Ally Sentnor
Q: What’s the team’s approach to this three game road stretch?
A: I think, obviously, really hoping to get some points on the road tonight. Definitely a devastating loss. Our goal is to hopefully get 5 points out of these 3 games on the road to help us propel a little bit up the table. We're really trying to layer in our principles that we've been talking about over the weeks, but definitely tough to lose tonight. B we are very hungry to get some points on the road.
Q: Do you feel like there is a mental thing with the amount of penalties that you have conceded?
A: We've definitely talked about that as a team. I think today was quite unfortunate and definitely an unlucky penalty to give up. We talked about just being disciplined in the box, and honestly, just not letting it get to that point and kind of denying crosses, so we don't have to foul. I think tonight was definitely unlucky. But that's going to be a huge focus going forward for sure.
Q: What have you been working on to try and score more goals?
A: We started these past couple of days working on some crossing and finishing. I think that's definitely gonna have to be something we continue to work on because you don't get a ton of chances in the NWSL. So putting away the ones that we do have is going to be super important, because I think if we just execute on some of the chances that we have, we're going to be in a much better position.
Q: What was communicated to you as you transitioned to different positions throughout the game?
A: I think for me, I'm just going to do whatever the team needs and whatever in that moment, I can bring to the table, and whatever position I'm in is going to be my role. I definitely feel very comfortable in a central role, which is what I've played my whole career. So I'm very happy to be back there and play those through balls as a 10, and make runs in behind as a 9, so I was really happy to be there and wish I could have put one away for the team. But I’m just grateful to be on the field and I’m going to play whatever position is asked of me. I think rotating a bit was helpful in the second half.
Michele Vasconcelos
Q: What were some of your takeaways from tonight’s match?
A: It definitely felt nice to get on the field, for longer than a few minutes. It feels like I can actually try to help the team more. The takeaways from this match, especially from the group, is that we just have to start better. We have to start the first half with more hunger and more desire, and just be cleaner on the ball. Cause when we waste a half like that, then you only have 45 minutes to play.
Q: What’s the team’s approach to this three game road stretch?
A: We just really talked about being focused for every single game. At's a bummer to start the road like this with a loss, but with a quick turnaround, we just really have to focus on the next game and just try to be our best on the road. From minute one coming out with that desire to score and keep a clean sheet.
Q: What was discussed at half and what was the overall message?
A: Just that we had to be better like I mentioned before. Obviously, we came out wanting to have a good half, but we know it wasn't our best half. We know we can't start a game like that and expect to keep a clean sheet, and so I think the message at half time was just having that desire to get in the box, to finish, to win tackles, things like that.
Q: What needs to be cleaned up?
A: As I was thinking about the game, we gave them both of their goals. The handball in the box, and then the giveaway. I don't know exactly what it is, but again, I think just being cleaner on the ball. It could be more movement off the ball, getting into those spaces for each other, wanting the ball more. But again, we just have to be better. We know we have to be better. It was nice to be able to come into a half to try to have more of that impact and making more subs and bringing that energy really helped us, but we just weren't able to finish on the night.
Q: What are some controllables that you can talk about to prevent penalty situations?
A: We've been trying to control those things at practice, working on getting in the spot before, body positioning, things like that. I think the handball was just super unlucky. Sometimes it takes deflection or whatever, and just comes up and hits the arm. I think we were really unfortunate with that tonight. But all around I felt like our defending in the box and things like that we could control were a lot better.
Amy Rodriguez
Q: What’s the team’s approach to this three game road stretch?
A: So before tonight started, we set out with several team goals leading into this 3 game road trip that we're about to embark on. It's actually a great conversation to have with the players. We had a lot of goals that we think were achievable. It’s tough because one of the goals was having a clean sheet tonight. We really wanted to sneak out of that first half, especially with that clean sheet. But this team has just been honestly riddled with PK's left and right and I think that PK really silenced us and got us down. But I know how important the first of this 3 game road trip is and unfortunately we dropped the points here. It’s going to be hard to keep our chins up after this. Like you said 2 losses back to back. It's hard to face. But we have no other choice. And I'll continue to tell this group. You know we have to be resilient. We have to have our chins up, chest out because Chicago is just a few days away.
Q: Is there a mental aspect when it comes to the amount of PK’s that the team has given away?
A: Honestly, I have never heard of 6 PK's in I think it's 7 games or something like that. It's rough, and we've taken a long look at why these PKs are occurring, and I think tonight's PK was unavoidable. We've got a player who steps out and an odd shot that just barely nicked an arm. I actually haven't even watched it on replay but just from what I saw live it's so unfortunate, Paige, stepping out, trying to block the shot. But hopefully, it sorts itself out. I’d love a PK on the other end. We're desperate for goals right now, and that would be nice to have.
Q: How much of the sub pattern was planned or dictated by the match?
A: We would have liked to have gotten some subs on a bit earlier, just knowing it's a midweek game. We've got another one very soon, like we'd love to spread the physical load amongst the group, and get players minutes. It was great to see some fresh players on the pitch tonight, and see what kind of impact they would bring. Unfortunately, we fell short.
Q: What can you say about Emily Gray who made her Royals debut tonight?
A: Emily's really smart, crafty player. She's got great vision and reads the game really well. In tonight's match, the minutes weren't long enough to really get a good glimpse of her play style. But that's what we see in training, and I was kind of hoping maybe she'd be able to find some through balls into Ally playing the 9 there at the end. Really just looking for any game, changing moments out of all of our subs. I shared with the group before the game started, we are going to have to lean into our subs this game, and we need them to come in and change it. Change the game for us, make an impact, get our team on the scoreboard. But unfortunately, we didn't do that.
Q: How much of Ally’s positional movement was planned or dictated by the game?
A: Ally is one of our versatile players that has the ability to play multiple positions. I'm trying to find out where she's the most successful. We've seen her score at the 7 and 11 multiple times this season. She has a great impact there. But the game she wasn't really finding her way too much, and that's why we moved her into the 10, maybe get her on the ball more and then at the end there, obviously moving her into the 9, was the hope that she could convert the chances for us, but again fell short.
Q: What can you say about Emily Gray, her recovery and return to play?
A: I haven't spoken with Emily Gray since the game ended but definitely want to congratulate her on a long road back, having been through an ACL tear myself, I know it's not an easy road. This is certainly not a league that players can survive in without that physical piece. The demand in and of itself is so great and so coming back from an ACL is tough alone let alone coming back from an ACL and trying to have an impact in the league. With all my players that are returning from injury, it's it's a great moment when you can set your feet back on the pitch and I'm happy that she got that tonight
