November 27, 2023 • 19 mins
Aly Wagner connects with San Diego Wave and Canadian National Team goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to discuss her inclusion in the NWSL's Best XI Presented by Mastercard for 2023, her outstanding season, and how difficult conversations propelled San Diego to the NWSL Shield.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This season, Kayln Sheridan proved last year's Goalie of the
Year award was no fluke. The twenty eight year old
Canadian led the NWSL with nine shutouts, recording sixty three
saves while conceding just eighteen goals in twenty twenty three.
Her ninth shutout came in San Diego's two nil win
over Racing Louisville. The victory earned the Wave the twenty
(00:25):
twenty three Nwcell Shield. I sat down with a twenty
twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented by MasterCard on a
read to discuss her season and how difficult conversations propelled
San Diego to the NWSL title. All right, so first, Kayln,
I have to say congratulations on being named to the
(00:46):
Best Eleven for the twenty twenty three NWL season, presented
by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Incredible accomplishment, but I think that's something that we all
knew you were capable of achieving. Were you? How were
you when you receive that first phone call.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I actually just got told with the team today and
it was I mean, it's a great accomplishment, and I
think we have a couple of great players on the list,
so it's really nice to see the way kind of
get that together. I think it was put in the
best environment because it's not just us, it's we were
there because we have an incredible team. And I'm there
because I have an incredible back line and they pushed
(01:22):
me every day to be better, and our forwards push
us every day to be better, and we challenge them.
So yeah, I think the biggest thing is just that
we got to celebrate it as a team, and I
think that's the right way it should be done because
we wouldn't be there without them.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah. Well, let's talk about your team, because an incredible
season and last season, you know, you came so close
to achieving things never achieved before buy an expansion team.
Well this season you did in the second year, and
that's winning the Shield. Why is this group is so
remarkable and how are they able to come together so quickly?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, we did some incredible things last year, but I
think this year we truly believe what we're capable of.
Last year, we kind of were shocking not only the
world but ourselves a little bit and what we were
capable of. And I think this year we just took
that belief from last year and took that kind of
proof of what we're capable of to go that far.
(02:18):
And I think once we got there, we were like, Okay,
you know, we really could have done it all and
we didn't, and we kind of let ourselves down, and
we don't want to do that again. We don't want
to have that feeling again. And we've really come together
as a team and really dominated in the way that
we do things off the field, in my opinion, and
coming together being adaptable, being relentless, being ruthless, but also
being like honest and vulnerable and being able to accept
(02:42):
when it's not good enough. And sometimes that's the hardest
part and people avoid that, but Casey she's really good
at just putting it right in front of us and
asking us to take the hard questions and do the
hard steps. And she's brought in an incredible group of
women who are able to do that.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Well. I mean that sounds entirely mental. Yeah, and you
won gold with Canada. Would you say that is the
defining characteristick between almost and actually getting there.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Is definitely one of them. I don't know if it's
the one, but it's definitely one of the biggest. I
think we didn't have that last year, we didn't have
that mental resilience and that mental capacity to come out
on top and win game after game in a row,
to go to the final and take it home. But
I think we do have that this year, and we've
peaked at the right time. We've gone through the lows
(03:34):
of the season and many lows and learn from them
and come out better and stronger. And I think again,
like that's what happened in the Olympics as well. We
had a rough year leading into it and we built
upon it. And I think that's a very similar trait
that I'm seeing now and that we're able to have
those tough conversations and build upon the struggles and the
failures because you don't get here without failing.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Who sets that tone for you.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Casey does a great job of saying that tone. But
I also think we have a really leader full team
in that like we're not going to allow ourselves to
get away with anything or just like not speak up
and not say anything, Like, we do have an incredible
group of players who want to ask the hard questions,
want to make sure we understand every detail of the
game plan, every aspect. And I think it's also because
we've gone to a place where we haven't done that,
(04:23):
and it doesn't it doesn't work, and we're disappointed in ourselves.
