United head coach Ben Olsen
Overall thoughts on the game…
"We came up against a very high energy, high quality team from the start, and we weren’t able to weather the storm. [Columbus] unfortunately got their first goal on a set piece, which is never a good thing, but then I thought we played ourselves into the game. In the second half we played pretty well but we weren’t able to score...then [Justin] Meram made a heck of a play on Columbus' second goal, and it was a real uphill battle. But, overall I thought it was a heck of an effort and I’m pleased with that."
On playing 3 games in 8 days and now having two weeks to prepare for Portland…
"We’ll continue to compete and evaluate. Even at this point in the season we still have some new pieces and we’re still growing. We’ll use these two weeks to evaluate the group, but we’ll also take a few days off. We got four points in three games in one week with two away games, and I’m pleased with that."
United midfielder Ian Harkes
Overall thoughts on the game…
"In the first half [Columbus] came out with a lot of energy, and being the home town they used the energy from the crowd really well. They were trying to stretch us out and overload us in the mid field. We were talking about how we can’t get sucked over too far on one side because guys like Higuain and Meram are very dangerous and floating in off of our shoulders, so we were trying to pull everyone in and clog up the lanes. I think we did a lot better at that in the second half and we were on the front foot in the first ten minutes after halftime, but that second Columbus goal changed the game."
On his developing connection with Russell Canouse…
"It’s getting a lot better in terms of our spacing. In Chicago we talked about how we need to flatten out and compliment each other like a pulley system, so if he’s going I’m in the hole, and if I’m going he’s there. Hopefully we can continue to establish that relationship to free one of us up to go forward more because we need to join the attack more to have more options."
On what United need to improve to find more consistent results…
"I don’t think it’s one thing. Think there are a couple things in terms of our shape in games, and I think we need to build a bit of an identity going forward in terms of how to keep the ball and when to punish teams. Unfortunately luck hasn’t been with us this season, but there have been a few games where we’ve played really well and we need to keep that going into next year."
On moving forward after this season…
"We’re always building toward the future. Being out of playoffs, we’re focusing on each game to better ourselves and prepare for next year. We want to hit the ground running and come out as a top team again."
United goalkeeper Steve Clark
On returning to play in Columbus for the first time…
"I really enjoyed myself. We would’ve liked a better result but I really like what we’re building here as a team. We have a lot of new guys on the team and a lot of youth and we’re building for next year. Obviously playoffs are out of sight, but we still would’ve liked to have a bit more out of this game."
On the challenges of facing the Crew…
"When you play against the Crew they create overloads. They’re a tough team to play, especially at home. We had a game midweek so it was important for us to stay disciplined tactically but [Columbus] did a good job moving us around. I feel like we’re finding our identity more and more though."
On his year and what led him to D.C…
"I had a good run abroad—a lot of success in Denmark. The transfer market in the summer was interesting. I was talking to a lot of clubs then D.C. called and I couldn’t been happier. It’s been a great year overall and I feel really refreshed playing for D.C."
On playing abroad then returning to the states…
"I played abroad before so I knew what I was getting into. I had a plan behind it, and it was to be free in the summer and take a crack with some other European leagues. I had a couple of deals fall through then thankfully D.C. called, and it’s been a perfect fit."
Columbus Crew SC sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter
On the importance of tonight’s match...
"I think we embraced it for sure. When you look at the start of the game, it had a lot of intensity in it and I think we made a statement early on in the game that we were here to play, so I’m really happy about that and I’m happy to get the early goal. Throughout the course of the match, I think it was on and off. I think that we could have been better at times, but the way I classify this is a real professional performance. We didn’t give up much, win 2-0, get a shutout. I think it was, with everything on the line, I’m happy with it."
On the danger created by Federico Higuain and Pedro Santos on set pieces...
"So I think we talk about this every week, but to say it again there’s two things. We have great service in Federico [Higuain] and Pedro [Santos] and we have guys making committed runs. When you have that, there’s a high likelihood that you can get on the end of balls and that’s what’s happening."
On the importance of earning home playoff matches...
"It will be important. I’m proud of the guys, that’s a good accomplishment. How many years Crew SC has been here and to have that record I think is special for the guys. I think to show that we want to keep pushing. We set an objective, we set a goal in the beginning of the season to be an elite home-team, I think our record stands for itself and now we want to keep pushing. We know that home-field [advantage] in playoffs is big."
