EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL SERIES, SECOND LEG
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 2, CHICAGO FIRE 1 -- 2-2 on aggregate; NE WINS 4-2 ON PKs
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2006 -- GILLETTE STADIUM
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION HEAD COACH STEVE NICOL
On the game:
"I think we absolutely deserved to win. The goalkeeper was man of the match in both games. I think that tells the whole story ... (Chris) Rolfe had probably their best chance of the game, the header. Other than that, we were running out of steam and they were breaking on us pretty quick. I think we controlled the game and most of the time it was in our hands, until the end when we were obviously tired. Regardless, we definitely deserved to win the game."
On the penalty kicks:
"I thought we did fantastic. We took penalties during the week and they were good. The kids are in shape and obviously Reis is huge on penalties."
On team fitness at the end of the game:
"We had players - obviously Ralston - getting injured during the game and we were switching things around. The game should have been over in normal time with the chances we made and the chances we missed. But, I definitely think we deserved it and we'll get ready for next week."
On Jose Cancela:
"Well, fresh legs always make a change. Being able to bring Pepe on in the later stages of the game is huge for us. Obviously fresh legs and that eye for a pass he has when the opposition is falling asleep because of fatigue are important. He played his part, everybody played their part."
On Pat Noonan:
"It's great for everybody, the players, the crowd, when he steps on the field. He clearly hasn't gotten a lot of practice and he hasn't gotten a lot of fitness behind him. He's played [15] games, I think, this season. But, he has that extra bit of quality that, when given the chance, he shows it, and he showed it again tonight. ... We knew he lacked fitness, and we were kind of hoping we'd would just go in and win the game and we could get him ready for the rest of the year. But, we decided to put him in and see how long he could go."
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION MIDFIELDER JOE FRANCHINO
On team effort:
"That's what it's all about, getting together when your back's against the wall. We've been doing this for years it seems like and we know that's what it's all about."
On absent players:
"I think everyone we've called upon wants to do their job and of course we are going to miss those guys. The guys who've stepped on the field want to play. We all came together and we know what we have to do: get the energy and come together as a team. That's what it's about. This team was awesome."
On the first half goal:
"It was good. I took a touch and I saw Taylor (Twellman) just coming in the near post. Then, I saw Tony Sanneh coming to the near post so I just chipped it in behind and Taylor finished it."
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION FORWARD TAYLOR TWELLMAN
On his series-winning penalty kick:
"It was awesome. Obviously the post got in the way and I should have had a couple early on. Matt Pickens made some good saves against us. You know, Reis is the X factor in penalties and I was just glad I buried mine."
On his goal:
"Joey (Franchino) made a great run and I was just trying to make sure I hit it on goal. Fortunately it went in."
On the team:
"It's unbelievable. Obviously, the core group of guys have been here five years and we've all seen it. It was a lot of fun."
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION GOALKEEPER MATT REIS
On defending penalty kicks:
"Back in the day Mauricio Cienfuegos and I used to do five or 10 penalties before every game. He was really good and could go wherever he wanted. Being the second goalie I had to stay after with him. I think that helped a lot. It's a read thing. I think I read the body language as they come up and as they approach the ball. But, on some of them I just got completely fooled. You never want to go to penalties. But, I know going into penalties that if I can save two, it will give us a really good chance."
On taking penalty kicks:
"I feel like I can take the pressure and I can shoot them. So, bring it on."
CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH DAVE SARACHAN
On the game:
"I thought for good stretches of the game we had pretty good control. They're a team that battles and we knew they would."
On scoring the first goal:
"Our mindset to come in to this game was to try to win the game. We didn't talk about tying. We didn't talk about managing it that way. We wanted to get the first goal and we did. I think our guys kept playing and they didn't feel they had anything solved at that point. We got a good start to the game."
On the shootout:
"Matt obviously is a very good goalie, Matt Reis. We think Matt Pickens is, too. In training he does well with PKs. And sometimes it's a bit of a guess and it's a little bit of a cat and mouse with the shooter. And we came out short on that which is obviously a tough way to lose."
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFIELDER CHRIS ARMAS
On the game:
"I felt like we had more energy, some more legs. For whatever reason, we certainly weren't playing for a shootout. Not that they were but we wanted to push for a goal. We felt like it was coming. Give them credit. They didn't let us through. We didn't create any scoring, any goals. They did what they need to. They were pretty clinical on the penalties."
On New England:
"They've always been a team and they pride themselves in fighting, and fighting to the last minute in a good way. They don't quit. Shorthanded a little bit (without Clint) Dempsey and Shalrie (Joseph), I give them credit. In their home field, they won the game. It hurts right now in our locker room here; it stings a little bit. You don't know how any other way it could be decided, you never like to see it end in a shootout like this."
On the Fire's 2006 season:
"I'm proud of the team. It was a good year. There are two trophies out there, we put one on our shelf. We fell a little short on the second. (It's) motivation for next year."
On scoring an early goal:
"That two-goal lead is very dangerous because they got the one and both teams had a few chance to get that second one, and they just happened to get it first. No big secrets with them. We know them well and they know us. In the end they executed tonight. But if we look at it altogether it was 2-2. It's pretty even. It's fitting that it comes down to that."
CHICAGO FIRE MIDFIELDER JUSTIN MAPP
On the season-ending loss:
"It's a bitter taste in my mouth losing here in the playoffs again. But some young guys got some good experience this year. It will only benefit us in the years to come. We get a good group coming back next year. We'll start this thing back up in February and give it another shot."
On losing the series on penalty kicks:
"It's unfortunate on the PKs; pretty much anybody can win them there. But it's part of it. Hats off to them."
