KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin expressed disappointment with the outcome of the recent match against San Diego, stating that his team’s performance did not align with the final result. “I wouldn't want anything else other than the result. I think the game can be cruel sometimes and, as I tell the players, it's very difficult to control the result. You can control the performance and your attitude and your thoughts and how you go about your business. I thought from that perspective, the result didn't match the performance. I think we deserved more in the game. San Diego is a good team. They've had a really good year. They have a really distinct style on how they like to play. I thought we turned them over in good areas of the field,” Zavagnin said.

Discussing San Diego’s key players, Zavagnin highlighted their impact on the match: “I think you put your investment in the attacking players because the good ones can turn the game in a moment's notice. In an otherwise equal game at that point, a turnover on our end led to a really good goal by (Hirving) Lozano. John (Pulskamp) has come up so big for us this year and in that moment he wasn't able to come up big. But it's not his fault. It's not any single person's fault. It's just sometimes that's the way the game goes. And (Anders) Dreyer's goal in the second half put us in a really difficult position. But, like this team has always done, we didn't give up. We created a lot more chances. Even after 2-0, you get one in the 85th minute and maybe you get the second one. We've seen it done before within the group. But tonight wasn't our night in terms of finishing. We had a lot of chances, probably more than I can remember over the course of these last few months. We created so many chances but tonight was not our night on the goal.”

Zavagnin also praised his team’s effort throughout a physical contest: “Outstanding. There's not one thing I would ask more from my team tonight. We competed, we fought, we played, we took advantage of situations, we created opportunities in the box and we stood up for ourselves and our teammates. That's a really good sign for the group moving forward, despite the fact that we didn't get the result tonight. I know the business that we're in. But the performance was outstanding and, like I said, I can't ask any more of the players.”

Alan Montes made his debut for Sporting Kansas City during this match—a move Zavagnin believes is promising for both player and club integration late in their season: “It was good to get him on the field. He's just joined us...to integrate him at this part of season...was I think really good for him and really good for us to at least see an introduction of what's possible with him.”

When asked about his own role as interim head coach going forward, Zavagnin deferred: “That's not my decision...my job and my responsibility is to get best out of players...Tonight...I'm really happy with performance.”

Zavagnin reflected on falling behind early but maintaining confidence due to their tactical approach: “At halftime tonight...other than great goal from Lozano...the game plan...was working perfectly....We limited them to very few opportunities on goal....On attacking side...we created few really good opportunities....The guys have been creative....They've been resilient and I think that's something that we can build on.”

He also discussed tactical risks associated with facing teams who overload midfield positions without using traditional forwards: “I think you take an awful (big) risk with a team that likes to put a lot of numbers through midfield that doesn't have true No 9....But you can't do that without engine of (Zorhan) Bassong and (Jake) Davis....Credit to Daniel and Shapi (Suleymanov)...We weren't necessarily clean in final moments....But defensive numbers are really what we're talking about.”

On Jacob Bartlett’s role adjustment during play: “Bartlett coming in as double pivot...his work rate,...ability to cover ground,...connect passes...,win second balls...,I think he did really good job.”

Midfielder Jake Davis commented on Sporting KC’s approach against San Diego’s possession-based style: “San Diego is a really good team....Today,...we challenged them....That allowed us to have ball more against team like that....When you have ball more,...you're going have lot chances....What was it? Twenty-two shots to what? Six....today they were more clinical but I think overall...We had good performance....They took their chances.”

Davis also spoke about building chemistry with Zorhan Bassong after sharing midfield duties together for first time this season: “I think that's first time Zo and I have played together….Yeah,...we complement each other lot…he is very much destroyer…and so am I…I think today shows people…we have intensity…and can compete…One step at time.”

After returning from limited playing time recently due to rotation or injury recovery periods common during MLS seasons,

Davis noted he felt ready for future matches: “It's been while….I haven't played 90 minutes while…and felt great….All I'm looking forward is next game…and being ready for my opportunity.”