Postgame Quote Sheet
LA Galaxy 0, Santos Laguna 0
Wednesday, February 24
Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal
StubHub Center – Carson, California
LA GALAXY HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On the team's performance:
“For our first time out, I thought we played well. It is not easy, it's the first time our team played 90 minutes together this year so I was pleased with that obviously. I think defensively we did a good job. Both teams had a couple of chances. We could've gotten a goal early in the game, the keeper made a great save. I thought for the most part it was solid for the first time out.”
On the Galaxy's defense:
“I thought [Dan Kennedy] played well. Our center backs had a real good game. Ashley Cole was very good. Robbie Rogers combined with [Giovani] dos Santos towards the end of the game to possibly create a goal for us.”
On the second leg of the series:
“It could be worse. I think we are going to go there Tuesday and try to win the game. Obviously, if we get a draw or if we get a goal it would put us through. We will see. We will try to go there and get a win.”
On the team’s physical play:
“I think Nigel [de Jong] gives a good presence in the midfield defensively. [Jelle] Van Damme is obviously a physical player. Dan Kennedy has shown why we wanted him here. He is coming out of preseason in good form and hopefully he can keep pushing forward. We have the makings of a good team. We certainly have to get better in every area, but it is early.”
LA GALAXY GOALKEEPER DAN KENNEDY
On his performance against Santos Laguna:
“I felt like I just had to clean up some loose things in the back. I really think we approached the game right. Getting out of there with a shutout is important and puts us in a good position for next week. We should feel good about it. The game was there for us to win so there’s no reason why we can’t go down to Mexico and get a good result.”
On Dos Santos’ block at the post:
“Yeah it was close. I’m not exactly sure where it hit, but I didn’t see it. That’s why we put him there, you know? And he took it like a man. It was huge. It was probably our biggest defensive play. Theirs came in the first half and the goalie made a great save on Jelle’s header. I think the ball went through Robbie’s legs. You’re talking game of inches there…but yeah, it was a really good game.”
On if they are beyond preseason form:
“We were on the same page today communicating. I imagine the test will be a little bit greater next week in Mexico.”
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER NIGEL DE JONG
His thoughts on the draw:
“I think it was a pretty good performance from our side. It was the first 90 minutes that we played together as a team and most of the guys who played 90 minutes are still gelling. It was our first official game and Santos are in the middle of their season and have played a couple games. So I think it was a pretty solid performance; the only thing that was missing was a goal to be honest. I think we were very solid from the back as well, so credit to the guys and the defense. Next time we just have to score. The important thing today is that we didn’t concede a goal.”
His thoughts on the away environment in Mexico:
“Believe me, I’ve been in more hostile situations. We have a lot of experience on the pitch. It’s not going to be easy in Mexico with their fans, but we’ve got to trust each other and be positive and try and get to the next round.”
On if the team is starting to click:
“The one-twos with me and [Steven Gerrard], [Robbie Keane], Gio, and Zardes and the fullbacks…we’re all started to gel slowly but surely. We came in with nine or 10 new guys so it’s not easy to gel immediately, but I think today we did well.”
On his on-the-field relationship with Steven Gerrard:
“I think we feed off each other. He’s quality is going forward and mine is sitting back to protect the defense. I think we feed off quite well to each other and I hope we can dominate this season with each other. We’re starting to gel and he’s a terrific player and you could see that today.”
On how important it was to not allow a goal:
“That was the most important thing. Because at the end of the day you’ve got two legs and you can’t concede at home because if they get an away goal, it’s going to be even harder for us to get one there. But we went 0-0. We hoped to get a win here. We had plenty of opportunities to do so, but we didn’t do it at the end, but the most important thing was that we didn’t concede. Now we can go with a clear mind to Santos and try to get a win there.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD ROBBIE KEANE
On the team’s performance against Santos:
“Of course you want to score goals but the important thing was that we didn’t concede any goals. This game will certainly help us in the next leg in terms of fitness. The lads looked good in the last 15 minutes. We looked fit. They didn’t really create too many chances. We kind of frustrated them at times as well, dropping off and letting them have the ball. There weren’t many options. We had a couple of chances, but overall this isn’t a bad performance and I think the team, considering the amount of players that have come in the last four weeks, I think it’s only going to get better and better.”
On the communication between the team’s new players:
“We have players on the team who are leaders in their own right on teams that they played for, so certainly communication is not a problem and I think you saw that tonight. The way we were compact as a group were certainly good for how long we’ve been together. So the more games we play with each other I think you’ll see this team progress. I think playing 90 minutes will help us. Not one player played 90 minutes in preseason. Nine of us played 90 minutes so that will put us in good standing for Tuesday and they’ve got a game Saturday. So I think if you look at the way we played today and how we can counterattack teams, I think that will be good for us on Tuesday. When they’re playing at home their fans will want them to come out, want them to play and want them to press and want them to score and that might play into our hands.”
On playing in a home game with a strong presence from away supporters:
“These are games and situations that we’ve seen throughout our career and that we’ve been used to all our career. It’s what you want to be involved in. You want to play in these kinds of games. We’re used to playing in hostile atmospheres and Tuesday isn’t going to be any different. Instead of usually worrying about going into these types of environments, I think the team is actually going to relish it.”
On the team developing its sharpness in the final third:
“Chances all over the field are going to come. Look at the chance we had with the header – just missed by an inch…Gio’s shot too. The more games you play as a group the more sharp you get. You can run all day, you can do preseason for ten weeks; it doesn’t matter. It’s games that will get players back on track.”
On how hard it is to play together without have started the MLS season:
“If we’re six or seven games into the season, I think you would see a different game in terms of possession. The players we have on this team now are top quality players that could beat most teams now. If we’re a few games in it’s a totally different game, but as I said I think this game would put us in good standing for Tuesday’s game.”
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER STEVEN GERRARD
On the team’s performance against Santos Laguna:
“I think if we would have scored a goal it would have been the perfect result. But it’s still a good result. We’ve been banging the drum all preseason about being solid defensively and keeping clean sheets and that’s the base that we can be successful from. I’m very pleased with the defensive side of the game and now we just need to tweak the balance to be a bit more attacking and a bit more adventurous and the goals will come.”
On his partnership in the midfield with Nigel de Jong:
“He’s a top player. He’s been very vocal since he came in and I think our relationship will improve. But it is clicking and I’m very pleased with that relationship. For the rest of the team today, I think the team showed that we were very solid and we were difficult to break down and on another night we could have won this game 1-0 or maybe 2-0 because their keeper made a terrific save on Van Damme and maybe Gio’s chance could have gone in for us as well. But the positive tonight is the clean sheet and we’ll be hoping to build on that.”
