Alonso works very hard, and they play with a lot of passion. They sort of got us out of our game in the beginning. Once you go one up on them, they kind of die down, and then you can play some soccer.

It wasn't pretty, but it was need win. It is difficult to play on such a small field with so much wind. We tried to get the ball into their half and into the box, then play a little soccer. We will work on finishing our chances before next Tuesday, especially the easy ones.

We just have a ton of talent. But they took us out of our game at times in the first half and in the second.

We weren't executing in the first half and their (slow down) style of play kind of bothered us. Coach was on me about being more aggressive offensively and I listened to him.

We've got to go out there and play with the passion and anger that's still burning inside us.

I was most happy to see us play with great effort and great passion, ... Sure, absolutely (last year was on our minds). We're determined to prove some things this year. Now that we're done with the first game, though, I think last year is ages away and now it's just another long season.