On Sunday, the Washington Spirit won its 12th match of the season in decisive 4 – 1 fashion. With the victory, the Spirit has now tied its club record for most wins in a single season (2016). After the match, Head Coach Jonátan González, Trinity Rodman, and Paige Metayer spoke with the media.
On the execution of the game: Giráldez: I think in general we did a good job. In terms of possession phase, we committed some mistakes, but we know they are the best team recovering balls in the opposite half pitch. So, we have to make sure that they are not going to be successful each time that they try to go forward. What I want is to show everything again, the personality that they showed today. My feeling is that no one is scared, especially when you commit a mistake, how is the reaction after that mistake? For me, it was a good point, and then the only part of the game I didn’t like was the last part in the first half. I think we lost many balls in terms of decision and execution, but its normal. New players coming, they are not 100 percent ready to compete by the way we decide to sub them in the second half. I liked a lot how we defended (Temwa) Chawinga. I think we did an amazing job — just not the center backs, it’s the whole team, which was the coordination to defend one of the best strikers in the league. In the last minutes, I think we never lost control of the game. The second half was a high level performance for me, and after conceding the goal, even the reaction was really, really good. Other teams, other moments in that situation, you can decide, play long balls and let’s see what happens, but today we kept trying to find the advantage. After the substitution, they tried to push a little more but we already controlled the game. So, I am very happy because it is a great result, we climbed in the league, so I have to say I am happy.
On putting Croix Bethune, Ouleye Sarr, and Leicy Santos in a new formation: Giráldez: For sure. They need more time, but we were practicing last week. I know we had to play Arsenal, but we were preparing the game of today during the week. In the defensive movement, I wanted to play with Ouleye and Leicy and then the left wing. The other week, Rose (Rosemonde Kouassi) played in that position, so Croix can play in that position as well because in terms of jumps, it’s the same thing playing as a 10 or as a wing against the build up of three today. We knew before the game that we could change that decision in attacking and defending, but it was not necessary for today. In terms of attacking, both players occupying pockets; they are really good players when they receive between lines. So far, only Croix played in the position, and now with Leicy, we can have numbers playing in pockets. We need time because we need to improve the small details, especially out of possession, but, in general, I think the connection was good.
On the full group being together for the first time after the Olympics: Giráldez: We had a few days to prepare the game with the whole team, but the rest of the team were training a lot during the Summer Cup. All the players staying here were managing the load, not thinking a lot about the results, just having good preparation. I think we have the necessary patience in terms of results — not think about that. Just thinking we need to be back with the whole team, we need to rest, we need to improve the small details. When you have the whole team together, it is much easier because when you are missing four or five players, it is half of the team. I didn’t like the big gap in the performance today in the first half, but it is normal because physically, especially the new players who are coming from the National Team after the Olympic Games, they are not at their best, but they will be in the next week, for sure. We have to try to help them in the process in terms of physical condition, but at the same time, you have to keep competing and have good results, and today we had it.
On Leicy Santos’ performance: Giráldez: It’s not easy, especially a first game. She did a good job, but I know her — she can play much better. We have to analyze not just the goal or assist, but it’s about what she is doing occupying spaces and in terms of angle of pressure. For example, in the first half, she conceded many times. That center left back could play very, very easy in base. We have to help her because she is going to be very important for us for the entire season. I think for the confidence, it is good. After scoring and after assisting, she is going to help us a lot. I am sure about that. So, the performance she did today is good.
On Croix Bethune’s ability to read the field: Giráldez: I think she can play in different positions. Croix arrived three, four days ago, and we were practicing in previous weeks in terms of how to we have to defend when we have medium or low block, and the relation to Ouleye, Leicy, and Rose the last week, I think was really good for me. In terms of pressing and playing as a number 10 or 11 today was the same thing when you are defending medium block because both players were at the same height. We knew before the game that we could change that decision, but I think in general the job was good. In the position phase, when you play with numbers in pockets you will have more chances to connect with the striker — with Ouleye, with Trin. From my point of view, today, we didn’t find space we found last week against Arsenal, especially base pocket. Today, maybe, we commit many mistakes in the beginning. We were playing against the best team in terms of regaining the ball and possession in opposite half pitch. Understanding that this is not an easy situation to find the pocket, the relation with Leicy and Croix was good. This is just the beginning. We will have to keep working, and let’s see the future. My feeling is good because right now we have more tools to play with players in base and pocket and have more chances to find the higher players.
On Trinity Rodman being ready today: Giráldez: I think Trinity is the most capable because she was playing a lot of games in the Olympic Games. When you are fit, you can be competitive. When you are not playing, you will need more time to prepare because it’s like another new preseason. Trin played all the games with the National Team, friendly games and the six games at the Olympic games and with the gold medal. The only thing is in terms of mental, if she is not ready, but I was seeing her training yesterday and two days ago. She was fit just to play 80 minutes. Let’s see the next game, but we need a little more time because it’s normal. I think we did a new preseason with the players that stayed here, and the other ones, we need a little more time to adjust and be fit for the whole game.
On how it has been since winning gold at the Olympics: Rodman: It’s been so good since winning, obviously. I think I am in a really good headspace. I miss playing with the Spirit. I miss being at home. I was kind of homesick, but now being in a rhythm again and playing at home. But for me in terms of being a star, I don’t really think of it like that. Yeah, attention is nice, but at the same time, I feel like I use that as a way to connect with more and more people and a way to draw more eyes to the women’s game, and I feel like that’s what’s happening. I am very happy, and today’s performance was amazing, and I hope we can keep building that so there are more and more people wanting to support and watch women’s sports.
