OL Reign Postgame Press Conference (vs. Club America) • 2-25-23
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her thoughts from the match:
“Yeah, I thought there was some really good things and I thought there was some things that, with this being our first game in preseason, there are things that we’ve got to tidy up and clean up on but overall, I thought that it was exactly the game we needed, really. So yeah, happy.”
On forward McKenzie Weinert’s goal:
“Honestly, how she scored the goal, that’s what she’s done. I think she works really hard. She’s got some explosion of pace. She understands how to go and pick up balls that aren’t necessarily ones that she should go and get and make the most of it and that’s exactly how she scored a goal. So yeah, I think you saw the reaction from the team and how excited they were for her and I think that just shows the type of person she’s been in training so far.”
On forward Veronica Latsko playing on defense as part of the backline:
“Yeah, we have actually played (forward) Veronica (Latsko) there in The Women’s Cup and we didn’t have a lot of time to train with her there. So, me and Veronica spoke at the end of last season and in the offseason about using preseason as an opportunity to see what it would look like for her there. I think it could be an opportunity for her to extend her toolbox and I thought she did really well. So, it’s been something we’ve worked on in preseason. She obviously knows our system, knows what is expected of a of a wide player in our system. So, she’s been playing there, as well, in training, but we have been coaching her a lot as a fullback and wanted to see her against good opposition tonight there and I thought she did really well.”
On if Latsko is playing more defense due to players being gone during the World Cup:
“A little bit of both, honestly. We have to prepare for (defender Sofia Huerta) Sof and whoever else not to be here, so we know that we have to be ready for that and we have some options that aren’t Veronica that we’ve used before – (defender) Phoebe’s (McClernon) played out there, (defender) Ryanne Brown obviously came in tonight, did a really good job. But I know that when we put Veronica in there last year in The Women’s Cup, like I said, we haven’t coached her there, we haven’t trained there and I wanted to give her an opportunity to train and be coached there and learn the position a little bit more and the best way to learn it and be evaluated in it is to play in it. So, tonight was a good opportunity for her to do that.”
On how this win can give the team momentum:
“We honestly didn’t need to boost it too much, but I think it’s important that we know what we look like when we don’t have the [international players] and especially during this year with the World Cup and when we have the opportunity to train as a collective with that group, I think it’s really important that we educate them and integrate them into what it could look like without the [international players] and this was a, sort of the end of that international period for us, so hence why only (midfielder) Jess (Fishlock) and (midfielder) Quinn were seen tonight – because Jess played two games in the three games that she could have played and Quinn only was available for one of those games. So, it was nice to get some minutes for them tonight. But yeah, honestly, tonight was about seeing what the team looks like without them. So, from that perspective, it was worthwhile.”
Forward Tziarra King and Forward McKenzie Weinert
On forward McKenzie Weinert’s first goal:
McKenzie Weinert: “Yeah, I just saw the defender waiting to step, so I just tried to take my opportunity and stepped in front of it. It happened so fast and it was exciting and nerve-racking. So, definitely a blur.”
On forward Tziarra King’s goal:
Tziarra King: “She put in a perfect ball, literally put it on a platter for me. Honestly, I looked over and (forward) Bethany (Balcer) was on the ground. I was like, ‘What is happening?’ and then I just stepped my foot out and boom, it went in the back of the net. So sometimes it just works out for you that way.”
On the team’s preparation:
Tziarra King: “It’s interesting. It’s almost like the reverse of The Women’s Cup last year – we were in the middle of the season and now they’re in the middle of the season. But no, I mean, I think we feel good. Obviously, there’s a lot of things we have to work out. But the fact that we have some good footage to be able to kind of unpack and understand what we need to improve on is really helpful for us.”
On having a partnership with Club America:
Tziarra King: “Obviously, we’re excited for the partnership. I think anytime we have a linkup between clubs, especially women’s sports clubs, it’s really exciting and it’ll be good for us. Obviously, being able to play competition from across the world is something that we’re always excited for and I think that it was a good first game for us this year to kind of see where we’re at. We’re excited to see where this blossoms from here.”
On being able to play the friendly in front of fans and have it streamed locally:
Tziarra King: “Yeah, I mean, definitely, it’s unique that we had such a big crowd for a preseason game and for it to be streamed on live television. I think, this early in the season, it’s not usually what you have, but it was exciting. I think everyone was ready for the moment and excited for the moment. Yeah, the ability to have it at Starfire obviously changes the dynamic – the crowd, the stands. So yeah, it was really fun. I think it was a really good time, I enjoyed it. It was good to see the fans come out, even though it was freezing outside, absolute bricks, but it was a good time. So far at Starfire, yeah, obviously, I kind of said this other day on press conference, we have had our operational kinks, things are trying to work out, but I think overall the move to Starfire for us is a good step in the right direction.”
On the difference from the collegiate level to the professional level:
McKenzie Weinert: “Oh yeah, it’s very different. It’s such a high-intense environment and I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to train with everyone and learn from people like (forward Tziarra King) Zee – scores bangers. It’s been great.”
On having family and friends at the game:
McKenzie Weinert: “Oh yeah, it meant the world just to get my first few minutes and have the people who I care about most with me. So, it was a really great moment.”
On transitioning from playing in college to playing with OL Reign:
McKenzie Weinert: “The transition has been difficult in the beginning, but the team is so helpful, they help along the way. The transition has been smooth thanks to all the teammates on the Reign.”
Download Quote Here: Head Coach Laura Harvey – OL Reign Postgame Press Conference (vs. Club America) • 2-25-23