Last night was a movie.
And not like one of those cheesy hallmark movies. This one was a cinematic masterpiece that even Christopher Nolan would appreciate.
Gotham FC vs North Carolina had it all. Braces from Midge Purce and Debinha, Carli Lloyd doing Carli Lloyd things, a Jess McDonald jousting header, and oh yeah… to top it off, a game-winning back heel from Evelyne Viens in stoppage time.
It was truly a picture perfect night, one that almost felt normal. The weather was perfect, with the sun setting as the second half began, and unlike any match last year, this game had hundreds of cheering fans in the stands. Really no better way to begin the Gotham FC Era.
Masked up and perched above the press box, I had the best seat in the house to witness it all. And thankfully the pictures didn’t turn out too bad.
The first episode of Off the Ball with Ali Riley is officially here.
Ali sits down with teammate, friend, and soccer GOAT Marta Vieira da Silva to discuss her legendary career, what keeps her motivated, and what it’s like to be a vegan grill master.
Then, Marta shows off her musical chops, as the pair bust out a song you may or may not recognize. Check it out below, and smash that subscribe button!
Ashley Sanchez is a forward for the Washington Spirit. Drafted 4th overall in the 2020 NWSL Draft, she was recently called up to the USWNT for their October training up. She sat down with JWS to talk about her decision to leave UCLA early, her experience with the national team, and a rookie season like no other.
A few weeks ago, you were called into the USWNT October camp. Can you talk a bit about what that experience was like?
I would say it was a little bit of a different experience than any other camp I’ve been to. We weren’t really allowed to leave our rooms or the hotel. And unlike the Challenge Cup, we weren’t able to order any delivery, except on two off-days when they sanitized all of the food coming in.
We also got tested three times a day. During the first couple of days, we were all quarantining in our rooms until we got two or three negative test results back. We couldn’t leave the hotel at all and we were pretty much only able to walk around the two floors that we had to ourselves. So, all in all, it was a little strange.
But really, I was just happy to even have this opportunity to participate at a camp during these weird times. And even though it was a bit intense, I learned a lot.
Aside from very strict safety protocols, were there any other surprises that stood out?
Definitely the intensity and competitiveness. Every training, you had to be on your game and just compete. Everything was just so fast-paced. It took me a day or two to adjust to the speed of everything because you’re just like, “Holy crap, what is going on?” And then eventually you kind of get used to it and get in your own flow.
Overall, how would you judge your performance?
I thought I did well. My coaches talked to Vlatko [Andonovski] and they discussed how I did, but from my perspective, I think I did well. Coming out of this, there are always areas to improve on. So with this experience, I now know what I need to do and I’m going to work on that and just continue working to get better.
This was your second call-up to the senior roster, right? How did this camp compare to your first?
So technically it’s my second call-up, but my first one I was like 16. Back then I was just so young. This was the first camp where I felt mature enough to compete and play at a high enough level to stick with everyone.
I would say I learned a bit more this time around because I felt like I was actually able to do what they were asking. Whereas when I was younger, I was little. I knew I couldn’t really hang and it wasn’t much of a learning experience from a hands-on perspective. It was more like, “Okay, every training you just have to try to do your best.” Whereas now I’m like, “Okay, I can do this. I belong here.”
Onto some more technical stuff, how was Vlatko’s coaching style? Did anything stand out to you from a coaching perspective?
He’s incredibly smart. He knows the game really well. There are these moments when we’re training where he’s pretty quiet, which can feel pretty intense. But then he’ll step in, stop play, and tell you exactly what you could be doing better. So in a lot of ways, he’s very observational and just analyzing every little detail as we’re playing.
And in terms of next steps, where do you see yourself in regards to this USWNT program?
I have no idea. Obviously, I hope to be continuously called in. I’m just going to keep working on what Vlatko told me to work on, and hopefully I just keep getting invited to camps.
This year has been pretty crazy on a bunch of different levels, especially for you. In January you were drafted 4th overall after leaving UCLA early. Can you talk about that decision to leave school and enter the NWSL?
I had a really good experience at UCLA, but I felt like it was time for me to take that next step. It just seemed like the right move to try and improve my game even more and put myself in an uncomfortable situation. At that time, I just felt like that was the best thing for me. And now looking back, I do not regret that decision whatsoever.
Your rookie season started with the NWSL Challenge Cup. What was this first taste of the pro life like for you?
Honestly, it was just weird. Thankfully, our team was able to bond throughout that entire experience. We have a really young group of players, so I’m glad we were able to build such strong relationships.
But it just felt like the longest month of my life. It was just so strange. On one hand, I’m glad it happened, because if I were at school, I wouldn’t have been able to play at all. So, I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play, but it was definitely just the weirdest situation I’ve ever been through.
Thinking back to that Cup, I don’t really remember what my mind was thinking at the time. It was just like, “I guess this is the new normal.” It felt like I blacked out throughout the whole thing.
Despite it being weird, you were able to grind it out and win the Future Legend Award for the tournament. What was that like, and did it feel like validation giving your decision to go pro early?
I definitely wanted to come in and make my mark, but I wasn’t looking for any type of award or anything. I came into this year and was like, “Okay, I need to get better.” I just wanted to improve as much as I could and adapt to this playing style in fast games, as quickly as possible.
I knew going into Utah that we only had a couple of games, so I had to really take advantage of this situation of being able to play. But obviously, winning that award was great. So, I’m definitely happy about that!
A few weeks later, you got right back into the swing of things for the NWSL Fall Series. The Washington Spirit had a pretty great run, and you ended up placing third. How was everyone’s mindset compared to during the Challenge Cup?
After the Challenge Cup, we weren’t even sure if there were going to be more games. But then once the Fall Series was announced, our competitive mindset turned back on.
We had a couple of starters that were injured for these games. I think that put a little bit more pressure on me. I was like, “I need to come out even more, and try to be somewhat of a bigger presence on the field because we were missing our two captains, Andi [Sullivan] and Tori [Huster].”
