OL Reign Media Day • 2-27-23
Defender Lauren Barnes, Midfielder Jess Fishlock and Forward Megan Rapinoe
On having a longer preseason:
Lauren Barnes: “I think initially, we were like, ‘That’s going to be really long’, but we played [against Club America] and I think it was really beneficial that we came in a little bit earlier and just had a longer preseason. You could definitely see that we’re developing as a team and things are looking really good, so I think it’s been very positive.”
On free agency in the NWSL:
Jess Fishlock: “I think, honestly, free agency is going to be huge. It’s going to change the landscape of the league and how the league works. You can see that with what clubs are doing – Kansas (City Current), they seem to be throwing a lot of money around, which is what clubs are going to have to do now moving forward. They can’t just rely on the contracts that were in place, where the players don’t have a say anymore, which is huge for us as a league and as women’s football. Thankfully [defender Lauren Barnes and forward Megan Rapinoe] decided to stay. We not only need them just as people to get us through the days, but as players and as athletes, they are world-class. So, it’s good that we can still keep these types of people with us. But yeah, we’re going to have to step it up to bring in the same caliber of players, which probably won’t happen, but we can try. I think that is what we need to do now. We keep saying we have to move forward, we have to move forward with that, too, with the free agency completely just shattering what we’ve done in the past. Now, we have to be better, too, with going out and getting players and bringing them in. But in saying that, our squad right now is pretty darn good, so we have to make sure that the people we are bringing in are going to add to what we have already and I think that is where we’re looking forward. That’s when free agency kind of helps because you can sell your club and we have a great club and it’s something that we can sell, we just have to be better with that.”
Megan Rapinoe: “For me, the main thing is the main thing and that’s the product on the field. So, I think we have a world-class product on the field, a world-class coach and world-class players. Obviously, this is home for me. It would have taken a catastrophe, most likely, for me to actually leave, so I think that’s kind of the main thing and our locker room and our culture here is something very special. But I think moving forward in free agency, people don’t know that. We can talk about it all you want, but until you’re here, you don’t actually know that, so you do need to sell people. We need a, maybe not a world-class practice facility, but something that is rivaling other clubs in the league. We need to be able to pay the salaries that other clubs are paying. We have to do those things. I think, this free agency was a big eye-opener for everyone. People aren’t just going to come here because they like (head coach) Laura (Harvey) or they want to play with us or the team is good or whatever – you need to continue to push the environment and obviously playing in Lumen is a big part of that. Next year, our practice facility will be very good, in terms of comps in the league and I think we just need to keep pushing on all of those different aspects, but I think we have the thing that’s the hardest to get, which is the football. We have just such a talented, young squad. We kind of have all the pieces in place to be really good for a very long time and I think with the foundation of our culture and just how we are here, it could be one of the most attractive places in the world, not just the NWSL. But, we need to keep building and keep pushing and keep striving and making sure that everything off the pitch is just as good as what’s on the pitch.”
Midfielder Rose Lavelle and Defender Emily Sonnett
On getting integrated with the team:
Emily Sonnett: “It’s my third day here, actually, in Seattle. So, that’s great but obviously know (midfielder) Rose (Lavelle) and a bunch of the girls on the national team, so I feel like that kind of made it a bit easier moving across the country. Yeah, I think it’s a really good group and excited for what we can do.”
On being teammates with a lot of familiar faces:
Emily Sonnett: “I played in Portland for four years and Seattle has always been a very talented group. I think I told Rose, it’s just so exciting having so many talented players on our roster – obviously it’s going to be hard to choose who to play but also day in and day out training, it’s something that I’m really looking forward to.”
On how important it is to have fun energy and good vibes around the team:
Emily Sonnett: “If anything, I know how we have our fun friendship on the national team. I think it’s contagious. I think it’s almost like a comic relief for some people. I think it makes it very comfortable socially and then maybe everyone kind of coming together and making friends and having this joking environment. For me, this makes me feel very comfortable, obviously. I think [Rose and I] are probably two of the funniest people, minus (forward Megan Rapinoe) Pinoe, on the team, but I’m still working my way in [laughs].”