And now we're saying, Okay, well, we're not going to
let that happen again. I'm gonna ask that hard question
next time. I'm gonna make sure I understand exactly where
I'm supposed to be on all set plays, on all
game plan tactical adjustments, and not let any stone go
unturned so that when this season ends, we've done everything possible.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Can you give me an example of what a hard
question would be for those are for people that have
not been a part of a team. Yeah, please, Yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I think a hard question could. I mean it could
be more of like, what were you seeing in that
situation when you lost the ball? And that's a very
uncomfortable conversation to have with somebody when you don't want
to make them feel they already feel crap, they lost
the ball. Yeah, you already don't feel great, Like you
don't want to put them down anymore than your teammates.
You love them, you only want the best. But being
(05:13):
able to receive that question and say this is what
I'm seeing and like have a conversation of how to
solve it next time. It's so uncomfortable and honestly, not
a lot of teams are able to do it. And
I think that's something we've overcome this year and been
able to be like, well, do you know what, this
is what I see, and you have this option and
maybe they look for that next time and it just
creates a better opportunity next time.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, So you guys have incredible communication and space for
being vulnerable.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I think we've built it. I don't think we started
with that through this year. Even like this year, I
think it has been a definite work in progress. Like
we didn't come into this year with incredible communication by
any means. I think we built throughout the season. We
lost a bunch of games we shouldn't have lost. We struggled,
we made mistakes, and we've come out the other side
being I don't want to end this season and knowing
(06:00):
that I should have just said, hey, this is what
I see.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Were there pivotal moments that you can actually point to
and notice that that there was a shift in that approach,
that mentality.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I think there definitely was, Like post World Cup, we
all came back and Casey kind of had set us
all down and was like, if we need if we
want to get to where we said at the beginning
of the year we want to go, Like this isn't
good enough, And you can have that conversation, but that
doesn't really it doesn't impact change like immediately that you want,
(06:37):
Like obviously it's a desire, it's all that, but it
doesn't give you a path to follow in order to
get there. So it's definitely something that opened us up
to be like, Okay, well what does that mean? Like
how do we do it? What do we need to do?
I would love to win, that would be great. I
want to win every day, but like how and what
do we need to change? What's the problem? And I
think that just like allowed us to take control a
little bit and like look into what was going on,
(06:59):
what was goinging wrong, and kind of identify ourselves a
little bit better, pull out our own like identity in
that what is the We've done a lot of work
just in the in the meeting rooms. Who are we
what do we want to see when people watch us play?
What are they going to see like before the game
kind of things and really challenge ourselves that way.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
What is that.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
You're going to see a very intense work ethic and
accountability and absolutely unwavering belief.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And for you as a goalkeeper, I mean it sounds
like you're incredibly cerebral as you process all of this information.
Is that your strength one of your one of your strengths.
I would say that sets you apart.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Honestly, I think I've always struggled with the mental game.
I think it's the hardest part of soccer for me
and I think a lot of athletes. But it's something
that I'm definitely continuing to work as hard as i
can on because I feel like the on the on
the field work, it's it's what I like driven to do.
It's what we all want to do, and like I
could push my body to like crazy limits all day
(08:02):
long and like that's so fun. But like when it
gets to the mental game, I'm like a little chicken,
you know, Like I'm running away from the battle. So
I think like that.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Part of the right, you're a stone wall in penalties
and big moments.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Well, I think it's a it's a work in progress.
Like I think that would be my biggest growth piece
and that's something that like I think the entire club
has been growing in this year, so it's cool to
like do it together and feel that like we're coming
up at the right time. Yeah, I mean I think
it's it's gotten better to be fair, But I think
(08:40):
it's the hardest part of the game. Everybody knows that.
