How important is it to the confidence of the team to get that first win of the season after two ties and a loss to start the year?
Dwayne De Rosario: "To get that first win is very important. I feel that now that we have the one win, we can start rolling. We were a little unfortunate before to get two ties, but that is the way that soccer is."
Saturday's game against the Wizards was also your first start of the season. How does it feel to be able to be a main contributor in the first victory?
DDR: "It feels good. It is great for the team and me personally. A win like that helps the team out, it is great to be able to lift our heads up a little bit and feel confident going into the next game. Coming to practice on Monday is always a lot easier when you win. The whole week is easier when you win, and we just have to keep it going and enjoy this feeling and remember what it is like and always make sure we are looking for it."
You have mostly played as a forward in your five seasons in San Jose; what was your mentality in shifting to the center of the midfield for Saturday's game?
DDR: "I have been here for awhile now, and being here this year with [Brian] Ching and [Ronald] Cerritos up front, they are doing well, they are scoring. I just want to play and help the team win. If I can contribute in the midfield, that is fine. Anything I can do to help the team and keep us winning, I will do."
Did you have trouble adjusting to playing in the midfield for the first time with the Earthquakes?
DDR: "A couple of times I ran up and created a play and wanted to just sit down and relax and get my breath, but I turned around and said to myself, 'Don't.' I turned and saw the whole field and everyone was charging the other way and I knew I had to get back. I think the interchange with Brad [Davis] worked out well, we covered for each other and he helped me a lot. We both have a good knowledge of the game and he knows when to fall in for me and I know when to cover for him. We read each other well, and thankfully we did it at the right times. When I needed him to fall in for me, he was there."
Do you think that playing center midfield is more difficult physically than playing forward?
DDR: "They are both difficult physically, but the two positions are just different. As a forward you are always getting hit from behind, while now in the midfield you are meeting more head-on, so it is more 50-50, and I think that is a little easier than a man hitting you from behind. But, physically, it is a lot more running. I haven't had a chance to rest lately either. After the game I had to put my kid's crib together because I've been moving into my house, so I didn't have much time to sleep. Then Sunday when I woke up I had to go back to the store and get more stuff for the house. I haven't had any rest yet, but I think I will be okay. I stay in pretty good physical shape and eat my fruits and vegetables and maintain a healthy diet and take care of myself, so I can handle the extra running."
As the game against the Wizards went on, did you feel that the entire team was able to gain confidence in the way they were playing?
DDR: "Yes, I think in the second half, we were moving the ball around and you could see everyone's confidence just getting higher. Everyone wanted the ball and when people want the ball that means their head is in the game and they are confident, and that is how we played and moved the ball in the second half. We moved it from the defense to the midfield to the forwards and then back to the midfield and then back to the defense. We were keeping possession well and the way we should."
Last season the Quakes were inconsistent at times throughout the season and were never able to continually capitalize on some of their better games. How do you feel the Quakes can change that in 2005?
DDR: "Basically we have to keep doing what we are doing. Of course we need to stay away from injuries and as the season goes on, it gets more grueling and more difficult. But we just need to go out there and always want to win more than anything. We need to keep our confidence up with people wanting and showing for the ball at all times. Or confidence is high now after that win, but of course we had a great save at the end by Pat [Onstad]. We still can't give up opportunities like that. That is one thing we need to focus on and get our heads straight about. It could have easily been 3-3 if they score that penalty shot."
