November 28, 2023 • 32 mins
Aly Wagner sits down with Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey, a NWSL's Best XI Presented by Mastercard honoree, to discuss how she strives to impact every moment of the game, her early success in the league, and the season's highs and lows.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
And only her second year in the league, Portland, Sam
Coffee has established herself as one of the NWSL's most
complete players. Anchoring the Thorns midfield, she was both a
disruptor on defense and an orchestrator in the attack. As
an MVP finalist, Coffee led the league and assists, setting
up goals for seven different players this season. I sat
(00:25):
down with the twenty twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented
by a MasterCard on a reed to discuss how she
strives to impact every moment of the game and how
she led Portland through the season's highs and lows. Sam,
I have to say congratulations on being named to the
twenty twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
This is old half for you.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
What two years in a row, coming off your rookie season,
It's a repeat performance.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Did you expect that at the start of the season.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Expect No. I try not to expect anything in this profession.
I think I've I learned that quickly. It's such an
honor though, and one that I'm really grateful for. But
every season I go in with the mindset of just
being the best that I can be for my team.
And helping my team win games and win championships, and
(01:17):
that mindset was the same going into this year, and
the fact that it led to another honor like this
is really special and something that I don't pay for
granted at all.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
We'll talk about that, because you're making the transition from
the college game to the pro game look incredibly seamless,
and I don't think as many players handle it with
the grace and excellence that you are. Quite honestly, why
do you think that you're having such success so early on?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
Oh? Man? I mean, I've probably a million one people
that I can thank for that. I would say, first
and foremost, just coming out of college, I will say
that the staff and culture at Penn State prepared me
unlike anything else I think to be a pro. The
program is one that is just so excellent and breeds
(02:08):
excellence and prepares players for whatever it is that they
go on to do after life at Pence State.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And so I have to.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Shout them out because I don't think I would be
in this position if it weren't for them. But I
think it's it's ultimately just I think the culture too
that I'm a part of with the Thorns I think
it is another culture that is so excellent and so
team before self, and one that just inspires me again
(02:37):
to be the best that I can be every day,
whatever that might look like, and whatever my role might
be for the team, if that's like making big defensive
plays or assisting or whatever it might be, Like, I
just consistently want to show up and be the best
that I can be for the team. And I think
coming into this league is intimidating. It's overwhelming as a
new player. There's so much talent. The game is so
(03:00):
as a pro than it is in college. But I
think my mindset has ultimately just been take it as
it comes and ultimately just to enjoy it, Like I
never want to lose sight of the love that I
have for the game and the fact that I get
to do what I love most for a living. And yeah,
there's pressure that comes with that. There are big moments,
there are scary moments, there are highs and lows, as
(03:22):
we all know so well, But at the end of
the day, like it's just this incredible journey that I
get to be on and I get to enjoy, and
I think my mindset in just having fun with that
allows me to just play freely and be me, and
it's led me to so many amazing things so far,
and so I'm just excited for the future.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You talked about the transition from the pro the collegiate
game of the pro game. Was there anything that surprised
you about stepping up to this level.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I mean, I would just say, like the elevation of
play is shocking, Like you just go from I mean
colleagiate Division one soccer. Obviously it's really competitive, but then
you're going into a league where players are faster and
stronger and smarter and you have to think one, two,
three steps ahead at all times. And I think I
learned that really quickly. And coming into coming into the
(04:14):
league obviously as a new player, but then coming in
playing a newer role as a six was not something
that I did in college, was just like this other
adventure of like, Okay, well, I'm just going to do
my best because I don't really know what I'm doing here,
and it's just become something that I've grown to love
so much.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
What do you love about it.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Oh man? Ali? I mean, we could talk all day,
but I think I think ultimately what I love most
about it is one how simple it is, but two
how important it is too, Like it is such an
overlooked position, I think. And it's not one that's flashy,
(04:54):
it's not one that maybe gets all the attention. It's
it's how clean can you be? It's how how precise
can you be with your passing? How can you be
in the right place at the right time, How can
you affect play the most? How can you be kind
of this like nucleus for your team? And I think
I love the side of it that doesn't get like
the credit and doesn't maybe isn't like the headline position.
(05:19):
I think that that kind of like fits with my personality.
But I also love like how inturgral it is to
a team's success, and whether that means like I'm the
one one getting on the ball, or if I'm the
one affecting the positioning of the defenders around me so
that someone else can get on the ball, or if
I'm screening a passing Liane so another one opens, Like
it's kind of this selfless position, I guess in many ways,
(05:40):
but one that's so important to like setting the rhythm
and tempo for a team, And I just I love
that like I love the dirty work in it. I
didn't always but now I do.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
At ten to a six, I mean that's a high.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
I mean, like if you watched my first my first
my freshman and sophomore year at Boston College, like I
did very middle, all defending, very minimal, and it was great.
But then once transferring to Penn State, I learned the
harsh lesson that in order to make it the highest
level you do in back after the fend and they
can do that, thankfully, and I'm still learning. But but yeah,
(06:15):
I love like the grittiness in it. I love that
sometimes it's ugly. I love that, Yeah, it is so nuanced,
but it's also so simple, and I love that, Like
there it's just about being clean, being accurate, being precise,
being again in the right places at the right time,
supporting your teammates, Like how can I ultimately like my
(06:38):
position is to be there for other people on the field,
and I think that that is really cool And that
doesn't always mean again that I'm the one who's gonna
be the one on the ball or even be a
part of the attack or the play. I'm like in
this kind of central spot that's that can sometimes be overlooked.
