D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen
On tough opening …
We were just late to show up to this match in every aspect. They had more, everything, in that first half, and then the game is over. We give up a set piece, and then it's 3-0. They’re a good team and C.J. [Sapong] manhandled us. If you don’t bring courage and all of the little things to a game, you’re going to struggle– it’s that simple. It wasn’t personnel, it wasn’t formations, it was good old-fashioned pass and move, a little bit of will, courage, and anger.
On distractions for Steven Birnbaum …
“Steven was good tonight. Steve is able to handle this, he is a professional. There’s a lot of noise around him, but he showed tonight that he can block it out.
On why his guys didn’t have it tonight …
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it, but I don’t have that answer right now. It’s a long season, and this isn’t something we can’t come back from. It’s a loss away at Philly, who are a very a good team, especially when C.J. comes back and they play with this type of energy. At home, it’s a tough place to go. They’re good, I think Jimmy [Jim Curtin] is a very good coach and I’m happy that his organization is doing well. They’re a different team now and they’ll punish you.”
D.C. United defender Kofi Opare
On the overall game...
Yeah, we came out a little flat. We didn’t deal with their attacking threats as efficiently as we needed to and coughed up a couple chances, couple goals. We have to be better all-around on the field.
On the Union’s attack...
Yeah, they are definitely a difficult bunch to handle. They are tricky, quick, strong and caused problems tonight. They are one of the best front lines in the league and we didn’t show up today, and it hurt us.
D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum
On the overall performance...
There were two penalty kicks, and that can’t happen. But we didn’t have the composure we needed on the ball tonight. We lost it in bad spots; also defensively giving up three goals in a game that’s poor, and we need to be better on that end.
On the two penalties...
I’m not sure; I need to go look at it again. You know, it’s tough, everyone is busting their butt, and then the set piece for the third coming out of the second half. We need to tighten that stuff up.
On Union’s quick second half goal...
It’s tough. We thought if we could get a goal early in the second half, we’d be in the game and obviously they came out with the penalty spot goals, and then they got one off a set piece. We have to tighten that up.
On being able to play for United again...
Yeah it’s good being back and get another full 90 minutes in. My last game was here against Philly. Not happy that we have lost both of our matches here so I’m not happy now, but I was happy at the beginning of the game to play.
