COLUMBUS CREW 1, D.C. UNITED 1
COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH SIGI SCHMID
On the game:
"That (the goal) got us off to a good start, but then for a period of time there we lost the threat of the game and they dominated in that period of time where they got the goal. There was like a five- or 10-minute period where we couldn't get a hold of the ball. In the second half I think they had more of a game.
On the progress of the team:
"We're still a work in progress. We're still trying to gain our confidence in terms of what we can do offensively. But I'm also quite pleased because we went out there tonight and played the best team in the league and we came out with a 1-1 tie. So that's got to feel good for our team because they know that we can play with them. We know we did some things wrong and we ended up dropping to deep with our outside midfielders ended becoming outside backs, and that's not what we wanted to happen. But once you get into the second half and start doing that it's tough to change that mind set and that was a problem for us. Then we obviously lost Rusty (Pierce) early and that forced another change, and then we lost (Jon Busch) Buschy at the end there so we had to make a change in goal. The injury attrition continues, but I am pleased with the effort the guys gave. We were a bit fortunate at times but we came out with a point at least. This is one of those games that you have to learn from as a young team that is still growing and starting to understand each other. These are the games you have to learn from."
COLUMBUS CREW MIDFIELDER JOSEPH NGWENYA
On his goal:
"It's always great to get that first goal. It gives you something to build on. It was a great pass. He had to decide whether to come out or not come out and he came out. The pass was just perfect. Perfect pace and perfect through ball. It is a great bunch of guys, easy to get comfortable on this team, but there is still a lot I need to work on. Especially today, I thought I did a terrible job of holding onto the ball. There is always room for improvement."
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH PETER NOWAK
On the game:
"There was a period where we didn't hold the ball and we made too many bad mistakes. It wasn't great. The second half the whole team played a very good brand of soccer. Coming here to Columbus and playing our way the whole 45 minutes with the chances we had. We just need to finish our chances, but it was a good brand of soccer."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER JOSHUA GROS
On the game:
"We wanted to control the tempo of the game and I think we did just that. Late in the game, even though they were at home, I think we still took it to them. We had a couple chances we could have put away. But we controlled the tempo the whole second half."
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER TROY PERKINS
On the Crew goal:
"About halfway through the run I was like 'I shouldn't have gone.' You make a decision to go, you have to go. To be fair, he did hit it pretty well over me. But I should have made a better decision. Looking back, Josh (Gros) would have had it. You just learn from it and go on."
