Postgame Press Conference (at HOU) • Saturday, June 17, 2023
OL REIGN at HOUSTON DASH
POSTGAME QUOTES
Saturday, June 17, 2023 • Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, TX
OL Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her overall thoughts on the game:
“That’s the hottest conditions I’ve been involved in since the game that changed every rule in the league. So, it was ridiculously hot. Really proud of the players for digging in, but the difference between us coming out with a point and maybe getting three was just our quality on the ball – wasn’t there when we needed it to be. We gave the ball away in patches, which meant they got some momentum, too. We just couldn’t quite show quality when we really needed it to put the ball in the back of the net and create good quality chances, honestly. But yeah, that was hot.”
On making defensive adjustments and earning a clean sheet:
“(Goalkeeper) Phallon (Tullis-Joyce) came up big. (Defender) Ryanne Brown came up big late. Credit to Houston, obviously, they didn’t drop off and try and defend us, they came after us, which in these conditions, makes sense when you know that it’s hard for us in this type of heat. The fact that we could dig in and come out with a clean sheet is big but obviously when you’re playing against 10 players for as long as we were, the overall emotion is that we’re disappointed that we didn’t score and we made it easier for them at times than we should’ve done, I think that’s the emotion we all feel. But, we got a clean sheet, we’ve come away with a point in what was a really difficult game for multiple reasons.”
On defender Alana Cook reaching 50 appearances with the club:
“She’s world class. She allows us to play in a way that’s aggressive because she’s so athletic. Yeah, she’s a world-class defender, we’re lucky to have her. I didn’t know she’d got 50 appearances. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to watch a lot of them and she’s super young, she’s got a huge future and I can’t wait to watch her keep developing because she’s got a huge career ahead of her.”
OL Reign Defender Ryanne Brown and Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce
On their overall thoughts on the game:
Veronica Latsko: “I played in Houston for four years and this is the hottest it’s ever been, hands down, hottest game it’s ever been. I think you could see the toll it took on both teams. So, it’s a shame that we had to play in these conditions because I think both teams have a lot better quality to show, but that’s just the reality of the situation.”
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: “I mean, (forward Veronica Latsko) V said it best, we take what we can away from this game. I think we definitely struggled a little bit, but all the more, that’s just what we learn from this game and then using our next ones coming up. There is a lot to learn from this.”
On the rotation in the lineup:
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: “I think it’s incredible, the depth that we have on our squad. At any moment, we can call upon anybody – you see that in the Challenge Cup, with our results in the Challenge Cup as well. I mean, we’re so thankful for our people that can come in and there’s nothing lost. If anything, there’s things gained because they’re fresh. So, I think that’s a true testament to the players that maybe don’t get the start but are still working their asses off in practices.”
On earning a clean sheet:
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: “I think it’s massive, you have players like (defender) Ryanne Brown pulling off two goal-line clearances and that’s absolutely incredible. I owe a lot to her for that and I think that’s just what you see in this team and just work for each other, even in circumstances that aren’t ideal, that we just work for each other.”
On goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce:
Veronica Latsko: “Yeah, (goalkeeper) Phallon (Tullis-Joyce) balled out. It’s amazing and she’s amazing, but we as a collective, need to make her life easier so that she doesn’t have to make these saves of the week every week. So, that’s amazing and she’s incredible and I’m so proud of [Phallon Tullis-Joyce] for this game, but we need to be better as an 11, from the forward line, midfield line and defensive line – it starts as the collective unite.”
Download here: Postgame Press Conference (at HOU) • Saturday, June 17, 2023