U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team Head Coach Kazbek Tambi
On securing a place in the semifinals: “We were very excited about the possibility of going to the semis. We’ve played two games and we’ve gotten stronger from the first to the second. We’d like to have an excellent game against Trinidad because we want to keep the momentum of the good soccer leading into the semis. At this point we’re still taking it game by game.”
On the team’s mentality going into the second half: “At 6-0, the game was pretty much done as far as the result but our goal was to have an injury-free second half, to have no yellow cards and to still try to play very, very good soccer.”
On how the team will approach the match against Trinidad & Tobago: “We’re going to go into it like a regular match. In my experience from the past is that if we change our mental game in terms of how we approach the game, that could hurt us going into the semis. We’ll go into the match with Trinidad knowing that they are a very strong side and that we need to play excellent soccer. That will help us in terms of continuing the momentum leading into the semifinals.”
On what the experience of participating in the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Championship: “This is the first time we’ve had a U.S. U-17 (Women’s) National Team leading into a world championship so we’re kind of learning on the job. My experience so far has been very positive in that we have young players who can perform well at the international stage and I think all their experiences here are going to help several of them in becoming future full National Team players, hopefully, one day.”
U.S. U-17 WNT Forward Rachel Nuzzolese
On her three goals: “The goals were great because they were team goals. (My teammates) found me a lot and we connected well and played as a team. Without them I wouldn’t have scored.”
On securing a spot in the semifinals after two games: “It feels great because we’ve been practicing for a long time for this and preparing and getting in shape, so it’s a good feeling.”
U.S. U-17 WNT Captain Cloee Colohan On her experience in the team’s first-ever qualifying tournament: “It’s been a really good experience. Being here in Trinidad is so much different that in the U.S. and just playing with the audience and everything is so different. I think it will help us if we get to New Zealand. It will calm us down and now we’re used to the fans and everything.”
On playing on the artificial turf: “We’ve been to a few training camps back at home and we’ve played on the artificial turf for a few months now so we’re pretty used to the turf and how quickly it moves. It’s good. We like it.”
On how much she is looking forward to playing against the host country on Tuesday: “I think we are ecstatic. We can’t wait. We want to win this whole thing. We want to take home the victory so I think we’re really excited to play and see what the competition is like.”
On trying to follow the footsteps of the U.S. Women’s National Team: “It’s been awesome. Being here (at this qualifying tournament) you get used to what the older girls do. Some girls don’t understand that it’s really tough. I look up to every girl here and every girl that’s on the Olympic team. It’s a great experience and hopefully we just keep working for the best. We have to just try our hardest to get (to the full National Team) and, if we don’t, just keep working hard.”
On being named captain for the match vs. El Salvador: “It felt really great. It was really exciting but also really nervous, being the team captain and trying to take care of everybody. But it was a great experience and I’m glad I was able to be the captain.”
U.S. U-17 WNT Midfielder Olivia Klei On the match: “We played really hard and we connected our passes. Sometimes we got
combustled and worked up but once we got calmed down and started connecting, that’s how we got our goals and we finished well.”
On her goal and three assists: “On the goal, someone crossed it and I just kicked it in the goal. I just followed. But, the others, two were crosses. Actually, they were corner kicks, and Amber (Brooks) scored. The other one, I think I just dribbled past the girl and then I crossed it. I saw a lot of space in front of me so I just went for it.”
On the mentality of the team heading into the third match: “We just have to play our game and try to tune everything, like the crowd, out. I think that will be very helpful.”
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