COLUMBUS CREW SPORTING DIRECTOR AND HEAD COACH GREGG BERHALTER
On team’s consistent performance:
I thought today was better actually. I thought today was a very solid performance actually. It is easy to get up against an opponent like the Galaxy with the names, the quality and the crowd. Today against Houston, an Eastern Conference opponent, who is on our heels in the table I thought that this was a very strong performance both defensively and offensively.
On if he thought the Giancarlo Gonzalez news would affect the team performance:
We talked about it before the game. We talked about Tyson [Wahl] getting notified that he was starting and us being confident in him and him having 100 starts in the MLS and he showed it today. He was our Man of the Match in the locker room and he got the game ball. I thought that he was fantastic. I’m proud of him and I’m proud of the rest of team for really standing up and putting a good performance in.
On striker’s performances:
They are both physical. They are both good in the air. It makes sense that they scored with their head. We have to keep finding them. If you look at the opportunity Pipa had in the first half was the result of finding a good striker in the box. They are tough to defend especially drifting away from the defender. That is impossible to defend.
On change in team’s energy:
I think team spirit goes a long way. I think that the team spirit has gotten better. The conflicts we had made us stronger. We don’t want to shy away from that. You are going to have conflict throughout the year. Guys were dissatisfied with other guys and we sat down cleared the air. I think it made us stronger in the long run. I think this is a closer group today.
On bringing in Romain Gall:
I’m happy for him. I think it was a great game to make his first appearance. His first run was electrifying and that’s the guy that we see. He’s going to take a while to get developed and fully there but that’s what we expect from him.
On team’s resilience on the field:
Through the course of any game there is going to be a time period that things aren’t going your way. It’s accepting it, dealing with it and trying to make it better. A lot of our problem come because lack of movement both on the offensive and defensive side and I thought today it was excellent.
On more players gaining goals and assists:
That’s ideal. Teams want to key on Federico and he is such a good player that if other guys aren’t producing we become predictable. We ask those outside midfielders, forwards and central midfielders to be active. We ask our outside backs to get forward and provide crosses. We are so much better when that is working. If you look at Justin, Ethan, Speas, we have Hector back; they are stepping up and that helps the team.
COLUMBUS CREW FORWARD AARON SCHOENFELD
On finally getting a goal tonight:
Ever since I have come back from Dayton [on loan with Dayton Dutch Lions]. I had a nice run in Dayton for a bit. I was just been on the wrong side of the post for a couple of games. It is good to get the account started.
On what has led to the recent offensive surge, seven goals in the last two games:
I think that the main thing is that everyone knows their own role on the field. If it’s the starters, if its subs coming in. I feel like the last few games that everyone that has been on the field has made a difference, and won their individual battle on the field.
On the Giancarlo Gonzalez news that was discussed prior to tonight’s game:
Everyone is happy for him. It did not come as a shock, and it’s an offer that he [Giancarlo Gonzalez] cannot turn down. Everyone is happy for him. He played well. He deserves it.
COLUMBUS CREW MIDFIELDER ROMAIN GALL
On learning from Federico Higuain:
Of course, just watching those guys play, you always can learn. Whether it is just looking at their movement off the ball or their touches with the ball, you can always learn from those kind of players.
On his thoughts and feelings when he came on for the first time:
Honestly, it was just an unbelievable moment. It was just things you dream about as a kid so I was just happy to be able to make my debut.
On what Gregg Berhalter told him upon coming in the game:
He just told me to have fun and go out there and do what you want to do.
On his first touch:
My first touch, I just saw what I had to do on the field and just eliminated players and tried to move up the field and was unlucky with the offside call, but it is what it is.
On his nerves:
Good nerves, I was excited and ready to play of course.
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On his thoughts of his team’s performance:
Elated.
On what to work on prior to the match against Sporting Kansas City:
Winning a road game.
