U.S. head coach BOB BRADLEY: On the game:
“For us it’s a good way to start the year. This camp is always a challenge because guys have been off for a while, but we felt throughout the camp that things we worked on throughout last year were coming back, especially working as a team. Our fitness levels came along quickly, and tonight we played against a team who is always a good match for us. The game had tempo. It was physically challenging. I think to come out of it with a good result was important.”
On Landon Donovan’s record-setting goal:
“Congratulations to Landon for his record-setting goal. I said to him that his all-around contribution was excellent and was important for us as a team. He helped set the tone for us with his aggressiveness and his movement. In all ways, it was a good night.”
On Ricardo Clark:
“It was good to get him back. Rico does a lot of good things. His competitiveness in the center of the field is a huge plus for us. We always try to get him to understand how to work with others. He had a good game, and there are also things that he still needs to improve.”
On Brad Guzan:
“Brad is another example of a player who came to MLS at a young age. Unlike most other goalkeepers, he got thrown into the fire right away and he had to learn how to survive. He has improved himself throughout his career, and has established himself as a guy that we think of as someone who can help us.”
On Sweden getting some momentum late in the first half:
“We had a very good start to the game, and we had a lot of energy. We lost a little bit of that at the end of the first half, and they responded well. They tilted the game, but in the flow of the game there are going to be these moments. We try to make our guys understand that they still need to stay organized, still need to be ready when a team is coming at you. Sweden is very consistent in their approach. They play as a team and have a great understanding. Even when the team is missing a lot of players, they don’t miss a beat as a group.”
U.S. midfielder and Sierra Mist Man of the Match LANDON DONOVAN
On what he thinks is the best goal he has scored for the national team:
“The best goal I guess was the Mexico game because it was in the World Cup. My favorite was probably against Ecuador last year in Tampa. Is setting the record important. I wouldn’t classify it as important but it’s something that I’m very proud of. More so than scoring goals, being part of the team for a long time it’s something I’m proud of.”
On being named captain for this game:
“Last year, the more I looked inside, the more I realized that [being the U.S. captain] wasn’t something I was earning. Just because I’ve been here a long time, because I have a lot of caps, that doesn’t make me a captain. I wanted to make sure this week that I showed that [I can be a captain], and I was glad and proud that Bob noticed that.”
On what else he wants to achieve in his career:
“What I’ve worked hard at is consistently contributing, for 90 minutes being a real part of the game. If I do that, and if I get that right, I think things will come. I’d like to think I’m getting a lot better.”
U.S. defender EDDIE ROBINSON
On earning his first cap:
“Outside of the context of soccer, I know what the American flag means and to see people out there wearing it and knowing I’m stepping on the field wearing that is a feeling that I can’t describe. It’s spine-tingling. It almost brings tears to your eyes because it means so much. I told my wife yesterday when I found out I was going to start that if this is the only game that I play I’m going to make sure I give it my all and come away happy that I got the chance to do this, because not many people do. It was a wonderful experience. It was awesome.”
On his game-winning goal:
“I’m in the box and trying to get to my spot. The ball comes out and I see two defenders rushing me, so I’m just trying to get it high and get it over them because pretty much that’s the only way I’m going to get it in.”
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