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KANSAS CITY, Kan.
U.S coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who started his 20th different lineup in 20 matches.
On Kansas City:
“I’d like to thank that amazing crowd here and all the people involved
in that game here in Kansas City. It wasn’t only tonight but even the
training sessions. It was quite an experience for all of us, including
the European players who are used to big places.”
On the team’s overall performance:
“The performance overall was very good. We didn’t need to take that
first goal. That was not necessary. The good thing was they responded
right away. They turned it right around immediately and calmed things
down. Obviously in these sort of matches lots of things can happen and
it would have been nice to get the 4th goal. But overall I’m very
pleased and the players responded well. The energy overall was very,
very positive.”
On the U.S tactics and new wide players Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson:
“I think it’s a great option to have, that Eddie can play wide but he
can also play up front. It’s exciting to see that. Graham Zusi adds an
element to this group. He keeps the ball and his passing is accurate. I
told him before the game that being he was playing in his own stadium,
keep things simple because when you have that special moment you can
sometimes overdo it and he did that for us. The danger from Guatemala
more or less comes through the middle. Defensively their job was to tuck
in and on the attack go wide.”
Clint Dempsey who scored his 29th and 30th career U.S. goals.
Assessment of the evening:
“I thought we started the match well but they played us on the counter
and got an early goal. So it was obviously not the ideal spot for us but
I thought we showed a lot of character bouncing back from that by
creating lots of chances and finishing those that we had.”
On the hexagonal round:
“We’re happy to get to the next round but the key is we have to be just
that little bit better especially away from home. That will take the
pressure off us trying to get results at home. It’s good for us to get
wins and when we get wins we get confidence which carries us forward. We
know there’s still a lot of work to be done. We know that we can be
better and we need to sharpen up and be on our best to qualify for the
World Cup. We know the next round is going to be tough but we will do
everything we can to make sure we are prepared for it and not let that
opportunity slip by.”
On the field conditions and playing style of the U.S.:
“We did a better job of keeping possession because were able to get good
touches and the balls you get are balls that you are used to. Your able
to know what kind of bounces are going to come your way instead of a
free-for-all like in Antigua where you don’t know what kind of balls
you’re going to get. You don’t know if the ball will get stuck in the
mud or if you foot will slip in the mud.”
“It’s a totally different game and you could see that tonight. I think we were able to show our quality tonight on a field like this and I think that’s how football should be played, on a quality pitch. It’s good for the fans and it’s good for the teams playing because play the game in the right way. That’s what you love about the game, playing it like you grew up watching. I didn’t grow up watching long ball, kick it, Hail Mary and hitting hope type of thing.”
On Eddie Johnson:
Eddie is a good player. He went through a tough time in Europe but he’s
always been someone who’s been able to score goals. If you look at his
record with the national team it’s a good one, especially for
qualifiers. It’s great to have him back and to see him overcome
adversity, especially the performance in these last two games. If you
look at it he got a game winning goal in Antigua and a game winning
assist tonight.
“Eddie was in the first (U.S.) camp I was ever in. He was flying! The first game I ever played was against Jamaica after we had already qualified but he was on a good run. He had scored a hat trick the game before and he scored in that game as well. So it was great linking back up with him and I’m happy and proud of him for doing such a great job.”
Tim Howard
On the early goal scored by Guatemala:
“Obviously that was sloppy defending all around. It was a little bit
disheartening but obviously we didn’t let our heads go down and the
crowd was good. We saw a lot of possession and created chances.”
On the hexagonal round:
“The Hexagonal is going to be tough as heck. We are just trying to enjoy
this now but we know we have to get better. We feel we are the best
team in the region. But when you believe that you have to go out and do
it every game. That’s what the best teams do. In order to dominate a
region and qualify for a World Cup you have to believe you are the best
and then go show it. Some of our performances have not been up to
standards. So it was good to get back on track.”