Rose Lavelle: “I think, when you have good relationships with people off the field, it makes the on-the-field product that much better, too. I think, not even just with (defender Emily) Sonnett, but I think we have such an amazing group of people. The vibes are always so good and I think I’ve never been on a team like this that it’s just so good and wholesome. It’s such a great group and I think it makes it so easy to come in and get the job done. I think we’re all on the same page with everything and it’s fun. I think it makes the highs and lows that much sweeter and the journey that much better when you’re enjoying who you’re doing it with.”
On looking back on last year and getting prepared for this year:
Rose Lavelle: “It’s so tough because you look back on the year and we had a really good year. We won the Shield and that’s hard. That’s like a product of the whole season, but then I think to finish on that last game hurt us all and I think we definitely want to come back stronger and better. I feel like we feel like we have some unfinished business and it’s definitely something we all learned from and are taking into the season. We want to set things right.”
On how great it is having midfielder Natalie Viggiano with team since they attended the same college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison:
Rose Lavelle: “Oh my gosh, it makes me really, really happy. We never got to play with each other at Wisconsin, but it makes me so happy. I think Madison, Wisconsin is just such a special place, so I feel like to have someone else who has been there, been in the program, there’s just a special bond. (Head coach) Laura (Harvey) was asking me about her before the Draft and I was like, ‘I would love to have another Badger on my team’. I’m always so jealous of people that have other people from their college on the team, I’m like, ‘Gosh, I want to play with a Wisconsin person’, so I’m so excited, I’m so excited. I think she’s done really great this preseason and I’m so excited to have her and excited to see what she can do.”
On seeing the support and interest from the community in women’s sports and specifically the Reign:
Rose Lavelle: “I think Seattle is such a big sports city and sports community and I thought we drew some great crowds last year. I think, specifically, our last game, the atmosphere was incredible, which then made it that much sadder that we lost. But yeah, I think it’s been great how everyone has rallied around us. I think we’re super happy to be back in Seattle and to be able to play in front of this city and this stadium and hopefully, we can continue to grow that fanbase and draw even bigger crowds. But I think our first year at Lumen, it was a really, really good experience.”
Forward Elyse Bennett and Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce
On getting settled in with the team:
Elyse Bennett: “Yeah, it’s been, honestly, a pretty smooth transition, I would say. I feel like everyone was super welcoming and the environment is great, both on and off the field. So, I have no complaints and I’m just really blessed to be here.”
On the Reign’s style of pressing:
Elyse Bennett: “Yeah, I feel like we kind of pressed in a similar fashion or were taught press that way in Kansas City as well and I feel like we kind of played a similar way in college, too, so I’ve been used to a high-press and used to kind of going forward and making transition a priority. So, I feel like it hasn’t been too difficult for me to learn and pick up here, but it’s great to be on this team and to be in this environment.”
On getting ready as a starter for the second consecutive season:
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: “I was super excited about last season, being able to be the starter for OL Reign, that was a massive opportunity and it’s such a great honor to be a part of this club. Just building off what we started and what we achieved last season and that’s really just our goal for this next season is to just do even more, especially for myself.”
On how the team looked against Club America:
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: “I personally think that we performed really well. I’m thankful to Club America for coming here, especially being seven games into their season and they put up a great match for us and the fans. That was incredible to be a part of. I’m really proud of our team and what we put forward for that game and I just think it’s such a great foundation that we’ve set for the rest of the season.”