But I think the girls really stepped up. We had a strong game plan going in, and everyone chipped in. Our bench was incredibly strong and the girls that came in each game did a great job. I think third place was a great step forward for us.
So after a unique and successful rookie season, what are your goals moving forward as we look toward 2021?
My goals for next year are to get called into national team camp regularly and to also have more of an impact for the Spirit. Going into next season, I definitely want to focus on scoring more goals and creating more goals for my teammates.
Lastly, any plans during this offseason?
I’m just enjoying my time back home. In California, there isn’t much that you can do during this quarantine, and because everything is closed right now, I will probably head back to DC at some point to train with some of my coaches and my teammates who are still there. But right now, I’m just going to rest up and focus on my training so that I can be ready for next season.
Jacki Gemelos plays for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. After numerous knee injuries derailed her WNBA career in 2015, Gemelos made her long-awaited return to the league this summer for the 2020 season, first as a member of the Connecticut Sun before being picked up by the Mystics. She spoke with JWS about her experience inside the Wubble, how she’s persevered through all of her injuries, and what’s next for her career.
When you look back on your experience in the Wubble, what will you remember most?
I think what I’ll remember most is the fact that I switched teams in the bubble. It was just such a unique experience. And even throughout it all, I still maintained good contact with my old Connecticut Suns teammates. I stayed in the same room, which was like right in the middle of the team. So it was like nothing changed. It was literally just like, “Okay, same bubble, same routine, same situation, but move your Connecticut gear to the side and now let me bring you some Washington Mystics gear because you’re just on a different team.” There were just so many emotions with everything going on within the bubble, but that is definitely something that I’ll never forget.
Another standout was when we boycotted the games to represent Jacob Blake. That was just such a monumental moment for this entire season. Those couple of days were incredibly emotional, and it was really hard for everyone to just come out of that and turn it back on to play. But ultimately, I think it brought our league closer.
The word that I think of when I think of the WNBA is unity. The entire league made sure that everyone had a voice and was able to express exactly how they felt when decisions were being made. And to see an unanimous decision of 144 girls coming to one conclusion was a pretty amazing sight to see.
You spoke a bit about this, but for you personally, how did you handle the emotional aspect of being stuck inside the bubble?
Yeah, I mean, I think that that was the hardest part of the bubble. It was just a roller coaster of emotions, for me and everyone involved. Just trying to transition into that situation, in that routine, it wasn’t easy. The idea that you’re just in this one area for so long was already a big challenge in itself, but then there was this other fact that we’re there to play basketball with games every other night.
And aside from the routine of waking up, having practice, and watching videos, we also were eating three times a day in the cafeteria and sharing elevators with other teams and personnel and that sometimes was pretty awkward. Like, maybe you just played them the night before, maybe it’s the coach from the game you just played, or maybe you’re stuck in the elevator with Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird and it’s like, “Oh my God, this is amazing.”
So it was just a really unique experience. One full of ups and downs, but mainly ups. For me, I went through more of a personal rollercoaster just because I switched teams, but I think that everyone handled it really well despite the uncertainty of how it was going to be and how everything was going to play out. And the fact that the WNBA was able to pull it off in such an amazing way that made us all feel safe and healthy was a huge plus. Between testing us every single day and giving us activities and events throughout the bubble to keep us going, they did the best that they could in such a short amount of time and for such a condensed season.
Can you walk us through those 24 or 48 hrs in the bubble when you transitioned from the Sun to the Mystics?
So, it was like the last day where people can get cut and for me, I had no idea it was coming. I thought that I had proved myself to be on the team for the rest of the season and really didn’t have any thought in my mind that I was going to get cut. Usually, you hear from your agent or you’ll hear something before it actually happens. I hadn’t heard anything prior, so I had no idea that it was coming. And then it ended up happening like 15 minutes before the deadline.
I was at the pool, just chilling with all my teammates, and then Curt (Miller) came down and was like, “I need to talk to you. I’m so sorry, but I have to waive you.” And you could tell he was really emotional having to make that decision, but it was a decision that I think that people from above had to make. Which when it all comes down to it, it’s a business and they have to do what they think is best for the team. So, I understood the reason even though I didn’t like it. I thought I had found a good place within that team and I really liked the coaching staff and the girls a lot.
So that was a down moment for me because I’m like, “I have all this stuff in this hotel room that I’ve accumulated throughout the last month and a half. How am I going to get everything back? I’m not ready to leave.” It was just like, I expected to be here for the end of the season. So I felt pretty shitty about that. And then the next day I got a call from Mike Thibault at 10 p.m., and he was like, “Hey, we want to sign you to a seven-day contract. Are you willing to stick around?” And I’m like, “Wait, what’s going on? Yeah, sure.” So he’s like, “Okay, well we have a game tomorrow against Atlanta, we’re going to play you.”
In Connecticut, I wasn’t playing, I didn’t get any minutes. I was just pretty much a bench player for like a month and some change. So I wasn’t even in shape to play basketball. I had sustained my stamina and stuff just like on the treadmill and stuff, but that has nothing to do with the basketball court. I kind of just accepted that I wasn’t going to play so much for Connecticut and that was going to be that. And then Coach T was like, “No, you’re going to play. We need you to play and you’re going to get minutes, we’re just going to throw you out there.”
So I went to shoot around the next morning and we went through a couple of plays and it was just like, “Okay, we’re just going to go for it tonight. Let’s see what happens.” And we played Atlanta, and luckily Connecticut had played Atlanta like a week prior. So I knew the scouting report well and knew what to expect. Everything just ended up being okay and we won that game. So that was cool. It was a really unique experience, to say the least.
The Mystics surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs during what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. What allowed this team to overachieve?
I think that a lot of credit goes to our staff. Coach Thibault and Eric [Thibault] and Asjha [Jones] and Maria [Giovannetti]. Shout out to them because they’ve been around for so long. Coach T has been coaching for so many years and I think that he’s been through every emotion possible when it comes to being a coach, like whether it’s good or bad. I felt like he always had the right thing to say after a loss or after a win.
