A Galaxy 3, Seattle Sounders FC 0
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 – 4 p.m. PT
2018 MLS Regular Season
StubHub Center – Los Angeles, Calif.
LA GALAXY INTERIM HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the improvements made from last week’s match against Toronto FC:
“We just wanted to try and defend in their half of the field so we weren’t sitting back too far, especially in the beginning. The energy we got coming out of the locker room I thought was really good. And, we got rewarded for it.”
On the possibility of a playoff run:
“It puts us back in the conversation, and that was the message before the game when we were talking. Let’s not worry about what other teams are doing, let’s try and get ourselves back into it. And, with a win today, obviously when people were talking about possibilities of teams making playoffs, our name was never mentioned; not that I take it personal, but I can see where they’re coming from. But, with a win now, obviously the conversation changes a little bit.”
On next week’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps:
“It’s a huge game next week for both of us. It’s coming down to the wire; it’s what MLS Playoff races seem to do. So, we know it’s going to be a tough game. Kei Kamara is having a really good season. They’re not afraid of being very direct and very physical so we must bring our tough game next week.”
On the decision to play Emanuel Boateng and Sebastian Lletget in the starting 11:
“If you look at the squad right now we have some injuries, and it’s giving guys a chance to play. Chris Pontius wasn’t available today, so it makes Emanuel Boateng’s availability and importance into the team to step into the 11. As with Sebastian [Lletget], I thought both guys gave us a good lift. They gave us some good energy which we needed.”
On the combination of Daniel Steres and Dave Romney in the defensive backline:
“The conversation I had with them yesterday was, here’s what’s happening, and they said ‘We’ve played 35 games together.’ And I said okay, let’s make 36 a good one. I thought both guys did very well for us today.”
On the importance of having Zlatan Ibrahimović on the roster for the upcoming games:
“He’s a great player as we know. We need him motivated, hungry, and the team needs to provide service for him, and be able to run off of him. And, I think that happened in the penalty kick with Romain [Alessandrini]’s plays to Ola [Kamara]. So, I think that when the ball is at his feet, we can’t just stand and watch him play. We have to move off of him, because he creates space for himself and for others, and that worked out for us today.”
On the importance of upcoming matches:
“Every game is a tough game no matter what. But now the importance grows. I think we have four left and we’re just a little bit away from Seattle, Real Salt Lake, and Portland. We’re within touching distance. Where maybe before the game started it wasn’t that, but obviously in this league, as you know, if you go on a small mini-run you can advance.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ
Thoughts on the game:
“When you win you always feel good. That’s what the game is about, to win. And today we could finally get the win, but we got it in a good way also. We scored three goals. We played good. We were organized. The team had a good stability during the whole game.”
On the formation:
“The coach wanted us to press higher today because he wanted us to win the ball higher in the field and to be more offensive in the game.”
On the match on Saturday:
“I think every game is a final. We need to win if we want to go further. We still have a chance and we will do everything to take care of the situation we are in. As long as we have a chance we will go for it.”
On other offers he’s received and his future with Galaxy:
“When did I leave Malmo, 2004. I had an offer in 2005, 2006, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, so that is their offers. I belong to Galaxy and I’m happy here, so there is no interest in talking about it.”
On what attracted you to MLS and the experience here so far:
“I wanted to come. I wanted to experience MLS from playing it and being involved. After being here six months I find it exciting because as a striker you get a lot of chances and you just need to focus and score the goals. I think the game is open. There is no team that controls the game, so pretty much when you’re entering the game it’s 50/50. You win one game two or three to zero like today, but the game is not over it can be 3-3 like the last game we had and then we lose 5-3 so the game is open. I think there are a lot of things to progress and do it better, which is normal because I think the championship is not so old, like the Brazilian championship and the European. But it’s going in the right direction and hopefully becoming better.”
On fans and Swedes honoring him:
“Every time you get an award is a compliment because you did something good. When it comes from my country it’s special because where ever I go I represent Sweden. I’m Swedish and I’m proud to be Swedish and I try to do my best to represent it in the best way, so the more rewards the nicer it is.”
On the team’s start to the game:
“We’ve been working hard the whole week. The focus is good and controlling what we do and we did exactly that. We came out and did what we were told to do by the coach because that makes it easier. You’re just following instructions and then with your own quality you do it better.”
On the team’s movement tonight:
“There was more stability. We didn’t concede a goal. I think they had one chance in the first half that was really 100 percent. I think for the rest we controlled it good the situations when we were defending, maybe too low in the second some moments, but it’s normal because if you win 3-0 the other team they attack more, they become more offensive. It was just to focus and stay on your toes and do your job.”
On winning:
“It feels good to win but we are not in the playoffs yet. If we get to the playoffs, we’ll feel even better.”
LA GALAXY DEFENDER ASHLEY COLE
On the team’s performance tonight:
“Yes, it was good. Of course I think it was a do or die game for us today, we had to win. I think today was probably our best performance. We played well, we moved the ball well, and we defended well. I think it was the perfect game and the prefect result for us, it was what we needed.”
On the formation:
“Yes, the movement was great. Sebastian [Lletget] and Jonathan [dos Santos] in there, they controlled it, kept the ball well, switched the play well and dominated the midfield today. I think that was important against people like Nicolas [Lodeiro] who loves everywhere, it was important to stop him and I don’t think he really got into the game. We stopped their rhythm, we pressed, we won the call back, we won first and second balls at times, and yeah, I think it was needed. I think the credit has to go to Dom [Kinnear] as well because we have trained well this week, he put our game play and obviously it has worked today.”
