On Sunday, July 28th, Sporting Kansas City hosted Chicago Fire FC at Children's Mercy Park and earned a 2-1 comeback win in their League Cup play. After Georgios Koutsias got The Fire ahead in the 22nd minute, Sporting KC defender Robert Castellanos nodded home an equalizer six minutes before halftime, and forward William Agada gave a Van Persi-like diving header in the 76th minute.
Sunday's result gives Sporting breathing room early on in West Region Group 4 of the Leagues Cup. Both Sporting Kansas City's Coach Peter Vermes, Sporting Kansas City's Forward William Agada, and Chicago Fire's Coach Frank Klopas stayed post-game to answer the media's thoughts on the game, handling a depleted squad, and Agada's diving header.
Chicago Fire Coach, Frank Klopas, speaks of a depleted squad but a good showing from his team
Klopas initially spoke to the media about his depleted squad, which had four ill players and other absences. He expressed how tough it has been to deal with the lack of available players. Despite these challenges, he commented on the performances of some of the younger players, including Kootse, Kofi, and Omari, and whether he was proud of their efforts tonight.
"I mean things happen with every team. I think before the game, our preparation was good, and coming in here, you're in a tough situation because we have like seven guys that are out obviously with Hugo and Alan. It was planned from the beginning when they came to have given them this week off, which they needed. And, it's difficult a little bit because we had to move pieces around and put guys in positions where they're not as comfortable because there was obviously nothing we could do. But, I felt the first half, I think the rhythm was for us, the way we wanted to build out from the back, I think we didn't have the discipline in our position to play in the right way.
"We adjusted the second half and, I think the guys, put everything out there. They tried, KC created a lot of chances, but I felt with the goals we could have done much better, with the ones that we gave up. And then we brought Kofi and Omari and it was good to see Kootse score and it's all about the performances. I think these games are very important because when you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. And there were definitely some bright spots. And we just have to regroup, see where we are the next couple of days, and see how guys are and hopefully, we get some guys back and have a good showing on Thursday. I think it's important to play good quality games like we did tonight against good teams. It's just going to make us even stronger and learn from games like this."
Klopas has some great memories in Kansas City
Klopas also shared with the media his thoughts on his deep connections to the city from the early MLS days. He fondly recalled seeing the Sporting KC jerseys in the stands.
"I loved it. I told Peter before when I saw him coming out that I want a jersey because it reminded me of the old days. Being here, I love coming here. Obviously, we didn't have this. We played at Arrowhead back in the day. But Kansas City, I lived in Leawood, Kansas when I came. I spent two years here. I love the place. I have still a lot of friends here. And then obviously, Peter and I, we go way back. And now they are bringing Michael Burns in. There's a connection, with the national team. But it brought a lot of good memories. But it's also great to see that to remember the past. But it's incredible to see where this club and the organization is today from the day where it started. It's incredible to see."
Sporting KC Coach, Peter Vermes speaks on overall thoughts on the match
Vermes also spoke to the media about his overall thoughts on the match.
"I actually thought we started well we gave up the goal and we found our way back into the game. It was a good opening goal and the second goal was actually a really nice goal, but I thought we had the better of the actions and better the chances to goal. Steven and William should've scored two, there were good chances, and Daniel and Tommy had a couple of good looks. So we were in and around the box quite a bit. I don't think we were great in possession, I wanted to be better I wanted us to value the ball a little bit more, but we got the three points and that was really important especially how the groups are in this competition, that was big."
Goalscorer William Agada speaks on his winning goal and nickname in the locker room
William Agada also spoke to the media on his game-winning diving header, whether he's ever scored goals like that, and about any nicknames he's getting in the locker room.
"No, not really but an amazing assist from Afrifa."
"No I haven't gotten any nicknames yet, but it's all about team play and you see crazy stuff happening when you play as a team, so shoutout to the boys to Afrifa who gave me that beautiful cross and the only option I had was to just dive for that ball."
What's next for Atlas and Houston Dynamo?
Chicago will host Liga Mx's Toluca FC on Thursday, August 1st, at 8 p.m. central.
Sporting Kansas City will then host Toluca next Monday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. central.
No comments:
Post a Comment