There was a time, like right when I had gotten to the team, where it felt like everyone felt defeated. We didn’t really understand what we were playing for because we didn’t think that it was going to be possible to make the playoffs. It was just a really down time. As a coach, what are you supposed to say to a team of girls who are trying and giving a hundred percent, but the results aren’t what we want them to be? I’m not sure how he does it, but I felt like after every game, he was always on point.
After we lost a game to Dallas, we thought our chances were done to make the playoffs. We had four games left and the only way we were going to make playoffs was if we won all of them. So, we play Minnesota. We get a huge win. Then we beat LA. Then we beat New York and then it’s like, “Okay, Atlanta has nothing to play for right now. If they win, they still don’t go to the playoffs. So, maybe they’re not going to put so much energy into the game.”
Like all these things are just circling your thoughts. Turns out, Atlanta ended up playing really hard, but we still got the win. And it was just like, wow. We deserved that eighth seed.
Unfortunately, it all came to an end with that loss against Phoenix. That is still hard to swallow because it all came down to that last-second shot, and you hate going out like that. But that was a super amazing shot by Shey Peddy, and I’m happy for her, but dang, that should have been us.
You’ve had to overcome an incredible number of knee injuries throughout your career. In 15 years, you’ve torn your ACL five times and had eight knee surgeries. What has kept you motivated?
Just always wanting to chase the dream of being a WNBA player. When I had made the Chicago Sky in 2015, it was such a fulfillment for me because all I wanted to do, after my injuries, was prove to myself and everyone that I could still play at a high level. But being able to get back in the league this past summer after not being in it five years, it was just another exclamation point on my career. It’s truly been a time that I’m never going to forget and I’m just so grateful that I had this opportunity. I just feel like everything really does work out.
I had put in so many hours and so much time and devotion. Same for my parents. They’ve sacrificed so much for me and my sister to be able to do anything we wanted and play all the sports that we could. They took us from tournament to tournament, driving throughout the state, taking airplanes and flights to different tournaments. I saw the devotion that they put into my childhood and career. It made me want to keep trying and make them really happy and proud by making it back, so they could say that their daughter played in the WNBA.
During those five years between Chicago and this season, were you always focused on trying to get back into the league? Or were there bigger goals in mind?
I think I really found my niche in Europe and overseas. I have a really good career over there and it’s just been like the core of everything. I’ve been really happy playing there. It’s super high level, and they treat you well over there. It’s just a good life. I was able to be very satisfied with what I was doing there, and the WNBA was just going to be an added bonus if that were to ever happen. I think that the season that I had overseas last year is what propelled me to get back into the WNBA this summer. Sometimes it just works out like that, and I’m super grateful. And now hopefully I made a statement this summer where I can maintain a roster spot in the league next year.
Looking forward, what’s next for you?
So I leave for Turkey this week, and I’ll be playing there this offseason. I think it’s a really strong league and there’s a lot of WNBA players that are also playing in that league. Honestly, I’m just really happy to continue to be playing and playing in a different country that I’ve never played in before. So that’ll be pretty fun.
It’s going to be my eighth season overseas, which is just so wild to me. I never would have dreamed of having a long career in Europe, but I think I’ve just fallen in love with my life out there. So I’m just really excited to get there and see how that’s going to unravel and how this season will unfold. COVID is obviously still very real, and I’m curious to see how FIBA and everyone, like Euro Cup and Euro League, are going to manage the season. But I’m just really pumped for this next chapter and can’t wait to get out there.
The grind never stops, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Phone, keys, wallet… mask.
It still seems a bit surreal, but I know this is just the new normal. Walking onto Montclair State University’s campus last Saturday with my camera in-hand and my mask on my face, I checked in at the entrance, got my temperature taken, lathered my hands in sanitizer, and quickly found my way to section “V1” of the bleachers.
It’s been over a year since I last photographed an NWSL game. And even though I was tucked away in the corner section of the bleachers, it felt great to just be back doing what I love.
Editor’s note: this is part of an ongoing series of photo essays by photographer Jesse Louie. You can read his introductory note here.
The last hurrah.
One year today, in what seems like almost a completely different universe, over 33,000 fans packed Soldier Field in Chicago to celebrate this incredible team, one last time.
Five games in five cities. The Victory Tour was a chance to show off the team’s newest hardware and properly celebrate with hundreds of thousands of fans from across the nation.
This U.S. women’s national team was that special.
The kind of special that destroys all of the competition en route to their 4th World Cup Star. The kind of special that’s recognized as Time’s Athletes Of The Year. The kind of special that our kid’s kids will read about in textbooks — or ebooks or whatever they’re reading in school, decades from now.
So insanely special that I decided to join those 33,000 fans on a whim and drive from New Jersey to Illinois just to witness and capture greatness in action.
And in typical fashion, they did not disappoint. The game against Korea might have ended in a 1-1 raw, but the energy from start to finish was like that of the world’s greatest rock concert for 90 minutes plus.
Memories and photographs will have to hold us over until we can catch that squad back on the pitch, doing what only they can do.
Imani Dorsey is a forward for Sky Blue FC of the NWSL. She spoke with JWS about the NWSL Fall Series, athlete advocacy, and how The Black Players of the NWSL coalition is working to put their social justice messages into action.
Let’s start with the Challenge Cup. How do you think it went and what were your takeaways from living inside of the bubble?
Initially just hearing about the Challenge Cup, it was a bit jarring, especially coming out of quarantine. We went from being only around our roommates for like three months and just training on our own to then heading straight to Utah. And initially, they were like, “You’ll be there for four extra weeks and then four weeks of the tournament.” And that’s a long time to be away from home in this environment, plus testing every week.