But yeah, as I learn and grown this role, like
(06:58):
I just fall more and more in love with it,
and I just want to be the best six that
I can be.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
There, I think we've talked about this before, but there's
this great quote about Sergeia Buskets and how you can
watch a whole game and never see Sergeia a Buskits.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
You can watch Sergio Buskets.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And you can see the whole game, And I think
that's so elucidating of everything that.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You just hit on.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Is there one thing, though, as that six that brings
you the most joy of any other action?
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Hmm I action? That's hard to say. I mean, there's
so much about it, but I would say.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Like one movement, one action, when one I would say.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Something something for me that I try to be really
intentional about is like just being the lynchpin and being
someone that again like I played the ball forward or
I played the ball latterly to one of our full bats,
Like how can I get on it again and turn
and play forward and get on it again and turn
and play back, turn again, like little one touch movements,
(08:03):
one touch passing? How can I turn and be brave
in tight spaces like something that Bousquets does so brilliantly well.
And I think that concept of kind of like being
this central like quarterback almost for our team, and how
I can do that with my voice, how I can
do that with my body language, with the way I
defend the way that I try to play forward, I
(08:27):
think has been something that I love so much. I
think there's been a lot of moments this season where
we've been up and down and have had momentum shifts
and things, and so something that I reflect on a
lot and take really personally is how I can help
the team in those moments, Like how can I be
the one to step on the ball, slow the game down,
(08:47):
speed the game up? Like how can I help us
find our rhythm? And for me that looks that can
look like different in so many different circumstances, but I
think for me that's that's my face. Her part is
being able to kind of be that lynchpin and be
someone who can help the team find and keep a rhythm.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Was there a player that you model your game after
when you transition to be a sex.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
There are a lot, There are a few, I would
say Busquets is one I really am loving watching and
Zoe Fernandez on Chelsea right.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Now, so good man.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
So I can't believe I'm choosing a.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, I was gonna say.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, but shout out Arsenal's Declan Rice I think is another.
He's a little bit more like of an eight. But
and then Rodrigo on Man City, I would say, is
like again one that just like if he is on
the field, they play so differently compared to if he
is not. And on the women's side, I would say,
like here Walsh is definitely one that I love. I
(09:44):
love to watch. She is again like the center of
everything for them. She gets it, she finds it, she
moves again. Her movement is so simple, but also it
is so effective. And I think that that there, it
is such a unique position in that way where it
might look easy and it looks maybe like it is
something that that isn't necessarily integral to a team's success.
(10:07):
But you're right kind of in like the forefront of
everything and all the action. Yeah, but you also maybe don't. Yeah,
you're not getting all the creditor. It's not flashy. It's
not a desirable position necessarily, And that's why I didn't
want to fight in college, but I've just grown to
really I really throw up. I threw up it, but
(10:28):
I've really just have grown to love it so much.
And and I think that's a testament to like playing
at a higher level now, where you know, in college
the six is maybe more of a position that's a
lot of dirty work and you're not really getting on
the ball of time because it's right positional. But in
the league where you know, and especially in a team
like the Thorns, where revalue build up and possession, like
(10:48):
you really do get to be this kind of like
heartbeat and center of everything. And I just love being
able to be a part for that.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, what's next for you? And the evolution as a six?
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Eight assists are in this twenty twenty three season, But
what can you do now to raise that level even further?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Man, I mean that's like the question I ask myself
every day. I think you know, even you ask me
about transition to being a pro like that has been
the question of how can I continue to grow and
how can I continue to be my best? Is the
center of everything that I do and ultimately why I
am playing in the first place. I will say, yeah,
(11:30):
love the passing side, love the playmaking side of being
a six too, even if that is from like a
more deep line position. I think just continuing to be
really aggressive and like this defensive minded six as well
that can break up play and disrupt play and kind
of have moments of being a little bit more of
a bulldozer at times, something I think that has come
(11:51):
less naturally to me from being more of an attacking
minded player, but something again that through this year I'm
really growing to love and enjoy in being this position.
And that's like the gritty and ugly part of that role,
but something again that that's so important for the team.
So I would say the defensive aspects of the position
(12:13):
are the ones that I'm really focused on continuing to improve.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Yeah, and obviously the US doesn't have a pure six, right,
we haven't for a bit. I would say it's a
fair statement. Is that something that you know, you hope
that you can step into. I know you've been with
a national team for Caps already, but is this something
that is very close to what you're driving towards.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Oh? Absolutely absolutely, And you know I think you know,
as we shift to a new staff now, I'm sure
all those things will look different, But I mean, of
course that is my My biggest and vertus goal is
to play for the women's national team and to be
an impact player for them, and I believe I can
be that, and I want to just continue to bring
(12:56):
what I bring every day to that environment. And again,
even you know me just mentioning the defensive aspects of
like growing in the defensive aspects in six is something
that I know will not only serve my environment here
in Portland, but hopefully the US environment as well. And yeah,
I ultimately just want to continue to improve so I
(13:18):
can just help both teams win well.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Selfishly, I would love to see that. I'd love to
see you get out there.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
Let's talk about the environment in Portland because you guys
at the standard for so long in the league and
you know, yes you're you're new as of last season,
but what is the Portland training environment? Like you talk
about being team first over the individual, but what is
it like iron sharpening iron?