Like you're just put under that pressure all the time,
and like you want to be the best always. Who
doesn't want to be the best? Like, I don't think
you're here if you don't. But I can't know about
not everybody can be the best.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Oh yeah, but that's that's that's exacerbated for you and
gold out. Yeah, pressure and probably the desire to be
the leader, be the best. I mean you can you
single hand, lad can win a game for your team,
and you can lose it, and you can lose it,
and that is a that is a precarious line to
have to dance along. Thankfully I never did. I was
(09:17):
at ten. I just allowed my defense to do the
dirty work.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
So I just won't do that. They're going to get
back there.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
That's how I.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Want to know.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
I mean, when you envision kind of how you lead
from the back, what does that look like? What does
that sound like.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah, I think I'm a I'm pretty vocal leader. To
be fair in a game, that's like a really good
way for me to stay engaged as well. It's just
like be really in tune with the game and leading
and organizing and keeping everybody else really on page and
in the moment. That's like not only as a leader,
but also for like my game as well, to keep
myself mentally like controlled and supported in the game. I
(10:00):
also think that there's a lot of opportunity, like when
people get low and get down and struggle in the game,
like that's my opportunity to bring that positivity and bring
that like the raw, raw kind of vibe. But sometimes
in the ninetieth minute, when people are dying, that's what
they need. The truth is everybody's going to make mistakes,
and somebody's going to probably make a mistake that's going
to cost something one at some point in a game
(10:21):
on either team, and we either need to capitalize or
be ready to bounce. And I think just knowing that
going into the game, knowing that, being ready for it,
and just like I can be a leader that like
is prepared for that moment and then says the thing
that needs to get everybody back on page when that happens,
because it's going to happen.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
So you take on an incredible amount of responsibility and
being that person for your team.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yeah, I think we have a large group of leaders,
but I definitely think that I have an opportunity and
that I am a big presence. Like you said, not sometimes,
and I like to be in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I didn't say you were aloud and not specifically.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I will clearly state that I am aware that I'm
loud and obnoxious and I can be that character in
the ninety minutes that they need me to be. And yeah,
I just I think that's like my biggest way to lead.
I want to be a part of the play and
be in every play. But obviously the goalkeeper you're not
in every play. But if I can communicate and organize,
(11:21):
that's my way of being a part of it.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Well, you've also managed to become an incredible assist machine,
so I think you are involved in most of the
build out and partly.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Playing and I'm trying to be up from the ten
and the goalkeeper.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Is there. When you think about I guess what San Diego.
The ascension that you've had in terms of style of
play and how you guys do want to play From
the back you start that process, you know, have you
thought about or communicated you know, the transition and the
development that you guys are hoping to see as you
(11:58):
guys build this club out.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Yeah, I think we wanted to be like that and
we want to have that style of play, but we
didn't have maybe the confidence or the right people in
the right spots. And it wasn't it was it would
work a couple of times that would break down, and
I think it was causing us more problems and maybe
it was worth at certain points, and so we had
to use our strengths and find, you know, other ways
(12:21):
to open teams up. But we've kind of been able
to go more towards that and build that confidence level
and build our ability and get the right people in
the right spots and again have those conversations like you
can turn in that pocket, like you don't need to balance,
you can you can do this. This is what I'm seeing,
And yeah, I think we're going towards more of a
team that's more adaptable in the play and to a
(12:43):
run of style. So whatever the team is given us
in front. We can adapt based on what the pockets
are and what's available. And it's not being a build team,
it's not being a long ball team, and it's not
being an in behind team. It's being all of those
teams when the right time is right.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Speak really quickly about Jade and Shaw because she's obviously,
you know, on the best eleven with you, and she's
been incredible coming into the league as a young player.
You know, what do you see or her special qualities?
Is it to be able to turn in the pocket?
Is is it all of the above that you said?
She can make all those decisions and do them quickly.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Yeah, she's an absolutely incredible player. She's going to be
world class very soon. She's already showing us glimpses of
it all the time, and it's incredible to see when
the balls at her feet, you just never know what's
going to happen next, and I think that's like such
a rarity. She's really creative. She can hit a shot
without turning on it, like it's just so quick her release.