It helped once the Player’s Association got involved to make sure we all had a sense of comfort with this “new normal.” The biggest thing for me was the fact that we had the same routine every day. It sort of felt like camp, if you can imagine. I will say, as nice as it was to have my own room and to feel like I had my own space in this situation, there was still a level of discomfort — you were always reminded that this isn’t a normal situation at all, but you’re still expected to perform. Luckily, we had things like our Coffee Angels, who paid for our drinks, and our coaching staff who were all trying to make the environment feel as normal as possible.
Looking back, it’s something that I’ll never forget, for sure. There were definitely highs and lows. Like getting injured before the first game and trying to come back from that was a challenge. On top of that, every player is dealing with the situation of just being a player within this bubble and not wanting to get sick. It’s something that I’m proud of myself for pushing through, and I think everybody feels the same way in that regard.
You hit the nail on the head. Throughout this year, it’s been so difficult to find any clarity or stability. I can’t even imagine the stress you guys went through.
There were just so many ups and downs of “we’re doing this” and “now we’re doing this.” And there’s no sense of stability, so you’re kind of just along for the ride. I will say, all things considered, I am so fortunate and thankful that nobody got sick. It seems like the league did a good job of putting the right protocols in place, and making sure that testing and everything was top of mind. And that’s truly the biggest accomplishment we could’ve asked for.
Now that you’ve played in your first game of this Fall Series and you will be traveling to Chicago for your next, how does this compare to the bubble?
With where we are today, there is always going to be a level of risk in this environment, and it’s basically just doing what you’re comfortable with. The league has made it clear that for this Fall Series, players have the option to opt-out of it if they don’t feel comfortable with the precautions that are being taken.
I think a lot of players still want to play, and still want to use this opportunity to get better. I think these games are great to kind of focus on the little nuances and details of what individual players want to work on. And I think people are happy that we’re just able to have some games, and still be able to train in a team environment.
For the Challenge Cup, I think our team was definitely like, “This isn’t ideal and it is a bit out of our comfort zone, but this is an opportunity for us to have a season.” Before COVID, we were so excited to be playing in Red Bull Arena this year and to have a brand new training facility. We had all of this really good momentum as a club, so we didn’t want that to go to waste. And I think that translated over to the Challenge Cup. We were able to focus on that and focus on our progress. I think the same can be said for the Fall Series, as well. Yes, we have several players that are abroad and our team right now is smaller, but we’re still focusing on the core elements and developing the principles that we feel are important for our team moving forward.
On Sky Blue, you are now reunited with some of your childhood teammates, Midge Purce and Megan Hinz. What has that experience been like for you?
Megan and I played club soccer together a couple of years before high school. She kind of coaxed me, and her mom convinced my parents to encourage me to go to Good Counsel, so then we all ended up there together. Midge was already there. She’s a year above us, so we started playing with her our Freshman year, and then the next year she came and joined our club team. So yeah, we’ve all been together since like 8th or 9th grade. It’s crazy how things come full circle.
I think somebody asked me once if I’d ever think that we’d ever play with or against each other professionally. And in my head, I wasn’t even thinking about playing professionally when we were all in high school. I was just trying to get a college scholarship and see what happens from there. It’s just amazing how the soccer community can be so small and how I’m able to continue to play with some of my closest friends.
Conversations about social justice are more important now than ever. Can you talk a little bit about the importance of using your platform to drive some of these conversations?
This summer, I feel like the tables have turned, just in terms of the larger attention that systemic racism and police brutality is getting in this country. Attention that not only recognizes the horrible, horrific acts that are happening towards Black men and women way more often than people realize in this country, but that also focuses on how people can address their own role in the system and what they can personally do to create change. And that change could be in terms of just whether they harbor prejudiced thoughts, or it could be more substantial ways to fight back against what they see or understand as racism.
In terms of social media, I’m not super active, but when I do share I feel like I want to know that people are listening. And for a long time, I felt like people just didn’t want to hear that from me because in their eyes it’s like, “Oh. It’s just another Black person talking about issues that they feel are affecting them.” I feel like, not that I’ve had to be silent about it, but just that the people who were going to listen were going to listen, and the others just didn’t care or chose not to listen.
But now I feel like it’s crossed this plane where more people are taking ownership and responsibility, and they are really empathizing and trying to understand. People have been reaching out to me and teammates just wanting to understand what our experiences have been like. That’s something new for me, but I think it’s incredibly important. It kind of validates the fact that everybody has a voice and the fact that everyone can share their experience and what they feel passionate about.
A few weeks ago, the Black Players Of The NWSL issued a joint statement condemning systemic racism and demanding justice. Can you talk about this statement, as well as what it’s like being a part of that coalition?
For me, it feels like a breath of fresh air. Like a sigh of relief. I can only speak on my own experiences, but it just brings so much more legitimacy and power knowing that you have the rest of the Black players in this league with you speaking in one unified voice. It’s powerful. You’re just stronger together.
A lot of the reason I love soccer as a sport is just the oneness and togetherness that it takes to win and to succeed and triumph, and working together with your teammates to be better. I think that is exactly the same for social justice.
I find it to be incredibly special that we’ve been able to come together and use this opportunity to explain how we’re feeling in powerful and succinct words. And I think the NWSL community has responded incredibly. People are always asking us what they can do and it seems like everyone is just trying to understand and learn more. I think it’s a great opportunity for people to be like, “Oh, this is what the Black players think. This is how they’re feeling.” It becomes a great platform and resource and it’s just super special to just have the formation of this coalition.
There was also a second statement issued to support the Utah Royals and Tziarra King after the statements made by owner Dell Loy Hansen condemning players for boycotting. Can you talk about that situation from your perspective and also the role that the Black Players of the NWSL can play in helping this league move forward from this?
It was incredibly disheartening to hear the comments that were made. It felt like he was throwing his players under the bus for something that they felt was very important and necessary. It then becomes a very tense and awkward environment. This is your superior, your owner. And it just becomes this weird, uncomfortable power dynamic. So to see that at play was very upsetting.
