyone. Two games doesn't say if you're good or you're bad. I think we have improved in our scoring opportunities and in the way we finish. I think as a team we have improved. The first half, I thought we outplayed them."
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER JOHN DiRAIMONDO
On his first career MLS goal:
"Omar (Cummings) just went to try to get the ball and the ball popped out right to me. I was just standing there. I hit it and it happened to go in. It felt good at the time, but when you lose it doesn't feel as good."
On comeback:
"When we went down 2-0, we had the confidence that we knew if we stuck together we could come back. We fought hard and got back two goals. It was just unfortunate we gave up that late goal. We probably should have got out of here with a point."
COLORADO RAPIDS DEFENDER JOSE LUIS BURCIAGA
On the game:
"We needed to stay focused. Once we are back in the game we can't let another team get the momentum and get out in front of us. We've just got to learn. But it's exciting to know how good of a team we are."
On scoring against his old team:
"I'm beyond that. I'm on to the next stage of my career. I thank Kansas City for the seven years I was there, but now I'm a Colorado Rapid. I think it was just another game. I'm just trying to help my team."
