COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena spoke to reporters following the team’s 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
On the game…
The guys get an A+ for their effort. I felt that if we gave an effort as a group tonight, as a team tonight, over time the quality would show and make a difference in the game and it certainly did.
On getting their first road win of the season…
It’s good but I would’ve survived either way. It’s certainly great to get these three points
On the play of Sebastian Lletget…
Good game. I thought for the majority of the game, he really won his matchup there against James Riley who is a good player. Pretty impressive, he hung in there. I’ve heard he struggled with the altitude early in the game, and he got his legs back a little bit, not that he got them back completely but he hung in there and did a good job.
On the play of Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard…
That’s why they’re here. We expect them to be difference makers for our team and they’re leadership is outstanding. Their effort together for that third goal was incredible.
On what it was like to coach against Marcelo Sarvas…
We love Marcelo so I’m happy he’s doing well here. We miss him but he’s moved on and he’s doing well.
On if the Rapids goal was a wakeup call…
I think the last 15 minutes of the first half we had control of the game, so I wasn’t surprised how we were able to take control of the second half, no that it was easy. Certainly, Colorado put us under pressure, and I think the wind was a big factor. Sometimes it’s not a real positive on this field when you combine it with the altitude and the hard field; it’s not as easy for the team with the wind to their back. That made it a little bit difficult for Colorado to pass some balls over the top and all. Overall, I think our second half was outstanding.
On if the positive second half performance was due to settling down…
Games have ebb and flows to them and you’ve got to deal with the good and the bad. We were able to get through the tough moments in the first half and take control of the game in the second half.
On some players playing together for the first time…
Yes, we have another player coming as well, but Steven Gerrard met four players that played tonight for the first time. So, we have a way to go to get our team ready and to get our team better, so hopefully over the next month or two we’re going to get better as a team.