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On Sunday, the Washington Spirit made its NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup debut with a 2-1 win over Chivas Femenil at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa. After the match, Head Coach Jonátan González, Brittany Ratcliffe, and Lena Silano spoke with the media.
Jonátan González
On his takeaways:
I think it was a good training in terms of everything we are doing during the week tactically – when we have the ball, when we don’t have the ball, and especially for the players who didn’t play so much in the beginning of the season. I think it is important to us to load this part of the season because all the players are important for training, for competing, and we have different moments in the game. I think we created more chances, so big opportunity for the players that could show that they are able, capable to play. As well, the players that come from other clubs, coming here to be numbers and compete really well and get level. I am happy because the performance was good.
On players playing in unfamiliar positions:
It’s because we had options on the right side to create 2-v-1 situations against the opposing left back, and Makenna [Morris] likes coming inside and Britt [Ratcliffe] gives us height for the right side. I think it was a good situation because even the assist on the second goal was from Britt. In certain situations when you are searching the ball and you have good timing between the winger and side back players, it’s a good combination, and I thought for the beginning at the second half we could create a little more from the right side. In the first one, we didn’t have so many chances, 1-v-1 all the time, but not creating these kinds of situations to be more than them in that position. I think that works. In the end, what I like is gaining experience for the players. I like players that are capable to play in different positions, having different roles. Maybe right back is not an easy situation for her, but when she has the ball, it is like a winger. It is great to exploit all the characters the players have, especially at this moment of the season, I think it is a good test to prove different things and have a good analogies about the situations we proved today. We have a complete week to keep working and move forward.
On “suffering” to win and the late game situation:
For me, the most important thing is how you react after a situation when you concede a goal. That is a critical moment. Sometimes, you are winning the game, you are playing better than them. Winning 2-0, having good feelings with the ball, and a set piece, we concede a goal. I think the reaction was good. Maybe 10 minutes not having control of the game, but again, we had chances to even score more goals. For me as a coach, if we win 3-0 as we did against Bay FC is much better, but the emotion, how we manage the emotions in critical moments, are the keys. You can play good football, good soccer, but if you have not good management in terms of emotions in specific moments, you will be killed. Today, based off of the training that we wanted to put in practice after conceding that goal, it doesn’t matter the opponent, the competition, it’s how you react after you concede a goal. For me, I think the first game against Bay FC we were better than them. Winning 3-0, the last half hour, you are calm. Today, maybe a little more nervous, but I think the feeling with the players inside was that we had control during the game. What we want is that. I don’t like when we are running a lot. I like to be compact. When we are attacking and when are defending, especially with new players and they don’t have the opportunity to play so many minutes in the beginning of the season, it was good for them. Now, what we have to do is analyze everything we did – good and the specific moments we can improve, so players can put in practice in training these kinds of situations, and then face the next game with the same intensity. I like suffering because for me, it is part of my job. What I want to say to the players, I have to lead with that. I have to be an example with that. So, I like to have the emotions under control. At the same time, the players have to be like me.
On his takeaways after being head coach for two games:
When we played the first game, the performance we had was good, but they had chances to score. Today, we were winning 2-0, and the situation was controlled, and we concede a goal. That is part of football. In the end, what I like is what I said to you before: Only two games, we are not a complete team. We have new players helping us a lot to compete in this Summer Cup, but we have to face and cope under the pressure because it is part of our job. I like that. When I have that feeling, I love it. I need it for survival. And what I said before was to face the competition, face the week in the best possible way to move forward and be better than before.
On Chloe Ricketts placement on the field and her performance:
She has a top rhythm. Physically, she is coping with everything; everything we are doing in training she is capable to do. That is an important beginning. We have to adjust a little more the rhythm and the pace. Sometimes when you play inside, you are to play one, two touches. She likes to speed up situations but all the time. We have to find a better rhythm with the ball. She has the desire to participate, to go forward, to make 1-v-1s, finishing. But sometimes, we need to be a little more patient with the ball. She needs time, for sure – in training, after playing today, watching again the game on video. Especially today in the first half, she had participation but facing our own goal, and in the second half, I think she did better because she was better placed to occupy pockets when she comes inside to receive the ball. I like it because the personality she has is good. Then, defensively, she can recover more balls. The intensity she has is good, but sometimes, it is too much. She’s beaten because the center of gravity is not good enough to before and avoid the 1-v-1. For me, I was working in the past with young players with talent. I like to work with these kinds of players because they want to make more, to grow, they want to develop herself, and we are speaking every week to understand what she can improve, and being able to participate in all training sessions. That is an important beginning because sometimes when players are coming from college – that is not the case – but with new or young players, it is not so easy to be capable to maintain the performance level in terms of intensity or physically, but for her, she has good characters with the ball, without the ball. It’s just adjust a little more the rhythm, the pace with the ball, without the ball. We are working on it, and she is open-minded to be better. She is included for the next coming games because it will help us a lot for the development of the player.
