Portland Timbers Head Coach John Spencer
On the team’s performance:
“We lost three nil. We probably lost the game in the first ten minutes, going two nil down. I was disappointed that we conceded two goals in quick succession, it’s something that we are going to have to address, obviously. When you go down a goal, you can’t break down mentally. For the next five, ten minutes, keep it tight. We’ve done it too many times now. I’ve spoken to the guys about it, but to me—the last two weeks have been fantastic.”
On what the team needs to do to win on the road:
“I think we need to start better. Against New England we started well. You can get a little bit too high on your horse and think what a fantastic team you have and forget why you’re winning games. We are winning games at home because we compete from the first whistle. We’ve done extremely well, but tonight we got beat by a better team.”
Portland Timbers Midfielder Jack Jewsbury
On tonight’s game:
“I thought Donovan Ricketts had a great game. We created chances, Kenny had a great chance and we had three or four off set pieces. So obviously the final score when you look at it is disappointing. They definitely had the better run of play but he had some big saves. At that point in games they can kind of change the momentum so hats off to him and they were the better team tonight.”
Portland Timbers Forward Kenny Cooper
On tonight’s game:
“We are disappointed by the result. We didn’t get off to a good start but I thought that we continued to fight. I ended up having a couple of good chances and we as a team ended up having a couple of good chances. They took two of theirs and we weren’t able to find the back of the net tonight.”
On the team’s performance:
“I thought we showed good character not to give up and to keep fighting. I have a lot of confidence in these guys. I thought the boys showed good character and showed a good fighting spirit to not put their heads down and keep going.”
Portland Timbers Midfielder Diego Chará
(Translated from Spanish)
On his MLS debut:
“I thought I played well. Despite the result I am very happy because this was my first game. I still have to get accustomed to the team and the playing style and my team mates have to get accustomed to me as well.”
On being fatigued:
“A little bit because of the traveling. Once I start working with the team I’ll feel a lot better.”
On what he brings to the Timbers:
“I bring my technique and my ability to give the final pass.”
On going back to Portland and making his home debut:
“Yes, very much. I hope we have a great game and get a win.”
LA Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena
On the team’s performance:
“It was certainly a good win for our team. The storyline is the two early goals. To be up by two goals in the first ten minutes of the game is important. I think, at times, tonight we played quite well. We are passing the ball better. We are getting a little bit better as a team. However, it’s still a little bit sloppy over 90 minutes. Our concentration could be better at the end of the games. We got sloppy at the end of the game, but overall it’s a good win and it’s nice to get three goals. Hopefully, we continue to move forward as a team.”
On the Galaxy’s forwards:
“I thought our forwards in the last game played well, so I didn’t want to make a change. [Miguel] Lopez got kicked in the first half, so we made a change at half time. It was difficult for Juan [Pablo Angel] because he didn’t get any notice. He wasn’t warmed up properly, so it was difficult for him to start game, but as he warmed up he played better.”
LA Galaxy Midfielder Landon Donovan
On the result:
“The guys did a good job getting involved early, and when you score early it kind of helps everyone’s confidence. It took some pressure off. The adrenaline gets going a little more. It all played out very well tonight.”
On coming back from injury:
“I felt good. I didn’t feel as sharp or fit after 60 minutes, but it was good to get 70 minutes, I think. In the beginning of the week, 45 would have been a stretch, so I’m happy to play and it was a good result.”
On scoring his first goal of the MLS season:
“I could careless about scoring. I want to win. I’m not as much as a scorer anymore. I think you guys are seeing that with both the U.S. team and this team. That part of my game has not been the same as when I was younger. I want to win. And, it feels good to win.”
LA Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts
On his saves in the second half:
“I just reacted and luckily it hit me. I’m glad I picked it up. You just react. Today was my day to make saves.”
On the defense:
“That’s what I like with my defense. They keep it clean and whatever spills—I just mop up. It’s good team work.”
LA Galaxy forward Chad Barrett
On scoring the first goal of the game:
“A lot of people say it just takes that first one to gain confidence in your strike and stuff like that. I didn’t think twice about taking that shot. That’s what you need to do if you want to constantly score goals. I had a lot of opportunities and wish I could have buried a couple more, but I’m very happy to have scored that goal early and get us off to a good start.”
On the team’s performance:
“We started off well. We started off on the attack. We had some good combination play going up. It was great to have Beckham, Landon, those guys back in the line up. The ball was really moving around today.”
LA Galaxy Midfielder David Beckham
On Landon Donovan’s performance:
“It’s great to see him back, obviously scoring. It’s great to see him back because, obviously, he missed out on three games. So, it’s good that he is back, it’s good that he is scoring goals again. Like you said, it was nice to have goals coming from elsewhere as well.”
On Portland:
“We knew that they were a big team and that that we gave them chances with set pieces and stuff that they would cause us problems. And they did it, on occasions. But, we knew that if we kept the ball on the ground passing, like we know we can pass, we’d win the game.”
On Chad Barrett finding open space on the field:
“We’re dangerous when we can pass the ball like we can, and like we did tonight. When we get players in good position and when we move around the field like we do, like we did tonight, it makes it easier for us to play. And Chad, he gets in goal scoring opportunities, a lot of scoring goal opportunities, so it’s good to have a player like that.”
Notes:
- After missing the first five regular-season matches due to a right knee injury, Perkins made his Timbers debut against the LA Galaxy, appearing in his 100th career MLS regular-season match. His first 99 MLS appearances came with his previous club D.C. United (2004-07; 2010).
- Chará was signed as Portland’s first designated player last week on April 13. He joins the club from Colombian side Deportes Tolima and is reunited with former teammate and childhood friend Jorge Perlaza.
- Donovan’s penalty-kick goal in the eighth minute snapped a scoreless run of 731 minutes in MLS play for the Galaxy playmaker. His second goal in the 67th minute was his 105th MLS career goal.
- For a third time this season, the Timbers wore their all-green primary kits – green jersey, green shorts and green socks. The two previous times were also on the road against the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC.
- The Timbers still seek their first away win and are now 0-3-1 on the road. The club has conceded two or more goals in five of their first six games of the season.
- Portland was shut out for just the second time this season. The previous time was also on the road in a 2-0 loss to Toronto FC.
- Involved in the play on the Galaxy’s first goal of the night, midfielder David Beckham was awarded his fourth assist of the season, which ranks among the league’s leaders in that category.
- The Timbers Reserves open play in the MLS Reserve League Sunday as they face the Galaxy Reserves on one of the Galaxy’s training fields at The Home Depot Center; kickoff is set for 12 noon. It’s first match in a 10-game season for the Timbers Reserves.
- The game will be played in the Track & Field Stadium at The Home Depot Center. Fans wishing to attend the match should enter the stadium through Gate D on the north end off of Victoria St. and park in lot 18. Admission and parking are free.
