Portland 1, LA Galaxy 1
Q. I wanted to ask you how you think the team closed out this game in the last ten minutes there?
ZANKA: I think, obviously, how the game goes along, we're pursuing something. We're kind of hunting for a goal, and then we have a bit of the upper hand.
Then obviously the game turns a little bit into a scrap at the end, and you kind of just have to make sure that you take a point with you home.
Q. This is a tough place to play for sure, a lot of players say that. What's your experience in Portland playing on turf and the atmosphere on the day?
ZANKA: Yeah, definitely a difficult place to play. I would say I prefer this turf to Vancouver turf because at least I feel like it's a little bit softer on the body.
So you kind of don't have the same -- it feels more like a real pitch than Vancouver's turf does. Yeah, it's definitely a difficult place to play.
Yeah, I think second half, I think we managed it well.
Q. I wanted to ask about your assist on the play, the long ball. What was your reading of the situation, and when did you know it was possible to play the long ball towards Christian?
ZANKA: Yeah, I think obviously we tried a few different things, and sometimes when you get the ball, you kind of just know that this is what you're going to do.
So when I looked up and Maya was passing the ball, I could see out of my eye that Christian was in a good position. I thought, you know, what, screw it, 17's down there somewhere, and just hang it up there and try to see if he can go up and get it.
He finished it great, and we took a difficult point with us home to L.A.
Q. The team just picked up a point, and coming off that win on Wednesday, it seems like things are starting to come together a little bit more. What's your take on it? Do you feel like the team is slowly starting to get to where you guys want to be, and not only tactically but with players coming back, as well?
ZANKA: Yeah, I think obviously, we're a new team. We've got to accept the fact that we are a new team with the fact that a few guys have been out, or a lot of guys have been out; a few guys are still out.
And the new guys, myself included have to kind of get some time to gel with the team, and we have to figure out obviously, as well, how to play without Riqui because he was, from what I can see last year and what I hear from the guy, instrumental to the way the team was playing.
Now obviously without him, you have to find different solutions, and sometimes that takes time. We're playing a lot of games and we're traveling a lot. That's not easy, either. There's a lot of challenges for us and we're just trying to stay calm and work hard and make sure that we get better every day, and I think getting a point away here was a good step in the right direction.
Q. You mentioned that yourself included, some of these players are still vetting in. In terms of that acclimation process, I know that Christian Ramirez has only been there for 30 days, and a couple other place just arrived. For yourself, how is that vetting period been? Are you settled in Los Angeles?
ZANKA: It's definitely, especially coming over with kids, traveling, switching teams in general, a new city, there's a lot of stuff that's just hanging out there for you personally.
For myself, we've gotten a temporary spot, which helps a lot. My son starts preschool on Monday. It's the small things that kind of just takes away and makes you -- gets you able to just focus on football. And once you get those things sorted, it's easier to be a better football player. It sounds maybe corny or it sounds maybe, you know, like an excuse but that's actually just the reality. As an athlete, it's sometimes a little bit difficult.
But this is what we have to do, and we get through it right now. Brighter days are ahead.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports