MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2004 - LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2, COLORADO RAPIDS 0
LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH SIGI SCHMID
On the game:
"Overall, I thought we did all right. It was a little bit of a grind today, from the standpoint of the guys missing and so forth. It's a long season and we can't always play at that level every game out. We were opportunistic with our free kicks. The first one from Ned (Grabavoy), that's what we try to do. We try to frame the goal with that shot and that gave us that goal. On the second one, Carlos (Ruiz) did well by thinking the wall was going to break and then got the deflection. When the game got stretched I thought there were some more opportunities but for some better passing, maybe some better combinations.
On the upcoming road trip:
"We've shown this season we can win on the road so we have to go out there and get points. That's what we have to do every time we play. I think the game in Colorado will be a little bit easier for us because they will come at us a little bit and that will allow us to get some spaces. We also get Andy (Herzog) back on the field, who we were missing tonight.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY FORWARD CARLOS RUIZ
On the importance of a win against Colorado:
"Because Colorado is such a big rival in the West, on Wednesday we must win at Colorado to close out the series."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY GOALKEEPER KEVIN HARTMAN
On defensive play:
"As a defense, we have only given up one goal in the past three games so we want to continue to build on that. I want to do anything to help the team, and I thought it was a good cumulative effort. We will continue to work on it."
On the importance of the win:
"As each win comes, we're getting more and more points, and it is putting us in a more comfortable position. We must make sure that we are not lackadaisical and we don't rest on our laurels, so we are ready to play week in and week out and be ready for a good championship run."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY MIDFIELDER NED GRABAVOY
On his first career goal:
"It was one of those balls where the 'keeper decided not to come out, and I think it just found its way to the back of the net."
On the winning streak:
"It's big time. We talked about going on a little run before the All-Star break. We're going on the road now; we have tough times ahead of us so we can't let up."
On the road trip coming up:
"It's going to be tough, and all 24 guys are going to have to step up. Guys are going to have to overcome nicks and bruises on the road. Guys are going to have to coming off the bench and shine in their roles and do a good job."
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH TIM HANKINSON
On the match:
"It's always disappointing when you create chances for yourself. We had plenty of opportunities to get goals for our side. To give it up on two restarts - one with a broken wall and the other when we let a ball drop inside our six - those are bad decisions by our team and it cost us tonight."
Looking ahead to the rematch in Denver on Wednesday:
"It is the greatest challenge for any team - when you get knocked down is how quickly you get back up, get back in the fight and Wednesday is our night to show what we are made of."
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER DARRYL POWELL
On the match overall:
"We had the better chances in the first half. However, we did not defend well and we went 1-0 down. In the second half, we had the better chances again, we had a penalty and then they came back and scored the goal. So, we ended up losing 2-0 and it looks like we've been totally dominated, which from where I was wasn't the case."
Looking ahead to the rematch in Denver on Wednesday:
"All I'm thinking about right now is getting back (to Denver) and getting some rest ... there is no need for me to say it, we now need to win at home."
