QUOTE SHEET | Spring Season Title Race Remains Wide Open After Week 8

The Spring Season race only got tighter after Week 8 of the Spring Season with three different sides taking a perch atop the standings. The New York Cosmos, though would be standing in front, by just a point, when all was said and done.

Read the reactions from coaches and players after a wild weekend of results:

New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese on the goals in the win over Tampa Bay Rowdies

“We scored two fantastic goals. The important thing is that those goals gave us the three points. We created many opportunities, and we were aggressive today.”

FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller on his side pulling out a win over the Carolina RailHawks

“Today was just about grinding a result out. There were very, very tired legs out there as you could see towards the end. They [the players] kept going – the character within the group is there, which is absolutely fabulous. I’m so proud of them. The penalty was the difference between the two teams, they are a very good side and we are a very good side. That’s the way the league is set up at the moment.”

Carolina RailHawks coach Colin Clarke on his side’s recent tough stretch

“After a great start to our season, it’s obvious we have hit a tough patch. We have been a bit unlucky.  It’s tough to lose any game, it’s even tougher to lose on the road to a penalty kick.  Yet, we know what we have in our locker room and we know we can finish the season strong.”

Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson on the fight from his team in the win over Minnesota United

“One of my favorite words in sport that epitomizes this team is resilience – the ability to get knocked down and to come back and not stay on the floor. We showed that again tonight and we’ve shown it in almost all of our games, even in Fort Lauderdale when we just wouldn’t break. It’s a great quality to have. You have to have it to win championships. Hopefully this will be a part of the foundation of what’s inside of us that we remind ourselves of before every match to bring in for 90 minutes.”

Minnesota United Carl Craig on falling against Indy after coming back to tie the game

"I think we let ourselves down tonight. Coming from two down to tie it was commendable. They are a tough team and play a tough style, but we hurt ourselves more by giving away free kicks. It's an experience we have to learn from."

Fort Lauderdale Strikers coach Caio Zanardi on the road win over Rayo OKC

“I am so pleased with the performance of my players tonight. They did everything I asked of them. We played compact, disciplined, and controlled the flow of the match. The team is playing well. We know there is still a long way to go, but we are improving with each and every match. It was a wonderful performance and a deserved three points.”

Rayo OKC coach Alen Marcina on a tough loss for his team

“We’ve got to, and I think I’ve said this a few times already, we’ve got to be more clinical with our opportunities. Again, sometimes it’s tough to swallow because you put guys in positions and have a game plan in place to set them up for success. Yet, sometimes, some individuals need to step up, and that is a fact."

Ottawa Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish on gaining three points against Jacksonville Armada FC

“If you look at the chances, we had the better ones. We looked at Jacksonville, with the amount of pace they had up front, and we decided to play a little bit deeper to protect that space behind and I thought we did it quite well. It’s an important three points for us.

Ottawa midfielder Marcel de Jong on his game-winning goal

“I happened to be at the right place at the right time. We’ve become a tough team to play against, especially at home, and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Jackonville Armada FC coach Tony Meola on the road loss to Ottawa

“You have to make plays and you have to put the ball in the net. It’s hard for the guys and the effort they put in. We battled and created as many chances as they did. Miguel made good saves and kept us in it. We just need to make plays.”