Speaker 4 (13:46):
I like I showed up last year and I I,
like I said, I had this mindset of well, I
don't know, like I don't know what's going to happen,
so I might as well just show up and be
me and have fun and enjoy it, like you know,
transition me will probably have no idea. And I'm like
looking around at all of these players that I've grown
(14:07):
up watching idolizing, and now they're like I'm sharing a
locker room with them, and I'm they're they're giving me
feedback and they're they're lifting me up with encouragement, and
I'm like, is this happening? We have such a unique
locker room. We have a team, I think, a rare
(14:30):
team that truly cares and respects each other. And I
will say, like I going to practice like even just
even just like the commute in the morning, and it's
a long year, as you know, Ali, but going like
commuting to the stadium in the morning, like I just
I look forward to it every day because I get
(14:54):
to walk into a place where I just feel loved
and cared for and seen and inspired and I'm I'm
pushed every day to be better. There hasn't been a
day in my time here where I've felt comfortable, and
I think that that's such an important part of just
development and growing is just constantly like being out of
your comfort zone. And that's, you know, a testament to
(15:17):
our staff a testament to our players, but.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
We just have.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Like such a loving and fun environment to play in
as well. And you know, we joke when it's time
to joke, and we lock in when it's time to
walk in, and there's a balance of those things that
can be found. But I think, you know, our club
is special in that way where players really look forward
to going in every single day and they love it
and it's a place that they want to be in
(15:43):
and be at. You know, the culture is one where
again you are you're pushed to be your absolute best
every day and you have Becky behind you, and you
have Christie itself in front of you and sinking like,
I mean, I could name anybody on our on our roster,
but I look around sometimes and I'm like.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Wow, I'll start team.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
Yeah, I mean, And I just I feel so fortunate
that I get to be on this journey with yes,
these women as soccer players, but also just like these
women as people, because they're such phenomenal people and and
we do we just have the best time. And it's
been such a joy to be a part of and
(16:23):
to to be on the team. And you know, last
year winning was such a phenomenal experience, and of course,
you know, we fell short of that goal this year,
which was crushing. But I'll always stand by them, and
I know that they'll always stand by me, and I
think that that's something that's so special is we always
have each other's back, and I know that we are
going to take this defeat and the step back and
(16:45):
just take it in the next year and turn it
into something that's really beautiful.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, it's funny you say that, because I don't think
that most of the general public understands that what you
have and in Portland the way you just described it,
that that's actually unique environment on a professional sports team.
Everyone envisions it as a sisterhood and it rarely reflects
that reality. But it's pretty special that you guys have
(17:11):
that going in Portland. So when you talk about the
disappointment of this season for the group, does it make
it more bearable because you do have this incredible network
or does it make it more painful because you know
that you have something intangible that most don't.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
That's a good question. I it's not perfect as any team,
you know, like any family, We've got our problems, we
have our moments, But I will say, I think our
approach to things and how deeply we care about our craft,
how deeply we care about our team, how much we're
(17:49):
committed to it, in my opinion, is the only way
to go about this line of work is the only
way to approach things. But on the flip side, it
makes it hurt like hell when it doesn't show that
you wanted to. And that's what Sunday was was just
like you're wearing your heart on our We're wearing our
heart on our sleep. We're leaving everything out there. We
(18:10):
are doing everything we can on and off the field.
We have the belief, we have the talent, we have
the culture, we have what it takes, and we fall short,
and that's crushing. It's crushing for any team. But I think,
you know, even just like looking around at the faces
on the field after the game and seeing just how
distraught people were, but also the love that was there,
(18:33):
and everybody going up to each other and hugging, hugging
people's families, having long conversations, people crying in each other's arms,
like we're in that together and no one is alone
in that. And I know that the team wouldn't choose
to do it any other way other than to leave
it all out there and to pour our whole self,
(18:55):
our whole being into what we want this team to
be and what we want to accomplish. And our goal
was to win a championship, and we felt short of
that goal this year. And I think again that care
and that desire that we have for this city and
for our fans and for our club does make it
hurt a little bit more. It's easy when you're kind
(19:16):
of detached, like Okaye lost, there's always next year, like
that's an easy way to go about things, But that
doesn't make it worth it. And that is not the
way that we do things. And I wouldn't change that
for the world, no matter how much it may hurt.
It also makes the flip side of the winds, the
epic when we had and the championships we have won,
all the more sweeter. And so it is this kind
(19:37):
of give and take, and there's like a it's like
an economy. You know, it's sucks when it doesn't go
your way. But at the same time, the reason I
love this plays so much, and the reason I do
look forward to going in every day, the reason I
you know, I love the locker room the way I
do and our locker room is the way that it
is is because we approach it this way, and with
(20:00):
that comes comes heartbreak, and that's what we're feeling right now.
