Pre-Match Press Conference (vs. LOU) • Friday, June 30, 2023
OL Reign Pre-Match Press Conference • Friday, June 30, 2023
Head Coach Laura Harvey and Defender Phoebe McClernon
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On what the team learned from the last time they played Racing Louisville FC:
“I think we have to start quicker. I think it’s been something that, when we do that, we do well. I think also the fact that we’re in a three-game week and they aren’t, I think also we have to start the game quickly, it’s important, too. So yeah, I think obviously different type of game, different personnel, but I just always think when we start strong and quick in games, it always sets the tone for us.”
On if the team prepares any differently knowing that Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo will be away:
“No differently, really, honestly. I think they’re good in transition, with and without her. I think she obviously has individual ability that isn’t necessarily tactical, so it doesn’t really change the way that we approach the game. Honestly, I think it would be foolish to do that, especially considering we’re missing the amount of players we’re missing, too. So, honestly, not tremendously different.”
On integrating the new faces for this game and going forward:
“Everyone who will be involved tomorrow has been training with us for a long time, so they know exactly what is expected and what needs to happen for the game. So, I think that’s been a really good thing that we’ve done this year is, get ourselves in a position where we can have these players come in and can fit straight into the roster, we showed that on Wednesday in Portland and it’s another opportunity for them to show that against Louisville tomorrow.”
On if she looks at this game differently since they are coming off a three-game week:
“I don’t think it’s tactically that way. I think the way that we pick the team is important that we’re not able to get 90-minute performances out of people who did 90 minutes on Wednesday, so we’ve got to be mindful of that. We’ve got to be mindful of, if we start the game strong, we need to end the game strong. So, I think three-game weeks provide you with that question of like, what are we going to do to make sure that we can start strong and end strong. I think the depth of our roster obviously comes into play with that.”
On midfielder Luany’s development:
“I think it’s the same as it’s been the whole time. I think she is developing. I think she’s used to this style and the pace of the game now and now I think it’s about her showing her ability in training and then if you show your ability in training, then you get an opportunity to play in games. It’s just a challenge. I think this is a challenging league. I think it’s really high level and even with players not being here, the level doesn’t drop dramatically, it’s still a super high-level league. So, I think she understands that. I think that our job is to continue to help her develop. Yeah, I hope that we can see some stuff out of her this summer that elevates her in that progression.”
On defender Phoebe McClernon being subbed in on Wednesday at the midfield position and if that’s something that will happen more often:
“No, it totally was to get her minutes, it wasn’t planned, honestly. We knew we had to get (midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt) Olo off and with (midfielder) Nikki (Stanton) being suspended and (midfielder) Jess (Fishlock) not quite ready yet, we knew we needed to try and get somebody in there who had a defensive mindset and the plan was for her to come on for (defender) Sam (Hiatt), but we had to change that in the middle of the game. So, I think she can do it, it’s not a huge masterplan to put her there.”
Defender Phoebe McClernon
On what her recovery process was like and what it felt like to get her first minutes on Wednesday:
“Yeah, it was a hard three months, I’ll be honest, especially the way it all timed out – I kind of got sidelined right when the season was starting, so that’s always frustrating and I felt like I was playing well coming into the season and I just wanted to be able to show that, help the team out. Yeah, it was a long time to be out, longer than I think I’ve ever been out. So, mentally just dealing with that and pushing through and trusting that my body’s working for me, not against me, was definitely a little bit of a [inaudible] moment there. I had to give myself a little bit of forgiveness and kindness. But to that point, it was so great to be able to get back out on the field, I really can’t express how excited I was to play again. I feel a little emotional right now just because I’m so, so happy to be able to play again.”
On if she has any advice for younger soccer players on how to come back from an injury:
“Yeah, for sure. I mean, every injury is different, so I think you just have to trust your body and listen to what your body is saying. I think, additionally, being proactive about that was definitely not always one of my strong suits and something that this injury has taught me is so important is just that making sure you’re getting the treatment when you need it and just asking for help, leaning on other people. We have such a great organization here and so many people who want to help you and if you’re not willing to ask for that help, you’re not going to necessarily get it and I think you have to take accountability in that and really be on the front end of that and then the payoff is everything that they say it is – it feels so good. It is such a weight off your shoulders and to be in an environment where, coming back I really feel like I can be myself and really give my whole self to the game again, where I’ve been in a position where I’ve had to limit myself for so long now, it’s so freeing and so exciting.”
On her goals for the second half of the season:
“I think my goals pretty straight forwardly are to impact this team in the largest capacity that I can. You never know how the season is going to go and I just want to be putting myself in the best position to do the most that I possibly can to help this team win a championship and that’s where my sights are set right now.”
On being with OL Reign for a year and a half and her overall experience:
“It’s been certainly a transition moving from East Coast to West Coast, the first time I’m living this far from my family – the majority of them anyway – and then also the soccer, it’s so good, the quality in practice is so high, the expectations around consistency, specifically, is so high and I think is so beneficial to every player that gets into this environment. It’s also extremely competitive, which is something that I really appreciate and I really thrive on, I think. So, for the most part it’s been positive with the exception of the injury, but what are you going to do? To be honest, as weird as it sounds, I’m happy that I was injured here of all the places that I could’ve been. It’s a really special place to be.”
On the depth of the team:
“It definitely is an opportune time of the season to come in. To be able to get game minutes while I’m coming back from an injury is huge, it’s almost of unparalleled importance. It’s so important to be able to find that comfortability back again on a game field as opposed to just a practice field. I think our depth is amazing. I think that we have so many young players who are stepping up in a such a big way right now. I think (defender) Alyssa Malonson had one of the best games I’ve seen her have since she’s been with the Reign, this past game. I’m just so impressed with everybody, I think that we have a lot of grit on this team, we have a lot of will to win and everybody that is here right now recognizes the opportunity that’s in front of them and are being very eager to take that opportunity and it shows.”
On how they’re preparing for Louisville:
“I think being on the front foot from the first whistle is definitely huge. This is our home field. We always want to make a point to make a statement that this is our home and that we protect our home, so I think the first 10 minutes of this match is going to be incredibly important. Apart from that, I think organization is huge. They’re going to try and likely attack us on the counter, so if we’re organized and communicative and we know the game plan going in, then I think that’ll help us a lot. We have all the ability in the world to beat any team on any given day. So, it’s just coming with the right mindset and the right mentality in that it’s a must-win, every game is a must-win.”
Download here: Pre-Match Press Conference (vs. LOU) • Friday, June 30, 2023