Seattle Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey tells KIERAN THEIVAM that it is a ‘testament to what England can offer’ with regards the influx of top internationals into the FAWSL ahead of the Spring Series.
With Kim Little, Heather O’Reilly and Crystal Dunn departing the NWSL for England, and players such as Ramona Bachmann making the move to the FA Women’s Super League from German giants, Wolfsburg, there is greater global attention focussing on England’s top league, as it enters its seventh year.
(Kieran chats to Laura at the 2017 NSCAA Convention/NWSL Draft, Brad Smith/isisphotos.com)
Harvey, who originally lured Little to Seattle from Arsenal (the club where they had previously worked together), has a better insight than most into both worlds and she was quick to praise the setup of some of the clubs in England. This, she believes, is a key factor in players switching NWSL for the FA WSL but she is also of the opinion that players are tested more, game by game, in the U.S.
“It’s a testament financially to what clubs can offer, but it’s not just about finances,” she said.
“The facilities and setup a lot of the clubs now have is exceptional, so I understand the draw for that.
“I think that the Champions League is a big draw for a lot of people too, but I still think the NWSL is the most competitive league worldwide.”
Harvey was keen to praise the NWSL’s competitiveness, where she claims you have to be 100 per cent every game to win, in a league where the bottom-placed sides are in a position to beat the team at the top.
Some have been a little perturbed by the exodus of U.S players to Europe, which also includes star striker Alex Morgan’s move from Orlando to Lyon, but Harvey was quick to play down any concerns when it comes to the impact those departures may have on the league and flagged up the sensible and sustainable approach the league is pursuing.
“There’s always players that want to play in America, it’s often part of their bucket list,” she said.
“You can’t see this as a retirement league, it’s too hard for that, and I still think it’s is a huge draw for players.
“I think all the coaches in this league would say if we went from a seven-month league to a ten-month league, financially we’d possibly be closer to what other leagues can offer, but the thing I like about this league is we’re not trying to run before we can walk.”
One player who will be returning to Seattle for her fifth year in the league is Welsh midfielder Jess Fishlock, who was recently confirmed as interim Head Coach with her loan club Melbourne City, in the Australian W-League.
Was Harvey surprised by the news?
“No I wasn’t, I know Jess has been coaching there for a while.
“I’ve spoken to her a number of times during their season about things that we (Seattle) would do, but she understands the game and how to get the best out of other people.
“I think it’s hard to do a ‘Player-Coach’ role, but she definitely has the understanding of football and people to do it.”