(13:43):
I think she does see the game differently now than
she even did last year, which is incredible. Her growth
within like a year itself is it's just wild to
see she's understanding pockets better, she's adapting to where she's
playing on the field. She's been put in different roles,
and that can be difficul especially as a younger player,
being asked a lot and being put in different roles
(14:05):
and being kind of uncomfortable. But she's taken it on
and been really willing to listen and grow and learn.
And I think that's the biggest testament to her as
a player and as a person is just like her
ability to like accept feedback and just want to get
better and do whatever it takes. So yeah, I'm so
excited to see her future in her career.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, well, I'm with you on that. You said world class,
and Casey Stony, by the way, said that you are
the world's top goalkeeper. So what is the world's top
goalkeeper actually have to work on besides the mental companions.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Besides the mental game? Oh man, I'm working on everything
all the time. I think there's a whole other level.
I appreciate what case is saying, and I think there's
some incredible goalkeepers out there, and I think there's another
level for me. Still. I want to continue to push
myself with in possession and finding different numerical advantages and
(15:01):
ways to break teams down from my position. And I
know that sounds like not as important, but it is
like one of my biggest goals and one of like
the driving factors for me, and like changing the goalkeeping game,
I want us to be a part of that build
and really breaking teams down and causing problems. As anybody,
(15:22):
I want to be more powerful and dominate the box more.
I want to be one, to be one expert, and
I think there's just no limit to where I can
go right now. I just for myself, I need to
get there and I need to have the great environment
like I do right now where I feel like I'm
growing every day, and I definitely feel that here.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
That's an incredible statement that you want to change the
goalkeeping position position because I think back to when we
heard about that under Pep and the way that he
started incorporate the goalkeeper. But you see another whole level
that is possible with the role that you may play.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Definitely, especially in the women's game, I think it's got
so much growth and much more room to evolve, and
we have some incredible female goalkeepers out here who are
doing incredible things that go unnoticed and they're little things,
but they're difficult, and they you don't see them that often,
and they change, they change pictures for the opposition, And
in my mind, that's like one of the most incredible
(16:18):
pictures for me to see when somebody does that, and
like a lot of people won't pick up on.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It, but no, no, they just I'm sitting down with you.
You were going to show me what you mean, because
I've actually never had anyone show that visually to me,
and I'm sure I'm not alone.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
No, I think it's an overlooked piece of especially in
possession play and how many times do we get a
goal kick in a game or the goalkeeper has the
ball in their hands, and there's just so many opportunities
to manipulate the opposition and play different styles. And I
think that's what we've kind of talked about earlier, is
(16:54):
we really want to do that here. We want to
play different styles and play what the game gives us.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
So you weren't kidding when you said you want to
be a ten.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
Not at all.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I'm ready, Lias en up, Casey, that's incredible. Again, I'm
not a goalkeeper. I'm not skilled in this and being
able to break down what is good or badd But
what is would you say your greatest strength as a goalkeeper?
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I think I just like kind of am a higher
Maybe it's like a higher percentage level at all of
the things rather than one.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Is there one that you want to be exceptional at
besides the build out?
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Definitely the buildout, I would say, just like aerial dominance.
That's where I'm headed towards. I want to be better
at that.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I have to ask you, guys had such an incredible season.
What was your priceless moment from the twenty twenty THREEWSL
regular season?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
My priceless moment from the twenty twenty three NWSL regular
season probably lifting the shield with my team at home
in front of a sold out crowd, an absolutely unbeatable feeling.
But I think we knew all the hard work that
built up to that moment, winning on the road, making
difficult and incredibly difficult wins possible, or just getting points
(18:18):
out of places we shouldn't have got points. You could
all feel it in that moment, with everybody in San
Diego feeling it as well.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Was there a moment in the season where you realized
the shield was attainable.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I think beating Portland and Portland made it pretty clear
to us. I think we wanted it before that, and
we were just we're missing something we weren't we weren't dominating,
and I think that game we all knew we were
winning it. That as a strong statement.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I love it. Thank you so much, Dylan. It's always
incredible to talk to you. We love watching you. Even
though we would prefer goals, we like the.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Shot stopping abilities. I understand.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Thank you again for spending time with us and congratulations.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
M
This season, Kayln Sheridan proved last year's Goalie of the
Year award was no fluke. The twenty eight year old
Canadian led the NWSL with nine shutouts, recording sixty three
saves while conceding just eighteen goals in twenty twenty three.
