Head Coach Laura Harvey – Post-Training Press Conference • 3-7-23

Head Coach Laura Harvey

On how the team is looking:

“Good. I think those two days off was a trigger for us to hit the end of preseason. I think the Portland [preseason] tournament is always the last thing that we do before things really start. So yeah, we’re excited for that.”

On if the team will train between the games in Portland:

“Yes, definitely, same thing.”

On what it’s like knowing that people will coach as her in FIFA 23 when the NWSL is in the game:

“I didn’t even know that was a possibility. They better have a cooler. I’m not a video game player. I just think that that type of stuff is an acknowledgement of where the league is and going and it should’ve happened sooner, in my opinion. But I think the fact that it’s finally happening is a great endorsement for where this league is trying to go.”

On the preseason roster update and what she sees in the future for forward McKenzie Weinert and what influenced her to bring in midfielder Jadyn Edwards:

“Yeah, I think we – at this stage of the season, we have to do things now and then we have to think about the future and obviously with the World Cup coming, so I think for the guys that have been here throughout the predominant start of preseason, it will be good for us to give them a little breather before the season starts and then look to see what we need from them in that national team replacement period. (midfielder) Jadyn (Edwards) trained with us last season when she was still in college, so when she got released from (Racing) Louisville, she’s local, so it was a good opportunity to bring her in and see where she’s at.”

On if Edwards initially went through the waiver process:

“There was a waiver. They put her through the waiver process and to my terminology, she fell through waivers, so she’s basically like a free agent now. So, she came back home and when I knew she was coming back home, it was a good opportunity to bring her in and see where she’s at.”

On having depth at defense:

“No, I’m really excited. I think we have really good depth in the roster this year. We’re going to need it. I think we showed that last year and just to add to that, I think, is going to be huge for us. Yeah, I’m just excited for the possibilities of what it could look like. So, with the Challenge Cup being mixed in throughout the season, I think it gives us opportunities to give people time at different stages of the season and then obviously in preparation for when everyone goes away to the World Cup, I think we have a really solid roster that can compete.”

On if she has considered any formation changes:

“Not really. Honestly, I think we are who we are. I think that’s an important part of who the Reign is. Does it enable us to have flexibility within that? Yes, but I think it’s something that we’ve been working on throughout preseason on being really good at who we are but also having flexibility in moments within games or in preparation for games where we can do a few little, different things.”

On how the group has evolved throughout preseason:

“I think we’re just all getting back on the same page and obviously having a big group of them coming back made that easier. I think we’ve been able to integrate people in and I think the Portland tournament is always sort of that last little cherry on top to make sure that everyone’s on the same page, getting minutes against good opposition, where we can really evaluate where we’re at.”

On what it means to have defender Lauren Barnes back with the team:

“Honestly, I think for (forward Megan Rapinoe) Pinoe and for (defender Lauren Barnes) Lu being originals at this club and seeing this project through from start to today, I think, for me, they were the biggest signings of the season because it shows what this club is and when they have the opportunity to literally sign for anyone in the league, they still chose to stay here and I think that speaks volumes of who this club is and who they are as people and Lu has been a big part of creating what this club is and will be for the foreseeable future, which I’m really happy about.”

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