On Esme Morgan and Rosemonde Kouassi joining the team this week:
For me, it is meeting with the whole team, knowing all the players. How they [gel] is very important in the first approach with the players and with the staff. Being involved, they came today because I wanted, they are part of the team to understand which is the dynamic of the week, of the game, preparing the game, the meetings, the halftime. I think when you are living this kind of situation, it is good for you. You are not playing the game, but you are being part. That process for me is important. What I like is that they have work to do in terms of knowing the persons, the players, the staff members. That is their responsibilities. On my side, it is meet with them almost every day about tactical ideas – when we have the ball, when we don’t have the ball. Yesterday, we did a short team meeting with them to explain what we were showing along the width with the whole team. And again, be a part of – tomorrow we have to train again, analyze what we did, and being a part of the team coming here, I think it is important for the process. I like it because you have to have different approaches with the players, players who are playing a lot, other players are coming. We have to help them be a part of it as soon as possible because they will help us a lot.
Brittany Ratcliffe & Lena Silano
On Brittany Ratcliffe’s experience being from the region:
Brittany: It’s cool. I’ve only been to one Union game, actually when they first were established – I don’t even know what year that was. So, that was the last time I was actually at the stadium, but when I played for Pennsylvania club team, I would drive over the Commodore Barry Bridge four times a week – so Tuesday, Thursday, games on Saturday and Sunday. Very familiar with the upper view of the stadium. when we walked out on the field before the game started, I was like, “Wow, this is so cool. I never thought I’d be here.” Because you think you’d be there as a fan, but playing on it is just so cool. I was speechless. It is beautiful stadium, the field was great, the fans were great, we won. We got three points. I can’t complain. It was such a great homecoming. I’m glad my teammates got to experience Philadelphia.
On takeaways from the Spirit’s adaptations against a new style of play:
Lena: I think they were great competition, and I think it is also great that we get to face different types of competition because you play NWSL teams all the time. That was really awesome and good experience. I think I am really proud of us for adapting. At first, we were like, “What is it going to be?” Then, we realized that we have more time to adjust, play with each other, and I think that was a really great first game for us.
On netting a goal in the match:
Lena: It was awesome. Kudos to Britt for passing that to me. It is a great feeling, and I wouldn’t want to do it without these girls, and I am really happy that we got the win. It was a beautiful stadium, I won’t lie. The river being around.
On the Summer Cup and facing new competition:
Brittany: For starters, the stadium is beautiful. I love Subaru Park. It was awesome. It was great to get the three points. It was also great to play someone that isn’t an NWSL team. It’s great to just see how other teams play, how they react to certain situations, and it’s just good to have a competition. It was a beautiful day. It was all around really good. I think we did a good job of – yes, we are playing a different opponent, but we need to focus on us and what we can do better, what we are good at, and what we need to keep doing. Every game it is about us, but I can’t complain: three points against a really good opponent on a beautiful day in a beautiful stadium. It was a really good day for us.
On Chivas players wearing lots of sunscreen:
Lena: That’s what Britt looks like at training every day. Not even going to lie.
Brittany: Not on game days, but I felt it.
Lena: I had to stop you right there, and that’s exactly what Britt looks like every day. I wasn’t taken aback by [the sunscreen usage], but it was hot. It was a hot one.
On if wearing too much sunscreen can go into your eyes:
Brittany: I was impressed. A lot of their sunscreen stayed. Mine gets into my eyes, and it starts to burn. That’s why on gamedays I don’t wear sunscreen, now my skin is on fire. You have to do what you have to do.
On the goal celebration:
Brittany: In terms of the celebration, it’s funny. Lena and I always joke about nonsense. We always give each other a hard time.
Lena: The banter.
Brittany: A lot of banter. We were saying before this game before we found out before we were starting, we were like, “Oh, if one of us scores, we have to do our best friend handshake.” Kind of like a pinky promise like we are best friends even though we don’t act like it. So, when she scored, I remembered and was like, “Oh my God, pinkies up!” It looks kind of dumb, I’m sure.
Lena: We are ladies.
Brittany: It honestly has no meaning. I was just so excited for her.