Her ninth shutout came in San Diego's two nil win
over Racing Louisville. The victory earned the Wave the twenty
(00:25):
twenty three Nwcell Shield. I sat down with a twenty
twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented by MasterCard on a
read to discuss her season and how difficult conversations propelled
San Diego to the NWSL title. All right, so first, Kayln,
I have to say congratulations on being named to the
(00:46):
Best Eleven for the twenty twenty three NWL season, presented
by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Incredible accomplishment, but I think that's something that we all
knew you were capable of achieving. Were you? How were
you when you receive that first phone call.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I actually just got told with the team today and
it was I mean, it's a great accomplishment, and I
think we have a couple of great players on the list,
so it's really nice to see the way kind of
get that together. I think it was put in the
best environment because it's not just us, it's we were
there because we have an incredible team. And I'm there
because I have an incredible back line and they pushed
(01:22):
me every day to be better, and our forwards push
us every day to be better, and we challenge them.
So yeah, I think the biggest thing is just that
we got to celebrate it as a team, and I
think that's the right way it should be done because
we wouldn't be there without them.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah. Well, let's talk about your team, because an incredible
season and last season, you know, you came so close
to achieving things never achieved before buy an expansion team.
Well this season you did in the second year, and
that's winning the Shield. Why is this group is so
remarkable and how are they able to come together so quickly?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, we did some incredible things last year, but I
think this year we truly believe what we're capable of.
Last year, we kind of were shocking not only the
world but ourselves a little bit and what we were
capable of. And I think this year we just took
that belief from last year and took that kind of
proof of what we're capable of to go that far.
(02:18):
And I think once we got there, we were like, Okay,
you know, we really could have done it all and
we didn't, and we kind of let ourselves down, and
we don't want to do that again. We don't want
to have that feeling again. And we've really come together
as a team and really dominated in the way that
we do things off the field, in my opinion, and
coming together being adaptable, being relentless, being ruthless, but also
being like honest and vulnerable and being able to accept
(02:42):
when it's not good enough. And sometimes that's the hardest
part and people avoid that, but Casey she's really good
at just putting it right in front of us and
asking us to take the hard questions and do the
hard steps. And she's brought in an incredible group of
women who are able to do that.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Well. I mean that sounds entirely mental. Yeah, and you
won gold with Canada. Would you say that is the
defining characteristick between almost and actually getting there.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Is definitely one of them. I don't know if it's
the one, but it's definitely one of the biggest. I
think we didn't have that last year, we didn't have
that mental resilience and that mental capacity to come out
on top and win game after game in a row,
to go to the final and take it home. But
I think we do have that this year, and we've
peaked at the right time. We've gone through the lows
(03:34):
of the season and many lows and learn from them
and come out better and stronger. And I think again,
like that's what happened in the Olympics as well. We
had a rough year leading into it and we built
upon it. And I think that's a very similar trait
that I'm seeing now and that we're able to have
those tough conversations and build upon the struggles and the
failures because you don't get here without failing.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Who sets that tone for you.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Casey does a great job of saying that tone. But
I also think we have a really leader full team
in that like we're not going to allow ourselves to
get away with anything or just like not speak up
and not say anything, Like, we do have an incredible
group of players who want to ask the hard questions,
want to make sure we understand every detail of the
game plan, every aspect. And I think it's also because
we've gone to a place where we haven't done that,
(04:23):
and it doesn't it doesn't work, and we're disappointed in ourselves.