Any player’s hope is to be in an environment where they are fully supported not only as a player, but most importantly as a person. For DLH to take this very real situation for the black community, and try to turn it around and make it about himself is completely unacceptable. 1/
— Tziarra King (@tziarra) August 27, 2020
I think the statement that we put out speaks for itself, just in terms of that we stand with Z [Tziarra King] and what she had to say, and we’re just incredibly proud of her willingness to speak up in that situation. I think it was important for us to come together to show that we stand with her because we all understand what it feels like to be one of only a few Black players on a team. When you’re a minority in a predominantly white space all the time, issues of race become hyper-focused on you, and sometimes you don’t want that attention. And so, even though you have your own feelings, and you deal with them in your own way, it just becomes too much. So for us to make this united statement, it kind of helps ease the burden of dealing with this situation or feeling responsible for dealing with this situation all on your own.
Z’s comments were so powerful because she didn’t have to say anything and she should not be held responsible for making those comments just because she is a Black person on a team. But just the fact that she was willing to made it even more powerful. She became a voice that I think people needed to hear at that moment.
The great thing about the coalition and us speaking together is the fact that we’re not going to mince our words. We’re not going to beat around the bush. Because in the past, it’s always felt like you had to, just to protect egos or help more people to get on board. But we understand what we want and what we expect moving forward. And that’s why I think this coalition is so important because sometimes you just need a clear voice that’s going to get right to the point and explain exactly how we’re feeling.
Before your last game, the coalition, Sky Blue FC, and the Washington Spirit came together to issue a joint statement and photo that reiterated full support for Black Lives Matter. Can you tell us a bit about how that came together?
I wasn’t directly involved with those conversations, but that’s the great thing about the coalition. The leaders that we’ve elected to be at the head of it are very much involved with the statements that we put out. Everything is approved by every Black player before they are put out, so there’s always an opportunity for input and suggestions.
I think you’ll see in the coming games that each team is looking for different opportunities to continue elevating this platform and bring more awareness and encourage action. I think that’s the important thing moving into this upcoming election.
As we progress over these next few weeks, what are some of your personal expectations and goals in regards to this Fall Series?
For me, it’s all about this platform. It’s not just about soccer. And so while it’s fun to be creative in how we approach these statements, ultimately there are people’s lives on the line. So as we keep moving forward, we’re thinking of ways that would really resonate with people and hit home. We don’t, by any means, want it to detract from the game at hand, but we want people to come away from it being like, “That was important,” in this continuing effort to keep this in the limelight.
You brought up earlier that some of your teammates and peers have reached out to you to help better understand how to be an ally. Through your own experiences, what have you taken away from these conversations and what messages are you trying to better communicate?
I’ve had a variety of conversations. Several are about them not knowing the depth to which these issues are still pervasive throughout society. There are issues of understanding what it means to protest in a game or of using our platforms publicly around like a game, not just on social media, and what that means and why that’s important. There are also a lot of talks about solidarity, in terms of how to be a strong ally. And I think the biggest thing that I take away from these conversations is a willingness to have hard conversations with people around you, that you know may not be as open-minded as you are.
My teammates are incredibly open-minded, compassionate people who I know care about me, and I feel they genuinely do want this problem to be relieved. And if they can help, they want to. Some of my closest friends are in continuous conversations with family and close friends about this upcoming election and what Black Lives Matter truly means, and they’re kind of separating the politicized nature of it from what the real problem is. I think a lot of the conversations that I have with people are separating the politics from the actual issue because you find that people want to hijack a message and make it mean something completely different than what it actually means.
Lastly, I know off-field athlete advocacy is incredibly important to you in general. Can you talk a bit about that and some of your other activist work?
For me, this summer has been incredible, quite honestly, because I feel like so much of what I love about being a pro and advancing in this career is being able to be an advocate and use my platform to make some change happen.
I’ve partnered with Voice in Sport, which launched a couple of weeks ago, because becoming a mentor and somebody that younger players can look up to is something that I’ve always wanted to do. As simple as sharing my experience with them can hopefully teach them something moving forward. I think the biggest thing is knowing that there is this community of women that want to support each other, lift each other up, and bring more visibility to the problems, successes, and triumphs that female athletes face. Which I think is super powerful for Voice in Sport, and very timely in our present moment.
I’m also a part of Athlete Ally. With them, I was so honored that they asked me to be an ambassador last year allowing me to then speak up on issues, especially ones in the transgender community, and try to be a better ally for them. It becomes even more timely right now, in terms of just the emotions that I’ve been through this past couple of months and just how important allyship is and knowing that I value so much when my white teammates come up to me and say, “I stand with you.” You can feel the empathy in their voice, and just them wanting a better world for not just themselves, but for me and my family too.
That, to me, is so powerful. It’s encouraged me, even more, to want to be a louder and stronger ally for the LGBTQ community. It shouldn’t be this way, but for some reason, it’s super important for people who aren’t directly affected by an issue to speak up on it if they feel it is important. Whether it’s a white person speaking up and bringing legitimacy to Black issues that Black players face or me, as a cis straight woman, speaking up on LGBTQ issues. It brings a sense of increased legitimacy that other people are focusing on this issue, other than just the community at hand.
I think the more that we can empathize, look beyond our own circles and circumstances, and understand that others are dealing with different issues we may not be dealing with (or ever encounter) — only then can we work together to build a community that is reliant and trusting upon one another, one which can benefit and provide for everyone.
Marisa Viggiano is a midfielder for the Orlando Pride of the NWSL. Ahead of her club’s first match in nearly a year (Saturday, 9/19, against North Carolina), she spoke with JWS about expectations and goals for this NWSL Fall Series.
Can you talk a bit about this long, extended offseason and what it’s been like for you mentally and physically?
I think when we play this week it’ll be almost a year since we’ve stepped on the field, which is kind of crazy to think about. It’s felt like a prolonged offseason with a couple of different preseasons mixed into it. But yeah, mentally, it has definitely been tough because as athletes, we like to perform and be out on the field, in live game settings.
There’s a lot going on in the world right now, so just having my teammates, my family, and friends all there as great support systems through this time has been so amazing. I’m so grateful for all of them and our staff, who have been wonderful throughout this all. I think we’re all just so eager and excited to get back out there this weekend.
