U.S. coach Bruce Arena, keeper Brad Friedel, and forwards Clint Mathis and Brian McBride met the press after MondayÆs 1-1 tie with South Korea.
Bruce Arena, U.S. coach
''It was a difficult game but I am happy with the point. Korea's fitness is outstanding. Most people, a month ago, would not have believed the United States would get four points in our first two matches. One hundred percent of the people would have said no. It was a very difficult opener with Portugal and a draw with Korea. It's a good feeling to get 4 points.'' On the difference between Portugal and Korea: ''They are completely different teams. Portugal is a creative, attacking team while Korea is a power team. Their [Korea's] fitness becomes a factor for 90 minutes. Today, they used their physical prowess to serve a lot of balls into the box. In the second half they put us under a lot of pressure. It will be an interesting game between Portugal and Korea.'' On the atmosphere in Daegu: ''It was a big day for Korea and for us to play in front of a 60,000-odd crowd, to play in these conditions was difficult. For us to come away with a point is very satisfying. I want to get us [USA] ready for the next match against Poland. I am satisfied that we came out with no real injuries and hopefully the players will recover for the third match.'' On keys to the result: ''Clearly, Brad Friedel was the man of the match, saving a penalty kick. He came up with a couple of other saves as well. Also, Eddie Pope played fantastic for us today, dealing with crosses. I have to give credit to Korea. They were athletic and strong and they used their qualities to their advantage.'' On his expectations on the next match against Poland: ''Our aspiration is to advance into the second round. We have to use lot more strategy [against Poland]. Today's match was a tough match for us, it will help us prepare for the next match.'' On the tie with the Koreans: ''We not only played against the Korean team, but we played against a nation today. Friedel was outstanding and Clint) Mathis had a good game. To get a point against the home team is good.'' On the referee's calling a penalty kick on Jeff Agoos: ''Jeff got an unfortunate call for the penalty kick. He was dragged down by No. 9 [Seol Ki Hyeon]. I don't know how that is a penalty. It was ridiculous.'' On Korea's goal celebration [Mimicking a speedskater in reference to the Winter Olympics, when a Korean skater lost his gold medal following a protest from an American skater.]: ''I don't know what they did. I'm not sure of the point of that.''
Brad Friedel, goalkeeper:
On whether he expected the penalty kick by Lee Eul Yong to go to his right): ''I guessed right. I knew it would go that way for some reason.'' On the Korean team performance: ''I think you have to give them some credit. They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half. It was difficult to withstand that much pressure.'' On whether he is happy with the tie: ''If someone had said you can have four points going into the third game, I would have taken it.'' On the crowd and atmosphere: ''It was a great atmosphere. Ever since we got here, the South Koreans have been very friendly, always waving to us and not hostile at all. It was a good atmosphere, not a hostile one.'' On the tangle which resulted in Korea's goal: ''It was a ball played in between the defense and myself and I think we were put under a lot of pressure. Both teams were very tired at the end, we lost concentration for a split second and they put it away.'' On the penalty: ''I didn't think it was a penalty. I saw it on the replay. I don't want to have a go at the referee or anything, I thought he did a very good job today. I think he saw a lot of legs kind of tangled, four bodies right there, but I think it was the other way around. The Korean player had a hold of Jeff's jersey, not the other way around. But saying that, justice was done.''
Clint Mathis, U.S. forward
On his goal: ''Somebody on the U.S. team had to do it. I didn't even see it go in. I was turning away. To score in my first World Cup … I can't describe it in words. I didn't know there was a defender behind me I just wanted to finish the play off. When you're called, you have to produce.'' On his goal ceremony: ''I put up two peace signs and the kiss was to the U.S. fans. There was a small section of them [U.S. fans] but they were supporting us 100 percent. I had to show my gratitude to them.'' On getting four points: ''For us and South Korea, it's great. It's four more points than anyone thought. It's good to get out with a point. Right now, we're sitting good.''
Brian McBride, U.S. forward
On the United States team's growth over the past four years: ''We are not the same team as we were four years ago. We are now different, we are getting better and growing.'' On their achievement of having four points: ''It's very good. We are putting ourselves in a good position.'' On the Polish team: ''They are physically very strong, we have to make sure we keep in shape.'' On the atmosphere of the stadium: ''It was very good. I didn't understand what they (Korean supporters) were saying, but they were excellent. You wished they were your fans.''
