Head coach Ben Olsen
On tonight’s result...
"We created a lot of chances. It was a tough game that could have gone either way but I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there to get a result. There is a lot we can improve on and we can build off of this. It was important for us to get through the game tonight so we can stay relevant and make a run at playoffs."
On Paul Arriola’s impact...
"He looks much more comfortable and dangerous on the ball. As he plays more with the guys and settles in, he’ll continue to build relationships with the players around him. He is a good soccer player and he’s willing to work on both sides. He’s composed, makes runs off the ball and is well-rounded player. We are lucky to have him."
On Bill Hamid’s performance...
"Bill was great tonight. It’s what we’ve come to expect from him and I also thought the center backs played well throughout the night. They’re a tough team to deal with, especially on set pieces. They were swinging a lot of balls in towards the end of the game and they have a lot of dangerous weapons up there. We needed the post once or twice but overall it was a pretty good team performance."
On next steps to work on...
"We need to finish off plays in the final third because there are plenty of goals out there. We need to get a little sharper and eradicate some of the silly turnovers. Some of it will happen organically as the guys get more time together and it should take care of itself."
United goalkeeper Bill Hamid
On tonight’s result…
"I think it's a good three points. We got to grab points every week now. There is still hope so every single game is important, every single game is a playoff game. If we can fight and get a lucky bounce like we did this week, I think we’ll take it."
On Paul Arriola’s arrival and impact...
"I think Paul is a fantastic player. He’s got a lot of skill, he’s got a lot of intelligence, smart runs off the ball, and he’s very pacey. As he gets more acclimated to this team and the players in the middle of the park, I think he is going to add a lot to the way we play and the way we attack."
On playing with Tim Howard...
"It’s always a pleasure, I’ve followed Tim’s career since he was with the MetroStars. I know how hard he works, I know the quality he has. I’ve trained with him plenty of times and I’ve learned a lot from him, a lot more than he would ever know. It’s always a pleasure to take the field with probably the best ever U.S. soccer player that we’ve had."
On focus rest of season...
"The same as this week, we got to continue grabbing points every single week. Like I said, there is still hope. The numbers haven’t canceled us out of the playoffs yet. Every week there has got to be a focus. We got to turn around now and focus on Wednesday and not get too high right now, that's the biggest thing. Not get too high and focus on Atlanta on Wednesday."
United midfielder Paul Arriola
On the result...
“I think we worked hard today. It’s not easy playing at altitude. In the end, the 1-0 result was well-deserved.”
On the relationship between he and Luciano Acosta...
“It’s good. He’s a great player, and anytime you get a couple great, unselfish players, it works out best for the team. I could name every player on the field tonight, but attacking-wise, I think we had great moments and a good understanding of how we can all contribute to each other’s style.”
On the rest of the season...
“My goal is to help the team win. Team is first and anyway I can help the team, I will, whether it is playing more defense when asked or anything. For the team, we’re taking the rest of the season game by game. I don’t think anyone has really ruled out playoffs yet, obviously we will need some luck but it is what it is. Now we focus on Wednesday, and without a lot of time to rest, it’s a big week and a chance to get six more points.”
On his reception in D.C...
“It’s great to have the confidence of the club to go out and spend money on me. It gives me great confidence to be myself and to work hard for the fans, my teammates, Ben and the media. There’s pressure from the media, sure, but it’s the best way for me to grow. It’s a situation that is perfect for me, where I’m in an environment where I’m asked to be a player to change games. That’s the only way I’ll continue to grow as a player and why the move made sense and I’m really looking forward to the challenges that await us."
Colorado Rapids interim head coach Steve Cooke
On tonight’s performance...
"I didn’t feel we were quite quick enough in possessing the ball early enough in the game, I think that brought on a lot of pressure. Tim Howard made a couple of fantastic saves early in the game and kind of got us through that early period. Just as we were getting on top of the game and the flow was going our favor, obviously got a goal down. That was the disappointing piece of that. In the later stage of the first half we attacked pretty well. In the second half, we created a lot of opportunities to win the game, by now a small margin. In general the boys worked very hard in what's been an emotional week for them. Fully committed to the performance."
On beginnings of attack-minded team...
"As with anything that changes or adapts, it can’t be done overnight. It’s going to take a long period of time and it’s going to slowly blend itself and the players have to become comfortable and the players have to learn to take risks more. I think tonight we did take those risks, we did go forward, and we did create those numbers, and created some great options inside the penalty area, just outside."
On this past week...
"Wednesday morning, when we got back in the locker room with the players there were mixed emotions, sadness for me personally. A great friend of mine and a wonderful colleague who means a lot to me, you feel for him and I’m sure the players in there fought their hardest every single day for Pablo. I know how deeply they cared. They wanted to honor Pablo."
On own goal and defense...
"I’m not sure if (Tim) Howard was involved in that one and I know Jared (Watts) is devastated. He’s a great guy, he works hard, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He puts everything into himself, he puts everything into the team, he a real great teammate. He’s made an honest mistake, these things happen in the game. He is the one person in that locker room distraught. We will encourage him to move on and come back positive next week."
Colorado Rapids midfielder Luis Gil
On tonight’s match…
"Definitely a tough result. It was an individual mistake that we tried to get over but we also had our opportunities and we just weren’t able to capitalize."
On being unable to find the net…
"It’s difficult. We were having good chances and were getting the flow of the game right. It’s just unfortunate but that’s just the way it goes sometimes. That’s just the football is – sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t."
