MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER QUOTE SHEET
SATURDAY, May 21, 2005 - D.C. UNITED 3, KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 2
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH PETER NOWAK
On the game:
"I think the most important decision was to structure the team to win the games. You know we can talk about it, but they actually have to execute the game plan and I think they did a very good job today. I am happy for them."
On Kansas City's goals:
"We gave two gifts to Kansas City tonight and, I think for the rest of the season, we are not going to give up such goals as tonight. We made mistakes and we paid for it, but this is a great win for the team."
On the win: "Everyone did very well today. The movement and the soccer part was very good. Christian [Gomez] found his spots tonight and connected with people around him. He was the man of the match, with two goals. I wish he (will be) player of the week."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER CHRISTIAN GOMEZ
On scoring two goals tonight:
"The most important thing is that we won and the team got three points. That is what counts. Peter (Nowak) put together a great game plan for tonight. Personally, I am happy that I scored the two goals, so it was a good treat for the fans who came out tonight."
On Gomez's increase in play:
"The last few games, I have had more minutes, obviously. Peter wants me to play more offensively with Jamie (Moreno) and Esky (Alecko Eskandarian), and I have to repay him for the confidence he has in me. Obviously, tonight was a good game for me."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER FREDDY ADU
On his game winning assist:
"People would get very disappointed at playing only fifteen minutes, but my job was to come in and help this team win the game and secure the lead. For me to help right away and at the end of the (game), it was a game-winning assist and it makes you feel great to help the team win."
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER NICK RIMANDO
On the team's performance:
"We came out and had to get a win and I thought we played well. We allowed some tough goals, but scored more and that is what matters."
On United's style of game:
"We attacked, everyone worked hard today. That's what you need to do to win and we got the win. Today we got the best of them."
KANSAS CITY HEAD COACH BOB GANSLER
On the tempo of the game:
"Every team wants to be in charge of the game ... they are a good possession team. The possession is fools gold, it's how you create and realize chances. We were a little too generous, especially on the first and third goal. We have to make better defensive plays."
On the foul that lead to D.C. United's penalty kick and first goal:
"When we allow someone to walk 40, 50 yards down the park, obviously there are four, five, six folks that know they should have done better on that."
On the last goal of the game:
"We just gave it away on our own end. (I) don't quite know what we were trying to do."
On giving the lead back up to United:
"It was good that we came back, that was satisfying, to tie it. But then, we have to get a better hold of the ball, a better hold of the game."
On his team's overall performance:
"You play as well as the opponent allows you to play ... if we go into half time even, we are OK. On the road, you always figure the other guys are going to have a little more of the ball."
KANSAS CITY MIDFIELDER CHRIS KLEIN
On the Wizards' first goal of the night:
"After the first goal, I thought we were starting to gain a little momentum, but we quickly gave it back (when United scored the second goal)."
On the matchup with D.C. United:
"They play us very well and try to take away what we do well. Tonight, I think the game opened up a little bit, both teams created chances. They just created more."
On a potential rivalry with D. C. United:
"Anytime you play a team in the MLS Cup, it creates it's own rivalry. With so few teams in the MLS, you sort of have a rivalry with every team. We are still adjusting to our new life in the Eastern Conference."
