Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter
Thoughts on the game
“We have work to do. I would like to see us to get back to our game and who we are as a team. We are an attacking team, we are an aggressive team, we create a lot of chances, we are smart players, we are good on the ball and I just didn’t see that enough tonight.”
On the team’s response to first Atlanta goal
“After the first goal we actually got back into and we were able to score ourselves. I thought we were doing a decent job, but we didn’t make them work enough defensively. We made it too easy for them, we gave them the ball too easily. We knew they were going to be dangerous on the counter attack and that was going to be a key defensive element. We let up the second goal on a counter and I think we should have done better in that situation.
On Columbus’ depth
“That’s a good question. The goals have been coming from three guys. We think we have other guys, it’s just about getting them confident. We believe in the players, we think they are good players, but it is getting them confident. We need to think about supplementing that group, then we’ll look to do that but they are good players.”
On atmosphere in Atlanta
“I think it’s great. The fans get to see this type of atmosphere, it’s exciting, its charged with energy, it’s electric and it’s something that when you come to the stadium and you watch the game, it’s easy to have a really good time. That’s what we’re trying to do with soccer. Put an attractive product on the field and entertain the fans.”
Columbus Crew SC forward Ola Kamara
On atmosphere in Atlanta and Columbus’ performance
“I thought the atmosphere was very good. I feel in the first half we were there. They score, then we come back into the game and we did that well. We’re battling the whole way but then they get the advantage and we can’t create enough to score ourselves.”
On assisting Columbus’ goal
“I could see that Harrison [Afful] was going to cross the ball and I ran into the space that I thought was dangerous. I went to the ball then Pipa [Federico Higuain] has a calm and composed finish.”
On creating chances
I think we created a decent amount. I think we had four or five chances, in a way that should be ok. But when you’re down 3-1 that is not enough so there’s a lot of disappointed guys in the locker room today.
Columbus Crew SC defender Harrison Afful
Thoughts on the match
“It’s very tough. You are very disappointed. We know we made a mistake in the first half but we were able to equalize so we just have to keep going.”
On Columbus’ goal
“Before the game yesterday we had a team meeting and Gregg talked to us about putting the ball in the box quickly. That resulted in the equalizer.”
On defending Atlanta’s counter attacks
“They are very good about attacking in transition. They had one and then we scored, but I also think we did a great job. It’s unfortunate that we don’t get the three points. We just have to go back and make sure we make corrections.”
