D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen
On Luciano Acosta...
"It wasn't Luciano's best night. But he's a very good player and he is learning about the league, himself, and his teammates each week."
On Travis Worra...
"He is making saves. That’s what goalkeepers do in this league you know. We are starting to expect him to play like an MLS goalkeeper and that’s what he played like tonight."
D.C. United Defender Bobby Boswell
On the overall game...
"I thought we started the game well. It went well for us in the first half, then they came out hot in the second half but we were able to control part of the second half. It kind got back and forth, which we didn’t like but we gotta see that out, it’s disappointing. I would like to see us keep the shutout there, we were close but unfortunately they got three points and we got nothing. So, long bus ride back to D.C. tonight."
D.C. United Defender Steve Birnbaum
On the last few minutes of the game...
"I thought we defended well the whole game. We were under pressure, but that’s no excuse, we got to find a way and be strong for the last couple minutes."
D.C. United Forward Luciano Acosta
On the coach taking him off in the second half...
"I understand and respect the decision. There wasn’t really anything that serious, we were just trying to say something to each other and neither of us understood what the other was saying. Every ball I received I wasn’t feeling very comfortable and wasn't able to do much with it. And that’s why he made that decision to take me out."
Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin
Opening statement...
"I think the success we have this year has been predicated in our pressure, and our pressure in the first half was very poor. D.C., give credit to them, they really rolled their sleeves, and they competed. They played some good soccer and they made us very uncomfortable on the night in a lot of ways. The names in the back of the jerseys are not the same like LA or Montreal but they competed and they made it hard on us for 90 minutes. They created some chances against us, I credit to my guys for sticking with it. It wasn’t our sharpest night with the ball. We played too many squared balls, too many straight passes that where very predictable. We opened up in the second half and improved and if you think back we had good luck, we had a couple of hard balls across our goal. I think we did deserve the goal and the goal; Richie stays on the top and commits to be in the box. There is a belief in the group, I think it is clear, even when it is not our best night we can win a one nothing game roll up our sleeves and fight. We can win in a lot of ways. We can win pretty, we can win when we are a little off and we can win on a restart. We have won in different ways this year."
On the center backs...
"I think our center backs right now are playing an incredible high level. They push each other on practice. It is good to see them rewarded because you know, their names don’t show up a lot in the stat sheet, but Richie is a great player a young center back that’s growing in confidence with the ball."
On the rivalry between the Union and United...
"Everyone is talking about the rivalry this week. If you have to ask if it’s a rivalry, it is not a rivalry, that’s where I’m at. I think rivalries are formed over time and in the playoffs. Our only playoff was against Houston and we see them once a year. We don’t like anybody in the Eastern Conference. New York and D.C., I guess there is a little something just because the proximity, we are closer to them. There is a little something but we are very respectful."
Union Defender Richie Marquez
On the game winning goal...
"Going off a corner kick or free throws, don’t neccesarily leave the box right away. My first thought as a defender is to go back to my goal, but staying alive on the play when the ball came in from Seba [Le Toux] and I just judged it and was able to get my foot on it."
On where he learned to finish like that...
"Surprisingly – in training. We train like that with the second sessions. We do some finishing like that, we do some crossing and everybody gets a shot at it so that’s credit to coaches for that."
On the defensive performance...
"Yeah, I mean the shutout was more important for the defenders and whole team because it’s been a while since we have had one. We were able to keep the zero at home especially; it’s a good sign."
On how important this win is...
"You never want to go into the game thinking you’re going to lose or draw. So coming out with three points, especially after those draws, it just boosts the morale again. It gives us the confidence again, especially because of the San Jose draw. That one felt like a loss to me personally. So being able to boost the morale with this game, I think it’s very important."
Union Goalkeeper Andre Blake
On the shutout...
"It’s a great feeling. Feels like I haven’t had a shutout in a while, so to get this one tonight, hats off to the guys. It wasn’t our best soccer but we stuck to it and if we’re going to be a champion, we’re going to have to win games like those."
On building off the performance going into Copa America...
"It’s great. It’s always a confidence booster. Getting 90 minutes in, get experience and learning every time you touch the pitch, so every time I get to play a game, it’s great for me and it just build my confidence and going into Copa, I’m looking for to go and keep doing what I’m doing."
On the back line getting the shutout...
"Definitely proud of the back line but it’s not just the back line, it’s the entire team. I think it starts with C.J. up top and the guys have been doing a fantastic job. Been doing the dirty work in practice and it’s been paying off on the field."