As you finish up your third ‘preseason,’ what is the team’s mindset going into this Fall Series? Do you approach this week any differently than, say, in March or in July before the Challenge Cup?
I don’t think so. I think there’s a lot more excitement this time around because it has been so long. But really, we’re just preparing to face the Courage by going over film, positional play, and all of that stuff. So, it’s typically the same things that we probably would have been doing back in March or before the Challenge Cup, just a bit more eagerness.
Everyone’s really excited to be back and to have the opportunity to play in these four games. Practices have been really good, really competitive, and at a high level. So yeah, we just want to get out there and compete. It’s been a really long time.
It's officially a game week! ???? #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/y15cAaxwE1
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) September 14, 2020
There are a lot of players from around the league that have either been loaned to teams in Europe or signed there. How do you think that will affect the Fall Series?
We do have a lot of new faces, especially younger players. For the players who have been here, we’re just trying to bring them in, make them feel comfortable, and just be there as a support system.
It’s obviously going to be different having new faces out there, but we’re not expecting this next game to go perfectly. I think we really just want to focus on progressing throughout these four games, gaining confidence and experience.
As a whole, I don’t think the league will be affected too much. Even last week’s game, between Sky Blue and the Spirit, was still super competitive and went down to stoppage time with that final goal. So I think there will still be high-level soccer within this Fall Series, which is a testament to the league and all of the players involved.
What can we expect from the Orlando Pride during this Fall Series?
We’re going to go out there and just kind of run around and be excited. But once we settle down, we still want to implement our style of being aggressive and just playing good football.
Over these last few weeks, we’ve been really focusing on being more assertive and more aggressive, especially in the final third and in our defending. So I think you’ll see that translate onto the field over these next four games.
And what can we expect from you during these four games?
I think the biggest thing for me is just continuing to get experience at this level and to continue getting minutes. And I think that will help grow my confidence. It’s only my second year, so I still get nerves going into games and everything, but I think these four games will really allow me to kind of situate myself, gain confidence, and try new things out.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
Just be ready for us. That’s the biggest thing.
Paige Monaghan is a forward for Sky Blue FC of the NWSL. Ahead of the NWSL’s Fall Series, we sat down with her to talk about training and competing during a pandemic, representing New Jersey as a ‘hometown kid’, and what to expect from Sky Blue FC over these next few months.
Almost a year ago last week, you recorded two goals to beat Chicago and cemented yourself as one of the league’s rising stars. Can you talk a little bit about what your first season as a professional athlete was like?
Thinking back to my rookie year, I always knew I could fit in and I also knew I could thrive, but it’s one of those things where you’re trying to get your feet wet. You’re trying to figure out to the point that you ask yourself, “Do others believe in me? More importantly, do I believe in myself? What matters? What doesn’t?”
And I think that Chicago game was that moment of showing what I can do, what I’m going to do, and what I’m determined to do. For me, it just gave me the confidence to show that I can score in games and not just in practice. Looking back, my rookie year was definitely all about getting my feet wet, but also showing me that I need to have this inner confidence to thrive in the NWSL.
So your rookie year comes to a close, and right as you’re about to head into your sophomore season, the world pauses and the NWSL season is postponed. Can you talk about your mindset when all of that happened and what it was like to train and prepare during a pandemic?
Yeah. It’s kind of crazy to think back on this year for both Sky Blue and myself. I think we built momentum towards the end of last year. And then in the offseason, I was super determined. I got invited to National Camp with U-23s and then I got invited to the ID camp. It was like all of the pieces were coming together, and I was getting recognized for my accomplishments and play, but then obviously, as everything was happening with COVID, there was a lot of uncertainty and it looked like we weren’t going to have a season at all.
I just tried to make the most of what I had while training at home. Sky Blue prepared us well and we had our online workouts, Zoom calls, meetings, and all of that stuff. I also took a page out of our assistant coach Becca Moros’ book and made my own FootyBoard since I couldn’t physically work with her. I’d practice with that in my backyard with my dog, run in my neighborhood, do hills, and stuff like that. Basically did whatever I could from home.
Initially, there was a lot of uncertainty. Like, what are we doing? Is this actually going to happen? We’re going to Utah for what? In a bubble? But at the end of the day, I knew that no matter the circumstance, I wanted to be the best version of myself and the best soccer player I could be. So I had to dig deep and really looking at myself and say, “Okay, am I going to make an excuse and sit on the couch, or am I going to make the most out of this?”
I’m also very fortunate to have my family throughout all of this. Some days honestly sucked, but they would always be there to hilariously cheer me on, even during some of those tough sprint workouts up and down my street. So, having their support plus a really hard look at myself, I knew that at the end of the day, I just wanted to be better.
So after a few months of isolated training, you head off to Utah for the NWSL Challenge Cup. What was life like for you when you got to the bubble?
We had pretty strict protocols to follow. Every day felt a little Groundhog’s Day-y, but it was like, wake up, temperature check, symptoms check, meals together, go to training, come back, meals again, meetings, dinner, bed. And then sometimes there were games, but that was basically it, over and over.
Bubble life honestly felt a little dorm-like, a bit like college, which honestly, I enjoyed and I think our team did a really good job just making the most of it. We all were on the same floor together and we would hang out, watch a lot of Netflix, watch NWSL games, watch MLS games, host ping pong tournaments, and doing pretty much anything we could. I’m more of a relaxer and FaceTimed some family and friends, but yeah, the bubble was interesting. We really only went from the hotel to the soccer field because they wanted to guarantee our safety. We couldn’t go out for coffee, all of our meals were catered, but really we just hung out and shared a lot of meals together. That’s kind of the simple answer because there really wasn’t a lot going on.
Safety was the priority, so ‘simple’ is definitely a positive in this situation.