On his team sustaining their current momentum...
"We have some challenges in front of us. We go to Orlando in a difficult place to play and we have to test ourselves, we have to see if we can get something out of that game. Then we go to [NYCFC]. In all likelihood they are going to be playing for something as well. For me, I’m looking forward to it and I think that the guys are as well because we have two very good tests before the playoffs and that’s what we are going to need to prepare."
On his team picking the right moments to strike against opponents...
"I think so. They made some changes, so they had some fresh legs on there, but there was fatigue and I think that was a good example of things we want to execute in the game. Having said that, when I look at the score line, when I look at us playing out chances, I think it could have been better. We could have been cleaner, we could have had more opportunities, Steve [Clark] came up with a couple good saves, but we needed to test him more."
On the importance of Harrison Afful’s and Pedro Santos’ connection...
"There’s no secret that our wing-play, our wide-play is a part of our game and we need that presence to disorganize the opponent and today I think they had it working."
On Josh Williams’ performance this season...
"We knew that he was going to help us with veteran leadership. Having conversations with him in the off-season, I can tell that he has matured, he’s learned and he was primed to play an important veteran role in our team, being a young team. I’m happy for him, I’m happy for the way that he’s been contributing and competing in every game."
On Zack Steffen’s performance this season...
"I think Zack [Steffen] is steady, Zack’s a steady influence on our group. For such a young age, he does handle pressure very well. He doesn’t get flustered, he hangs in there and he makes the big save when you need it, so I think that Zack’s been good this year."
On moving on from last season...
"It was never stated. Half of these guys weren’t around last year, so you don’t need to talk about that. I think the mentality from preseason was very good, there was a renewed energy to fight and to compete and I think that partly why we’re in this position that we are now."
On the importance of getting Niko Hansen back on the field...
"When you talk about guys like Artur, Kekuta [Manneh], Cristian [Martinez], Niko [Hansen] is a guy that in a couple of weeks, in a month we want to have him back in the same form that he was in. What it does is give us options and those options are going to be important."
Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen
On his team being in the position that they are at this point in the season...
"It feels great. The boys worked really hard tonight. It was a really good night for us, especially after last years end of the season and to clinch with two games left and to be able to get a better spot in the playoffs is good for us."
On evaluating the season...
"I didn’t really know how the season was going to go. I was kind of just focusing on training and working with Pat [Onstad] and the guys in front of me and just taking it day by day and game by game and getting better each day and I’m happy with how the season has gone but we’re not done."
On tying Steve Clark for most shutouts by a goalkeeper in his first year of play at Crew SC...
"It was good to see Steve [Clark]. He and I had a good relationship and it’s also hats off to the guys in front of me. They did really well."
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp
On his team’s performance
Yeah, I mean I think overall, it wasn’t our best by any means, but at the end of the day, a shutout, two goals, clinching a playoff spot, breaking the record for home wins for the club – a lot of positives came out of it. I think, we’re happy for the goals we achieved tonight, but I think we still have a long way to go if we really want to achieve more come the playoffs and getting a home game in the playoffs. So, it’s a good stepping-stone, but we are certainly not satisfied with the performance.
On his team’s subdued celebration after clinching a playoff spot
I think a big part of that is the fact that, yes, clinched a playoff spot, but we don’t want to be five or six in those spots. These next two games really are still massively important for us. The difference between hosting a home playoff game instead of going to Atlanta or Chicago is a big difference. So, that’s maybe why the locker room is a little more tame.
On bouncing back from last year and clinching a playoff spot
I mean, that’s what’s expected; we are expected to make the playoffs. Our quality, and our style of play, we feel like we should be one of the teams competing for MLS Cup every year. So, last year was obviously a major disappointment for all of us as players, the coaching staff, for the fans, for the club as a whole. This is where we belong, that’s what we feel. Like I said, it’s still a long way to go.
On how tough MLS is as a league
There are a lot of consistent inconsistencies I guess you could say, but for us right now, we’ve been consistent. We’ve been consistent with our mentality and in our training. The performances we’ve put out, even in a performance like tonight where it wasn’t the cleanest or sharpest, we still won 2-0 against a team we should beat. That’s a positive note for us.
On Artur’s return to the starting lineup
Each guy brings something different, we all do. It was good to get [Artur] back in the lineup and see his range and his ability to win balls. I thought he did a nice job tonight.
