Quotes: Portland Timbers at Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers Quotes
Head coach John Spencer
Thoughts on the match:
“For us, I think we had a couple chances to score. On the other end, Troy Perkins came up big for us as well. I’m a little disappointed to come away having not scored. Having been an assistant here and having seen teams wilt under the pressure, I’m pleased that we have come down here twice and put in two very good second half performances.”
Thoughts on the team’s preparation for the match:
“To be honest, I was pretty surprised with the heat. I was happy there was little bit of humidity tonight. I thought in the first half we went punch-for-punch and gave it as good as got. We are unfortunate not to score but I’m sure Dominic [Kinnear] can say the same about his team.”
Thoughts on BBVA Compass Stadium:
“It’s probably the second best stadium in the country after Portland. I’m really proud of everyone who has put a lot of time and effort into making this stadium a reality. They thoroughly deserved it. There has not been a coaching staff or a better group of guys to be able to call this home.”
Goalkeeper Troy Perkins
Thoughts on his performance:
“I just did my job. At the end of the day that is all I can do. Seeing a zero on the scoreboard makes me happy and makes all the guys in front of me happy. Some nights they put them in the corner and some nights they don’t.”
Thoughts on getting a road point:
“I think it’s an important point for us, on the road in Houston. It’s a huge moral victory for us. At the end of the day we wanted three points but we can hold our head up with one.”
Midfielder Lovel Palmer
Thoughts on the match:
“I think we battled with them up to 85 minutes. The last five minutes of the game we sat back and tried to soak up as much pressure as we could. They came at us and got a few chances in the last couple minutes. It’s a good point on the road. We are the first team to come here and get a point. We are just going to go home and build on that.”
Thoughts on BBVA Compass Stadium:
“It’s amazing. We drove by the stadium on our way here to the airport and my heart skipped a beat. It’s so beautiful outside and it just makes you want to come inside and check it out. I think Houston Dynamo deserves a nice place to call home. They won championships and have been in the finals, vying for championships year-in-and-year-out and if any team deserves a stadium it’s the Dynamo.”
Houston Dynamo Quotes
Head coach Dominic Kinnear
Thoughts on the match:
“It took us a good first half to get us going. I thought in the second half we were excellent. We had some good chances and [Timbers goalkeeper] Troy Perkins made some good saves. I think as the second half wore on we got stronger and stronger. I give all the credit to the guys. We had a great attitude tonight. All in all we had a pretty good game.”
Thoughts on excitement surrounding the first night game at the stadium:
“You can’t blame the hoopla because it is pretty special. It’s special what is going on here in the stadium with the fans and the organization.”
Thoughts on the defense:
“It took us a little while to figure it out. We spoke about [Timbers forward] Darlington Nagbe before the game. He is an excellent player having a great season. I think in the first half he was finding the space and the ball. We wanted to play a little higher so when he did find the ball there was less space.”
Goalkeeper Tally Hall
Thoughts on the match:
“[Timbers goalkeeper] Troy Perkins made some phenomenal saves. Hats off to him, but I thought it was a good performance by us. We passed well, created good opportunities and were organized.”
Thoughts on the defense:
“It’s always a process of getting better and better. When we don’t hurt ourselves then it’s difficult to beat us. I think the last couple games have been a good example of us being organized. We are playing well and are of one mind defensively.”
