FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja
Overall thoughts on the game…
Not too many answers when you have a game that was very obvious for us. We dominated. We created a lot of chances on goal. We had to walk off the field with one point. It’s frustrating but we played in a very correct way. The boys did an excellent job of having the continuity of the chances in spite of the frustration of not being able to put the ball in the net.
It was a night that you may not have too many explanations and that volume of actions and the frequency that we had… We couldn’t score but that’s part of the game. We need to accept that if we want points we have to put it in the net.
I saw a lot of intensity. Defensively we played one of the best games of the season. Offensively we need to be sharper and score.
On what was different defensively tonight…
We were much more concentrated on the small details. Our attention and respect for the fundamentals and concepts were there all the time. The boys were working always. We give them priority. Our transitions were working. We were thinking “attack and attack.” We respect that the offense without the ball needs to work. And when I say we need to work, I say 11 players working towards getting the ball back. Today that was remarkable. As I said, it was a very correct game for us except for the most important part, which is going to give you the points… score goals.
On the video replay…
This is very subjective and it happened twice to us already. I said last week and I’ll say it today: we have to buy into it but what I want is to make things clear. We’ll accept it. I said it last week as well: the league decided this is the way we’re going and we do it. Sometimes the ball will bounce in our way.
FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges
Does this feel like one that got away?
Yes, we had plenty of chances to score. They basically had no chances. We were the dominant team in this game and we let it slip away.
What are your thoughts on the video review call?
I’m not going to say anything about that.
On the team’s solid defensive performance…
It’s good to have a full week of training with everyone on the back line and get back to our concepts. It was really helpful for us. We had a couple of games where we gave up a few goals. We went back to the drawing board and watched a lot of video of what we were doing wrong and what we had done earlier in the season that gave us success. Even though we only got one point out of this, it was a good performance. It is something that we can build on.
FC Dallas defender Atiba Harris
On the video replay…
We have video review now and we have to embrace it. We had video evidence there so the referee probably got it right. We just have to move forward. It’s soccer. You are going to have disappointments. It’s an emotional game. We stayed focused and created some more opportunities. We were able to stay solid at the back and get the clean sheet tonight. We just have to keep working.
Do you feel like you let some points get away today?
Obviously, yes, because every game we go in to every game trying to win…. Especially at home… We are disappointed not to get three points.
FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz
On starting on the bench…
That was the coach’s decision. We’re all a team. The coach makes the decision he feels is best for the team and puts the player he feels is most prepared. So I have to appreciate the minutes he gives me with my teammates.
On not being fully recovered…
I know I’m not to my playing level yet. I have to improve, so little by little and game by game, I will get better. There are other teammates who are doing great. Unfortunately, the ball isn’t going into the net, but we have to continue working hard to get to the top.
On the VAR…
It’s difficult. That’s the second goal that they took away from us. But those are the rules of the game. Each game is more technologically advanced and reviewed. There aren’t any more barriers, no more mischief. So we have to get used to today’s rules.
Colorado Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni
On tonight's game…
We knew it was going to be difficult to come here and gain three points. The guys fought extremely hard, created a couple decent opportunities in the first half, and at the end of the day it was a good result given the circumstances we were in – coming out the last 10 minutes and to step on the field and play for something was really important.
On the 90 minute rain delay...
It's tough because it's almost infinite as long as these can go. We got the call the last 15 minutes. We did some stretching in here, loosened up, then got on the field and warmed up. There's no right way to do that. It's a buzzkill for both teams, for the fans, but the important thing is what the response is like going out there and finishing off the game.
On the use of VAR tonight...
I think there was a penalty kick that didn't get reviewed, and if it did, I don't know if it was reviewed the right way. It was almost a make-up it seemed. Without a shadow of a doubt, it was a penalty for [Dominique] Badji in the box, and so when Dallas scored, the referees looked back and said there was a foul. It was like for like so it nullified and was a moot point at that juncture of the game, and I think it was called correctly.
Colorado Rapids defender Jared Watts
On tonight's game...
On the road, we got a shutout against a very good team with very good attacking players. They had some opportunities, but we knew we had to come in here and try to limit their chances. Anytime you can get a shutout on the road, it is a good thing. Obviously, we want three points on the road. We are desperate for points now, but a shutout on the road is something we can build on with an important home game next week.
On the 90 minute rain delay...
It seems like it's not a complete season if that doesn't happen once during the year [laughs]. Both teams have to deal with it. We knew it was going to be a tough last 10 minutes but it is part of it. You have to finish the job, maintain concentration, and go from there.
What they were told on the field about the VAR ruling...
That was a first. A lot of people were concerned, but it went our way this time so we'll take it. I guess the referee missed the foul on [Dominique] Badji up there. It looked like a blatant foul from our point of view. It's a thing you have to adjust to. It's new and there are going to be kinks in it, but at the end of the day, they made a decision and we have to live with it if it went our way or not. We'll take the reversal there. They had a good goal, but we should have done better there. It didn't count so that's all that matters.
