LA Galaxy Postgame Quote Sheet
LA Galaxy 4, San Jose Earthquakes 2
Saturday, May 27, 2017
2017 MLS Regular Season
Avaya Stadium – San Jose, California
LA GALAXY HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On his takeaways from the result:
“We learned that even when you don't score the first goal, you can win the game, even on the road. I thought we actually started really well. Romain [Alessandrini] had a chance early on. If we score that, maybe it's a little different. We talked about trying to get that first goal and credit to San Jose for doing that. They got the first goal and I thought we responded great. It's weird. A little strange first half. These Clasico rivalries, there's a lot of emotion, sometimes weird bounces, weird things happen. Nothing phases us. We've dealt with a lot of adversity early on and that's made us a better group and a better team. I like how we grew as the game progressed because obviously I was a little concerned that we conceded twice in the first half, I think we just locked it up and had a very good second half. We possessed the ball, we moved the ball, we created chances, we defended well and we deserved three points on the night.”
On Giovani dos Santos' performance:
“He's world class. We've been really smart in how we've trained him since preseason. I think he was a little unfortunate early on not to have some more goals, but he's really found his form. He and Alessandrini and the rest of the guys are just doing a hell of a job.”
On what the team has done to bring the best out of Dos Santos:
“Well, it's a new group, it's a new coach. A lot of new players, a lot of change. It takes time to adapt to that. Plus, it was a weird start to the season for us. A lot of suspensions, injuries, so it was hard to really have any continuity, but I think that had a lot to do with it…You can see he's fit, his touch is great and you can see how loose he is and he'll just continue to get better."
On the dos Santos-Alessandrini partnership:
“It's pretty darn good. The fourth goal, can't wait to watch that one again. I moved Alessandrini to the left and in a matter of minutes, the ball is on his left foot and he just plays a world-class ball into Gio for a great finish. They're starting to really combine well and we want that to continue."
LA GALAXY FORWARD GIOVANI DOS SANTOS
On the game:
“It was a complicated game. I'm happy with the team's win and now we have to continue along this line.”
On his performance:
“I think it was a team effort. We've been working really well together and we leave tonight happy.”
On scoring five goals in four games:
“I think that the team is starting to feel very well, more confident. I think the chemistry between everyone is getting better and I've just been working really hard on helping my team.”
On the team's current form on the road:
“It talks to how hard we're training, how hard we're playing. Since I've been here, I know how hard it is to take points on away games and now we're in a good line and we have to keep working in the same way.”
On his second goal tonight:
“I think it's all about Romain's play because it was incredible. What can I say, I think Romain, he's been great for the club, he's a great player and it helps that he can keep it going in the same line, our chemistry, help it get better. He's always thinking in the best for the team.”
On his team's reaction to being down 1-0:
“I think that we've been working really well. We have players with a lot of hunger to win important things and we knew it was three important points in a Clasico and against a conference rival, so we leave happy.”
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER JOAO PEDRO
On his first goal for the Galaxy:
“I am happy, I’m so happy. It was my first goal after a few attempts and some posts and things like that so I am very happy and happy for the three points.”
On the criticism he's received:
“Honestly I don’t read blogs or anything people say, I just focus on my work. Soccer players are always under a lot of pressure and a lot of critics. We can be good to everyone. We have to have haters to improve. That is the thinking in being a soccer player. I don't hear nothing, I just focus on my work. Every player when switching a league or a country takes his time to adjust and that happens. I will have some bad games, all players have bad games. Now I’m more capable of facing the difficulties."
On adjusting to MLS and the Galaxy:
“In Portugal, the league is more tactical, more slow. Here is more intense and with much more pace and physical so that was the big difference. In Portugal, the things are more organized, like in Europe, and less England when it’s also as [inaudible] so yeah, that’s the big difference.”
On the Galaxy's approach to the game:
“We knew that the Clasico is always about fighting and winning our battles. We did that and we win and that's the most important part of the game.”
On Giovani dos Santos' partnership with Romain Alessandrini:
“They are good already, imagine when more weeks go by. They are very good players. They are both two of the best players I know and the fourth goal is something to say about that. It's a big goal.”
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER ROMAIN ALESSANDRINI
On the team's form:
“We had a bad beginning, after that, we kept working like a team. We are three games winning in a row on the road. After DC United, we have to make sure to take points at home because it's really important. But we are a team and we have to keep like that and win every game to come back at the top.”
On Giovani dos Santos' performance:
“Yeah, Gio has come back to the top. He had an injury and now I think he's 100 percent and… tonight two goals for him and one assist for me. Joao [Pedro] had a goal too, so we keep going like that. We found the team and we have to make sure to stay like that."