On Trinity Rodman scoring with her left foot: Rodman: Why is everyone so surprised!? I can use both feet, I swear! Obviously, I am happy and being on the right side, I feel like it’s been a focus of mine to be able to cut in, as well. I like that right-footed laces shot far post, but at the same time having that as well, the defenders I go against don’t really know if I am going to cut in or not. I am really happy about that, but come on guys, give me more credit…I swear I can use both feet. (Laughs).
On what was seen during training to put Paige Metayer on the backline: Giráldez: We were working a lot the last few weeks. I was speaking with her about the characteristics she has; she can give us a lot. She is really fast. she has a good foot. When she is facing forward, she can break lines just running as she did today in the goal. Defensively, she’s always connected. I like the kind of player that after the first effort and the second effort, they keep defending and she has the attitude, she has intensity, she has an open mind to keep working, keep learning. I am happy because today she got “Player of the Match.” She did a good job, so I have to say thank you because the effort she is doing being open-minded to play in different positions, she will help us a lot, for sure.
Metayer: I would say all year, I have been playing in many different positions during training. So, it was more natural of a switch than one may think because I find myself in those spaces a lot during training, so that helped. Learning the position, there was just less that I had to learn new, if that makes sense. Today, I like to run; I love when there is space and green grass in front of me. I am going to take it. So, it was fun, it was refreshing to have that opportunity once again, just like last week. A new position, but it is fun to learn.
On the game plan for playing against fast players: Giráldez: We have to play against them in a few weeks, so I am not going to say anything about the small details. In general, I think we did a good job, but it is not just about the center backs. I think the defensive line, midfielders is the first line. I think she [Chawinga] had a good chance and she scored, but it was the only chance she had during the game. So, that speaks really well about the commitment that the players showed today. After the season, we can speak for a while about what we think is best to stop her, understanding that she is one of the best strikers in the world. So, happy because the performance today was really good.
On Hal Hershfelt’s pep talk:
Metayer: I just love Hal. She has such a fiery personality, so I love chatting with her. I’m not sure what she said.
On the potential for this season and team: Rodman: I don’t really see it as potential. I think you’re putting a bunch of really talented players together, and it’s just time to mesh. Even this game alone, you are seeing the connections already happen. For me, I am not a big fan of the ‘potential’ word because I think we are all good already and it is just a matter of being great together, so I think we showed that today. The connection, as soon as that gets to the top, I think we are going to be unstoppable. I am excited about it.
Metayer: As Trin said, I think we have so many new players and the Olympic girls coming back in, but also the international signings, and some other signings. I think just as a group we do a really good job of integrating everyone. I think our team just really likes each other, and I think that helps, which is such a cliche thing today, but truly if your team gets along it’s so much easier to bring new people in and bring them into a family.
On Leicy and the new midfield: Rodman: The one thing I asked Leicy after the game was, “What’s the biggest difference?” She said, “So fast! It’s so fast,” and I was like, “yeah.” I think for us and for the midfield, they are playing so much quicker, and I think that is opening up space for everybody else. Their timing is so good and seeing the pressure and being able to play really quick touches to open up the space because they were getting collapsed on a couple times, that was really good. But also, the ball that Croix played to Ouleye, taking that space waiting until the very last minute. You saw her point Ouleye to exactly where she wanted her to go. I think them being able to take control but also knowing when to play a really quick touch just to get it away from them to open up that space and give me or Paige more time. I think Leicy did a really good job of that. Croix, I don’t even need to speak on that, she’s great. Really happy about it and created a lot of chances and happy that we are a team that not only wants the ball all the time but wants to create space for other people.
On dealing with KC’s positioning: Rodman: Me and Paige were communicating a lot, and that was great for us. There was a lot of rotation happening on that side, but for the most part I was dealing with (Ellie) Wheeler. In that situation, that’s just what we had to do, and if that means I’m lower for a majority of the game, that’s fine. It proved that we then had the advantage when we were winning the ball in transition. Dealing with that, I think we did a really good job today. Also her (Metayer) being high, we’ll take that and we will have the numbers up top. Ouleye, Croix, and everybody had the space to run and even Paige when we would win it and get high.
On the CBA: Metayer: I am just so impressed by the players that play in this league and those that are on the bargaining committee, those that fought for the new CBA, and I think so much that they are doing, they are very impressive people. I really respect how willing they are to fight for what they believe is right. I think we saw a lot of that come through in the new CBA. We saw a lot more protections for players, and I’m just in awe of all the people that had that set up.
Rodman: Going off of that, it’s just phenomenal the improvements that we made — not only for pay, but for us as humans. To be treated so well and to be raising the standard is amazing I would say, honestly, pay is great and everything and that’s really important, but I think one of my favorite things is not being able to be blind-side traded. I think that is huge. These are our lives, and we have to move our entire — people have families and children, and you are having to move your entire life on a day’s notice. I think that’s scary and crazy, and I don’t feel like anyone should have to do that. Obviously, it’s sports, and trades happen and you need to move, but at the same time, you need to be able to process as a human being to play at your best. For me, that is huge.
