Pre-Match Press Conference (at ACFC) • 4-18-23
OL Reign Pre-Match Press Conference • Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Head Coach Laura Harvey and midfielder Quinn
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On OL Reign and Angel City FC scoring goals late in the game over the weekend and how much that impacts the preparation:
“Not too much, I don’t think. For us, it being a different competition, we sort of shifted our mentality a little bit and the fact that we go Wednesday away and then we play back at home at noon on Saturday, we’ve got to be very mindful of our roster. I think that will definitely come in to play a little bit.”
On this game being an opportunity to adjust the lineup:
“Yeah, definitely. It has to be. Coming off the back of an international break as well, I think it’s an opportunity for us to utilize our roster. It’s similar to how we used the Challenge Cup last year, where we used our roster more than we did in season. I think it’s just a really good chance for the players that haven’t played as many minutes to get a chance to play, us to push (forward Megan Rapinoe) Pinoe on a little bit more, give people rest that need it, knowing that we’ve got obviously a big game tomorrow night but also a big game on Saturday back at home.”
On how the team is doing with the quick turnaround of games:
“Good, no big things out of Saturday. A few people who – we’re managing a little bit: (midfielder) Rose (Lavelle) will be one that probably doesn’t play a part tomorrow. But (defender) Phoebe (McClernon) is close to being back. Pinoe – obviously, we’re increasing Pinoe’s minutes as we go. So, we’re excited to see what that can look like.”
On what she’s expecting from Angel City FC:
“Honestly, I think for everybody in the league, the Challenge Cup has to be something that you utilize in the way that you need to for your club and I think that they are in a position where, obviously they’ve had some big injuries already this year, so I’m sure we may see other players on their team as well at some point. I just think you have to look at it differently. I don’t think it’s sustainable for everyone to use the Challenge Cup as same old, same old. It’s just not sustainable, so I think you have to utilize it the best you can and everyone is going to do that for whatever they need. I think Angel City is a team that like to play, they’ve pressed higher this year, made that difficult. So yeah, I think it will be a good game. I think both teams like to play football, so that’s always enjoyable.”
Midfielder Quinn
On their thoughts having no more international breaks until July:
“I think it’s a really exciting stretch, for us. It’s always nice when you can get into a rhythm with your club team, so I think that’s exciting, as well as travel, it definitely takes its toll on players and so being able to put our singular focus towards setting ourselves up for success towards the end of the season, get points early in the season, I think that’s an exciting opportunity for everyone and it creates a good team chemistry that everyone’s in for this large chunk of time.”
On having depth at midfield:
“I think it’s really exciting that we have a lot of depth this year, especially in the midfield and we have different players that are bringing different attributes. I think that’s great that we can look at our opponents, look at the different games we have lined up and we can use a variety of skillsets, so I think that’s a big strength of ours and that’s something that we’re seeing so early in the season, which is exciting that everyone is in really great form. We are going to have injuries, we are going to have people who have to go on the road for international duty, so I think that’s going to be a really great skillset for us moving forward as well.”
On playing the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup in between regular season games:
“I think it will be interesting this year with the new format. I think people enjoyed the fact that last year, it was kind of a preseason lead up but at the same time, I think it was – people want to win and they want to be in good form, so I think it will be exciting this year, dispersing it through the regular season, like they do with some European trophies. I think it will be a good trial run for us. I think people are really excited for this new format, being able to spread it throughout the season and have that be a continuous competition throughout the year.”
On their thoughts regarding the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup prize pool being increased this year:
“I think, first and foremost, we’re on the pitch to win and those incentives are obviously secondary to us winning those games, but I think it is really exciting, especially looking at women’s soccer as a whole to see these prize incentives increasing. I think that’s just showing that the value people are putting on the league and on women’s sports in general. I think that is a really exciting evolution to see that and the players, they get to reap the benefits of that, as they should, so I think that’s really awesome to see and everyone is really excited to compete for that money.”
On the midfield battle against Angel City FC:
“I think it’s us sticking to what we know; we understand the general movements and strategies that their midfield is going to give us and that their team is going to give us. I think, although potential for personnel changes, it’s going to be a little bit different but overall, I think we are preparing for the same opponent regardless of who is in their midfield lineup. I think we are ready and we’re really excited to kick off the Challenge Cup against Angel City.”
On how it feels to have UKG NWSL Challenge Cup games after starting the regular season:
“As I said before, I think that will be an exciting component of it, that it’s not really a preseason trial run per se – people will be able to work on their rosters and see where they are at throughout the season. But I also think it’s the added challenge of being able to balance all of the schedules – you see that in the European teams, having to balance your team’s lineup to make sure that you can play three-game weeks, that’s always an interesting challenge for teams, so I think that will be an added challenge, but I also think it is exciting to have these games later on in the season and really get teams in form to be able to compete at the highest level for the end of the Challenge Cup. Every team wants to win all three of the competitions in the NWSL and all three of the trophies, so I think that will set teams up for the greatest chance of good competition.”
Download Quotes Here: Pre-Match Press Conference • 4-18-23