What They’re Saying After the Spirit’s Loss in the Summer Cup

On Sunday, the Washington Spirit fell 1-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC in both sides’ second match of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa. After the match, Head Coach Jonátan González, Kate Wiesner, and Paige Metayer spoke with the media.

 

On what it was like being back after training with the National Team:

Kate: It was a really great experience getting to train with the National Team and being among some of the best players in the world. I just took it as a big learning opportunity for me to grow and pick up on some of the habits of the players in that environment and to try and bring those habits back here to the Spirit. Part of the reason that I’m in camp to begin with is because of our training environment here is so good. It’s nice, there’s not a huge difference for me in terms of the level of training here at the club level compared to the national team. Trying to take all of those experiences with the national team and bring them back here, pretty top-notch training level here with the Spirit to begin with.

 

On the penalty kick:

Jonatan: It was a situation in the box. It was a bad decision in that moment, go down, but it’s a part of soccer. I want to say thank you to all the new players that were helping us. In this case, Jill (Aguilera) because she can make the penalty, but she helped us a lot to share the load and share the minutes. It’s not an easy situation having only two trainings for them. So, for me, I’m responsible for that, for sure. It’s what I always say, “When you commit a mistake, the most important thing is how you react.” I think the reaction of the team was good after conceding the goal. One-Nil — it was not enough, the last effort. We move forward.

 

On what it’s like coaching against a fellow Spaniard:

Jonatan: I was competing against him years ago, when he was coaching Betis. The experience he has, and coming here winning the NWSL this past season, is very good. They are doing a really good job. For me it’s exciting to be a part of this league because I always say it’s very competitive. Being part of a new environment, new players, new staff, coaches and all that new stuff around the games; I like that a lot. To be a part of that for me is new, and Spanish coaches coming every season. I don’t know how many in the future, but I think it’s because here is a good way to keep growing. My decision was made in the last six months, and I don’t know what will happen in the future, but the Spanish coaches are coming here is because they are doing good.

 

On your advice for the US players if they play Spain at the Olympics:

Jonatan: I have to say nothing about it. In the end, they have to do what is best for them. They have a beautiful coaching staff to decide. I have my job here, so I am nobody to give advice, sorry. Good try.

 

On if the team is doing anything during this window:

Paige: I think Kate can talk about this, but we’ve been having some watch parties. Obviously, we want to support our girls on the US and, obviously, Canada who played today. Aubrey (Kingsbury) has had some people over. It’s just a fun time being able to support them, but also making sure the environment here stays top notch in their absence. I think we have done a good job of balancing those.

 

On some of the lessons learned from the new environment:

Jonatan: I think this period is great. It is important to rest. We did it and then to keep adding load, especially in training. As we say it, in the beginning of the week, having the option to play this kind of competition, gives us the opportunity to show everything we are doing throughout the week. The most important thing is share and have a good load for the players, trying to achieve the best possible way the game we have to play against Kansas at home. So, this part of the process is important on the focus they are having training. They are training a lot and having the option to compete the Summer Cup gave us the option to compete against other players, even other important players that they didn’t play a lot in the first half of the season. I think it’s a good opportunity for them to show what they can do.

 

On the significance and value for teams in the NWSL to play against teams in other leagues:

Kate: I think it’s a really cool opportunity to get to compete against teams that we wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to play against. The teams from Mexico are bringing a different style and flair than teams we see in the NWSL. I think it’s nice to face that and add new layers to our game that we can bring back and try to match up against our league opponents, taking what we learned from the other teams in this tournament.

 

On approaching the game against a team the Spirit knows well:

Jonatan: We knew what they wanted to do with the ball, and without the ball. Maybe Chivas gave us more time to play and build up situations. They were pressing and we played inside the base not so much time as we had the last week. Today, especially out of possession, we did not do a good job. We conceded many times; they can go forward. They beat many times the presser because the center backs were too open. I think we did better the second half. We modified to press and be a little more aggressive, especially without the ball. After the goal and penalty, the reaction in the last minute was good, but it was not enough to come back to get the result. This is part of our training, part of our process, and analyze everything we did to be ready and face the game against Chicago in the best possible way.

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