But there's not a doubt in my mind that we're
gonna take it and feel it and now move forward
with it.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Yeah. What do you think, though, was the reason you
guys fall short?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
I don't know if there's a reason, Like I can
pinpoint one thing. I didn't think. I thought we I
thought we played a good game. I really did. I
think everybody left every answer themselves out there. You just
have to credit off them. They were really good and
they're well coached, and Katie Stables scored a banger and
(20:39):
it sucks. She did like if they just stay, they
ultimately found a way and we didn't. And that sucks
to say. Despite our performance and how much effort we
put in and our grit and our fight through it,
we didn't manage to just find that way. And I
think that's been a theme a little bit this year
(20:59):
that I know that we're going to take into the
off season and we're on is pretty wins and finding
a way even when the offer against us or when
we're down or when we're hitting some adversity. And that
makes me really excited because I think there have been
we've been a little bit too inconsistent this year, and
there have been a few so many ups and downs
(21:20):
that have stung. And it makes me excited to think
about having this offseason, having this time to address those
things and just to retack twenty twenty four and be
more consistent and a team that can find a way no.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Matter what it sounds like. You're a leader of that team.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
And by all accounts from all the veterans that I've
talked to, they've said that that you're wise beyond your
years and that you step up in ways that you
wouldn't see out of a typical younger player. Would you
think that the way that you have the ability to
lead this team can leave a last thing legacy for
that next generation?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
I hope. So. I mean, I feel I don't take
any form of leadership lightly. I think even coming in
last year, I you know, I came from you know,
my collegiate team where I was a captain, and then
you're suddenly like a freshman again. It's like whoa like
this is? This is familiar. But I haven't been this
(22:24):
in a while, I mean felt this in a while.
And I think through the encouragement of my teammates and
staff last year, I I quickly realized that, like I
owed it to myself, to my team, to the club,
to one be a follower of the people who have
been here, who are leading, who know the way, who
(22:46):
I would entrust my life with, you know, the Becky's,
the Sinky's, the playing's, I mean a million others, but
also to bring the voice and the leadership that I
do bring in whatever way that looks like. And that's
not going to mean I have the experience, because I don't.
I played, you know last year like I had been
like two or three games. I'm like, okay, I've been
here for five minutes, you know, and that can I
(23:07):
think that often can psych us out of like coming
into a space and bringing who we are. But I
really vowed to myself and to my teammates that I
wouldn't allow that to happen because I felt confident in
the things that I did bring and the attributes of
mine that I felt could help the team. And for
(23:28):
me last year, that was my voice on the field
and being someone that could bring energy and communicate loudly
and help organize people in the field, that I could
bring someone who brings like a lightness and a fun
and a joy to training and to and to games,
but not just to like take the cop out of like, oh,
I haven't been here, so I'm not gonna step up
(23:49):
in the ways that I really believe that I can,
And I was just constantly encouraged to do that and
that I, you know, despite my lack of time or
experience or games played or whatever it might be, that
I owe it to the people around me to bring
the best, like the best of me, and for me,
that does have a side of leadership. And this year
(24:09):
I've just tried to kind of feed into that more
and to not allow this narrative of well, it's only
my second year and I still don't really know and
I'm still figuring things out, which I completely am, but
not allow those things to kind of gaslight me out
of showing up and showing up authentically and wholly is myself.
(24:31):
And for me, that authentic version of Sam is also
leading in any way that I can't And I mean,
we just have such a such an unbelievable group of
leaders on the seam and everybody, everybody is a leader.
I truly believe that, whether you are not dressing or
you're playing ninety minutes, I think we all lead in
(24:53):
our own ways, and we all ultimately have influence. And
I always want whatever my influence is to be one
that's and helps team move forward and win games and
be the best that it can be. And to think
that I don't have that, or to again like almost
like it's like imposter syndrome almost like think that I,
(25:14):
because I don't have X, y Z, that I can't
show up and be a positive force in this group.
I don't think serves my team well, doesn't serve the
grand doesn't serve it. It cheats myself. And so I
think we're all called to be that, and our team
does such a phenomenal job of leading into that in
whatever way that looks like embracing your role to the
(25:35):
maximum capacity and just doing it to the best of
your ability.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Yeah, easier said than done, Yes, definitely what I would
one hundred percent agree with you though, how incredibly important
it is for everyone to buy in. When you guys
reflect on your season, then obviously still a remarkable season.
You know, you guys finished second and the Shield race
and then semi final exit. But was your point when
(26:00):
you recognize, you said, we weren't that consistent or as
consistent as we should have been collectively over the course
of the year. It's hard with a World Cup thrown
in the middle, But was there a point when you
realize that the Shield was no longer in your control?
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Nope?
Speaker 4 (26:17):
No, If I'm being honest, I didn't believe that we
wouldn't do any of the things that we set out
to do until they were done, if that makes sense.
So like, until we lost in the Shield was not
in our hands, I didn't believe that we weren't gonna
win it. And until we lost on Sunday, I had
no doubt in my mind that we weren't gonna win
the championship. And that's not to sound like arrogant or like,
(26:40):
oh we you know, for the thorns, we just are
gonna wit, Like absolutely not. That is something I've learned
very quickly too, is like this league is so unbelievably competitive. Yeah,
and I don't even know why there are rankings, because
anyone can be anyone on any hiven day and we've
learned that the hard way this year and last year.
Like it is such a toss up, and there's so
(27:01):
much talent and incredible coaching, incredible players throughout the league
that I mean, that's why it's one of the best
in the world. Is like, you know, even last year
we were on the brink of the shield. Last place
got them beats us and we don't win it, and
it's like where else does that happen? You know, and
so and that's I mean, I love that about the
(27:22):
end of your cell on. It think one of the
greatest parts about it is how competitive it is. But
I think our are a key part of our team
and a key part of our culture is just like
the belief that we're going to get it done and
that we're not. It's not over till it's over. And
we might have, you know, a disappointing loss that maybe
(27:44):
puts us in a worse position that we may not
win it, you know, like we had we lost to
see a diego close to the end of the season
that put us in a worse position to win the Shield.
