MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2004
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 1, COLORADO RAPIDS 0
COLORADO RAPIDS HEAD COACH TIM HANKINSON
On the Rapids attack against the Wizards defense:
"I thought we did not have enough possession in the first half, therefore giving balls away and allowing them to counter against us. But I thought we did better in the second half and I think that we created a lot of action around the opposing box. But we didn't show enough quality tonight to break it down and get on the end of things - we just didn't get there. We worked hard, just was not enough to break them down tonight."
On the penalty kick call:
"I can't say that it wasn't a penalty because I haven't seen the replay. And to put ourselves in a position at that particular time where we are caught with our defense that open and vulnerable at that point in the game is something that isn't just about Nat (Borchers), it's about the back four and the players playing in front of them."
On what led to the penalty call:
"While we were pushing for a goal they were playing a counterattack game most of the night. Even in the first half that is where most of their opportunities came. And we were pushing players forward trying to get the win. We said at halftime this was going to be a one-goal game and it was important to get on the board and so we made commitments forward trying to get the first goal and that opens you up a little bit for the counterattacks. And I think early on in the second half we did a good job in reading those but as it became late we just got caught on the wrong side of the ball."
On looking ahead to the next game:
"One of the things we have to do is try to prepare ourselves and try to get a win on the road. So we need to start making up points here because our performance tonight was not enough quality to get results. We just have to raise our game."
COLORADO RAPIDS GOALKEEPER JOE CANNON
Overall thoughts on the game:
"I really thought that they outplayed us, period. You can say that it's the worst way to lose but I thought that he (Josh Wolff) was definitely fouled. It was definitely a PK and I thought they created a lot of chances. That team (Wizards) didn't look like they were playing their third game in seven days."
On the Wizards defense:
"I think that they are a difficult team to break down. They are very organized, I think (Tony) Meola made only one save tonight. But they outworked us, outplayed us and were more organized than us."
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER DARRYL POWELL
On the end of the home unbeaten streak:
"In the first half we didn't turn up to play, but in the second half I thought that we gained control of the game and dominated it but somewhat erratically. We applied pressure without really controlling the ball and then we get hit on the break in the 90th minute like that and it makes you feel really low."
On his play in pushing the Colorado attack:
"It wasn't anything planned, it was just something that happened. I had a good chance early on and was a bit unlucky, but maybe could have done a bit better with it. I was just trying to create a bit of impetus and drive to the game because in the first half we were flat, so I tried to lift my game and in turn lift everyone's."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH BOB GANSLER
On the Wizards' second consecutive road win:
"We said that we needed to go on the road and score some goals, because that allows you to win. We wanted to score the first goal - that's what we talked about at halftime and I thought that we had the better of the chances."
On snapping the Rapids' MLS-record home unbeaten streak:
"Every venue is tough to play in in this league, but until all the seats are filled, I don't think that it is an intimidating place to play. It is definitely a difficult place to play, but I don't think that it is intimidating and our guys rose to the occasion."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS GOALKEEPER TONY MEOLA
On his first-half save on John Spencer:
"I saw him (Antonio de la Torre) wind-up to take a quick free kick into the middle, and just hoped that Spencer hit it somewhere that I could get my hand on it. Luckily it was just to my right and I was able to get my hand on it."
On getting a second consecutive road win:
"Even though our goal came on a penalty kick, I thought that we earned a goal. They came at us, but I don't remember too many compelling chances for them. We played well."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD JOSH WOLFF
On getting the late win:
"We didn't have beautiful attacks all night, but over the last five or 10 minutes, those were some of our better attacks, mainly because they pushed forward for the win and we stayed tight at the back and did not give them many good looks."
On the penalty kick call:
"I don't think that there is any doubt that it was a penalty kick, I don't think that they can argue it that much. I thought that (Klein) did well to run at the defense and then he played a perfect ball through for me."
