SKCvLA Quotes: “It’s a little frustrating that we couldn’t score but it’s coming”

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes

I’m incredibly excited about our team. I’m really. I’m incredibly excited because based on what these guys did tonight and how they played, how they controlled the game, I think it was 30 shots, 66 last-third ends, 48 ​​actions in the box. It says so much about what we are capable of. And we still have so many other players to bring back into the team, and those are players who also have finishing skills. There are a lot of these guys who aren’t around right now. It’s not that the other guys couldn’t, it’s just that we can add so much more to the group, which is great. It will make us hungry. It will keep us competitive. It will keep us fresh. I feel bad because we should have scored. I know they’re not happy about it at the moment, but they also know that they played really well and should feel really good about it.

On the team’s performance in the game…

I believe this is not news to many of you who have been around for many years. But I’ve always said from day one, when we walked into that stadium, that there’s a responsibility, whether you’ve been here or just got here, there’s a responsibility that comes with being a player on that field . One thing is that you cannot leave this field with any energy. You have to put all your energy on the field. The fans deserve it. That is our responsibility to them. We may not win every game. There will be a win, a loss, a tie, whatever, but they’ll always appreciate it if you put it all out there. That’s what the boys did tonight. I really appreciate that about them, but they also know it’s expected and that’s why they dominated.

About the defense game…

It’s not just the backline. John sure made some very good saves. He grew up doing activities where he had to. At the same time I think, which is also good, that the back four is definitely getting better and better. But the front six play with a lot more determination, not letting people walk right through us. We had a bit of that last year where we weren’t that good in our front six. I think the front six are very conscientious in their defense and work really hard. Guys cover a lot of ground. Everyone comes in and has a really good understanding of their role when they come in and execute something that’s huge.

About Tim Leibold and Nemanja Radoja…

I really liked Tim. The reason we grabbed him is because he has the right qualities for the position. He’s incredibly technical. He’s fast but great over distance. He has a great engine. He’s not fit for 90 minutes. Imagine when he is. The other thing is that he makes great decisions on the ball. I appreciate that very much. The other thing is he has an attacking mentality, even if the other team has a ball and a guy gets a ball you always see him trying to get there in time and trying to steal it. When you play someone, it puts a lot of pressure on them. He can add a lot to our team. He was good. And then Nemanja came in more like an eight when he came in because I didn’t want to bother two positions for one because he can play, he can play an eight or a six. He can also play four or five if he wants. But he came in and it was good for him to get into that flow of the game. He needs this because he’s still trying to get his fitness. I think he has 20 odd minutes. That’s probably where he is and we’ll be building it again this week to get even more into him. But it is important to us that he is 100% fit. And it’s nothing against Roger (Espinoza). Roger actually played very well, but I don’t expect Roger to start game-in and game-out. But until these guys are fully fit, it’s hard to put all these guys on the field.

About the play by Willy Agada…

I think it’s a combination of many different things. I think we were better with the ball. We talked about using it a little differently this week. I also spoke to him about his movements, so it was a combination of many things. Everyone had a good mentality to do that. He was dangerous. He kept the ball well and found good spots in our setup, which was really good. I think he was a handful for their boys. I think he was a little unlucky in a couple of situations, but the hunger and the lust are definitely there. I expect him to hit the mark fairly quickly here.

On the status of Alan Pulido…

I could try to make a prediction, but I really don’t want to. He’s really kind of week-to-week. There are two things he needs. First, he needs a lot of training sessions where he’s in full contact. The other thing is I just want to make sure his fitness is good so when he comes in he’s in a place where – I’ve said this many times – his knee and all that stuff is great. There are no problems there. I just want to make sure he’s fit enough so he doesn’t injure himself with something else like a quadriceps tear or a hamstring or something. So we’re just trying to be really careful, but I would tell you that I fully expect him to become involved with the group over the next few weeks.

In the five games the team has been undefeated against LA…

First of all I think we are a good team. I think they are a good team. I think when two teams want to play, I think it’s always a great game for the fans. What I would also say is that we’ve been a big recipient of that over the years and that means you end up getting everyone’s A game. I feel like we always end up getting the A game for everyone. And I think they are a club just status alone and who they are they end up getting everyone’s A game. I think for us it ends up being usually a tough team and I think this is another night of that. You are strong, we are strong. I think we’re good and I think we’re growing and we’re going to keep trying to do well against every opponent we face because we have the ability to do that, especially as we keep bringing more players back into the crease .

Sporting KC striker Daniel Salloi

That you can’t find a goal in the game…

Yes, it’s a bit frustrating that we couldn’t score, but it’s coming. I think we played the game well and, you know, see you next. I think it just depends on the first goal and after that it will click.

From fighting to the last moment…

I think the crowd was incredible. They pushed us and we tried to score that goal and win the game. I thought we did everything. It’s just bad luck. I felt like everyone gave their best and all their energy and it’s just one of those days. As I said, the first goal will come and then it will be good.

In search of moral victories from the game…

The important thing is that we didn’t give up any goals. credit in our defense. They were really good and conceded just one goal in three games. I think this is amazing and we just need to find the back of the net. I think we have to take all the positives with us because it’s a long season.

About the team’s defense…

I thought we were trying to push the Galaxy more aggressively than we’ve been doing for the past two weeks. We knocked the ball over a couple of times. We were disciplined up front but the defense and John (Pulskamp) made a big difference because it gives us the confidence to be comfortable in attack because you know your defense doesn’t give up goals. So well done for her.

About the game with Tim Leibold on the left side…

I think he did well and I hope to play many more games with him. I think he’s getting more and more comfortable and we just need to find each other more. I thought he did very well. I’m looking forward to the next game with him.

On his chemistry with Tim Leibold…

I think it will take a little while. I have good chemistry with Ben (Sweat) and I hope to build the same with Tim because he’s a very good player too.

On the stitches above his eye…

That’s good. It’s just bad luck. It happened before halftime in Colorado, but they’re going to take it out on Monday, so it’ll be fine. Like I said, it’s just an unfortunate injury.