Steve Sampson Early Quotations

Playing matches like this is great preparation for us. We know very quickly the things we need to work on. We're much further ahead this year at this time than we were last year, but we had to be, given the early competition. I like most of what I see with my team and I think we're going to be very difficult to beat in league play.

I think that if we could've finished a couple of early opportunities in the game, that would have made a difference for us, ... Chris Albright's opportunity, which Scott Garlick saved, was a big psychological boost for them. Then we take the own goal and the two things combined caused some problems.

A couple of opportunities early in the game, I think that would have made a difference for us. I think Chris Albright's opportunity which Garlick saves, psychologically was a big boost for them, and then for us to take the own goal in the first half.

Their decision to go after Landon early in the game resulted in two yellow cards. This is a guy who takes a lot of beating when he plays for the Galaxy. I think quality players have to be protected - and tonight, he was protected. That made the difference in the game.

It was critical for us to get an early lead. Herculez once again showed his tremendous value to this team. The combination of he and Landon was a lot to handle.