Steve Sampson
Steve Sampson
Steve Sampsonis a soccer coach, currently of the men's soccer program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He is also the former head coach of both the United States men's national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. By the media, he is nicknamed Uncle Sam...
almost enjoy environment great guilty job players relax tough training wanting
While we're here in training the players have done a great job on concentrating and focusing. It's when we get away from this environment that it's tough to relax or really enjoy themselves. Sometimes we almost feel guilty for wanting to laugh, and that's not the way that Doug would have wanted it.
against bring cup dallas energy fans final games half issues matches motivator open parts players resolve saw season sure team
I think this team understands that we have to be able to resolve those issues in the first half and bring more energy to the game, and play more tactfully more intelligently. More players have to have better games than what we saw tonight, ... We have to use this game as a motivator for our upcoming matches and I'm sure that they will. This team will show its abilities, I'm sure in the final parts of this season and I'm sure that they will so our fans get what they want to see in the Open Cup Final against Dallas on Wednesday.
ball clear defenders missed players responsibility taking talk win
We talk about defenders taking responsibility. The players that missed clear opportunities also have to take responsibility. That's how you win ball games.
dallas drop fans felt game half heads played players pride roll second
I felt in the second half the players played with a lot of pride and they showed they weren't going to drop their heads and roll over and that was important. They wanted to show the Dallas fans that we can play this game too.
believe build coach continue experience field finishing paid personnel players
The only thing a coach can do is to continue to train, build players' confidence, continue to believe in them, or make personnel changes, ... Players with the kind of experience that we have should be finishing their opportunities...that's what they're paid for, that's what they're here for, that's what they're on the field for.
galaxy incredible players team understand veteran
It's really important that everyone understand this is not about me. It's about the Galaxy and the veteran players on this team who have made an incredible sacrifice.
coach consistency consistent difficult enjoyable final league national players rely sacrifices team
It's going to be enjoyable to have everyone here for the most part so I can rely on some consistent players, ... I'm not going to use it as an excuse, players going in and out of their national team, but I think any coach would like consistency and it has been difficult but everyone's making sacrifices around the league and now we should have our team in place in preparation for these final matches.
difficult field players points saw season starting teams three
It was a very difficult game. I think you could see that the two teams were very tired. You can see that the season is starting to take its toll. But it was important for us to get the three points and this is why you saw the players that we put on the field for the most part that will be the same look on Wednesday.
five four knew miss players talked
This man, I talked to four or five times a day. Philosophically, we knew where we wanted to go with this team. I'm going to miss those conversations. I'm going to miss his leadership; the players are going to miss his leadership.
allowed champions god national ourselves players prepare team thank
Something has to be done where the champions of MLS are allowed to prepare more effectively. We put ourselves at a disadvantage right from the get-go. Thank God we have players who have been with the national team who are now fit.
against atmosphere competition decide difficult expect good job league letting ourselves players prepare teams together union wants win
I think we have to do a better job of letting our teams prepare for this event. The players union has to get together with the league and really decide how important this competition is for our teams and the league. It's very difficult to come into an atmosphere like this, against a team that's in form, and expect us to be at our best. Our league wants to win CONCACAF championships, and we're good enough. We have to give ourselves a better chance.
challenge challenges club meet physical players travel
Our players have had the challenge of, like every other club in the country, to meet the physical challenges of travel and on many occasions, Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday games,
beating decision difference early game guy players plays protected quality resulted takes yellow
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.
against bodies match rest today
It was very important that we rest some bodies today in preparation for the match against Dallas.