United head coach Ben Olsen
On the result…
“It looked like we thought it was going to be an easy day at the office. We didn’t have enough courage and we didn’t play good enough soccer. If we don’t have both of those, a team can come into this building and do what they did in the first half. It wasn’t that bad, but it was a lost opportunity tonight. In the second half I thought we responded, but it’s easy to respond. I’m looking for guys from the first whistle to understand what it takes to win in this league.”
On Hamid being a late scratch…
“We had a talk and there was some hesitation. When there’s hesitation from a guy who is that valuable to us, I made the call to give him another week to make sure he’s 100 percent. I’m sure he could have gotten through it, but there was enough of a risk that I didn’t think it made sense to play him.”
On playing well in the second half…
“I think that we played the way we wanted to in the second half. This was a different game than the playoff game. The first half wasn’t that bad, but they’re very good in transition and they attack with quality."
On Montreal wanting the game more…
“They came into this game with real fight, which meant they were going to do all the things that a hungry team does. I know they had a little more to them in the first half, and it seemed that the game meant more to them than us. That’s unacceptable. Especially in this building, where people come here to see our group and be proud of our team.”
On Montreal being physical and slowing down the game…
“Montreal is very good about how to slow the game down. They’ve been doing it for years and they’re very good at it.”
United forward Patrick Mullins
On the overall result...
"It was a tale of two halves and, unfortunately, in a league that's getting better and better, you make one mistake or two mistakes and it'll cost you. I think just in terms of sustaining an attack and possessing the ball there was better intent [in the second half], which is something you've got to start in the first half and carry it out to make sure you have a complete attack."
On playing the entirety of the second half...
"It was encouraging--it was a good 45 minutes to get. Obviously, the result was not what I wanted, but individually, it was a good 45 minutes and I feel good after."
On creating chances...
"They'll come. That's something, like I said, that is encouraging to be in those right spots, but the most encouraging thing from the second half was maintaining possession in the right areas and I think that's something to build off of."
On the overall level of confidence within the group...
"I'm highly confident in the group we have. There have been some changes for varying reasons, whether it be injuries, form, etc. -- but I think everyone is confident in the group. At the same time, you have to take a look in the mirror on days like today and we need to find the results and find those plays that matter."
United defender Bobby Boswell
On the overall result...
"At home, we expect three points. We had a chance here to put nine points on the board [over the three-game home stretch] and we just missed an opportunity to put up three. I don't feel good about it now and probably won't feel a whole lot better until we watch the tape, but we've got to improve and move forward."
On ensuring a strong start in both halves...
"I think this group has been around long enough that we understand tonight wasn't good enough and I think in the second half we performed a little bit better. We've talked about starting both halves the right way, so that was kind of the key. I've said it all along; we need to put together two halves of soccer in this group. It's correctable stuff, but we've got to be able to hold ourselves accountable and it just starts with this group of guys. We all have to hold each other accountable and be better."
United midfielder Jared Jeffrey
On how the team came out to start the match…
“We just came out soft and gave up a soft goal, and they’re obviously very good when they can just sit in and counter; that’s what they’re best at. I don’t think anybody came with it today.”
On the offensive struggles…
“I don’t think we’re panicking about [not scoring]. We’re creating chances and [goals] will come. I don’t think anyone’s concerned about that.”
Montreal Impact head coach Mauro Biello
On earning a road win after losing at home to Vancouver last week…
"It was an excellent response. We dropped one at home, so to come here and play against a team that’s been doing well, this was a big win. We want to continue to accumulate points. There were some good performances from the guys in the lineup today and I thought they did really well."
On how the Impact found success against D.C. United…
"We were able to manage the game and put it on our terms in the first half. We weren’t forcing the play—we were moving the ball, being patient, and relieving their press. There were some good things in the first half, and some things we need to continue to work on and build on."
On Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla's goal…
"[Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla] made a little turn at midfield then started running at defenders and scored a great goal. He had a lot of chances last week and didn’t get one, so we talked about getting the ball on target this week. He was able to create his own space with his ability, and United didn’t close him down in time. He scored a great goal."
On Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla’s improvement and contributions to the team…
"He scored a fantastic goal tonight, but the fact that he defended and was able to be in the right spots without the ball is also fantastic. He worked so hard. He did all of the little things without the ball, and that’s going to help him continue to develop, because he’s going to create his own space by being in the right spots. We’re very happy that he’s part of our group and that he’s growing every game. It’s not easy to be a #10 in the league as a Homegrown, and he’s really showing his qualities."
On the significance of the road win following Montreal’s tough start to the season…
"We haven’t gotten off to the start that we wanted. There have been some good games, but we haven't had any complete games. This week, we were focused on what we needed to do to get points coming here to D.C. and facing a solid team. It was a battle in the end, but lucky for us we were able to come out on top."
Montreal Impact midfielder Daniel Lovitz
On the locker room post-game…
“I think the guys earned [this result]. We really needed this and we earned it today. [It was] a classic group effort to get the job done, so we are thrilled. It’s been a long time coming for this and now we’re going to keep rolling.”
On delivering a solid 90 minutes…
“Unfortunately some of our performances have been blemished by some late game stuff, so to get through the game without some of that and to focus the entire time, I thought we did a really good job. Obviously, a clean sheet and a win away [from home] is awesome.”
Montreal Impact defender Chris Duvall
On what Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla can do with the ball…
“I think all our front four were great today, which also takes pressure off of Nacho [Piatti]. We know that he can do amazing things but so do the other teams, so if we can have Dom [Oduro] and [Daniel] Lovitz and Ballou [Jean-Yves Tabla] do such great things like they did today, I think it takes a little pressure off of Nacho [Piatti] and gives him a little bit more space to do his thing.
On what is more satisfying, a first win on the road, a first clean sheet, or a first solid 90 minutes…
“I think for me, the clean sheet is everything. We came into half time with a one-goal lead and we knew that if defended we would get the win. That’s all it comes down to. If you fight and you grit and you can defend for 45 minutes you know that you can come out with a win. I think the guys did a great job not giving up too many great opportunities in the second half.”
