QUOTE SHEET
FC Dallas 2-0 Real Salt Lake
August 29, 2015; Toyota Stadium
Real Salt Lake
Head Coach Jeff Cassar
On tonight's game...
We weren't great with the ball to start off the game. We had some poor turnovers, which led to some counterattacks for Dallas, and they started to get momentum. As we gained control of the ball in the second half and started to get numbers in the attack, our outside backs (were) getting involved, you really started to see they we were creating momentum on them. They scored with their momentum and we didn't. I think we had some poor defending on the second goal, but if we level it at one the momentum was really turning in our favor there for about 10 minutes before the PK. Then after the PK I felt like we were going to go on a run.
Defensive effort...
It's a tough team to deal with, and I thought, for the most part, our guys did a very good job. I like that they were sacrificing themselves to block shots. It's going to take that kind of effort. I just think on a few occasions we didn't have enough cover for each other, maybe we were a little naive in letting them turn and face us. I don't think the heat helped out. When guys get physically fatigued, they start to get mentally fatigued, as well, and make a little different decisions.
Midfielder Kyle Beckerman
On tonight's game...
The effort was there. Everybody tried, worked hard. The chances were there for us to maybe get a tie, but we didn't capitalize and they did. It seemed to be the story of the game.
Midfielder Javier Morales
On his PK attempt...
I think he stayed in the middle, then he had to pick one side right away, and I missed the goal. It's the risk I always take, and I like it. I like to take the PKs, but tonight I missed it.
On the first game for Juan Martinez...
He did well. He played with a lot of energy and made some good runs. He drew the PK and showed he's pretty dangerous. He's going to get fit soon and get more minutes.
FC Dallas
Head Coach Oscar Pareja
Opening thoughts on the match…
It was a disciplined night for the team. I thought we'd get back to some organization. Due to the energy and the willingness to make [a win] happen right away, we lost that organization in the last couple of games and finished with results that looked a little bit unfair. Today we were reminded in the game that we have to be complete and we have to be organized. When the boys go back to those roots and fundamentals, they do well against a good team that has a lot of control of the ball. We found good timing to control the ball when we needed it and countered the ball when we needed it. I think that those things made us deserve the points - and, obviously, having that many chances to score - so it was a very complete night for us.
On starting David Texeira and Tesho Akindele…
We wanted to spark something there. We came from a stretch of Blas [Pérez} going in and I wanted to give the opportunity to somebody else. [David] Texeira and Tesho [Akindele] did a great job with that. I knew that with them, I would get Real Salt Lake stretched a bit more and find more spaces for Mikey [Michael Barrios] and Fabian [Castillo].
On Tesho Akindele going to the bench after his goal…
Tesho [Akindele] has conviction when he tells you, "Coach, I'm going to score for you tonight." He had that in his mind. In training before the game, he was insisting on that. I think it was an emotional moment for him [when he scored] and he wanted to come and remind me that he had said that.
Fabian Castillo’s call-up to the Colombian National Team…
It means a lot for him. It means a lot for me now that he came tonight and stepped up. I think that his first responsibility is to this group and in the last two games, I wasn't happy with his performance. I had a little bit of mixed feelings there; feeling that had been rewarded with something that he really deserved but, for me, it was inaccurate timing. I thought that tonight he bounced back.
Coach [José] Pékerman said something to the media in Colombia: He said, this is a league that has grown tremendously. The call-up for Fabian Castillo is due to the level that he has in a league that is very competitive at this point. That made me feel better for the player and for [Major League Soccer]. This shows that the perception [about Major League Soccer] is changing and that everyone is talking highly about the level here. Calling this young man to a national team that is in good stance should make our country very proud.
Goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez
On your thoughts heading into the match…
I knew our back four would be strong. They went out there and played a solid game. I’m happy we were able to get the result we really needed.
On getting his first shutout with FC Dallas at home…
It feels amazing, being able to get a clean sheet at home in front of your family and friends. It is an amazing feeling.
On Real Salt Lake’s penalty kick attempt…
I knew he was going to that side. I totally forgot he does that stutter step so I almost went for it. It’s a good thing I held my position.
General thoughts on the match…
I was nervous [in my first start on the road] in Vancouver. Tonight, I didn’t have the crowd against me so it was a lot better. There were a few difficult crosses that I had to deal with tonight but other than that it was a pretty simple game.
Midfielder Fabian Castillo
On being named Man of the Match…
I didn’t get the three points all by myself. It was the work of the whole team.
On being called up by the Colombian National Team…
It’s great, really great. Every footballer at any club in the world would love to represent his country. God has granted me this opportunity to play for my country. I am going there to make my club very proud.
Did you have any idea this was coming?
It caught me by surprise. Earlier this week, I was talking to my agent about how difficult it would be to receive a call up from the Colombian National Team. It so happens that just a few days later I end up getting called up to the national team. José Pékerman [Colombian National Team head coach] called me himself. It really caught me by surprise. I was expecting someone from the national team staff would call, but he called me himself, and it made me even more happy.
Talk about your goal celebration tonight.
It was to thank FC Dallas. I owe the club a lot. It’s the team that has helped me grow and it gave me the opportunity.