Right, right. I think other leagues had different things. I know some of the MLS guys, they went golfing. We didn’t have that. Our bubble was just our hotel. And it was funny because when you would go to training, you’d see other teams and it was almost like summer camp because you’re like, “Hi!” to your friends, but you only can wave and you can’t hug each other. But yeah, we liked hanging around the coffee truck. That was our time to mingle.
Aside from hotel bubble life, there was also a tournament to compete in. Can you talk us through what Sky Blue’s expectations were going into this Challenge Cup? And now that it’s over, what are the takeaways?
We had big plans for this year, especially after last year and how we wanted to play. We had people who wanted to be here. We made some awesome trades. And we had all of these people who really wanted to buy into us, our team, staff, and the whole organization.
But again, it was like everything we wanted to do, we had to do in a short span. So we went in committed to who we wanted to be and how we wanted to play. We wanted to keep the ball and just stick to our game. And even though we didn’t score a lot of goals, which as a forward is frustrating because you’d love to score four goals a game and walk away, we were committed to just play how we wanted to play, and I think coming out of this tournament, this was a big building block for us.
I didn’t walk away from the tournament thinking we played our best soccer ever, but I also didn’t leave saying that we were trying to be someone we weren’t. We stuck with who we wanted to be, how we wanted to play and I think that’s just a good addition going forward for whatever’s next to come. We’ll build on that, and one point of emphasis will be scoring goals.
Most definitely. This tournament was truly a test given during the direst of circumstances. So regardless of the outcome, this is something you’ll all look back upon and can really be proud of.
Definitely. And honestly, I hope we can do it again in some way or form, which sounds so weird because going into it, I did not think I’d ever say that again, but it really was a gritty tournament and just taught me a lot. It taught our team a lot, too.
Thinking back, I had some interviews there and people were like, “Oh, you guys aren’t scoring goals.” But it’s almost like if you think of Sky Blue last year and how we got better over time, you saw that watching us in March versus October was like watching two completely different teams. So, given that we had to perform in such a short time, I’d say that we’re all very proud of what we put together and I’m just really excited for our team moving forward.
So you said you’d be down for a Bubble: Round 2?
Totally. Maybe Hawaii for the next one would be fun. I mean, they did a great job putting this together, but maybe next time we can be by a beach or something more of my style.
Switching gears, playing for Sky Blue definitely hits home for you as one of the local kids on the roster. So as a ‘Jersey girl through and through’, can you tell us what it’s like to play for your home state and what it will be like to play in front of them at Red Bull Arena?
Looking back at last year and being able to play at Rutgers and at Red Bull Arena, it’s definitely surreal. I think Jersey people are Jersey. I know that sounds silly, but I think there’s a lot of pride in living in New Jersey and for women’s sports in New Jersey, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
It was really cool to see so many younger fans, people from my hometown, and people who watched me when I was younger come up after games and say that they can’t believe that I’ve grown into this woman and that I’m playing for this club. I’m just so honored to be one of the hometown kids for Sky Blue and I always have such a fun time playing here in New Jersey.
Ideally, I hope to do this for as long as I can. Jersey people are just… Jersey! I know that sounds funny, but only it’s something that only Jersey people would really understand.
The team recently returned to training. What has that been like after the mini-break following the Challenge Cup?
It’s kind of funny. Once we got back and saw each other again, we were like, “So what’s been new?” because we went from living together for over a month to then not seeing each other at all. Honestly, I think everyone needed some time off just to decompress, reflect. But training has been good. The energy and commitment that this group has, even with all of the injuries and overseas loans, has been amazing. I’m really excited for our whole team to be back together. We’re all so committed to getting better and I think everyone really wants to put in the work, wants to learn, wants to grow, and is excited for whatever comes next.
Next up, you’ll be heading into this Fall Series with a few games slated for this season. What are your expectations for this mini-season?
We have some great games to play against Chicago and Washington and expect to use them as another building block to show who we are at Sky Blue. Even though some of our players are abroad or hurt, we still expect to play our game at the same level we brought to the Challenge Cup.
The bubble had a lot of games in a short amount of time, whereas this is more spread out. This time around, we will also have more time to actually train and prepare for teams. I’m looking forward to playing games with my teammates because I know how hard we all have been training, on and off the field. So it’s really exciting to just put on my uniform and head to battle with them again this fall.
Looking even further, what are some of your goals for 2021 as you look towards year 3?
So, I am a big goals person. I have my lists for what I do every day, what I need to get done, and what I want to accomplish. But for going forward, I really want to make an impact with Sky Blue, I want to make an impact in the NWSL, and I want to be wearing that US crest. So, I have a lot to do before then and I’m just so excited to grow and develop as a player.
Caprice Dydasco is a defender for Sky Blue FC of the NWSL. In the lead-up to the Challenge Cup, she tore her ACL in training and had to miss the tournament. She recently sat down with Just Women’s Sports to talk about her injury, documenting her recovery on social media, and the success of the NWSL’s Challenge Cup.
Can you talk us through your recent ACL injury?
So this injury happened on June 1st. It was our second week back to training after quarantine and it was just a freak thing. The sprinklers went off at training, so we stopped working. When we continued, I went in for a tackle and my back foot slipped because it was a little slippery, and as I tried to recover, I just heard my knee buckle. It was my third one [ACL tear], so I heard the pop and I tried to be in denial for a little, but as I was walking off the field it just gave out. Right then I knew that I had torn my ACL again.
Luckily, I was able to get diagnosed quickly with a torn ACL and MCL and within two weeks I was able to get surgery. I then stayed in New Jersey and New York for two weeks before coming back home to Hawaii.
I’m now six weeks out of surgery and I’m feeling really good. My physical trainer here has been really happy with my progress, and throughout this recovery, I’ve been keeping in touch with the team and our staff. I’m making really good progress and my goal is to be back for 2021.
This unfortunately isn’t the first time you’ve torn your ACL, so when this happened again, you already knew what it was?
