Locker Room Reactions to 1-1 Draw in Chicago

Postgame Quote Sheet
Chicago Fire 1 : 1 LA Galaxy
TOYOTA PARK - Sept. 4, 2010


Los Angeles Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena

On walking away with a point today:

“I think we aren’t going to complain when we put ourselves down in the 88th minute and we get out of here with a goal-I’m going to take it. It was a day where obviously that if we were a little bit better, we’d get the three points today. But I think where we positioned ourselves at the end; we’d be insane to walk out of here complaining about the point.”

On pushing hard to get a goal after the Fire red card:

“When they went down a player, you know that you’re dealing with a solid block of seven or eight players for the rest of the game. And they did. They kept everything in front of them; they did what they were supposed to do. Their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves there. Obviously the penalty kick was a big play in the game. Both positive and negative for Chicago and the Galaxy. The games at this time of year are low scoring, hard fought and with all those little plays, it’s a question of who makes the play and who doesn’t. Today I think the young keeper came out ahead. He had another marvel performance against the Galaxy. I thought in Los Angeles he played well and I told him I’d be happy to not to see him for the rest of the year. Although we wish the Fire the best in their quest for the playoffs.”

On evaluating the team’s play over the past month:

“We’ve played with more intensity today, it was a better performance. Our last two to four weeks the performance wasn’t good. Our performance today was much better than it’s been. “

Los Angeles Galaxy Forward and Captain Landon Donovan

On battling back to tie the game late in the match:

“Our focus this week was on competing better. The last two weeks before this week we were very poor as far as just being competitive and today we were a lot better. We dealt with some difficult circumstances with nearly the whole team behind the ball but we did a good job creating chances. Clearly, we probably deserved more but then to go down a goal late and then get it back, I am real proud of our guys.”

On dealing with a crowded playoff bracket:

“It usually happens this time of year in MLS. Teams that get out fast have a tendency to get complacent and then everyone else is fighting for playoff spots. It’s going to keep getting tighter and tighter and that’s what happens when everyone else has the same salary to spend and it’s normal but we expect it every year. This year is no different.”

On dealing with the frustration of not scoring a goal on the penalty kick:

“Personally, it was frustrating because I am relied on to score goals, especially penalty kicks so that was frustrating. In those moments you have to be kind of Zen about it and let it go and keep going. We deserved to score a goal at some point. But it was a little frustrating not to score. But we kept going. I think most teams in this league would have lost that game, but we kept fighting and we got a point out of it.”

Los Angeles Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzalez

On equalizing late in the match:

“We had a tough game because they went down a man really early so we should have been winning 2-0 with the PK and the other chance but that’s not the way the game went. The whole game they went a man down and we dominated the whole game and they got one chance and put it in. It just hurts. You’re really just bummed the whole time. I think we did well to bounce back really quickly and get a goal for that.”

On dealing with a bunkered down Fire:

“They just put everyone behind the ball and did really well to shut us down and kudos to them for scoring again so I am happy that we just got the tie and getting a point here is great for us coming off a two-game losing streak so hopefully we can go home and get a win.”

Los Angeles Galaxy Midfielder Dema Kovalenko

On the game:

“I feel okay today. I think we shouldn’t be satisfied with a tie. We played 70-some minutes a man up on the road so that is good. But it’s a big point. But you know, we have to get better. I am happy to be back playing. It’s been awhile since I’ve played 90 minutes again. The more and more I play, the better and fitter I get. But a point is a point and we’ll take whatever we can get. “

On dealing with a new four-man midfield formation:

“It was okay. I know Jovan-it doesn’t matter who we put there, there is not 11 guys on the team, there are 24 guys on a team. If one guy gets suspended, you have to step in and do a good job. I think I did all right today but like I say, we shouldn’t be satisfied, we should be a lot better.


Chicago Fire Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos

On the match:

“It was a difficult game. It got complicated early in the game when we got a red card, but the team knew how to handle the situation. We were generally solid in defense but, again, we made the same mistakes. It’s a shame because the players gave a lot on the field, and the game was tough, and this was a game they should have won which makes the result even harder.”

“Unfortunately, we are not learning from our mistakes. And if we don’t learn from our mistakes we won’t improve. We are a team that usually plays very balanced against other teams, and these types of details, these mistakes, are what cost us the game. We gave two points away which were very precious for our fight for the playoffs, and now we have to look forward to Wednesday’s game against Toronto.”

On Gonzalo Segares’ 21st minute red card…

“Honestly, I don’t know. I talked to Gonzalo [Segares] and they just told me that he [Segares] went at the other player, Leonardo. At the end, I have to double check the re-play, but as of now, I can’t say anything.”

On the breakdown on Omar Gonzalez’s stoppage time equalizer…

“It’s because there are players who don’t know how to mark in the area, and 85% of the goals scored in the world are scored in the box. We just need to get ourselves able to match up one on one in the area.”

On Nery Castillo’s play…

“Today he had a good participation on the field, but because of the red card, we had to move him to a position where he was not as comfortable. So it’s unfair to judge him in a game where outside forces force us to change the team’s shape on the field.”

On Collins John’s 88th minute goal…

“It was very good! I’m very happy with Collins for his goal. This is, surely, going to give him the confidence that he needs. He has had a hard time with his health this season but he’s working very hard to accomplish his goals with the team, which is to play with the Fire.”

On Collins’ overall performance…

“I saw Collins with a great attitude. I’m not only happy because he scored a goal, but also because he contributed to the team, and fought through the very last minute.”

C.J. Brown, Chicago Fire Defender

On playing a man down:

“On the other hand, we need to take away some positives. We were able to hang with L.A. a man down, which is a big positive for us. Then we’re making the same mistake we’ve made all year long in giving up the late goal, which is the negative part of it.”

Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire Goalkeeper:

On stopping Landon Donovan’s penalty kick:

“I’ve seen two penalty kicks earlier this season from him, so I tried to get a good read. I think I did and made the save it to keep us in it for a while.”

On the result:

“We have to take a positive away from the game, we were able to get a draw playing with 10 men, and were even in a position to win it. In the end we need to walk away and be thankful we didn’t give up three points.”

Collins John, Chicago Fire Forward

On his goal:

“To come on and get a goal just before the end is a nice feeling. I spoke to one of the guys yesterday and told them I was really hungry to score a goal and to get three points for Brian (McBride). In the end, even my goal was not enough to secure a win.”

On the result:

“It’s better to get one point than zero points, especially when from the 20th minute we played with only 10 men. We can take it as a result, but we are disappointed to not earn three points especially since we were only three minutes away from getting them.”

On his health:

“I’m going to keep my head down and do my best the rest of the season. Hopefully I can score more goals for the club and help get the team into the playoffs because that’s what we need. With ten games to go hopefully we will get results to make the playoffs.”