The Colorado Rapids won their first-ever MLS Cup on Sunday, defeating FC Dallas, 2-1, after extratime in Toronto. Players and coaches from each team spoke with media following the game.
COLORADO RAPIDS FORWARD CONOR CASEY (MLS CUP 2010 MVP)
On his feelings:
“It’s just awesome, it’s a great way to end the year. We battled all year and stuck together, it was a collective effort. It’s just awesome, it’s the first time I have ever won anything, the first time for Pablo (Mastroeni) and the fans, it’s special.”
On his goal:
“The ball just got caught up under his arm, I don’t know and my leg was closer than anybody else’s and I got a toe on it and was happy I did as we needed a goal for sure.”
On the team’s strategy in extra time:
“Not really, they were on top of us most of the game and we struggled against their pressure. We got a chance and got fortunate.”
COLORADO RAPIDS GOALKEEPER MATT PICKENS
On his feelings:
“It feels good. Like I was saying before it is a typical Rapids win, real gutty and we just laid everything out there. Sometimes it is not pretty, but we have a lot heart.”
On the final few minutes of the game:
“I was just hoping those balls would go right to Julien (Baudet) and Julien came up big. A lot of balls were coming off his head and I was real happy about that.”
COLORADO RAPIDS MIDFIELDER PABLO MASTROENI
On the final few minutes of the game:
“Hectic is putting it nice. We were down a man, momentum is going their way and it just seems like every second takes forever. I think the guys in the back did a great job clearing the ball, scrappy and that is when the game becomes more of a test of will than anything else. Pure heart, pure resolve and we have done it all year.”
On where the win ranks in his career:
“Right now this is No. 1. This is it all I have is today my friend, the past is already gone. This has been a beautiful ride, capping it off with a win. This has been the most exciting day of my professional career.”
On the team’s strategy in extra time:
“We didn’t change anything all game or all year really. We have the kind of players that can play. It just takes a moment, a second to break it up, a half-chance and we found a way to win.”
COLORADO RAPIDS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR PAUL BRAVO
On winning MLS Cup:
“This is an unbelievable night for the club. Our fans have waited 15 long years for this, through our years of mediocrity to finally get to this point. It was great to see our guys celebrate with some of our fans and we are looking forward to taking the cup back and celebrating with all of them.”
On the final few minutes:
“You try and contain yourself, you really don’t have much impact in the game itself in my position. It’s just sitting back and rooting these guys on, giving them my heart and believing in them. At the end of the night it was a great night for the Colorado Rapids.”
On roster moves during the season:
“Certainly if look at our moves throughout the year. It is not just one move that we’ve over this year you can look all the way back to us doing a draft day trade for Matt Pickens two years ago to get him into the building. To bring in great guys like Mac Kandji and Jeff Larentowicz, Wells Thompson and at the trade deadline Brian Mullan – guys who have been through the wars certainly helped us.”
On the team’s identity:
“We are as blue collar as you get but we have a great deal of spirit and belief. The way we played tonight wasn’t always great, but the guys dug in and they truly believed in themselves from the coaching staff to the guys sitting right there on the pitch.”
FC DALLAS DEFENDER UGO IHEMELU
On the game:
“We limited their chances but we gave away some unfortunate opportunities. … I think it was a little unfortunate to give up the two goals we gave up – they fought the whole time, and they weren’t willing to back down.”
On how the game played out:
“The refs make calls, and the way the game goes, we can’t fault them. We need to capitalize on opportunities and react better to the goals that they got.”
FC DALLAS GOALKEEPER KEVIN HARTMAN
On the season:
“I certainly think we have the people in this room to be successful. … I thought we did a majority of the things we needed to do to fulfill our goal.”
On the way the year ended:
“It’s really an opportunity to reflect on what I thought was a pretty phenomenal year. … We certainly gave our fans some great moments. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to lift the cup at the end of the year.”
