MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2004 - LOS ANGELES GALAXY 3, CHICAGO FIRE 2
LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH SIGI SCHMID
On the game:
"We started off all right and played well at times. Early on, we got some good chances that we probably needed to finish. With those opportunities in the first 15 to 20 minutes, we got on top 1-0 and it could have been more.
"After that they equalized, the game swung. There were some interesting situations occurring on the field, interesting calls ... then they get the penalty kick. It was a deserved penalty.
"But, we came back and pulled it out with two goals. I am very pleased with my team and the character they showed on a hot afternoon to come back and fight back to win with the players that were out there. Losing Suarez in the middle of the game and going inside with two young center backs was pretty tough."
On the second half:
"I felt as though if we could connect passes, we would get goals. Chicago had kind of taken their foot off the gas pedal a little bit, but I think that's because they were tired at that stage; they had expended a lot of energy. We have a lot of confidence in this team and a lot of confidence in our abilities to come back."
On Chris Albright's play:
"It was a funny game for Chris today. He scored a tremendous goal to win the game and I am very happy for him. But if I had to rate his play today, I do not think that it was his best game."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY FORWARD JOSEPH NGWENYA
On the game-tying goal:
"It felt great, we definitely needed the goal. I just went up, won the ball and headed it into the net."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER CHRIS ALBRIGHT
On the stoppage-time goal:
"I took down (Justin) Mapp for the PK. I needed to get some redemption and I guess that was it. It was a great way to get that back."
On the Galaxy fans:
"For this many people to come out and support us was a great thing and we appreciate it."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER CHRIS ALOISI
On the coming back to defeat the Fire:
"Being down a goal and coming back and taking the lead is huge. In this long a season, you want to win as many home games as possible. If we can handle teams at home then we know we'll be okay."
On filling the shoes in the back:
"It's definitely good getting the time. Whenever I can help the team out and we get a win, it's even better. (Hong Myung) Bo has some big shoes (for me) to fill; with Danny and everyone else out; I just try to do as much as I can."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY DEFENDER SCOT THOMPSON
On his first career appearance:
"Any minute is a good minute. The crowd is great and it's great to play here."
CHICAGO FIRE HEAD COACH DAVE SARACHAN
On game:
"We started poorly and got better as the first half went on. We got into the locker room at 1-1, which was important for us and (we) felt that we had the ability to steal some points here today. We did get ahead 2-1 and (then encountered) a combination of some young players and fatigue. Some mental mistakes were created, at the same time L.A. put on a big push, as a home team usually will. I give them credit for not quitting, trying to get the equalizer and then going ahead. It was kind of disappointing for our guys to put in a hard day. We're never satisfied if we don't get points."
On individual performances:
"They all put in a good effort. Leo (Leonard Griffin), when he came on, did pretty well keeping the ball, giving us possession. Obviously, Justin was dangerous in spots today. A lot of the veterans played their normal steady game."
CHICAGO FIRE DEFENDER JIM CURTIN
On Chicago Fire defending:
"We didn't do a good job of maintaining the lead, and panicked a little. We didn't keep the ball like we should have, and wasted some time. To their credit, they came back and pushed to get two goals in the last ten minutes, which is inexcusable really not just from the defense, but also the whole team. From our perspective, we were trying to pack it in, but it didn't work out today."
CHICAGO FIRE FORWARD ANTE RAZOV
On the game:
"I'll get home now and rest, and go through another good week of training. We made a great effort today. Everyone played really hard, but we didn't play good soccer at the end to kill the game. Each guy will tell you that we weren't very good at it and that is what cost us the game. They pressured the heck out of us in the end and we did not do a good job."
