LA
Galaxy Postgame Quote Sheet
LA Galaxy 2, Minnesota United FC 1
Sunday, May 21, 2017
2017 MLS Regular Season
TCF Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota
LA GALAXY HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On feeling and effort after Minnesota equalized:
“They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half but you have to withstand those types of things on the road. Unfortunately, we conceded that goal but our response was that of a team with tremendous character and I think once we got scored on we really turned the tides and started to put them on their heels.”
On four games unbeaten:
“Feels good. We’ve become a bit hardened and the adversity we dealt with early on in the year has made us a better group. You find out what you’re all about when you go through those tough times and this group has shown enormous character. Those are positive signs but we still aren’t where we want to be and we know there is still a long way to go so we have to make sure that we enjoy this for a little bit, and then work really hard to get prepared for a tough San Jose game next week.”
On three games and three straight goals for Giovanni dos Santos:
“He’s just in form and he’s a touch of class. It was a world-class goal he scored and he was very good on the night. He just keeps getting better, and that's typical of the last year. It took him a little bit to get going (last year) but once he’s in form, he’s very good.”
On injury update on Baggio Husidic and Joao Pedro
:
“Baggio looks to have a broken leg and it’s really unfortunate. I don’t think the turf helped him and I think that stuff needs to be looked at closer. The surface doesn't make for a great soccer game and we picked up a pretty nasty injury so we are pretty upset about it. Joao has a little bit of a hamstring issue and we will have to re-evaluate once the doctors look at him.”
On how Rafael Garcia did when he stepped in:
“Rafael did an excellent job. It’s very difficult for a player not to warm up and step into a game while having the fitness level to do what’s required in that position, which is a lot of running. I thought he was clean on the ball, won a lot of balls and put himself in some pretty good positions.”
On the next away match:
“It’s going to be just another road game. Our third in a row and it’s against a San Jose team that's had a great season. We know it’s going to be tough, due to playing against a rival but we are looking forward to it.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD GIOVANI DOS SANTOS
On how he is feeling and the mentality of the team:
“Well after two wins on the road like that, the confidence goes up. The team showed a lot of energy today and played as a team. I think for us to be happy, we have to keep building in the same way.”
On scoring three goals in row and your confidence growing:
“I feel good and I think our forwards are doing a great job. Like I said before, I know what I’ve been doing (working hard) and I think we have great players up front and we need to keep playing in the same way.”
On where does that goal rank:
“I think the play was great and the only thing that came to my mind in that moment was to kick the ball like that and it went to the inside of the net.”
On his connection with Alessandrini:
“I think we have a good relationship off the field and on it. Alessandrini is a great player and for me he’s easy to understand because we think in the same way. On the pitch I know where he’s going to be and he knows where I am and because of this we are able to create a lot of chances.”
LA GALAXY GOALKEEPER BRIAN ROWE
On how you feel after the win:
“This has probably got to be the best feeling we’ve had all year. This is a game where everyone played well tonight. Everyone fought together. We have a long stretch of road games here, getting the first win in New York, stringing this one together, we’re definitely moving in the right direction. We’re scoring goals which is a huge thing.”
On feeling confidence growing as a keeper:
“Of course, the more games that I get the more I progress as a player and the more comfortable I feel out there. When the guys in front of me are fighting hard, I’m just trying to do whatever I can to keep us in it.”
On whether early competition at keeper helped:
“It’s one of those things you have to look at in a positive way. You want to stay motivated, you want to keep working, you want to want to get back there. You can’t look at it negatively and say “well this is it.” You just kind of have to say “well alright, I have to work to get back there.” That’s the way I like to look at things, with a positive spin and that’s what helped, I’m just trying to keep it going now.”
On the current form:
“The energy, the mentality, the way we are hustling around the field, fighting for each other. I think that something that we missed for those first 8 or 9 games. We’re getting back, defending well, creating good opportunities and finding the back of the net.”
On how Giovani dos Santos and Rafael Garcia played:
“It was huge for Rafa, I know he’s been a little frustrated with kind of a similar situation, but it was huge for him. The majority of the minutes he’s been getting has been at right back so for him coming into a game like this on the road, he did a tremendous job stepping in there and filling in. [Gio] strung together a couple of goals. He’s getting confident. It’s easy from the outside to look at the team and say “oh these guys aren’t scoring, the teams conceding, they’re not playing well” but you just have to trust the process and things will come together. And that’s what we’ve shown. We still continue to fight and we haven’t given up at all.”
LA GALAXY DEFENDER JELLE VAN DAMME
On the game:
“I got my knee a little blocked, but I played true. The three points helped a lot. Honestly, with all respect, this is the worse field I ever played on- in this league. It can only cause you injuries. I think soccer needs to be played on grass.”
On road games:
“It’s all about mentality on the road. We knew they(Loons) were gonna be tough to play against for us on the road, but these games are al about mentality and character. And we showed that. At the end of the game we walk away with three points, and we grinded for 90 minutes. We’re fighting and battling for each other and that’s what we need to do especially on the road.
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER RAFAEL GARCIA
On your mindset going in as sub:
“It’s not easy, you never want to see a teammate go down. Unfortunately, that was the case but I was ready to be honest. I know it sounds cliché, but when you have been working hard and doing things and trying to get ready for an opportunity, it just so happened that it came today and I hit the floor running and didn’t really look back. I was just happy to step on and help the team as far as my performance goes, I’ll let you guys and the coaches decide be the ones to say how I did. Most importantly, it was really good to get in there and help the team get a win. We need all the wins we can get, it was rewarding.”
On playing right back in the future:
“I’m taking it one day at a time. We’ll see how the week goes. And if Curt needs me in there, I feel like I’m ready, whether it’s someone else the objective here is to get points and do it as a team. Whether it’s a starting role or a reserve, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.”
