HOUSTON DYNAMO 1, REAL SALT LAKE 0
REAL SALT LAKE HEAD COACH JASON KREIS
On the game:
"It's very disappointing, another game that we're at home and feel like we're doing some good things and some not so good things and at the end we feel like we deserved a result. I guess I was very emotionally into that game. I put a lot into that because it was a very special game for Eddie (Pope); I wanted it to be a special going out for him. I also wanted it to be a good result for us because I feel that we have a good crowd there -- and we have had a good crowd there for a very, very long time -- and it's about time that we start giving back. I really felt that tonight was going to be that night, and I am just very disappointed with that."
On Dustin Kirby in his first MLS match:
"I am very proud of him. The coaching staff has been watching him for quite a few weeks and we feel that Dusty has deserved an opportunity. We really didn't think that he was going to get a starting chance in our first XI in an MLS match. He got it and I think he took full advantage of it, and he did very well for himself."
On where the club is headed:
"I think that we are moving in the right direction, I still believe that very, very firmly. I believe that we have a lot of people in the right spots. I think we still know when we look out there (on the field) and we know that we have to improve. We have to be able to win games at home and, for us, for the last two games now, we have had some good play but we need to get over the hump. We need to figure out how to get over the hump so that we are winning consistently at home."
On Eddie Pope's final home game:
"I wish we could have done better for him. Again, I emotionally put a lot into that game and I hope, I think the players did as well, so I am sure we are all disappointed not to have gotten him a win to go out with. So we will try desperately now, another reason for us next week to get a win."
REAL SALT LAKE DEFENDER EDDIE POPE
On retiring:
"It's bittersweet. I have told some of you guys before that, for me, I'm feeling that I'm going out on my terms and it's certainly great to retire, so I don't think it's anything that feels negative. I am just happy to have been a part of this team, this city, and a part of these fans."
On the pregame ceremony prior to the match:
"That was great. I was really sent out first class. I couldn't have asked for anything more from the organization, from my teammates -- everybody had nice things to say. It was a great display, the fans were great, and my family was able to be here. It was perfect."
On the match:
"Again, we get the lumps. The [goal] really wasn't crossed, it sort of got shanked and it got shanked upper 90, and there was nothing Nick (Rimando) could do about that at all.
"We had some opportunities that we should have put away and we should have finished some open shots that needed to be put on frame so we could test their goalkeeper a bit more. Overall I thought we played pretty well, we played very well defensively. Again, the one shot that goes upper 90 and to have the header that Nick makes the incredible save on, and we end up with zero points. To move forward it's important for us to start getting the ball on the frame and start to finish our chances and to start punishing other teams for their defensive errors."
On RSL's competitive nature:
"You always want to win, that's why we're here. We're competitors, everybody on this team ... the coaching staff are all ex-players. We're all competitors and I think it's something that just comes natural for us and when I'm done playing I'll be finding something else to compete in, it's just in our makeup. I certainly would have loved to make the playoffs and win some championships with this team and it would have been great to be able to reward the fans."
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the flow of the game:
"It was good. You can't say it was a beautiful game. There were a lot of stoppages; it was hotly contested so there were a lot of fouls. The first half we kind of weathered the storm -- [goalkeeper Pat Onstad] was really good coming up catching the ball -- and the second half I thought we played better."
On Stuart Holden's goal:
"I don't think he meant to shoot it, to be honest. I mean [Nick Rimando] pulls off a great save, probably a minute before that, off of Stuart. Then I think the flight of the ball, movement of the ball, was difficult. So I think it was Stuart trying to cross it and he hit it a little awkward and gave us an awkward goal. It's an important awkward goal, that's for sure."
HOUSTON DYNAMO GOALKEEPER PAT ONSTAD
On getting the win after losing last week:
"Yeah, I thought we played pretty good last week in the first 30 minutes, and today I thought Salt Lake came out in the first 15 minutes and we didn't really match their intensity, and that caused us some problems. Then we settled into it. "
"It was one of those games that really could go either way, it was just a matter of who could take their chance. It was a bit of an unfortunate goal, after Nick Rimando made the best save I've seen all season off of Stuart Holden. Absolutely a fantastic save, probably a career-best save for him. It was unfortunate what happened after that, but he's had a great season."
On the importance getting good results this late:
"We wanted to start gearing up for the playoffs, but on the same token we're still trying to fight for the division title. We needed at least a draw here to have a chance to beat Chivas USA next week and we (can) clinch the division. So at least the last game means something for us. We feel if we're going to make another run at the MLS Cup, we've got to get a win in L.A. against Chivas. It's going to be a difficult match for us, but at the same time at least we put ourselves in a good spot."
HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER STUART HOLDEN
On his game-winning goal:
"You know I kind of had a close effort on the one before that and Rimando made a really good save on the header. The second one, I was just trying to hit it across the goal hard and it got away from me a little bit and ended up in the goal. I'm not complaining, they all count the same. I'll take it."
On coming back and winning after losing last week:
"It was a tough loss last week in L.A. I think it was the first time all year we've lost after scoring first. Especially with Chivas (USA) losing yesterday, it was important for us to come in here and get a win."
