Head coach Ben Olsen
On the match…
"It was disappointing not to earn three points today even after gifting them two goals in the first half...I thought there were plenty of opportunities to score goals and put ourselves ahead in the game. Everyone wants instant perfection but this a brand new group and it’s going to take time. We’re getting opportunities on goal and we were less predictable in the second half. The result shows that the players have some moxie and put on a good performance after a tough first half mentally."
On Joseph Mora’s debut…
"I thought he was great. Defensively, it was a difficult matchup against Elis but he did a good job dealing with him. He also added to our attack and in the second half by giving us an outlet and a different dimension going forward."
On the snowy conditions…
"The team was dialed in at that point but it was a treat for the fans and I could hear them react when it started snowing. I like the Maryland SoccerPlex and it’s always a fun atmosphere for our guys to play in… And it was hopefully a fun game for the fans. It’s been a good place to us."
Forward Darren Mattocks
On the match...
"We gave up two soft goals in the first half but credit to the changes made and the resilience of the group. We fought for 90+ minutes at our home game.I would say we probably deserved all three points. It was never easy coming from two goals behind so credit to the guys for making a great comeback."
On his goal...
"I think we understand how each other play and that goal was the perfect example of when the chemistry is right. When you know each other that's the result."
Defender Nick DeLeon
On the game’s dramatic finish...
“It definitely was a wild ending. In the second half we were pushing a lot more to even out the game or possibly get a win. I thought we created enough chances in the second half to do so. Overall, I thought it was good character from the guys, especially after giving away those first two goals, to bounce back and get something out of the game.”
On the mistakes that led to the first half goals for Houston…
“Yeah the first goal was a little unfortunate, and on the second one I honestly didn’t see what happened. I was pushing forward and by the time I turned back they were on the break. I’ll have to go back and watch the film to see what happened.”
On how the team is coming together...
“It’s definitely a process. We’re a brand new group and this year we have a purpose and a real sense of direction on how we want to play as a team. We watch film ever day so we’re trying to get on the same page. I can’t tell you when exactly that will happen but I like the progress that we’re making. We just have to keep working and eliminate the silly mistakes.”
On the need to pick up more points going forward...
“I like our overall growth, but we also have to pick up points in the first half. We can’t get too far behind because we’ll panic when we get home [to Audi Field] trying to chase it down and get back in the mix. We have to start picking up some points here to put us in position to make a good run when we get to Audi Field.”
On what the team will take away from today...
“The main thing we’ll take from today is the character of this team. It could have been easy for us to shut down and start blaming each other for what happened in the first half but we regrouped in the second half and dedicated ourselves to getting something out of this game. I think it showed great character and we’re going to need that going forward.”
Houston Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera
On his overall thoughts on the game…
"We lost two points ourselves. We were doing a good job in the first two games of the season in terms of moving the ball and keeping possession going forward but today we just went back.
We regressed. We were not sharp with the ball and we gave up the ball too easily. When you give up the ball too easily you’re giving possibilities to the opponent, especially at home, on the attack. We got punished in the second half. With eight minutes of overtime at the end they found set pieces and they tied the game. It hurts because we’ve been working hard to try and improve ourselves. It’s just the reality that we need to continue working harder and our players need to step up a little bit in that aspect. We need more personality and more character to possess the ball because when we do that we create options and we are dangerous."
On Alberth Elis’ game today...
He needs to be sharper with his finishing. Today he had the goal, and if he can grow that concentration and mentality he’s going to be extremely good.
On the complexities of playing at the Maryland SoccerPlex…
"The way the game developed we had to take the three points. We have to be able to manage the game, but from the beginning of the second half we gave up an easy goal and we gave life to a team that was struggling.
We tried to come back but we weren’t sharp with our possession so every time we had the ball we were giving the ball to them and ending our possibilities. Any team that does that is going to give options to the opponent, and at the end with the referee making calls that we didn’t see and going into overtime they found the goal."
Houston Dynamo Midfielder Alberth Elis
On his performance...
“Yeah, I think we fought until the end. We weren’t fully focused on two occasions and they tied up the game. We are going to keep working hard.”
On the difficulties of playing at a neutral site...
“It’s a draw that feels like a loss. We knew it was going to be tough. We knew the weather was going to be a challenge and we were at a field that neither they or us were fully comfortable. We need to keep moving forward.”
On having the support of the Hondurans...
“We are thankful for their support. I am going to keep working so they can be proud of me with the national team and with the Dynamo.”
On his missed opportunity...
“Of course. I had one on the second half that I kicked over the bar. We need to keep working so we can score the upcoming opportunities.”
On working on his finishing...
“We need to keep working on that. We need to keep practicing it every day.”