On the shutout:
“Yes, we know we can do it. We are in the playoffs already for us. We need to go into every game and we can’t lose a game. It started well today, we got a shutout. I don’t think David [Bingham] had too much to do. Daniel [Steres] has been injured for a while, he’s come back and he’s done fantastic, the same with Dave [Romney]. We know we can do it. I think not just the defense, but I thought everyone defended well as a team. Everyone got back, Romain [Alessandrini] was defending. It’s what we need now, everyone has to work hard, everyone has to dig in and maybe do stuff they wouldn’t normally do. We are happy with this result.”
On continuing into the playoffs:
“I think play like today. I think we have to play with confidence, and we have to play with a fight and spirit. There’s good players in this team. We are missing a few but the players that came in today all are playing like a number 10, making runs in behind and it’s hard to stop. We just have to keep going now and keep this kind of momentum even though it’s one game. We have to keep the confidence high and I think we will watch a video of this game and I think we will enjoy it. We are in the playoffs now, we have four games left and we are playing like it’s the playoffs. We have to win every game and if course try to get the momentum ready for the playoffs if we make it. So, I think today was a good start. Clean sheet, three goals and we are looking forward to next week.”
LA GALAXY FORWARD OLA KAMARA
Thoughts on his performance:
“I think it was a good team performance. I was comfortable out there and it felt like we were a better team than Seattle and we deserved the victory.”
On pressing high tonight:
“I think we were doing it together as a team. Sometimes if you do it a little bit individual, then you get tired and you get tired and then you stop pressing. I think we did it as a team the whole game and it looked better for everybody.”
On playing Vancouver next and it being a must win match:
“I think with this game we gave ourselves some life. Now we go into this week and we still have to work hard, maybe we have to change a little bit of stuff but I think it was good we got the clean sheet, we get three goals and we get confidence so I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER EMMANUEL BOATENG
On scoring a goal:
“It feels good every time you get a goal, so I’m happy and just getting ready for the next game”
On what Dominic Kinnear asks for him on the field:
“Just, to be aggressive when I get the ball. Try to create options. We’re just in a position where we need to score more goals in games for us to get where we want to be. So he just told me told me to be aggressive and to be mindful on the defensive side, talking, and helping defend.”
On getting a shutout on the defensive end:
“It’s good you know. Everybody was shifting. We were all where we needed to be, and I think Dave [Romney] and [Daniel] Steres played a really good game today to. Every ball was in front of them. They cleared a lot of crosses that came in, and those two guys had a really good game, and overall, everybody was shifting, moving, and communicating.”
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC HEAD COACH BRIAN SCHMETZER
On today's game:
"I am going to watch the tape to make sure I saw it correctly but I thought all three goals were not indicative of what this team really usually is all about. Usually we are a very strong defensive team. Those were uncharacteristically goals that we shouldn't or don't normally give away. Flip side of that you had two or three good looks in the first half, [Will] Bruin scores the header it makes it 1-1 maybe that changes things it's always should have, could have, would have but we will definitely look at the tape and figure out where we can generate more offense."
On giving up an early goal:
"Going down 1-0 wasn't the best start. I think it took the guys a little bit to get into the game but after that I thought there was an extended period in the first half where we were holding on to the ball, keeping possession and like I said we got those couple of chances Raúl [Ruidiaz] was in and [Will] Bruin. That second goal was the one that really killed us and that is the one I will take responsibility for that because the team needs to be coached in a fashion where they play until the whistle is blown. That will be addressed and that won't happen again."
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC MIDFIELDER CRISTIAN ROLDAN
On today's game:
"It's disappointing, not by the lack of effort but lack of quality and I thought we were too slack at times. We had three mistakes that cost us three goals and good teams take care of those chances so unfortunately we lost and we have to take it to the chest and really forget this game and go forward. This is probably our second or third game that we lost by multiple goals and now we have to look forward to our next game at home."
On giving up an early goal:
"Mistakes can change games and for us that was the case but mistakes both on the offensive end and also defensive end. We had our chances going forward, a header that we could’ve tied up the game and all of a sudden we are down 2-0 so unfortunate but also I felt like we were unlucky as well. With streaks, even losing streaks, you get unlucky as well that is part of the sport."
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC FORWARD WILL BRUIN
On today's game:
"Not good. Obviously they got a PK to start, I haven't watched of the second one maybe they were offside maybe it started with a hand ball in their end if you go back and watch that. In the first half we had two or three good chances if we put one of those in, if I put the header in put other chances in that is a whole different complexion at the end of the game right now."
On giving up an early goal:
"Obviously it stings right now but looking back I think we played alright. We had possession, I have to go back and watch more film to see more chances and stuff but they scored on their few chances they had and that was the difference."
On Jonathan Dos Santos and Sebastian Lletget:
"[Jonathan] Dos Santos did a good job getting on the ball, he is the connector from their backline forward. He plays simple, moves the ball gets in good spots and he did a really good job at that same as [Sebastian] Lletget. I think maybe we were a little tired, we could have kept better possession let the ball do a lot of the work but like I said i have to go back and watch a little more."