But like even after that, it's like we're looking forward,
How what can we control? What is out of our control,
like what do we need to take care of? And
the team I think really just leans into the possible
(28:05):
belief that it's possible and if we just continue to
do the little things day in and day out, that
we're going to find a way to get it done.
And again, on the flip side, that makes it all
the more painful when it doesn't happen. But there definitely
wasn't a point this season where I was like, no,
it's not going to happen for us, right, we don't
have it this year. You know, there were many ups
(28:26):
and downs, maybe too many downs that I would have lid.
But I do believe that so many of those losses
or ties or whatever they were that felt disappointing in
the moment just kept preparing us for what was to
come this year. And to your point, it wasn't I think,
(28:48):
being two days after a semi final loss, I was
still in a phase where I'm like, oh, well, we
fell short of everything and it's so disappointing, and I'm
still definitely like navigating the emotion of it all. But
to your point, there were so many incredible moments this season,
in moments that we need to be proud of. And
that was something I shared with the team after we
lost on Sunday, was that we just kept getting back
(29:13):
up this year, and there have been many things, whether
public knowledge or not, that the team has fought through
to get to the point that we were at on Sunday,
and that is no small fee. And we're a group
I think that is so resilient despite so much adversity.
And then I'm just proud of the group and proud
(29:34):
of the way that we do continue to get back
up despite beyond sometimes being against us. And I know
that that quality that I think is so inherent to
the Thorns is only going to propel us into great
things in twenty twenty four, and I'm just excited to
be a part of it.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
Well.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
With so many highs and so many lows, what would
be your twenty twenty three priceless moment of the season.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
My priceless moment of the season, I would say was
winning at home against North Carolina when we were down
to ten men. It was we were in the middle
of like the forest fires, so the air quality was
I don't even remember the number. It was high though.
It was like we were questioning, like if we could
(30:21):
play or not. So that was like the first part
of the day. That was that was the first bout
with the adversity that we had, and then we got
a red card in like the tenth or eleventh minute,
Carolina scores. We're downing nothing. We're like, whoof, we can't breathe,
We're down ten men. This is going to be an
feel battle. But that that to me was just like
(30:41):
the DNA of this team of just like rolling up
our sleeves, odds are against us, Okay, let's go, let's
just let's get it done. Let's work for each other.
Let's find a way when Carolina's passing around us and
we're in a low block and it's not And we did,
we did, we found, we found with and we we
(31:05):
I think that was we were like the first team
to ever win while playing down to ten men, and
so I would say that that wins my priceless moment.
I think that is like all that you need to
know about this team and this club and something that
I know we're just going to continue to build on
in the next year.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Well well said, because I'll tell you what, that's not
the Portland that I knew of. Maybe seven or eight
years ago, and so that sounds like a very different DNA.
But I will tell you this, and the incredible wisdom
and peace with which you speak and lead is really
something that is remarkable to be seen from my vantage point.
(31:45):
I've spoken to a lot of young athletes, and you
are absolutely wise be und your years. So we're very
excited to watch the rest of your career unfold and
can't wait to witness what you do next. So congratulations again.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Thank you so much, Ali, I appreciate it. Thank you.
Yeahm
And only her second year in the league, Portland, Sam
Coffee has established herself as one of the NWSL's most
complete players. Anchoring the Thorns midfield, she was both a
disruptor on defense and an orchestrator in the attack. As
an MVP finalist, Coffee led the league and assists, setting
up goals for seven different players this season. I sat
(00:25):
down with the twenty twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented
by a MasterCard on a reed to discuss how she
strives to impact every moment of the game and how
she led Portland through the season's highs and lows. Sam,
I have to say congratulations on being named to the
twenty twenty three NWSL Best Eleven presented by MasterCard.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
This is old half for you.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
What two years in a row, coming off your rookie season,
It's a repeat performance.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Did you expect that at the start of the season.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Expect No. I try not to expect anything in this profession.
I think I've I learned that quickly. It's such an
honor though, and one that I'm really grateful for. But
every season I go in with the mindset of just
being the best that I can be for my team.
