NEW YORK RED BULLS 2, TORONTO FC 1
TORONTO FC HEAD COACH MO JOHNSTON
On the second goal by Angel:
"We were sucker-punched. Listen, they're a very good team, they hold the ball up well. Juan Pablo Angel was outstanding, on corner kicks he was getting away from Andrew (Boyens). We switched up and put Dichio on him, he (Angel) crawled into the back post for the second goal, and his free kick was world-class."
Thoughts on game:
"They're a very good team, but I thought we created a bunch of chances. I felt the guys hung in and fought for each other, I'm actually very proud of them, the way they held up tonight. And don't forget this team (New York) has spent a hell of a lot of money on two (designated player) slots, and we held our own against a very, very good team."
TORONTO FC GOALKEEPER SRDJAN DJEKANOVIC
On the New York goals:
"Those two goals came rather quick; we conceded two goals in a minute and a half. You know we were attacking, got caught out of position, they countered, there was a questionable call and they got the free kick, and I just couldn't see it."
On how he felt in his second game:
"I felt really comfortable, we were playing fine, I thought I was playing fine. I thought we battled hard as a team, we did well as a team."
TORONTO FC MIDFIELDER CARL ROBINSON
Thoughts on game:
"I think the first half we dominated, I think the second half, maybe 30 minutes they had their play - and last 15 minutes I know obviously we were chasing the game, but there was one or two half chances, but we're very disappointed."
NEW YORK RED BULLS HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On the difference between the first and second halves:
"I really think we took the initiative in the second half. I think the first half, Toronto played very well, very aggressively and I think they put a lot into it. You could see that they didn't have the same energy level in the second half. And from the start of the second half, we were very aggressive in getting at them, we played with more confidence and as the game settled down a little bit, it favored us because we could passed a little bit better. Obviously, the first goal in our favor was big for us psychologically and not really good for them."
On Juan Pablo Angel:
"He's a good player. That's why we went after him. We're in a situation right now where we have some injuries - it's all part of the game, it's not different from anybody else. We're bringing back some players and it's going to take a couple of games to get their fitness back and sharpness back. We have lulls in games where we're not really sharp for 90 minutes, but tonight, at least mentally we stayed in it for 90 minutes and knew that if we came out a little bit stronger in the second half and get the first goal, we could win this game."
On the center back tandem of Carlos Mendes and Taylor Graham:
"It was a much improved performance from the other night (against Kansas City). I think they learned their lessons from the other night and it was tough for Taylor in Kansas City coming off the bench and starting the second half and he didn't play well with Carlos. I think they had a very concerted effort tonight to be better than they were the other night and I think both of them played pretty well."
NEW YORK RED BULLS FORWARD JUAN PABLO ANGEL
On the second half:
"We started to play well in their half in the field and in the second half, there was only one team moving forward and we were able to score two goals and win the game in a very difficult place."
On his first goal:
"I knew it was going to go in. I hit it well and it was the right pace and right angle. I had one chance and sometimes you put it in the stands and today, it's a goal."
On the league:
"I think it's very good. I think people have a misconception of this league; it's very tough and physical. I must say that this is probably the best ground I've played in so far. The atmosphere was terrific and that's what these people are about, that's what we're going to see in this league."
NEW YORK RED BULLS DEFENDER TAYLOR GRAHAM
On the team's defensive performance:
"There was no place to go but up from the second half of the Kansas City game and I knew that and Carlos knew that so we took a lot of extra incentive to make sure that everything went right today. The combination of (Danny) Dichio and (Jeff) Cunningham up top is one of the toughest in the league, they play off each other well and Carlos did a great job. Today was a team effort and I think it shows a lot of character about us coming in, going down a goal and coming out with three points."
On Angel's goal:
"I was actually standing at the end of the wall trying to block the goalie's vision, hoping he wasn't going to hit me and sure enough, I just turned and looked over my shoulder and the goalie didn't even more. It was brilliant."