Yeah. Every athlete’s nightmare is hearing that sound and after hearing that pop twice before, I was like, “There’s no way this is ever going to happen to me again.” It’s really strange because every single time it has happened, I’ve felt the best I’ve ever felt physically – just super in shape, playing really well, playing the best I’ve ever played – and it’s always something you just cannot prepare for.
As soon as you hear that noise, you just know right away. You go into waves of denial, of like, “Oh, I didn’t tear my ACL. Maybe it’s just a hyperextension,” and then you go to walk and your knee gives out. Then the roller coaster of emotions hits you until you finally get your MRI back, and then you’re like, “Okay, at least I know for a fact that this is what it is.”
Do you approach this injury the same way as the previous two?
So the first two, I tore just my ACL. This time around, I tore my ACL and MCL, so it was a little bit longer of a process to recover because it takes a longer time to heal. With just a torn ACL, you start doing rehab right after surgery, but for a torn MCL you have to be a little bit more tender with it.
Knowing this, as soon as I hurt my knee, I knew that I had to be strong going into surgery because that helps the recovery after surgery. I also knew that I had to start bending my knee right after surgery. So my slight experience in this field definitely helped some of those little things, plus knowing how to prepare mentally for surgery. For this third one, I’m like, “All right. It is what it is. Let’s just do it.”
2020 has been a pretty wild year. Has quarantine affected your recovery at all?
I would say it’s a little bit more normal now than when quarantine first started during preseason. I think back then it was harder because we needed to physically go out and train and be around the team and stuff, but rehab is a very individual thing, So I’m able to do that on my own and I’m very lucky that physical therapy is considered “essential” because it’s open and I have full access to it.
I have a really good relationship with my physical therapist and I’ve been seeing him since I was 12. So I’m able to go in every day and he’s able to give me everything that I need. I also got really lucky with surgery because at the time of my tear, the hospital had just reopened the week before. So they were able to fit me in in the middle of this pandemic and all of the testing going on.
What has a typical day in Hawaii been like? That doesn’t seem like the worst place to be stuck during all this.
Honestly, I would’ve rather been in Utah. But I’m lucky that my family and my parents are very supportive of me and they’re always here in Hawaii, so it’s really not a bad place to be for recovery.
Every morning I wake up, have breakfast, coffee, and then I’ll go to PT. I’ve also been trying to spend time with my grandparents and my family as much as I can while I’m here, so I’ll go to lunch with my grandparents. Typically, I go to the beach in the afternoons just for a little swim and then have dinner with my friends or my family. So it’s very chill when I’m home. There’s not much that’s open, but it’s been nice. Since quarantine, I’ve become a professional chiller.
We’ve seen a side of your recovery on the Instagram Account @ScarredTogether. Can you talk to us about this organization and what it’s like to go through the injury process with 4 other NWSL athletes?
So, Jordan Angeli is the founder of The ACL Club, and I’ve known her for a few years. She’s always been super supportive and as soon as I tore my ACL again, my agent and I jumped on a call with her to discuss documenting my recovery while using my platform on the ACL Club’s account.
So that’s how it all started. I was the first one to tear my ACL, but as soon as the tournament started, unfortunately, there was one tear after another, after another. When you tear your ACL, you just have this weird bond with each other because you’re going through the same issues and you all have this scar to show for it. When you’re an athlete, you just put so much work in, and then when it happens, it’s so devastating.
Jordan and I talked about how amazing it is for athletes to bond together during these circumstances and we wanted to show other people what we’re going through. This platform allows us to collaborate with so many other people going through all kinds of injuries and I think it’s really cool to see that we all go through the same struggles, same downs, and same ups. Hopefully, we can help each other out through this whole process and go tackle obstacles together. Eventually, I would love to organize something where we have Instagram Lives and have people ask questions about anything – physically or mentally. I want to use this platform as an open and safe space for people to be vulnerable and share their thoughts.
Shifting gears to NWSL Challenge Cup, what was the team’s mindset going into that?
At the beginning of quarantine, we were all just training on our own at home and it was hard because we thought this was going to be a week or a month-long thing. We’d get workouts weekly and the staff would say like, “Okay, maybe another month of this.”
It was hard to stay motivated during this whole process, leading up to July, but eventually, we heard from the league about this potential month-long tournament. That’s when the buzz started to go around and there were plenty of mixed emotions. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and they’re asking us to go somewhere remote for a month and we had no idea what the health risks were and no clue where we were going to live.
Even with these mixed emotions, I think our staff did a great job in relaying all the information needed to make sure we felt prepared and comfortable way before anyone was to step foot in Utah.
What were your thoughts on how the league handled this return?
Lisa Baird, our commissioner, did an amazing job of making sure that all the players were involved in the decision making. They ran a bunch of surveys and league calls to make sure that everyone felt comfortable and all of our questions were answered before heading there.
So it was a really good combination of everyone’s input of what needed to be done for everyone to feel safe. And once the girls got there, they told me that the bubble felt really safe and secure.
It takes the whole league’s effort to make something like this work. Everyone involved was fully invested in following all of the rules, and I think that’s why it worked out so well.
How do you think your club, Sky Blue FC, fared throughout it all?
I was just so bummed the way it ended. I felt like if they had just five more minutes, they would’ve tied it up. But it’s encouraging and awesome that we feel this way – that we’re very disappointed in not making it to the finals. We just know the potential of this team and where we can go and it’s going to be exciting for everyone to come back, be hungry again and bring that same attitude and that feeling from losing into next season.
Looking ahead, what are some of your goals as you prepare for your 7th NWSL Season in 2021?
At the beginning of this season, I finally got a hold of the league and my style of play. I just felt really good. This year, I know my body’s a little older, so I just want to listen to it and take this recovery day-by-day. I know I don’t have to rush because time is on my side, but I would love to just work on just feeling strong.
And then once I’m ready to start playing again, I just really want to focus on working from the ground up. This isn’t a make-or-break year for me, but I’d rather not have people consistently bring up that I tore my ACL last year. I would want them to focus instead on how hard I worked this offseason.
Ultimately, I’m really stoked to just be around the team and get going again.