KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 2, CHIVAS USA 1
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS INTERIM HEAD COACH BRIAN BLISS
Thoughts on the importance of the win:
"There's a bunch of different scenarios that could take place in our game, as well as the New York/Colorado game, but just for the sake of the confidence and the physiological factor, three points is tremendous. It's a confidence booster for us before we go to New York. It's just a belief that we've got something going here, and that was probably most important in these three points."
Thoughts on the crowd:
"We had a good crowd. The last two home games have been well attended. They're behind our guys, and our guys feel that there's almost a 12th-man type thing with that crowd. Give Chivas credit too, they travel well. Wherever they seem to go on the road they draw some fans just because of the Chivas name, which is good for the league. I think our guys responded to it as well because it gave the game more atmosphere than what we've had in some earlier games."
What he told his team at halftime:
"I told them I had no complaints on the offensive end, and I had no real complaints on the defensive end. I said 'guys, look we're knocking on the door we'll get one. We need to be patient yet urgent in order to get that chance. But also, let's not be foolish here and run into an open knife and get impatient where we're running seven, eight, nine guys into the attack, and then we take a counterattack.' There was that coolness that needed to be there with some urgency as well."
KANSAS CITY WIZARSD GOALKEEPER BO OSHONIYI
On his pink jersey he wore to raise money for breast cancer awareness/research:
"It worked well, and it was a good win for our team. The jersey was more for a cause. Like I said before, it was something that was deep to my heart. It was definitely an emotional situation to wear it, and I'm glad we could get a result at the same time."
Thoughts on his saves tonight:
"I think Chivas looked like they were playing for a tie in the first half, then I think we got one in the second and it forced them to come out of their shell a little bit. They tried to press the game a little bit. I was able to come up with some saves, and cut out a few crosses and hold on. I think it was a great team effort, and I think it's something we can build on going into New York, but we're definitely going to have to get a result whether it's a tie or a win. I think guys are feeling good about themselves and looking forward to going into New York and getting the result and get into the playoffs.
Thoughts on the play of KC's defense:
"I think Ryan Raybould, Nick (Garcia), Jimmy (Conrad), and Jose (Luis Burciaga Jr.) did a great job. Our midfield stayed compact, and kept us organized in there. I thought all in all, defensively, we were sharp tonight. We were on the ball, we were quick to every ball, we won second balls, and we did our job. Then, we were able to get some goals. It was a pressure penalty kick finish, and we were able to get the 2-1 victory. Like I said, we can build on it and move onto New York and get a result out there."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER NICK GARCIA
Thoughts on the importance of the win:
"We took care of business here tonight and we did what we needed to do in the last regular season home game. It was a big win for us confidence-wise, and result-wise."
Thoughts on the importance of next weekend:
"It is about results, especially in New York. It's not going to be an easy place to play, and it's going to be a tough game. We've got to be ready. We've got a whole week of practice ahead of us, so we've got to prepare."
Thoughts on the play of the defense:
"I think we were stubborn in the back, and didn't give them any good looks, and took care of business. Like you said, Bo (Oshoniyi) was there at the right times, and we're starting to play playoff soccer at the right time like we need to."
Thoughts on the crowds since the ownership change:
"They have everybody enjoying the fact that we are going to be staying in town, and everybody's there to support us. We expect good things, the fans expect good things, and the ownership group expects good things. You have to think that with our move into a temporary site, and into the future to a new stadium, the people here are really excited and it's good to have people behind us."
CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH BOB BRADLEY
Thoughts on making the playoffs:
"It's a big step for the club. We're disappointed that we didn't take the point in this game, or three points, but it's a reward for a year of good work."
Thoughts on defense during the first half:
"I think they got two good chances. One ball bounced. A guy took a shot, the ball bounced loose and went right back to their guy, so I don't consider that struggling, and one time they got behind Orlando Perez. The shots on goal in the first half were Kansas City three and Chivas two, so no, I don't think we 'struggled'."
Thoughts on the Kansas City penalty shortly after Chivas drew even:
"It's very, very important when you get back into a game and now you've tied it up, to keep the concentration at that point. To give up a penalty less than three minutes after we had one is something that, on our end, shouldn't happen."
CHIVAS USA GOALKEEPER BRAD GUZAN
Thoughts on Kansas City's first half chances:
"The guys in front of me played well tonight. We were a little unlucky to come up short. Coming in here and playing on this field, obviously it's a lot shorter, a lot more narrow. I think it took us a little while to get adjusted to it a little bit. I just had to come off my line a couple of times, but that's just part of the job."
Thoughts on the penalty kick:
"Anytime you have a guy like that who can really strike a ball, you have to go with your gut instinct. As soon as I saw who was going to be taking it, I was pretty much going left the whole way. He hit it with pace. He hits that an ounce softer maybe I get it, I get a hand to it and push it to the side netting."