And now we're saying, Okay, well, we're not going to
let that happen again. I'm gonna ask that hard question
next time. I'm gonna make sure I understand exactly where
I'm supposed to be on all set plays, on all
game plan tactical adjustments, and not let any stone go
unturned so that when this season ends, we've done everything possible.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Can you give me an example of what a hard
question would be for those are for people that have
not been a part of a team. Yeah, please, Yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I think a hard question could. I mean it could
be more of like, what were you seeing in that
situation when you lost the ball? And that's a very
uncomfortable conversation to have with somebody when you don't want
to make them feel they already feel crap, they lost
the ball. Yeah, you already don't feel great, Like you
don't want to put them down anymore than your teammates.
You love them, you only want the best. But being
(05:13):
able to receive that question and say this is what
I'm seeing and like have a conversation of how to
solve it next time. It's so uncomfortable and honestly, not
a lot of teams are able to do it. And
I think that's something we've overcome this year and been
able to be like, well, do you know what, this
is what I see, and you have this option and
maybe they look for that next time and it just
creates a better opportunity next time.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah, So you guys have incredible communication and space for
being vulnerable.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I think we've built it. I don't think we started
with that through this year. Even like this year, I
think it has been a definite work in progress. Like
we didn't come into this year with incredible communication by
any means. I think we built throughout the season. We
lost a bunch of games we shouldn't have lost. We struggled,
we made mistakes, and we've come out the other side
being I don't want to end this season and knowing
(06:00):
that I should have just said, hey, this is what
I see.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Were there pivotal moments that you can actually point to
and notice that that there was a shift in that approach,
that mentality.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I think there definitely was, Like post World Cup, we
all came back and Casey kind of had set us
all down and was like, if we need if we
want to get to where we said at the beginning
of the year we want to go, Like this isn't
good enough, And you can have that conversation, but that
doesn't really it doesn't impact change like immediately that you want,
(06:37):
Like obviously it's a desire, it's all that, but it
doesn't give you a path to follow in order to
get there. So it's definitely something that opened us up
to be like, Okay, well what does that mean? Like
how do we do it? What do we need to do?
I would love to win, that would be great. I
want to win every day, but like how and what
do we need to change? What's the problem? And I
think that just like allowed us to take control a
little bit and like look into what was going on,
(06:59):
what was goinging wrong, and kind of identify ourselves a
little bit better, pull out our own like identity in
that what is the We've done a lot of work
just in the in the meeting rooms. Who are we
what do we want to see when people watch us play?
What are they going to see like before the game
kind of things and really challenge ourselves that way.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
What is that.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
You're going to see a very intense work ethic and
accountability and absolutely unwavering belief.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
And for you as a goalkeeper, I mean it sounds
like you're incredibly cerebral as you process all of this information.
Is that your strength one of your one of your strengths.
I would say that sets you apart.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Honestly, I think I've always struggled with the mental game.
I think it's the hardest part of soccer for me
and I think a lot of athletes. But it's something
that I'm definitely continuing to work as hard as i
can on because I feel like the on the on
the field work, it's it's what I like driven to do.
It's what we all want to do, and like I
could push my body to like crazy limits all day
(08:02):
long and like that's so fun. But like when it
gets to the mental game, I'm like a little chicken,
you know, Like I'm running away from the battle. So
I think like that.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Part of the right, you're a stone wall in penalties
and big moments.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Well, I think it's a it's a work in progress.
Like I think that would be my biggest growth piece
and that's something that like I think the entire club
has been growing in this year, so it's cool to
like do it together and feel that like we're coming
up at the right time. Yeah, I mean I think
it's it's gotten better to be fair, But I think
(08:40):
it's the hardest part of the game. Everybody knows that.
