D.C. UNITED 2, HOUSTON DYNAMO 0
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH PETER NOWAK
On the game:
"I think we played two complete halves. We had the chance to score more goals but overall we played well and this is what we expect. We had a couple of shaky moments at the end of the game but our fans pulled us through and gave us a big lift in the second half."
On the maturity of Freddy Adu:
"I think the whole team did very well. Freddy was part of the team effort and at the end of the game when Houston switched to a 3-5-2, there was more space on the sides for Freddy to operate. I was happy with his defensive work and you can see the progress that he is making."
On the slow pace of the game:
"I think we planned that. It was hard to break down Houston with so many guys back, but we stretched the field and were patient with the ball. There was no special strategy but we knew we had to play a great game because Houston is one of the best teams in MLS. This was definitely a very important win for us."
On stopping Brian Ching:
"We had four guys in the back so we should be able to stop him. Brian is a very dangerous player, especially in the box. We wanted to cut down his opportunities and we made sure someone always had an eye on him."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER JOSH GROS
On the game:
"We definitely wanted to produce today, at home and in front of so many great fans. I think that we had a great scoring opportunity and I was just in the right place at the right time."
D.C. UNITED DEFENDER BOBBY BOSWELL
On the team:
"Things are coming together. Everyday is another step forward. We go back to work this week and get ready for New York."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER FREDDY ADU
On the game:
"The shape was great. They really made us push it down the line. The coach told me that I really need to support guys off the ball -- to make those looping runs down the lines."
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER BEN OLSEN
On the game:
"It was a great goal by Josh tonight. We had a job to do and we came out and did it. We realized that we have to get back and protect it at RFK -- I mean, this is RFK. I think we've been pushing really hard these last couple of years at playing well here."
HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER ADRIAN SERIOUX
On the game:
"Our guys have to realize that we need to come out and play with 150 percent effort every game. We came out in our first game and smoked our opponent, but in this third game our guys got too comfortable and that's what hurt us. Today was a rude awakening."
On having opportunities to win the game:
"Definitely -- especially towards the end of the game. We had numerous chances and I hope it's one of those stints where there's bad luck for just one game, but we need to start putting teams away like we did in our opener. We have to go back to the drawing board and be optimistic for the future."
HOUSTON DYNAMO FORWARD BRIAN CHING
On the game:
"I think we had our chances and we were definitely dangerous towards the end of the game when we were pushing forward. We let our guard down a couple of times and they punished us for it. It's frustrating and personally I don't think I played very well."
On getting brought down in the box:
"I just lost my footing. I lost my balance and it was just the way the night was going."
On breaking down D.C.'s defense:
"When they get up, they sit behind the ball well. I think we had our chances, a couple headers at the end and maybe some better touches by me and the outcome would have been different. It's frustrating and we just have to do better."
