U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Pia Sundhage:

On Kate Markgraf scoring her first goal:
“I’m so happy for her. I coached her in Sweden with our club team and she scored a goal on a corner, but I’m so proud and happy to be a part of this, because it is her first international goal and she’s been playing forever and ever.”

On tonight’s game:
“I think the game went well. We knocked it around in the first half and the first goal from Lori Chalupny was excellent. I think they had a lot of fun out there and that’s the most important thing. We got two goals from defenders tonight and that’s pretty great. That means we have many goal scorers and that’s important.”

On the Toyota Park:
“I love this. This stadium is perfect. It reminds me of some fields in Sweden, England and Germany so this is absolutely perfect for a soccer player and coach.”

U.S. Women’s National Team defender Kate Markgraf:

On getting her first career goal:
“I had 192 games with the National Team and scored no goals. For the past 10 years, any time we’ve had a penalty opportunity that wasn’t in a major tournament they’ve tried to get me to take one. Today I finally caved and said ‘okay, I’ll take one today.’ Some of it had to do with being here in Chicago, but I also had to get rid of the pressure! Natasha Kai probably put the most pressure on me. She would always say ‘I’m getting you a PK!’”

On whether she was happy to score:
“Of course I was happy to score! If you’re not happy when you score a goal you shouldn’t play soccer! It’s a fun thing to do.”

On playing in Chicago, where she will play in the WPS with the Red Stars:
“I find myself very fortunate that I get to play in Chicago in this amazing stadium. This is a perfect soccer stadium. Everyone that I’ve met so far in the organization has been professional and first rate, so I feel very lucky to have been placed here.”

On tonight’s crowd:
“This crowd was cheering from the first minute to the last, so I was really happy. We heard them the whole entire time.”

On being allocated to Chicago with Lindsay Tarpley and Carli Lloyd:
“I think I’m really lucky. Everyone on the U.S. Women’s National Team is so talented and I think we’re lucky that we have a blend of personalities. I’m a true defensive player Carli Lloyd is just off the charts talented and Lindsay Tarpley just gets it done every single time and is good at everything she does.”

U.S. Women’s National Team forward Lindsay Tarpley

On the Achieve Your Gold Tour:
“Throughout the Olympics we really came together as a team and that’s the best part about that. It was such a team victory, and we definitely felt the support of our fans. We needed their support and for them to be with us, so we’re happy to be able to show our appreciation on this tour.”

On playing in Chicago:
“I’ve always loved Chicago. I grew up coming to Cubs games and Bears games so I’m thrilled to be living here in a few months and I’m really looking forward to the future here. I’m very excited about the league and my teammates are as well. The opportunity to be a role model for young kids is important to me and I think we’re going to have a great opportunity to do that.”

On Kate Markgraf’s goal:
“I was so proud of her. She stepped up there and finished off a great PK. She deserves that. She’s been such a great part of this team throughout its history and a go-to player. For her to get her first goal in the stadium where we’re going to be playing club soccer together is great.”