D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen
On the game overall
It would have made life a lot easier if we could have gotten that second goal, and at times I think we can manage the game a little bit better. It's a good and bad thing at times because we have guys that are just so hungry to go and score goals, and they have the ability to do it.
I can’t say enough about the group in general, how they’ve handled the last two months. They’re tired. It’s been a long haul here. It was a hot day, fittingly hot after all that we’ve been through the last two months. So a lot of these guys had to really dig deep today and find a way to get through it. It wasn’t always perfect, but once again they pulled out a result and a shutout so they’re getting two days off to get away from me and then we’ll back to work for a tough game on Friday.
On Eddie Johnson and Chris Pontius coming off the bench
I thought they both did well. They are bringing a lot to the midfield, and different runs off the top. I thought Sean did well in the midfield. Korb did what he needed to do. Our center backs were strong; Fabi still keeps producing magic and Silva keeps scoring. It’s a good group.
On Silva finding ways to score
His confidence is so high right now, every time he takes on players and he has the quality to do it. He’s got a little bit of everything; he’s calm and his composure is there.
On how is Chris Pontius doing
He’s getting there, I think today was big for him, he pushed through that, especially when we were grinding there in the last 20 minutes. It’s a lot of work to get forward and also to come back and do all the dirty work. I’m happy for him.
D.C. United Goalkeeper Bill Hamid
On how he felt about the overall game
We were hungry, we wanted to go and get it.
On the key to the win
We didn’t give them any chances, I think all together we gave them maybe 3 or 4 chances, which is good in a game.
Looking forward
The more we can stay organized and build off of games like this [the better].
On the keys to success in the Playoffs
We want to keep climbing the ladder so we can clinch that number one spot and that’ll give us a lot of confidence going into the playoffs. And playoffs honestly in this league is all about confidence.
On the return of Chris Pontius and what he means to the team
Having him (Chris Pontius) back means a lot. He can play numerous roles. While games go on he can figure out how to turn into a number 10 sometimes playing right behind those strikers. He’s very dynamic and we need that going into a stretch like this because he’s dangerous and teams can’t handle his movement and he can hit a ball from distance or on the move one time. He’s going to be a vital piece for us going into the playoffs.”
D.C. United Midfielder Nick Deleon
On overall Impression of the Game
Overall I’m happy with the result, it puts us 6 points ahead with just a few games left to go so it’s a big win.
On Luis Silva’s form
He’s in form right now (Luis), it seems like everything he touches is going in and he’s peaking at the right time. Hopefully he can keep that going into the post season.
D.C. United forward Luis Silva
On his recent hot streak
Yeah it was me in this game, I was able to score but you know I think it’s a group effort.
On what he was thinking as the ball was being crossed into him
I just wanted to keep it on point, it was a good ball and I just wanted to keep it on frame and I did.
Overall reaction to the game
It wasn’t the prettiest game but we got the win and that’s all that matters that’s how the playoffs are going to be.
D.C. United defender Sean Franklin
Overall reaction to the game
[Today] was a game where you are going to have to grind it out for 90 minutes and I thought our team did a pretty good job defending the box late in the game, actually the whole game, and that’s what we’re going to need these last couple of games going into the playoffs.”
Looking forward
Every games an important one for us now.
Things to improve upon for next game
Yeah I think definitely being at home we should be able to keep the ball more especially in the second half. A lot of times we went kind of long and we weren’t sharp on our passes as a team and playing at home that’s unacceptable to be giving away the ball that much.
Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin
On thoughts on the game
Yeah, the goals have dried up. You know, we’re struggling. We are getting chances. We’re creating chances, maybe a little more commitment to get in the box; we talked about it at halftime. First half, I thought we just got out competed for probably 40 of the 45 minutes, but that changed in the second-half. I thought we put a lot more into it. You know, probably deserved a goal, but we didn’t get one. So again, the goals have kind of dried up. We are going to have to find a way to fight through it, and we need to now win three games in a row to give ourselves even a chance at the playoffs.
On Sebastien Le Toux’s injury
It’s an ankle sprain; it’ll be day by day. We’ll see how he is, he seems like he’s okay. Not too serious, but again, changes things. But I thought Danny [Cruz] came on and gave us a ton of energy, and caused some havoc and could’ve drawn a penalty kick toward the end of the second half.
On putting Le Toux back in
There was a thought that maybe he could. We wanted to be cautious with it and see if he could run it off, but he said it was at the stage that he needed a sub, so that was it.
Philadelphia Union Forward Conor Casey
On frustration of not scoring
We are frustrated anytime we don’t score. It has been a couple of games now where we have had some decent looks and we didn’t make the most of them today. We need to keep focusing and do better on goal.
Philadelphia Union Midfielder Daniel Cruz
On thoughts on the performance
I think today we had a lot of set pieces, got ourselves in positions and cleared the ball away a lot. I think the final ball wasn’t really there, but I think there are positives to take away from it. We know that we have a huge three games now at our home, and if we do the job I have no doubt that we can get into the playoffs.
On the team’s mentality
The playoffs should be in the back of our minds now, and I think that should be the only push that any of us need. You know, when you are playing the game you try to put yourself in the best positions to be successful, and [Curtin] is right, in the end of the first half we didn’t get a lot of numbers in the box. It was Conor fighting guys by himself. We were ripping balls in, but there wasn’t enough people in there. Second half, I really do think we did a better job, we just didn’t finish. I know I had a good opportunity. There was a few good chances off set pieces, like I said, and it wasn’t there. But we now have a few days to get ready for Chicago, someone that is in the East, and if we do our job and get the results at home that we need we’ll be in a good spot.
