QUOTE SHEET | Spring Season Title Race Nearing Finish Line

Photo credit: New York Cosmos

The New York Cosmos earned some breathing space atop the Spring Season Standings, but the race from the title is far from over as the finale draws closer.  

Here is what coaches and players had to say after results in Week 9: 

New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese on earning the win over Rayo OKC

“I think it was an important and deserved win for us, for what we put into the game. I thought we had a lot of good moments in the first half, and we kept on battling. They were tough and very physical but we did a lot of good things.”

New York midfielder Danny Szetela on his game-winning goal

“It feels great, especially [scoring] the winning goal. For me, goals are always important. You always want to score, but it’s important that you’re on the field doing the best you can to help your team win.”

FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller on the loss to Miami FC

“It’s disappointing that tonight was an opportunity for us to gain three very valuable points away from home and we didn’t grasp it. We will regroup on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and the guys will then have a few days off with some tired legs I’m sure, and then we’ll get ready for a huge home game against Fort Lauderdale.”

Minnesota United coach Carl Craig on needing consistency after two straight losses

"Two losses in a row is disappointing of course, but I think it’s the matter in which we lost that is more disappointing. We proved last week if we strolled around and don't control the ball and give out maximum effort we'll get undone and it happened again today. It's not a lack of ability or quality. We have to be more consistent in our quality of play. Quality without tempo won't win games. The injuries played a part, but these lads are professionals and it doesn't matter who is on the field, we have to get the result."

Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell on his team’s character to get a road win against Minnesota

"For most of our games, we've performed pretty well and the results haven't matched it. We feel we should have more points on the board, but credit to the players, they've never put their heads down. They've kept coming in and working hard and we all knew that if we kept playing the way we were, things would change."

Tampa Bay midfielder Joe Cole on the Rowdies’ win and his goal

"I thought we played really well tonight, especially in the first half, and we showed a lot of character. We've got a lot of work to do for sure, but we picked up the points. That was my third header goal of my career. It was nice to get on the scoresheet and get my first goal for my new club."

Jacksonville Armada FC coach Tony Meola on staying aggressive in front of goal

“I keep telling them, if you keep creating they’re going to fall, and you’re going to find a game where you put a four- or five-spot on the board. I think what you could probably see is the cohesion we’re looking for and what we’re trying to get to.”

Jacksonville defender Matt Bahner on his goal from distance

“It was pure joy. As I was going up to the ball I was trying to decide what to do, and I think I shocked the ‘keeper that I shot and was able to put it on frame and in the back of the net.”

Ottawa Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish on his team’s performance despite the loss to Fort Lauderdale

"I think that was probably our best game this year. We had a lot of chances. We have to come out with our heads up from this game because we created a lot. We could easily have won that game. It's encouraging because we were working hard to create that many chances. It shows we're going in the right direction. In life sometimes you take a step back but you get stronger from it.”