U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS QUOTE SHEET
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2005 - LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2, SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 1
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the game:
"We made two mistakes tonight and they scored two goals, but that is what good teams do, they punish you for your mistakes. I thought that we showed good fight and spirit in the second half. When we play them again on Saturday, we have to play the whole game like we played the second half."
On physical play:
"It is a great rivalry so once one tackle happens, you know they are going to keep coming. The good thing about these teams is that they play hard, but they are not dirty."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD RONALD CERITOS
On the attempted comeback:
"When we got down 2-0, we started pushing forward to get back into the game. We were able to get one goal, but obviously that was not enough. We need to think about how we played tonight and make sure that we come out stronger on Saturday."
On looking ahead to Saturday:
"We need to play like we did for the last 25 minutes of tonight's game right from the start on Saturday. It is going to be a huge crowd, so we definitely want to come out and play well. I am looking forward to another chance against the Galaxy."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER KELLY GRAY
On the game:
"We came in at halftime knowing that we hadn't played our best, giving up two goals on the only two chances they really had. We knew it was going to be a battle to get back in the game and we came out well in the second half. We pounded them and pressured them all over the place. We also got in on some tackles and played strong. We need to carry that emotion over into Saturday."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER DWAYNE DE ROSARIO
On the game:
"Every game we play against LA is going to be physical and emotional. It is unfortunate that we gave up two early goals so we had to chase the game a bit. We created some great chances and didn't bury them. Ronald came out and scored a great goal, but we did not have enough to come all the way back."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH STEVE SAMPSON
On the play of Herculez Gomez:
"Herculez over the last month has really been the guy that is getting it down for us up top, he and Landon [Donovan]. He brings great speed and great energy and tonight you saw how that energy can cause problems for teams. When you think back that Herculez barely made our squad back in February, this young man has come a long way. He is playing well and staying humble, which I like and he is making a mark for himself."
On the Earthquakes-Galaxy rivalry:
"I think these two teams provide a lot of entertainment for the fans and they take it seriously. I think it is going to be that way on Saturday. We took this very, very seriously tonight. I think you can see that from the way that we lined up, and as time went on you could see how seriously San Jose took it. It was a great match, a very entertaining one for the fans."
On the Galaxy winning on the road:
"For us, winning on the road has been an issue for a long time. It all started in the second half when we played against Chicago, the guys gave an enormous effort there even though we lost. I think that was the turning point for us, then to beat D.C., last year's MLS Champions, and then to come in here and win. For us, winning on the road is a great accomplishment given what has happened in the last year."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY MIDFIELDER PETE VAGENAS
On the game:
"I have been here six years now and the teams that people remember are the ones that have won trophies. That was the message from the coaching staff tonight - 'do we want to be a forgotten team?' and obviously we do not. We work very hard and this is an important game. Winning single elimination games like this and winning championships is something that fans, management and players remember, so that is the mentality that we came into it with. This brings us one step closer to winning the championship in the Open Cup. That is our ultimate goal, to win championships."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY FORWARD HERCULEZ GOMEZ
On his goals:
"Jovan [Kirvoski] played two great balls in to me. You can't ask for better service than that. When you have that type of service, you just have to reward it and finish it and that is what I did."