And helping my team win games and win championships, and
(01:17):
that mindset was the same going into this year, and
the fact that it led to another honor like this
is really special and something that I don't pay for
granted at all.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
We'll talk about that, because you're making the transition from
the college game to the pro game look incredibly seamless,
and I don't think as many players handle it with
the grace and excellence that you are. Quite honestly, why
do you think that you're having such success so early on?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
Oh? Man? I mean, I've probably a million one people
that I can thank for that. I would say, first
and foremost, just coming out of college, I will say
that the staff and culture at Penn State prepared me
unlike anything else I think to be a pro. The
program is one that is just so excellent and breeds
(02:08):
excellence and prepares players for whatever it is that they
go on to do after life at Pence State.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And so I have to.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Shout them out because I don't think I would be
in this position if it weren't for them. But I
think it's it's ultimately just I think the culture too
that I'm a part of with the Thorns I think
it is another culture that is so excellent and so
team before self, and one that just inspires me again
(02:37):
to be the best that I can be every day,
whatever that might look like, and whatever my role might
be for the team, if that's like making big defensive
plays or assisting or whatever it might be, Like, I
just consistently want to show up and be the best
that I can be for the team. And I think
coming into this league is intimidating. It's overwhelming as a
new player. There's so much talent. The game is so
(03:00):
as a pro than it is in college. But I
think my mindset has ultimately just been take it as
it comes and ultimately just to enjoy it, Like I
never want to lose sight of the love that I
have for the game and the fact that I get
to do what I love most for a living. And yeah,
there's pressure that comes with that. There are big moments,
there are scary moments, there are highs and lows, as
(03:22):
we all know so well, But at the end of
the day, like it's just this incredible journey that I
get to be on and I get to enjoy, and
I think my mindset in just having fun with that
allows me to just play freely and be me, and
it's led me to so many amazing things so far,
and so I'm just excited for the future.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You talked about the transition from the pro the collegiate
game of the pro game. Was there anything that surprised
you about stepping up to this level.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
I mean, I would just say, like the elevation of
play is shocking, Like you just go from I mean
colleagiate Division one soccer. Obviously it's really competitive, but then
you're going into a league where players are faster and
stronger and smarter and you have to think one, two,
three steps ahead at all times. And I think I
learned that really quickly. And coming into coming into the
(04:14):
league obviously as a new player, but then coming in
playing a newer role as a six was not something
that I did in college, was just like this other
adventure of like, Okay, well, I'm just going to do
my best because I don't really know what I'm doing here,
and it's just become something that I've grown to love
so much.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
What do you love about it.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Oh man? Ali? I mean, we could talk all day,
but I think I think ultimately what I love most
about it is one how simple it is, but two
how important it is too, Like it is such an
overlooked position, I think. And it's not one that's flashy,
(04:54):
it's not one that maybe gets all the attention. It's
it's how clean can you be? It's how how precise
can you be with your passing? How can you be
in the right place at the right time, How can
you affect play the most? How can you be kind
of this like nucleus for your team? And I think
I love the side of it that doesn't get like
the credit and doesn't maybe isn't like the headline position.
(05:19):
I think that that kind of like fits with my personality.
But I also love like how inturgral it is to
a team's success, and whether that means like I'm the
one one getting on the ball, or if I'm the
one affecting the positioning of the defenders around me so
that someone else can get on the ball, or if
I'm screening a passing Liane so another one opens, Like
it's kind of this selfless position, I guess in many ways,
(05:40):
but one that's so important to like setting the rhythm
and tempo for a team, And I just I love
that like I love the dirty work in it. I
didn't always but now I do.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
At ten to a six, I mean that's a high.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
I mean, like if you watched my first my first
my freshman and sophomore year at Boston College, like I
did very middle, all defending, very minimal, and it was great.
But then once transferring to Penn State, I learned the
harsh lesson that in order to make it the highest
level you do in back after the fend and they
can do that, thankfully, and I'm still learning. But but yeah,
(06:15):
I love like the grittiness in it. I love that
sometimes it's ugly. I love that, Yeah, it is so nuanced,
but it's also so simple, and I love that, Like
there it's just about being clean, being accurate, being precise,
being again in the right places at the right time,
supporting your teammates, Like how can I ultimately like my
(06:38):
position is to be there for other people on the field,
and I think that that is really cool And that
doesn't always mean again that I'm the one who's gonna
be the one on the ball or even be a
part of the attack or the play. I'm like in
this kind of central spot that's that can sometimes be overlooked.
But yeah, as I learn and grown this role, like
(06:58):
I just fall more and more in love with it,
and I just want to be the best six that
I can be.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
There, I think we've talked about this before, but there's
this great quote about Sergeia Buskets and how you can
watch a whole game and never see Sergeia a Buskits.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
You can watch Sergio Buskets.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And you can see the whole game, And I think
that's so elucidating of everything that.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You just hit on.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Is there one thing, though, as that six that brings
you the most joy of any other action?
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Hmm I action? That's hard to say. I mean, there's
so much about it, but I would say.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Like one movement, one action, when one I would say.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Something something for me that I try to be really
intentional about is like just being the lynchpin and being
someone that again like I played the ball forward or
I played the ball latterly to one of our full bats,
Like how can I get on it again and turn
and play forward and get on it again and turn
and play back, turn again, like little one touch movements,
(08:03):
one touch passing? How can I turn and be brave
in tight spaces like something that Bousquets does so brilliantly well.
And I think that concept of kind of like being
this central like quarterback almost for our team, and how
I can do that with my voice, how I can
do that with my body language, with the way I
defend the way that I try to play forward, I
(08:27):
think has been something that I love so much. I
think there's been a lot of moments this season where
we've been up and down and have had momentum shifts
and things, and so something that I reflect on a
lot and take really personally is how I can help
the team in those moments, Like how can I be
the one to step on the ball, slow the game down,
(08:47):
speed the game up? Like how can I help us
find our rhythm? And for me that looks that can
look like different in so many different circumstances, but I
think for me that's that's my face. Her part is
being able to kind of be that lynchpin and be
someone who can help the team find and keep a rhythm.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Was there a player that you model your game after
when you transition to be a sex.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
There are a lot, There are a few, I would
say Busquets is one I really am loving watching and
Zoe Fernandez on Chelsea right.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Now, so good man.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
So I can't believe I'm choosing a.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, I was gonna say.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, but shout out Arsenal's Declan Rice I think is another.
