Columbus Crew SC Sporting Director & Head Coach Gregg Berhalter
On adjusting after the first half…
"I think some of the first half was the movement of our backline. I think we dropped back too early and leaving space for Badji. Overall, I thought the first half was how we saw playing out. I think we were very close to pressuring and getting our attacking midfielders in good positions to transition. We were happy in the first half."
On the two Rapids goals…
"Somehow, we lost control of a game that was completely in our control. I think we lost the calmness piece of it. We had guys running out of position and guys not running into position. To me, it’s a game of concentration and focus and the more solid we can be, the harder it is to score on us."
On coming off a midweek game…
"Fatigue is not a factor. The guys – from a controlling standpoint, quality standpoint – we did fine. I’m not concerned about that – a lot of our objectives in this match were fulfilled. However, when you look at the end, it’s not concentrated or resolute enough."
Columbus Crew SC Forward Niko Hansen
Thoughts on the game…
"I think we had a difficult task ahead of us. We knew they were going to come in and press but we still decided to play out and I think we did well with that today."
On the chances created…
"Yes, we want to be on the ball and create chances and I think we showed them that we can do that. A couple chances probably, different game we put a couple away in the first half, a couple away in the second half. Two different results for us."
On the break coming up…
"I think we do well to utilize all our players, guys take care of themselves. Coming into games you never really think about your fatigue or anything, you just go out."
Columbus Crew SC Captain & Midfielder Wil Trapp
Positives of the game…
"Positives are for about 75 minutes, we played through them. We had chances to put away the second goal, we didn’t do so. I think we created opportunities and for the most part we were good defensively, but it’s a mental breakdown. Both goals just really poor from a lot of us, so that’s disconcerting in a lot of ways."
On the way the team played…
"Sure, we knew we can play. There were plenty of spaces for Justin [Meram] and Federico [Higuain] to be on the ball but like I said, we didn’t put away the second chance and then we just gave up two soft goals."
On the upcoming break…
"It’ll be nice to have a few days to get away and I think after this match just kind of reset the brain a little bit which will be nice."
On the Open Cup match against FC Cincinnatti…
"Open Cup is a tournament that we want to win. It will be exciting to play in front of their fans down there. We know they have a great crowd and a pretty decent team so it will be exciting."
