SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On if he was pleased with the draw against FC Dallas at home, especially while missing players:
“It’s OK. You want to win. We’re still unbeaten at home I think, which is good. We shut out a very good attacking team. Sometimes we conceded possession but we didn’t give too many chances away. It would’ve been nice to be a little bit more patient in front of goal and keep the ball moving around and get more chances. All in all I’m not terribly thrilled, but I’m not digging a grave either. I’m OK.”
On what he thought of Cordell Cato’s performance here and last week in LA:
“He’s doing OK. He’s finding his way. He’s been out for a long period of time. He hasn’t played since Sacramento in preseason. We’re trying to be mindful of his minutes because you want to make sure when he comes back, especially with this break coming up, when the break is over he’s ready to go 100 percent. He gives you good energy. He’s very responsible. Obviously I’m sure he’s dying for more minutes and he’s probably going to see some.”
On if this particular starting XI could gel after playing together:
“I think it could help. The game against Sociedad too I think helped for guys. I look at Tommy’s [Thompson] performance and the kid works ever so hard for the team and I’m happy for him. I don’t know, maybe he’s eclipsed his minutes from last year to this year, but he’s learning on the job and we’re asking him to do a tough job for us. It’s him and Fatai [Alashe], a pretty young central midfield pairing, and they’re handling it pretty well. I think they’re getting a little more confident with each game that they play in there so it’ll be good for them. Like I said, Chad [Barrett] getting 90, Quincy [Amarikwa] playing for 60 or 70 minutes or so, I think it bodes well for Wednesday. I think there’s obviously things we could be better at but on the other side of it to shut out a team like Dallas is a pretty good accomplishment."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER FATAI ALASHE
On team performance:
“I thought it was good. It was a little slow at times. We didn’t create as many opportunities as we wanted to, but we were still able to create some chances. I thought we could have scored a goal or two, but that happens sometimes. You have to continue to push through it. At least we got a point out of it and continue to defend home well.”
On upcoming match against Portland Timbers:
“I think we played well there last time. Obviously we gave it away and didn’t come out of it with a win. We’ll look to get back out there and give it another good effort. We’re looking to play the same way we did last time. With this different personnel, it will be tougher, but I think we’ll be able to go in there and get a result.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER MATIAS PEREZ GARCIA
On draw:
“It was a very difficult match with a quality opponent like Dallas. I think we lost some chances on offense. Overall, I think we played well and if any team had to win tonight, it was us. I feel confident we will win more matches like this.”
On improving play on short week:
“We have to keep working like we have been doing. Our last road match against the Galaxy, we had a strong first half. We all could have played better defensively then and I saw that carry into tonight. If we can continue that play, the goals will come and that’s what we can bring against Portland.”
