We came out and we were playing at home, we had a strong crowd and we were getting our rings. I don't know if because of that we thought we were just going to come out and win the game - but it doesn't happen that way. Not against a team like that. We better learn fast, or we are going to struggle. Teams come here and they want to win, especially New England. Our attitude wasn't urgent enough and it comes down to people making plays and we didn't make plays. Everybody needs to do that, and tonight they made the play to change the game. |
We give teams too much respect sometimes, ... We wanted to come out and put them under pressure. If they were good enough to beat it and get out of it, fine, but I didn't think they would be and sure enough getting the ball behind them, getting fouls and putting them in uncomfortable positions and next you know you're in control of the game. |
We had a good team game plan. I wanted to put on a show, though, and I did. |
We know, playing anywhere other than Mexico City, we're the better team. |
We qualified, and that is great. But let us get better over the next seven months. It does not mean you relax. Guys that get a chance to play now should prove that they belong. And that makes the depth of our team better. |
We still need to get points and make sure that we at least finish third in the West. But it is a good game to put Wednesday behind us and hopefully move forward. |
We were getting slaughtered, ... We weren't playing well at all yet we're up, two-zero. But that's soccer. |
We're getting our rings, it's opening night and it's going to be exciting. It's our job to win the game and send everybody home happy. |
We've had excuses for part of the year, but we don't have excuses now. This is a game we need to win, period. |
When he comes into camp now, he's more vocal, he's more of a leader, he's more demanding, he's more aggressive. He's turned into what Bruce has called a real soccer player. |
Would I bet that nine times out of 10 we're going to beat Brazil? Probably not. Could we beat Brazil? Absolutely. So you have to be a little bit realistic, but we want to put ourselves in that situation. And if we're in that situation, I would still be confident. |
You can see that he already absolutely holds his own at this level, and I think that's incredible. |
You can't go into a World Cup timid, and you can't go into it shy thinking, well, it's just I'm happy to be there and let's get out and play. You're there for a reason, and we're there to win. |
You'd be hard-pressed to find another team in our region that could do that. |