Quote Sheet
Real Salt Lake 1-2 Colorado Rapids
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colorado
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Head Coach Freddy Juarez
On the result:
“The set piece on the first goal allowed was the only thing that we did badly today as a team. We were not good enough there, we lost a little bit of focus. I thought the team had a fantastic night, in many ways our best game of the year as far as character, running, football and commitment. With the second goal, Galvan gets it on his left and whips it in. We probably could’ve done better in that situation. They did well, but I thought we were doing well as well. We created multiple opportunities and closed the game off well with a lot of pinning them back, but we just weren’t able to get the second goal. Actually, I thought we got the second goal, but they took one away from us.”
On deserving more out of the match:
“We deserved to get a win or get a tie, we deserved something more positive than that. It wasn’t clear and obvious. One of the more experienced linesmen in the league did not raise his flag. I’ve seen it multiple times. It’s not clear and obvious. The guys were committed, I thought they were fantastic. Maybe it’s me being emotionally into it, but I thought our team was dynamic. We had some good balance, we got in behind, we had some possession. Then we had a little lapse there on the corner kick that we have to get better at. That is two in a row when we had been good all season. Then that second goal of theirs came, but I am proud of our guys. They were really good tonight. I wish we could’ve gotten a little bit more out of it. I wish the ref wouldn’t have had the influence that he did today.”
On Damir Kreilach’s upcoming yellow card suspension:
“We never want to miss Damir, but that is the risk you take in these rivalry games. There is a lot of energy, both teams are committed 100%. They were coming at us and we were going at them. Nothing was malicious and it was a good and competitive game. I thought both teams did a very good job at that, they put on a good game for the fans. We’ll miss Damir, but at least Damir will get some fitness in the All-Star game there. But I loved the group today. We’ll figure it out. That’s one of the things I like from our group, we have a solid roster that allows us to mix and match. We can put some people in there and when they get the opportunity they’ve all done well with it.”
Forward Rubio Rubin
On finding the positives in the result:
“I felt like we were the better team. We were controlling the game all throughout the first half. We had a goal disallowed, but we had clear chances and we were looking to score. It’s tough going on the road and being up 1-0 and then giving up three points. I think it's one of the best games that we’ve played so far this season. As much as it hurts, we have to look at the positives and we are at a great place right now in the table. Our goal is to make the playoffs and once you get into the playoffs it’s a one game, single elimination match. We just have to get in and put ourselves in a good place to stay there.”
On the VAR decisions:
“I am still confused as well. We have seen the replay. Clear and obvious is the reason why goals are supposed to be disallowed. I don't know what the fine is for talking about the refs, but at the end of the day there have been clear and obvious calls against us that havent been called and we get called for one today. At the end of the day it is what it is, it hurts us, but we’ve got to move on.”
On controlling the match:
“I just think we were able to get in behind, putting pressure on them with the long ball in behind at the beginning of the game and putting them on their heels. Then we were able to find spaces in between the lines with Albert [Rusnák], myself, Dami [Kreilach], Besler, Menéndez and even Anderson [Julio] and then we were able to attack from there. Overall, being able to use that longball and create that space in the back and put them under pressure and on their heels is ultimately where we had more success. Obviously there was a 10 minute span where we gave it up and we have to learn from that. It's getting to crunch time now, there are only 13 or 14 games left. We have to find a way to get a result. Even from myself, making sure I put my chances away."
Midfielder Damir Kreilach
On the frustrating result:
“All of us are so frustrated because we played very well. We played a great game, unfortunately we turned off in two moments when they scored the goals. But the opportunities created, the way we played, the way we fought, our mentality was great. We are frustrated, but from this game we have to learn and take some positives moving forward.”
On the lessons learned:
“The spirit was there. The fight until the last second, the way we played. If you see our last two games we didn't play well, but we took the six points. Then today we played well, we outplayed Colorado in Denver, but then we didn’t take the point. We have to stay positive. We have to stick together and then better things will happen.”
On adjusting to Colorado’s substitutes:
“He did the subs after their first goal, they brought some energy. Even still we controlled the game. We controlled the last 20 minutes, even with their coach making those subs. Unfortunately they scored a second goal and when we threw everything forward to equalize, unfortunately we didn’t.”
On the final matchup with Colorado:
“It’s going to be another fight, another battle. At the end of the day, the trophy is on the line and we want to win this trophy to celebrate in front of our fans.”