He's a little bit more like of an eight. But
and then Rodrigo on Man City, I would say, is
like again one that just like if he is on
the field, they play so differently compared to if he
is not. And on the women's side, I would say,
like here Walsh is definitely one that I love. I
(09:44):
love to watch. She is again like the center of
everything for them. She gets it, she finds it, she
moves again. Her movement is so simple, but also it
is so effective. And I think that that there, it
is such a unique position in that way where it
might look easy and it looks maybe like it is
something that that isn't necessarily integral to a team's success.
(10:07):
But you're right kind of in like the forefront of
everything and all the action. Yeah, but you also maybe don't. Yeah,
you're not getting all the creditor. It's not flashy. It's
not a desirable position necessarily, And that's why I didn't
want to fight in college, but I've just grown to
really I really throw up. I threw up it, but
(10:28):
I've really just have grown to love it so much.
And and I think that's a testament to like playing
at a higher level now, where you know, in college
the six is maybe more of a position that's a
lot of dirty work and you're not really getting on
the ball of time because it's right positional. But in
the league where you know, and especially in a team
like the Thorns, where revalue build up and possession, like
(10:48):
you really do get to be this kind of like
heartbeat and center of everything. And I just love being
able to be a part for that.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, what's next for you? And the evolution as a six?
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Eight assists are in this twenty twenty three season, But
what can you do now to raise that level even further?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (11:06):
Man, I mean that's like the question I ask myself
every day. I think you know, even you ask me
about transition to being a pro like that has been
the question of how can I continue to grow and
how can I continue to be my best? Is the
center of everything that I do and ultimately why I
am playing in the first place. I will say, yeah,
(11:30):
love the passing side, love the playmaking side of being
a six too, even if that is from like a
more deep line position. I think just continuing to be
really aggressive and like this defensive minded six as well
that can break up play and disrupt play and kind
of have moments of being a little bit more of
a bulldozer at times, something I think that has come
(11:51):
less naturally to me from being more of an attacking
minded player, but something again that through this year I'm
really growing to love and enjoy in being this position.
And that's like the gritty and ugly part of that role,
but something again that that's so important for the team.
So I would say the defensive aspects of the position
(12:13):
are the ones that I'm really focused on continuing to improve.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Yeah, and obviously the US doesn't have a pure six, right,
we haven't for a bit. I would say it's a
fair statement. Is that something that you know, you hope
that you can step into. I know you've been with
a national team for Caps already, but is this something
that is very close to what you're driving towards.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Oh? Absolutely absolutely, And you know I think you know,
as we shift to a new staff now, I'm sure
all those things will look different, But I mean, of
course that is my My biggest and vertus goal is
to play for the women's national team and to be
an impact player for them, and I believe I can
be that, and I want to just continue to bring
(12:56):
what I bring every day to that environment. And again,
even you know me just mentioning the defensive aspects of
like growing in the defensive aspects in six is something
that I know will not only serve my environment here
in Portland, but hopefully the US environment as well. And yeah,
I ultimately just want to continue to improve so I
(13:18):
can just help both teams win well.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Selfishly, I would love to see that. I'd love to
see you get out there.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
Let's talk about the environment in Portland because you guys
at the standard for so long in the league and
you know, yes you're you're new as of last season,
but what is the Portland training environment? Like you talk
about being team first over the individual, but what is
it like iron sharpening iron?
Speaker 4 (13:46):
I like I showed up last year and I I,
like I said, I had this mindset of well, I
don't know, like I don't know what's going to happen,
so I might as well just show up and be
me and have fun and enjoy it, like you know,
transition me will probably have no idea. And I'm like
looking around at all of these players that I've grown
(14:07):
up watching idolizing, and now they're like I'm sharing a
locker room with them, and I'm they're they're giving me
feedback and they're they're lifting me up with encouragement, and
I'm like, is this happening? We have such a unique
locker room. We have a team, I think, a rare
(14:30):
team that truly cares and respects each other. And I
will say, like I going to practice like even just
even just like the commute in the morning, and it's
a long year, as you know, Ali, but going like
commuting to the stadium in the morning, like I just
I look forward to it every day because I get
(14:54):
to walk into a place where I just feel loved
and cared for and seen and inspired and I'm I'm
pushed every day to be better. There hasn't been a
day in my time here where I've felt comfortable, and
I think that that's such an important part of just
development and growing is just constantly like being out of
your comfort zone. And that's, you know, a testament to
(15:17):
our staff a testament to our players, but.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
We just have.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Like such a loving and fun environment to play in
as well. And you know, we joke when it's time
to joke, and we lock in when it's time to
walk in, and there's a balance of those things that
can be found. But I think, you know, our club
is special in that way where players really look forward
to going in every single day and they love it
and it's a place that they want to be in
(15:43):
and be at. You know, the culture is one where
again you are you're pushed to be your absolute best
every day and you have Becky behind you, and you
have Christie itself in front of you and sinking like,
I mean, I could name anybody on our on our roster,
but I look around sometimes and I'm like.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Wow, I'll start team.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
Yeah, I mean, And I just I feel so fortunate
that I get to be on this journey with yes,
these women as soccer players, but also just like these
women as people, because they're such phenomenal people and and
we do we just have the best time. And it's
been such a joy to be a part of and
(16:23):
to to be on the team. And you know, last
year winning was such a phenomenal experience, and of course,
you know, we fell short of that goal this year,
which was crushing. But I'll always stand by them, and
I know that they'll always stand by me, and I
think that that's something that's so special is we always
have each other's back, and I know that we are
going to take this defeat and the step back and
(16:45):
just take it in the next year and turn it
into something that's really beautiful.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, it's funny you say that, because I don't think
that most of the general public understands that what you
have and in Portland the way you just described it,
that that's actually unique environment on a professional sports team.
