Postgame Press Conference (at KC) • Friday, August 18, 2023
OL REIGN at KANSAS CITY CURRENT
POSTGAME QUOTES
Friday, August 18, 2023 • Children’s Mercy Park • Kansas City, KS
OL Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her overall thoughts on the match:
“I thought we tried to do some of the things we worked on and prepared for. We executed it at times, we rushed when we got into the final third, we did not show enough quality up there, I thought. Goals change games. Conceding off a throw-in is something that, if anyone knows me, will sit with me for a long time. So, that’s something that we’re definitely going to have to talk about. I think, for (forward) Jordyn (Huitema) it was tough to have to wait as long as she had to wait to take the penalty was difficult and penalties are all psychological. So, the moment she had to wait a long time, it always puts the advantage to the goalkeeper.”
On her biggest takeaway from this game to prepare for Angel City FC:
“Thrown-ins, probably. I think we’ve got to get back to understanding what we’re trying to do and I think we did some of it tonight, but we lacked quality in the final third, we lacked quality moving the ball through the thirds at times. I was proud of the group, they dug in and they kept going. But we just needed some quality and we didn’t have it and the reality is, in this league, if you don’t show quality in those moments, it’s going to be tough. We could’ve come away with a point – if we would’ve done our job off a throw-in, we could’ve come away with three [points]. There are fine margins in this league, but we’ve got six games to go and we’re nowhere near accomplishing any of our targets. So, we know the Angel City game now is a huge chance for us to get three points and they’re needed points, we need to get those points. So, getting back with everybody, hopefully, fingers crossed everyone comes back fit and healthy and we can go down there with a full-strength squad to go and try and get three points, which is going to be really vital for us.”
OL Reign Midfielder Quinn and Midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt
On the defense preventing the Current’s quick transition:
Quinn: “They have quality players up top, they have fast players up top, I think that’s obviously their biggest threat and so we didn’t want them being able to quickly counter and I think so, for us, being able to keep our defensive structure, especially our back six, we thought would be really helpful and just make sure our front five was kind of managing with that. So, that was essentially what was happening.”
On what the team needs to take from this game to move forward:
Quinn: “I think it’s, for us, just getting the team together and we have some of our players coming back when we return, so I think, for us, it’s just everyone getting on the same page because I think it’s tough when you’re gone for a little bit and you have new lineups and different lineups. So, I think, for us, the biggest thing is just getting on the pitch together and getting all of us on the same page and us refocused on to the next few games because they’re going to be hugely important, as you said. We really do need points every single game.”
On seeing midfielder Angelina return from her ACL injury:
Olivia Van der Jagt: “I’m so proud of (midfielder Angelina) Ang for all the work she’s put in and I’m so happy to see her back on the field. It’s been a long time coming and she’s worked so hard and I’m just so excited to play with her again. She’s an amazing teammate and player and she deserves everything.”
On what happened on the goal:
Olivia Van der Jagt: “We’re disappointed on giving that off a throw-in. I think we just weren’t in shape and we needed to organize a little bit better and communicate who’s stepping. That’s something that we’ve been working on and pride ourselves on, so we’re very disappointed on that one and we’re just going to reflect and learn from our mistakes and what we need to get better at.”
On playing alongside midfielder Quinn:
Olivia Van der Jagt: “(Midfielder Quinn) Quinny is a great player. They love to get on the ball, always looking to find the space that’s open and I just love playing with them and working off of them. It’s great to have them back from the World Cup and just get back into training and everything. They’re an amazing teammate and player, so it’s awesome playing next to them.”
Download here: Postgame Press Conference (at KC) • Friday, August 18, 2023