Seattle Reign FC at NJ/NY Gotham FC Pre-Match Press Conference • Saturday, June 29, 2024
Head Coach Laura Harvey and Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey
Head Coach Laura Harvey
On her thoughts ahead of the match and the threats Gotham FC presents:
“Yeah, we’ve spoken a lot about being as good with the ball as we’ve been of late, which I think we’ve been quite good with it. We’ve possessed it well. Making sure we try and keep doing those things whilst also knowing that they try and make the field really big, really expansive so defensively, how we can solve that by making sure we can take care of all the spaces that they tried to exploit. So, that’s been our big focus areas for us.”
On how important it will be to win the duels with the expected heat:
“I mean, every NWSL game has been like that. So, that’s an absolute must. To be honest, we’ve trained twice here – yesterday was really pleasant and today, there’s been no real sun, so the weather, touch wood, hasn’t been as bad as everyone thought it was going to be, which I’m hoping stays for tomorrow’s game because a 1 p.m. kickoff here can be brutal. But yeah, I think on the physical side, we know that we have to be good in those moments, no matter who you play, to be honest, I think that’s so crucial. So, tomorrow will be no different.”
On if this is an opportunity to get points before the CBA break to help get closer to a playoff position:
“I think, we know that to even be talking about playoffs at this point in the season where we’re at would be, I think, foolish to be honest. I think we have to just take every game as it comes and our focus every game is we want to win. So, would getting three points tomorrow be huge in trying to change the narrative of what our seasons look like so far? Yes. Would then another three points – I just see it as these singular opportunities, really, rather than a, thinking about it in regards to the bigger picture because I think that the bigger picture means absolutely nothing if you just don’t take care of the points that are in front of you and unfortunately, last week we let two of those [points] slip. So, I think we just have to make sure we take care of trying to get a result tomorrow and then we do the same thing next week against Utah.”
On if she’s looking to build on the recent defensive performances:
“No, I think it has to be that defensive solidity. It has to be a big part of who we are. I think we have to make sure that we make it as hard as possible for teams to score on us. Yes, do we want to create chances and score more goals? Of course, but I think we’ve learned the hard way that if you don’t do the solid defensive, be-hard-to-beat mentality first and foremost, that this league is unrelenting and then you’re going to get into games when you’re having to score five or six to win games and we’re just never going to be that team. So, I think we have to make sure that defensive solidities are our number one priority.”
On having Claudia Dickey back:
“Yeah, I thought she was very good against Portland. She had probably more to do in that game. I think she got taught a hard lesson in the Louisville game of those moments of opportunity where she could have just controlled the game a little bit more and taken time off the clock and we could have just walked away with three points and that will be a good learning curve for her because we don’t get in those opportunities very often. But yeah, overall, I think she’s done a good job since she’s come back.”
On how the team is doing health-wise:
“Obviously, we picked up a couple of knocks last week, which was disappointing and both Lu and Ryanne haven’t traveled, so outside of that, we’re fine, but those two haven’t been able to make it.”
Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey
On playing Gotham FC for the first time this season and the threats they present:
“I think, obviously, everybody knows that they’re full of threats in every position. I think it’s always more interesting when you play people more often and obviously we haven’t played them yet, so it’s harder to prepare for a game that you don’t really know who’s healthy on their team or what players have been doing well because they have had a lot of injuries, but I think they’re on a good path right now. So, I think just preparing ourselves for that and honestly working towards what we need to focus on and then applying that for what we know from them or what film we’ve watched from them. It’s hard to prepare for teams that you don’t play very often. Obviously, we’ve played the West Coast teams a lot more, especially last year, so we’re used to it. But yeah, they’ve added a bunch of new talent – obviously they have Rose and Sonnett now, so it’s just what we’re trying to do defensively and attack – how we’re trying to figure that out is obviously different than usual.”
On getting the rhythm of playing again:
“Yeah, I think it always takes a while at first. Obviously, Portland was the first one back and I didn’t have to do much and then I didn’t have to do much last game either. It’s just unlucky at the end, but I think getting back into it is obviously, at first, I was definitely a little nervous, but I think the team and the girls and the coaching staff and everybody kind of prepared me for that moment, it wasn’t something that I needed to stress about. It’s kind of – when you’re out and then you come back, it’s like in some ways riding a bicycle, you get nervous, obviously, but you’ve got to rely on your teammates and I think they all helped me believe in myself and so that helps a lot and letting them give you confidence even when you don’t have it in yourself. So, I think it was a long time out, but I think I wouldn’t have gotten back to where I was without the staff and the teammates and I’m just trying to go out there and do my best for everybody.”
On if this is an opportunity to get points before the CBA break to help get closer to a playoff position:
“Yeah, it’s definitely the ultimate goal. I think we’re moving in a positive direction. I think we had several injuries – Quinny was out, Jordyn was out – we’ve been up and down a little bit throughout the year, like we’ve had sicknesses and people have been able to miss things, but I think we’re on a good path. I think we feel positive about that. Obviously, we haven’t had the best start to the season, but I think there’s a long way to go and there’s a lot of games left and we know that each minute in each game is super important and each result is important. So obviously, that’s why last week hurt so much. I think, especially at the end of the game, I think there’s so many games left and opportunities to score and get better and close that gap, so I think each game we just focus on that. It’s obviously the goal, everything is obviously working towards that, but I think we want to focus on each thing individually at first.”
On what they take from the Washington Spirit defeating Gotham FC last week:
“Obviously, we work on it, in terms of us and like the player set that we have and what specifically we can find in them, like holes and defensive. Like I said, it’s hard to prepare, not knowing exactly who they’re going to play or what style they’re going to play because I think a lot of teams play us a little bit differently. So, I think if we continue to play how we’ve played, I think that’s going to help a lot. I feel like we’ve been better in possession and defensively, we’ve been a lot stronger than we have. So, I think just that and finishing our chances and doing everything collectively as a unit. I think the last two games, we’ve obviously been a lot better in every moment, except for the goal last weekend, but I’m just putting that forward because we know tomorrow is going to be difficult, we know they have a bunch of players that can score in any moment. So, I think being able to defend that and focus in those moments defensively, but also when we have our chances to take them and score them because you know you don’t always get that many against such a good team.”