The 2018 season marks URFC Head Coach Laura Harvey’s sixth year in the NWSL – and in that relatively short amount of time, Harvey has accomplished more than many coaches do in their entire career.
A Warwickshire, England, native, Harvey began coaching at just 22 years old after a career-ending injury kept her from playing on the pitch. Yet her experiences on the field and dealing with injury gave Laura something more than just an immense soccer IQ – it gave her perspective and an obvious ability to relate closely with and connect to her players.
What do some of her players have to say about her abilities?
MF Desiree Scott:
“I think she is one of the best coaches in the league, and I know I am going to learn a lot while under her belt. I think I am going to learn a lot of tactics and develop as a player. I think she allows us to have that freedom on the pitch.”
FW Maegan Kelly:
“She is fantastic. Her attention to detail and wanting to do anything and everything to get us prepared for the season is very encouraging. To be able to see that for a coach makes you want to work hard for her.”
GK Abby Smith:
“Laura is a great coach. I think she is very technical and very smart. I feel that I am learning a lot from her on and off the field. I can’t wait to grow under her soccer IQ.”
DF Sydney Miramontez:
“To be honest, this is only the second time that I have ever played for a female coach, and to be able to be with a coach of her caliber and experience is an honor. She knows her stuff, she’s very respected in this league and across the world, so I feel very lucky.”
MF Katie Bowen:
“I absolutely love her. I’ve found that she’s a really positive coach, which I find refreshing because you sometimes get coaches that can be very critical, and it’s not always constructive criticism. So far I am absolutely loving it and loving her guidance.”
MF Alexa Newfield:
“Playing under Laura has been awesome. She’s the kind of coach that when she starts talking you want to listen — even if it’s not to you or your role — you can always pick up on a learning tid-bit. It’s been cool to see things as she sees them; there is definitely something to learn from her every day in practice.”
With just six days left before the historic home opener, and six years in the NWSL, here are six things you need to know about Laura Harvey’s heralded career.
1. Laura Harvey is the only coach to win more than one “NWSL Coach of the Year” award (2014 and 2015). The accolades came after taking Seattle to the NWSL Cup championship games for two consecutive years, going on a 16-game unbeaten streak (13-0-3) for Seattle Reign FC in 2014, and bagging regular-season Shield titles in both campaigns.
2. 2018 is not Laura Harvey’s first rodeo with a brand-new club. In 2013, for the NWSL inaugural season, Harvey became Seattle Reign FC’s first head coach, having to build an entire team from the ground up. When Harvey began in 2013, she only had a few women to the roster, and was in charge of hiring an entire staff. In less than 24 months, the new team was already in the NWSL cup championship, branding players like USWNT players like MF Megan Rapinoe, FW Amy Rodriguez and former USWNT GK Hope Solo.
3. Harvey’s first coaching stint came as an assistant coach for Birmingham, in 2002, where she was promoted to head coach just five years later. This gave her the foundation to make the jump to head coach of Arsenal LFC, one of the largest clubs in England. It only took a few short years before she was named the FAWSL coach of the year in 2011, taking her squad to a league title, FA Cup, and Continental Cup.
4. Harvey’s 51-33-28 NWSL coaching record is the second best in the league for all-time season records.
5. In 2014, Harvey was named the FA Coach of the Year, and was a finalist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year.
6. Like many of her players, Laura Harvey is well-versed at the international level. From 2005-2011, Harvey coached the U-17, U-19, and U-23 England Women’s National teams. It is no coincidence that the English Lionesses, who are now ranked number two in the world according to FIFA rankings, is comprised mostly of Laura Harvey’s former players.
Side note:
- Outside of soccer, Laura Harvey is an avid skier, and world traveler. You can keep up with her adventures, both off and on the pitch, by following her at @LH1505 on twitter, or @lh1505 on Instagram.