Seattle Reign FC vs. Utah Royals FC Pre-Match Press Conference • Saturday, July 6, 2024
Head Coach Laura Harvey and Forward Tziarra King
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s match:
“Excited to be back home. Excited to build off last week’s performance, put some things together that we thought we could be a little bit better at from last week and hopefully, we can go into the break on a positive note.”
On coaching against Utah’s interim head coach and how that impacts her approach to the game:
“I think you just have to be prepared that it could look different. So, I think we focused a lot on ourselves this week. I think we did a good job of that last week in Gotham and you’re right, you have to expect that they may look different than they did last week. I do feel like there was some imprint of different last week and I think at the Portland game, you could see maybe a little bit of sprinkled influence on the game last week.”
On the team’s availability:
“Ryanne’s back, she’s good. Lu (Lauren Barnes) will have to see by the end of the day. Jess got a little knock last week when she came out, but I think she’ll be OK, too.”
On if the expected heat tomorrow impacts her game plan:
“It doesn’t really impact the game plan. Obviously, we played in New York last week, which was an oven, it was so hot. We did well on the things we wanted to do. I think we’ve been prepared for the last couple of weeks of heat, obviously going to Gotham. We don’t tend to get too much in Seattle, but I think we worked all week post-Gotham and pre-Gotham on hydration strategies and doing as much as we can for the players to get them as fueled as possible for that heat. But we know there may be occasions in the game where we can’t press the way that we normally like to. But if we can control the ball and take control of the game, it will make things easier for ourselves.”
On how it felt to get a late equalizer last week:
“Yeah, it was great. Obviously, we had it the week before and it felt horrific on the other side of it against Louisville, so to have it go the other way for us was great – definitely had a bit of a feel good feeling. We had a lot of Carlyle group at the game – I think they had 100-plus people there. So, they were losing their minds at the end of the game, so we had a little fan contingency at the game and we sort of gave them a little clap at the end and saw some of our new owners there. So to be able to sort of live that with them was nice.”
On what she thinks Utah has improved on and what makes them dangerous:
“Yeah, I think the only thing we spoke about before you came on was the fact that obviously they’ve got a new coach now, so it gives a little bit of uncertainty to exactly what they’ll look like, but I do think that they’ve become more solid. I think they’ve become a bit more of a threat in those transitional moments. I think at the start of the season they were out-possessing everybody and the passes they would complete and it was like a crazy stat in comparison to their opponent, but they weren’t really threatening anybody. I think that that’s sort of been an evolution for them where, they’re still out possessing a lot of the teams that they play, but they’ve got a bit more of a threat and a bit more bite to them. That’s evolutions of teams. I think we’re in a similar boat – our team is different than a year ago and we’ve had to feel that. I think over the last three weeks, we’ve evolved into a team that’s moving the ball differently, controlling games differently. So yeah, I think they’ve just added a little bit of bite into their transitional moments.”
On Tziarra King’s contributions to the team:
“Yeah, I think she has worked really hard on her game. I think playing her on the right, I think the combination with her and Sofia is a good one. We know she can come up that left side and enjoys hitting shots with her right foot. But yeah, I think her movement higher up the field, her threatening the line, she’s always been a really good defensive forward for us. She really understands that side of the game. But I think she’s just added this sort of threat to her game a little bit, her attacking threat is obviously great for us.”
Forward Tziarra King
On her thoughts ahead of the match:
“I mean, I think it’s the same mindset that we have every game – we want to go out, put out a good performance and get some points. Obviously, we’re back at home this week. We love our fans and need three points.”
On if she’s had time to reflect on her journey to 50 NWSL regular season appearances:
“Yeah, definitely. It’s pretty crazy, honestly. I guess you love to celebrate everyone else’s achievements, so I’ve been really excited for everybody – Sam Hiatt got hers and Madison Hammond got hers and Lany (Alana Cook) got hers whenever she got hers a while ago. But yeah, I guess it’s just kind of like, wow! In that moment, you start to reflect on everything you’ve been through – the mental battle, the amazing memories you’ve made with your teammates. Yeah, I think it’s really cool. I mean, I obviously played at Utah before, but none of my 50 [appearances] came from there, so all 50 were here, which is pretty special as well. So yeah, it’s definitely a reflection time, for sure.”
On if the late equalizer last week made a positive impact at training this week:
“I think the reality of the situation is we’ve put out some good performances and not gotten results that we’ve wanted, so that definitely has been kind of a blow. But every week we try again and that’s all we can really do. So, I think last week’s late goal was definitely really uplifting for all of us and I hope that we can carry that energy into the game tomorrow.”
On if they are prepared for the heat tomorrow:
“I mean, absolutely, how could you not? Especially on turf, it’s going to be hot. But big credit to our medical staff and our strength and performance and nutrition, we’ve made hydration a really big key this past week – we did sweat testing and we’re really ready and prepared to handle it tomorrow. Obviously, last week in Jersey was hot as hell, too. So, we’ll be ready for it. There’s nothing you can do, we play an outside sport, we can’t control the weather, so we’ve just got to make it work.”
On how her game has evolved since last season:
“I think one of the biggest areas coming out of last season into this season was trying to be more attack-minded, more dangerous in the attack, and like you mentioned, still no goals coming, which is obviously the next step, but I definitely am proud of the chances I’m creating now, it’s definitely improved from last year and the goal is always the last part to come. So, I am hopeful and excited to continue creating and I’m not going to put any stifling mindset on myself or anything that’s going to make me feel pressure anything. I’m just going to go out and play every week and whatever comes with that comes with it.”