Pre-Match Press Conference (vs. CHI) • 4-21-23
Head Coach Laura Harvey and Forward Tziarra King
On her thoughts on the start of the season:
Tziarra King: “I feel good. I am just trying to build off of each time I get to go on the field and learn and watch clips and be better. I’m happy with what is going on, we’ve just got to keep it rolling.”
On the squad rotation opportunities:
Tziarra King: “I think the reality of the situation is everybody has to be ready at all times and we kind of keep that standard here, especially knowing that we have [games on] Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. You have to be prepared because you never know what is going to happen. So, I think that, that’s kind of something Laura instills in us – to be ready at all times so that when you have your opportunity, you can perform. So, I don’t think it really has changed much.”
On the Chicago Red Stars and the threats they bring:
Laura Harvey: “I think, obviously, they’ve kept a similar formation to what they did last year and it’s hard to play against. Yeah, they’re difficult to break down and they have threats going forward that could tend to come a little bit late into the attack. I just think we have to stay organized and get on the front foot whenever we can, defensively, and try to create overloads in different areas of the field where possible.”
On her role as a wide player going against three defenders at the back:
Tziarra King: “Obviously, that allows for more space and I think the reality is, Chicago’s wing backs can recover quickly, so I think exploiting that in a way that kind of allows us to get an advantage with their three back is kind of ideal.”
On midfielder Jess Fishlock’s celebration after the goal against Angel City FC:
Tziarra King: “Well, I can share with you that (midfielder) Jess (Fishlock) does a very great chicken dance and stay tuned for what’s next.”
On if she has an injury update:
Laura Harvey: “(Midfielder) Angelina is progressing really well, she is ticking the boxes she needs to tick. She is in team training now, regularly, which is great. Obviously, coming back from such a big injury we’re just trying to be mindful to be careful with her. (Midfielder) Quinn, obviously tough one on Wednesday with an ankle. We’ve been getting it looked at, getting it assessed. It will be one that is over, I think weeks rather than long term, which is positive. (Midfielder) Rose (Lavelle), yeah, we’re just working through with Rose. We’re trying to be mindful of making sure that she is fully right when she comes back on the field, being very conscious to make sure that she feels good. She is back into training a little bit now, so that’s a positive step.”
On how midfielder Luany is acclimating:
Laura Harvey: “Obviously, she missed the whole preseason. So, it’s a long season, we’ve got to make sure that physically she is ready to go. So, we’re just building her up gradually. Obviously, you’ve seen her personality is already shining through, which is great, having someone young and talented and full of character, it just lends to being a part of this team, really. So yeah, she’s done a good job.”
On their defense:
Laura Harvey: “I think it’s great. It’s doing a good job. I’ve said it a lot, I’ll continue to say it, (goalkeeper) Phallon (Tullis-Joyce) has been excellent, but the two goalkeepers [Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory] who train with her every day are also very, very good and we want to give them opportunities and we see the Challenge Cup as a chance to do that.”
On forward Megan Rapinoe’s playing time:
Laura Harvey: “We have got to build her back up. I think she’s in a stage of her career where we have to be very mindful of that and obviously when she comes off the bench, she is making an impact, which is great. We want to just continue to put her on the right track. So yeah, continued minutes again tomorrow.”
On continuing to press high:
“I mean, we have been doing it for 10 years, so probably not going to change too much, honestly [laughs]. We’ve always been a high pressing team. I think the way that we do it, the approach we take to doing it, just tweaks slightly on the opponents. But the mentality of trying to be that team has always been us. I think the times that it starts to lend to – do we have to be a bit more conservative? Is around when it starts to heat up and we haven’t played on a field or in an environment that has been too hot yet. But yeah, it’s something that has been instilled in this club ever since we’ve sort of started. So, the cool thing about that is, we can add layers to it of what it looks like, how it looks, do we tweak it, and we definitely do different things depending on the opponents that we are going to play. But you’re right, I think we are playing against teams, now, that try and counteract what we are doing, but I think everyone knows that that is just who we are, we enjoy it, we enjoy being able to get on the front foot as much as we can. I think sometimes teams counter that by just going long, they go long, but I think with the addition of (defender Emily) Sonnett in the midfield and obviously (midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt) Olo being in there at times, we have an aerial threat now that means that it is really hard to do that against us, too. So, we definitely have added layers over the years to what it looks like, but I think the ethos of who we are won’t change. (Forward Tziarra King) Zee is laughing because I talk about it every day [laughs]. So, it was probably not something we’re going to change overnight.”