Elyse Bennett: “Yeah, I would agree. I feel like that game was a good starting spot for us, a good benchmark to move forward from and I feel like it gave us good pictures on some things that we’ll see in the league and maybe some things that we won’t, but I feel like it gave us a good opportunity to see where we’re at and move forward and grow from there”
On what fans can look forward to seeing from her:
Elyse Bennett: “I think they can look forward to just seeing me continue to fight no matter what minute it is. I feel like every minute that I’m out on the field, I give it my all and I feel like you can see the tenacity in me. I feel like my biggest goal in being here and just anywhere I play is to just put my best foot forward and do anything that I can to help the team succeed. So, you’ll see me out there just doing what I do best and giving it my all for every minute that I’m out there.”
Midfielder Angelina and Midfielder Nikki Stanton
On the team signing midfielder Luany:
Angelina: “It feels great, honestly. I’m really happy. I know her from the U-20 (Brazilian National Team) – it was my last year of U-20 and then she just came in and it was her first. So yeah, she’s just really great, high energy, really good person. So, I’m happy to have her here and bring a little bit more of the culture to the team.”
On the team and what they are trying to accomplish this season:
Nikki Stanton: “I mean, this is my third team in the NWSL and I can say that this group is so insanely special. I think that the coaching staff does a really good job of making sure that the people who are here have similar morals and values and everyone in this locker room is so supportive of everybody to just be their best selves, on the field and off the field. I feel so valued just as a person and a player and I don’t think that there’s any other team in the NWSL quite like this one.”
Defender Sam Hiatt and Midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt
On having additional former University of Washington players – defender Shae Holmes and forward McKenzie Weinert:
Olivia Van der Jagt: “It’s been really fun. I’ve been with (defender) Shae (Holmes), obviously, for four years because I took my fifth year. So, it’s been really fun having them around and having your close friends that you went through college with. It’s fun to see them grow and play in this environment. I think they are doing great. Yeah, it’s just a fun time to be all together again.”
On being an important piece to the team:
Sam Hiatt: “It is kind of crazy. When people ask me how many years I have been here, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my fourth year’, which doesn’t sound right but it’s also due to the pandemic. I do think, as (midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt) Olo said, every year, the more experience you gain, it just gets a little bit easier, you kind of know what to expect, both from the team and the league and from yourself. Every year, I’ve learned a little bit more and I do think I’m close enough to remember what it’s like to be a new player in the league and I think I just try and help in any way I can and answer any questions and honestly, just do, for any of our new players, what the amazing veterans did for me when I was new to the team because they made me feel so welcome and comfortable right from the start and I just want every rookie and new player to experience that because ultimately, I think that’s part of what makes this team and club so special, is that everyone has a safe space to be themselves and when someone can be themselves and be comfortable, that’s when you’ll get the best soccer out of them. So, I think it’s something that we try to make sure everyone feels when they join the team.”
On the growth of women’s sports in Seattle:
Olivia Van der Jagt: “I feel like there has been so much growth and I feel like an eye-opener, just like our semi-final game last year, how many fans we got out was just really, really cool to see the support and how much it’s grown. Getting the girls out to be ball girls, I feel like that’s something we can continue to push on because I feel like that’s where the exposure – kind of like the youth soccer stand point is really cool because I remember when I was growing up, I was a ball girl at the (University of Washington) UW games so it was just cool to see the younger girls coming and supporting and looking up to you as role models. It’s just really cool to see.”
Sam Hiatt: “I feel like it’s one of those things where, I don’t think about that off the top of my head, it’s just me going to a game but like you said, I remember being the one going to Reign games at Memorial (Stadium) or going to the UW games and trying to get a signature from the players and just thinking it’s so cool that they played college soccer and it’s so cool that they’re professional athletes and wow, they get to play soccer for their job? That’s awesome. I just really hope that we continue to encourage, young girls, in particular, in the greater Seattle area since we are both from here, just to play and keep coming to games and I think it really is cool that we have Lumen as the platform now to get even more people from Seattle to come. It really is, I think, the platform that we and the club and the players deserve. It was really nice seeing all the fans come out last year and culminating in a pretty awesome semifinal, so I hope to see everybody out at Lumen, again, this year.”
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