Lena: Starting it off with the win is just awesome, so couldn’t have scripted it better. I know it is going to get harder throughout the next couple of games, but it is awesome.
On what Jonatan Giráldez is like:
Brittany: He is great. Again, it’s so early, but I feel like he is so detail oriented. He is so calm. He is so optimistic. I just feel like every word out of his mouth is very constructive and has a meaning and is very intentional in what he says. He really wants us to better in every way whether it’s a complicated tactical thing, or even just a simple playing the proper foot. He does a really good job of leading us in those moments. I am really excited to see him continue with us for the rest of the year. I think he did a great job. He’s doing a great job. I’m really enjoying trainings with him. Yeah, it’s been good.
Lena: I think he is very good at empowering us and being a leader. He’s definitely making an impact. As Britt said, very detailed oriented. I don’t think he cares if you are a starter or not, he just loves soccer, football.
On if the team tried cheesesteaks:
Brittany: No cheesesteaks, haha. I don’t even know what our postgame meal was. Jordan, she’s our equipment manager, she does a great job. She is the GOAT, man. We still had our jerseys on, and we were like, “We got to get this in for Jordan.” We will buy her a cheesesteak just for being as good as she is.
On preparing for this match physically:
Lena: I think training this week, it was like 100 degrees with humidity in Virginia. I think that prepared us. Physically, we go hard every training, so I don’t think it was a bit different. I think the difference was the referee. He calls it. Whereas, in training we really go hard against each other, and it is what it is.
Brittany: I think every game will be different. Sometimes, you will be on the ground. Sometimes, you won’t get touched at all. Every game is different. Going off of what Lena said, we practiced really hard Monday through Friday. If you practice how you play, gamedays won’t feel that crazy. Again, what Lena said, in practice if someone fouls you, you keep going. Luckily, we have a ref to stop the play a little bit. No, it’s good. In Virginia, it was really hot leading up. The “feels like” was 105 or something. I am speaking for myself: The sun was warm, but I don’t think it was too hot today. I thought it was a beautiful day. I was sweating for sure, but I definitely think it has been hotter this summer. I am blessed that it wasn’t a scorcher.
On playing against Alicia Cervantes:
Brittany: That was a great goal on her part. Good ball in, good individual effort to head that in. I think for us, we need to do a better job doing better on set pieces, making sure that doesn’t happen. Even though she is a great player, we have to do our jobs and prevent that from happening. Credit to her. That was a great goal. For us, we need to work on our reactions, “We got scored on? OK, what’s next.” We can’t worry about that that’s in the past. What’s our next action? I think we recovered well. I think we did a better job of keeping the ball and trying to limit those chances, but Chivas is a great team. They did awesome, so I am glad we got the three points against them. It is just working on our reactions. If we go down a goal, if we get a call we don’t want, if we get a foul that we don’t like. We can’t harp on the past. We need to be “What’s next.” That needs to be our mindset — what’s next, what’s next?
On Esme Morgan and Rosemonde Kouassi being with the team:
Lena: I think Spirit is notorious for being a great group of girls and a great staff. I believe that we provide a very welcoming environment regardless. They are already hanging out with us. Esme played games with us last night. She walked to coffee with us. I know Rose is with Ouleye [Sarr] and Annaïg [Butel] speaking French and getting her adjusted as well. I think we have a great culture that is welcoming, which will lead them to be able to form easier. I know the rookies felt that way when they joined this team this year, as well. And I would assume [Brittany] felt that way, as well.
Brittany: I actually forgot I was new. This team is super welcoming, they are really great people. I was new, now I am kind of not new. It is just a cycle of everyone is so kind whether you have been here for eight years, whether you’ve been here for a couple months. I just think this is a great group of girls. When they show up, it’s like, “Hey! How’s it going?” We are chit-chatting it up. Nothing changes regardless of how long you’ve been here, how old you are, or anything. It is a really good group of people.
On what games the team played with Esme:
Lena: Who won last night? I made Britt really mad.
Brittany: I love games, so Paige [Metayer] brought Code Names – I don’t know if you know that game. It’s fun, you should play it, but you can’t play it by yourself. You need a bunch of people. And The Mind. It is a game we like to play a lot. Again, you can look it up. There was maybe 10 of us sitting at a table. Obviously, Esme is her first time playing games with us. Even Code Names, she would kind of mess up a little bit, and she was laughing.
Lena: We are passionate.
Brittany: I get competitive – on the field and in games.
Lena: Let’s play UNO together.
Brittany: No, I don’t want to play UNO. I never win. I don’t play games I don’t win. Everyone won last night. There were no winners.
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