SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH MARK WATSON
On the importance of tonight’s win:
“It was a big win for sure. Just looking at the standings and the games remaining, we knew we had to be just about perfect the rest of the way. With five games left, we know we could very possibly need all 15 points. We know this is a very tough place to play. Salt Lake is a very good team; they move the ball well and they have good players. We knew it was going to be a tough night, but I thought the way we approached the game and the effort and commitment that our players put in was fantastic.”
On the upswing in offense in the last two games:
“We have been very good in the final third [in our last two games]. We’ve got talented attacking and wide players. [Sometimes] you don’t score goals for an extended period of time, then one game can kind of flip the switch and then they come in bunches. It’s coming from things we’ve been working on a lot, our crossing and our overall play in the attacking third. Over the last couple of games, goals have been going in so we are very pleased.”
On Steven Lenhart’s performance tonight:
“Steven was fantastic tonight. The goals were excellent. He’s the kind of guy that attacks things 100 percent. He had two great finishes, but the things that he did throughout the game were good, too. He worked hard, he battled for everything – Lenny always gives you 100 percent and it was no different tonight.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SAM CRONIN
On holding RSL to one goal at Rio Tinto:
“I thought we were really well organized. We had possession all over the field. They didn’t have too many chances. [Jon] Busch didn’t have too many huge saves to make. A win like that is something that has eluded us all season so to get this win at this point in the season is really big for us. To see that game off when they had quality possession and lots of good players is massive.”
On upcoming road games:
“Our mental confidence is great right now. Our team feels good. Winning here in Salt Lake is a tough so we’re really pleased with the three points and it gives us a lot of confidence going into these next games.”