Like you're just put under that pressure all the time,
and like you want to be the best always. Who
doesn't want to be the best? Like, I don't think
you're here if you don't. But I can't know about
not everybody can be the best.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Oh yeah, but that's that's that's exacerbated for you and
gold out. Yeah, pressure and probably the desire to be
the leader, be the best. I mean you can you
single hand, lad can win a game for your team,
and you can lose it, and you can lose it,
and that is a that is a precarious line to
have to dance along. Thankfully I never did. I was
(09:17):
at ten. I just allowed my defense to do the
dirty work.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
So I just won't do that. They're going to get
back there.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
That's how I.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Want to know.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
I mean, when you envision kind of how you lead
from the back, what does that look like? What does
that sound like.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah, I think I'm a I'm pretty vocal leader. To
be fair in a game, that's like a really good
way for me to stay engaged as well. It's just
like be really in tune with the game and leading
and organizing and keeping everybody else really on page and
in the moment. That's like not only as a leader,
but also for like my game as well, to keep
myself mentally like controlled and supported in the game. I
(10:00):
also think that there's a lot of opportunity, like when
people get low and get down and struggle in the game,
like that's my opportunity to bring that positivity and bring
that like the raw, raw kind of vibe. But sometimes
in the ninetieth minute, when people are dying, that's what
they need. The truth is everybody's going to make mistakes,
and somebody's going to probably make a mistake that's going
to cost something one at some point in a game
(10:21):
on either team, and we either need to capitalize or
be ready to bounce. And I think just knowing that
going into the game, knowing that, being ready for it,
and just like I can be a leader that like
is prepared for that moment and then says the thing
that needs to get everybody back on page when that happens,
because it's going to happen.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
So you take on an incredible amount of responsibility and
being that person for your team.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yeah, I think we have a large group of leaders,
but I definitely think that I have an opportunity and
that I am a big presence. Like you said, not sometimes,
and I like to be in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I didn't say you were aloud and not specifically.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I will clearly state that I am aware that I'm
loud and obnoxious and I can be that character in
the ninety minutes that they need me to be. And yeah,
I just I think that's like my biggest way to lead.
I want to be a part of the play and
be in every play. But obviously the goalkeeper you're not
in every play. But if I can communicate and organize,
(11:21):
that's my way of being a part of it.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Well, you've also managed to become an incredible assist machine,
so I think you are involved in most of the
build out and partly.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Playing and I'm trying to be up from the ten
and the goalkeeper.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Is there. When you think about I guess what San Diego.
The ascension that you've had in terms of style of
play and how you guys do want to play From
the back you start that process, you know, have you
thought about or communicated you know, the transition and the
development that you guys are hoping to see as you
(11:58):
guys build this club out.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Yeah, I think we wanted to be like that and
we want to have that style of play, but we
didn't have maybe the confidence or the right people in
the right spots. And it wasn't it was it would
work a couple of times that would break down, and
I think it was causing us more problems and maybe
it was worth at certain points, and so we had
to use our strengths and find, you know, other ways
(12:21):
to open teams up. But we've kind of been able
to go more towards that and build that confidence level
and build our ability and get the right people in
the right spots and again have those conversations like you
can turn in that pocket, like you don't need to balance,
you can you can do this. This is what I'm seeing,
And yeah, I think we're going towards more of a
team that's more adaptable in the play and to a
(12:43):
run of style. So whatever the team is given us
in front. We can adapt based on what the pockets
are and what's available. And it's not being a build team,
it's not being a long ball team, and it's not
being an in behind team. It's being all of those
teams when the right time is right.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Speak really quickly about Jade and Shaw because she's obviously,
you know, on the best eleven with you, and she's
been incredible coming into the league as a young player.
You know, what do you see or her special qualities?
Is it to be able to turn in the pocket?
Is is it all of the above that you said?
She can make all those decisions and do them quickly.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Yeah, she's an absolutely incredible player. She's going to be
world class very soon. She's already showing us glimpses of
it all the time, and it's incredible to see when
the balls at her feet, you just never know what's
going to happen next, and I think that's like such
a rarity. She's really creative. She can hit a shot
without turning on it, like it's just so quick her release.
(13:43):
I think she does see the game differently now than
she even did last year, which is incredible. Her growth
within like a year itself is it's just wild to
see she's understanding pockets better, she's adapting to where she's
playing on the field. She's been put in different roles,
and that can be difficul especially as a younger player,
being asked a lot and being put in different roles
(14:05):
and being kind of uncomfortable. But she's taken it on
and been really willing to listen and grow and learn.
