REVOLUTION HEAD COACH JAY HEAPS
On bouncing back from Saturday’s loss on a short week:
Coach Heaps: “That’s the idea, is to focus right on Portland. We’ve got to put [Saturday’s] game behind us. We’ve gone over it and looked at some things. The first 30 minutes was good, but we played into their hands after that. Again, now we move on to Portland. Want to get some fresh legs and some guys that will factor in on Wednesday inserted into the group.”
On squad rotation becoming a factor with two games this week:
Coach Heaps: “We think about it. We definitely want to add pieces that we think are going to make us better, but also meeting with players and finding out where they are from Saturday night. Like you said, we have another quick turnaround after that. All focus is first and foremost on Portland on Wednesday night and we’ll react after that.”
On looking for a spark from reserve players this week:
Coach Heaps: “That’s why you do it. I think there were guys that were chomping at the bit and hoping this was their opportunity. Hopefully, they don’t let it go.”
On the status of Chris Tierney’s injury:
Coach Heaps: “It’s still early in the week and we’re assessing him. He was in today and limited in terms of what we can do with him. For me, the [next] 24 hours and 48 hours are real important in assessing him.”
On London Woodberry filling in for Tierney:
Coach Heaps: “London has done really well. I think London has provided excellent right back positioning. [He] serves up a great ball, defends well. Went in the other day with very little warmup, really quickly into that half, and provided a really good game the rest of the game.”
On what he anticipates from Portland on Wednesday:
Coach Heaps: “They didn’t have a game this weekend, so they’re going to come in fully rested, ready to go. For us, we have to match or bring our own intensity and hope they match us instead of us matching them. I think we’ve got an extra day today in terms of it’s a Saturday-Wednesday, so it’s an extra day rather than a Wednesday-Saturday when you lose the day. They play on Sunday, so I’m not really concerned about a roster rotation because they’ve got enough time to recover from Wednesday to Sunday.”
REVOLUTION FORWARD CHARLIE DAVIES
On playing Portland on a quick turnaround:
“That’s our job as professional athletes, to get our mindset right after a loss like D.C, which left a very bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. I think it’s important that we have a game, a quick turnaround in midweek, so we can focus on [the midweek match]. We didn’t have to sit there and think about the performance this weekend, as we could just focus on getting ready for Portland, and we have to turn it around at home.
On his match fitness:
”I feel like I’m getting there. I think for me specifically, I get better with the more minutes I get, the sharper I get. I think I have made leaps and bounds toward getting my sharpness back. I think this week is going to be big for me. I think we have a couple guys injured and I’ve got to step in and show what I can do and prove myself again and I am looking forward to that.”
On the difficulty of not trying to push too hard when attempting to score goals:
“It’s always tough, especially as a striker. The more minutes you go without a goal, I think the tougher it is. It weighs on you. Elite players go through this at one point or another in their career and I think it makes you stronger. I think for me personally, I just keep going. You’re bound to score, and when you do, usually it comes in bunches. Wednesday is a prime opportunity to step on the field and make a difference and help this team get back to the winning ways.”
On Wednesday’s match against the Portland Timbers:
“I think they are very good with their energy and pressing teams and going for the win. I think at home, for us, we have to match their intensity and play our game. I think the rest will take care of itself. We’re hungry, we’re motivated, and we’re due for a win. Hopefully, we come in Wednesday and show everybody what we’ve been missing.”
On the opportunity to get a win:
“It’s a huge opportunity to turn things around. We got Wednesday against Portland and then a quick turnaround for Saturday against Orlando. If we can get a winning streak going now, it’s funny how MLS works, you feel like you are not doing so well and then you get that one huge win and the next thing you know, you roll off six wins in a row. Wednesday could be an opportunity for us to make that happen. We’re confident. We know that we have had a couple of bumps in the road, but Wednesday is a prime opportunity for us to take.”
REVOLUTION DEFENDER LONDON WOODBERRY
On bouncing back from Saturday and preparing for Wednesday:
“Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround coming back after a few days playing on Saturday. Get in the ice tubs. Do what you can to get ready. At this point, it’s kind of just getting your body ready and then mentally preparing. I think it’s going to be more a mental battle than a physical one on Wednesday.”
On how he stays prepared to start or come in off the bench:
“Just wanting to help the team at the end of the day. Sometimes your number is not called and that’s a part of the game. It’s out of your hands, but when your number gets called, you’ve just got to be ready to help the team.”
On what he expects from Portland:
“Obviously, they’ve got a good team. They won MLS Cup last year. We’re just trying to take the game to them. I think in the past couple of games, we’ve kind of stepped back a little bit. I think Wednesday night we need to really take the game to them and show them what we’ve got and try to get some goals in the back of the net.”
On five of the team’s next games being played at home:
“It’s great. We’ve got great support here and this is where we like to play. Hopefully, through these next weeks, we can get some points.”
On turning a good performance into a win:
“I think at the end of the day, whether it be scoring a goal or saving a goal, it comes down to making a play. Whether it be 1-0 or 2-1, we’ve just got to make sure the game is in our hands.”
