CARSON, Calif. –Carlo Cudicini saw his 264 minute shutout streak snapped, but the LA Galaxy’s Italian goalkeeper was impressed by LA’s defensive play in their 4-1 victory over Herediano to seal a berth into the CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals.
Cudicini made just two saves on the night, but his first was vitally important as he swatted an Ismael Gomez free kick away in the eighth minute of play to keep the tie level. Just ten minutes later, Omar Gonzalez nodded in a Juninho corner and LA never looked back from there to seal the 4-1 victory.
Cudicini will look to extend LA’s shutout streak in MLS play—which of course, stands at 90 minutes—during Sunday’s SuperClásico against Chivas USA.
Below Cudicini discusses his partnership with the Galaxy back four…
(On his chemistry with the back four…)
CUDICINI: “We’re working hard during the week to try and improve it. The more we play together, the more hopefully we can get results. I think we’re doing all right, we’re not conceding much, which is good. In front of me I have excellent players.”
(On the partnership of Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo…)
CUDICINI: “They are doing a very good job. They’re very concentrated, good personalities and that helps on the pitch. To be fair, whoever plays in front me, whether A.J. [DeLaGarza] or Omar, they’re very good players. They’re young but they have experience, they can read the game well. It’s good.”
(On his vocal nature…)
CUDICINI: “It’s not just one thing; I try to keep them concentrated during the game. Especially when you’re winning two-, three-nil your concentration tends to go a little bit. I just want to keep them on their toes. Mainly as a goalie want to try to have a good line in front of you, keep the defense compact, just try to help them as much as I can from behind. Which you hope is what they do it when you need help.”
(On his adjustment to the Galaxy…)
CUDICINI: “I’ve said before, it’s not a short process. It takes time, games, and training sessions. We’re just at the beginning, and hopefully it will be even better in the future. We cannot think that because we are a good team, things will just come to us. We need to work hard. As you can see today, winning easily three nil, we just switched off for a second and we concede a goal. We always want to keep 100 percent concentration.”