And I think that's the biggest testament to her as
a player and as a person is just like her
ability to like accept feedback and just want to get
better and do whatever it takes. So yeah, I'm so
excited to see her future in her career.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, well, I'm with you on that. You said world class,
and Casey Stony, by the way, said that you are
the world's top goalkeeper. So what is the world's top
goalkeeper actually have to work on besides the mental companions.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Besides the mental game? Oh man, I'm working on everything
all the time. I think there's a whole other level.
I appreciate what case is saying, and I think there's
some incredible goalkeepers out there, and I think there's another
level for me. Still. I want to continue to push
myself with in possession and finding different numerical advantages and
(15:01):
ways to break teams down from my position. And I
know that sounds like not as important, but it is
like one of my biggest goals and one of like
the driving factors for me, and like changing the goalkeeping game,
I want us to be a part of that build
and really breaking teams down and causing problems. As anybody,
(15:22):
I want to be more powerful and dominate the box more.
I want to be one, to be one expert, and
I think there's just no limit to where I can
go right now. I just for myself, I need to
get there and I need to have the great environment
like I do right now where I feel like I'm
growing every day, and I definitely feel that here.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
That's an incredible statement that you want to change the
goalkeeping position position because I think back to when we
heard about that under Pep and the way that he
started incorporate the goalkeeper. But you see another whole level
that is possible with the role that you may play.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Definitely, especially in the women's game, I think it's got
so much growth and much more room to evolve, and
we have some incredible female goalkeepers out here who are
doing incredible things that go unnoticed and they're little things,
but they're difficult, and they you don't see them that often,
and they change, they change pictures for the opposition, And
in my mind, that's like one of the most incredible
(16:18):
pictures for me to see when somebody does that, and
like a lot of people won't pick up on.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It, but no, no, they just I'm sitting down with you.
You were going to show me what you mean, because
I've actually never had anyone show that visually to me,
and I'm sure I'm not alone.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
No, I think it's an overlooked piece of especially in
possession play and how many times do we get a
goal kick in a game or the goalkeeper has the
ball in their hands, and there's just so many opportunities
to manipulate the opposition and play different styles. And I
think that's what we've kind of talked about earlier, is
(16:54):
we really want to do that here. We want to
play different styles and play what the game gives us.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
So you weren't kidding when you said you want to
be a ten.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
Not at all.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I'm ready, Lias en up, Casey, that's incredible. Again, I'm
not a goalkeeper. I'm not skilled in this and being
able to break down what is good or badd But
what is would you say your greatest strength as a goalkeeper?
Speaker 3 (17:23):
I think I just like kind of am a higher
Maybe it's like a higher percentage level at all of
the things rather than one.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Is there one that you want to be exceptional at
besides the build out?
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Definitely the buildout, I would say, just like aerial dominance.
That's where I'm headed towards. I want to be better
at that.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I have to ask you, guys had such an incredible season.
What was your priceless moment from the twenty twenty THREEWSL
regular season?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
My priceless moment from the twenty twenty three NWSL regular
season probably lifting the shield with my team at home
in front of a sold out crowd, an absolutely unbeatable feeling.
But I think we knew all the hard work that
built up to that moment, winning on the road, making
difficult and incredibly difficult wins possible, or just getting points
(18:18):
out of places we shouldn't have got points. You could
all feel it in that moment, with everybody in San
Diego feeling it as well.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Was there a moment in the season where you realized
the shield was attainable.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I think beating Portland and Portland made it pretty clear
to us. I think we wanted it before that, and
we were just we're missing something we weren't we weren't dominating,
and I think that game we all knew we were
winning it. That as a strong statement.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I love it. Thank you so much, Dylan. It's always
incredible to talk to you. We love watching you. Even
though we would prefer goals, we like the.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Shot stopping abilities. I understand.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Thank you again for spending time with us and congratulations.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
M
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