Everyone envisions it as a sisterhood and it rarely reflects
that reality. But it's pretty special that you guys have
(17:11):
that going in Portland. So when you talk about the
disappointment of this season for the group, does it make
it more bearable because you do have this incredible network
or does it make it more painful because you know
that you have something intangible that most don't.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
That's a good question. I it's not perfect as any team,
you know, like any family, We've got our problems, we
have our moments, But I will say, I think our
approach to things and how deeply we care about our craft,
how deeply we care about our team, how much we're
(17:49):
committed to it, in my opinion, is the only way
to go about this line of work is the only
way to approach things. But on the flip side, it
makes it hurt like hell when it doesn't show that
you wanted to. And that's what Sunday was was just
like you're wearing your heart on our We're wearing our
heart on our sleep. We're leaving everything out there. We
(18:10):
are doing everything we can on and off the field.
We have the belief, we have the talent, we have
the culture, we have what it takes, and we fall short,
and that's crushing. It's crushing for any team. But I think,
you know, even just like looking around at the faces
on the field after the game and seeing just how
distraught people were, but also the love that was there,
(18:33):
and everybody going up to each other and hugging, hugging
people's families, having long conversations, people crying in each other's arms,
like we're in that together and no one is alone
in that. And I know that the team wouldn't choose
to do it any other way other than to leave
it all out there and to pour our whole self,
(18:55):
our whole being into what we want this team to
be and what we want to accomplish. And our goal
was to win a championship, and we felt short of
that goal this year. And I think again that care
and that desire that we have for this city and
for our fans and for our club does make it
hurt a little bit more. It's easy when you're kind
(19:16):
of detached, like Okaye lost, there's always next year, like
that's an easy way to go about things, But that
doesn't make it worth it. And that is not the
way that we do things. And I wouldn't change that
for the world, no matter how much it may hurt.
It also makes the flip side of the winds, the
epic when we had and the championships we have won,
all the more sweeter. And so it is this kind
(19:37):
of give and take, and there's like a it's like
an economy. You know, it's sucks when it doesn't go
your way. But at the same time, the reason I
love this plays so much, and the reason I do
look forward to going in every day, the reason I
you know, I love the locker room the way I
do and our locker room is the way that it
is is because we approach it this way, and with
(20:00):
that comes comes heartbreak, and that's what we're feeling right now.
But there's not a doubt in my mind that we're
gonna take it and feel it and now move forward
with it.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Yeah. What do you think, though, was the reason you
guys fall short?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
I don't know if there's a reason, Like I can
pinpoint one thing. I didn't think. I thought we I
thought we played a good game. I really did. I
think everybody left every answer themselves out there. You just
have to credit off them. They were really good and
they're well coached, and Katie Stables scored a banger and
(20:39):
it sucks. She did like if they just stay, they
ultimately found a way and we didn't. And that sucks
to say. Despite our performance and how much effort we
put in and our grit and our fight through it,
we didn't manage to just find that way. And I
think that's been a theme a little bit this year
(20:59):
that I know that we're going to take into the
off season and we're on is pretty wins and finding
a way even when the offer against us or when
we're down or when we're hitting some adversity. And that
makes me really excited because I think there have been
we've been a little bit too inconsistent this year, and
there have been a few so many ups and downs
(21:20):
that have stung. And it makes me excited to think
about having this offseason, having this time to address those
things and just to retack twenty twenty four and be
more consistent and a team that can find a way no.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Matter what it sounds like. You're a leader of that team.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
And by all accounts from all the veterans that I've
talked to, they've said that that you're wise beyond your
years and that you step up in ways that you
wouldn't see out of a typical younger player. Would you
think that the way that you have the ability to
lead this team can leave a last thing legacy for
that next generation?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
I hope. So. I mean, I feel I don't take
any form of leadership lightly. I think even coming in
last year, I you know, I came from you know,
my collegiate team where I was a captain, and then
you're suddenly like a freshman again. It's like whoa like
this is? This is familiar. But I haven't been this
(22:24):
in a while, I mean felt this in a while.
And I think through the encouragement of my teammates and
staff last year, I I quickly realized that, like I
owed it to myself, to my team, to the club,
to one be a follower of the people who have
been here, who are leading, who know the way, who
(22:46):
I would entrust my life with, you know, the Becky's,
the Sinky's, the playing's, I mean a million others, but
also to bring the voice and the leadership that I
do bring in whatever way that looks like. And that's
not going to mean I have the experience, because I don't.
I played, you know last year like I had been
like two or three games. I'm like, okay, I've been
here for five minutes, you know, and that can I
(23:07):
think that often can psych us out of like coming
into a space and bringing who we are. But I
really vowed to myself and to my teammates that I
wouldn't allow that to happen because I felt confident in
the things that I did bring and the attributes of
mine that I felt could help the team. And for
(23:28):
me last year, that was my voice on the field
and being someone that could bring energy and communicate loudly
and help organize people in the field, that I could
bring someone who brings like a lightness and a fun
and a joy to training and to and to games,
but not just to like take the cop out of like, oh,
I haven't been here, so I'm not gonna step up
(23:49):
in the ways that I really believe that I can,
And I was just constantly encouraged to do that and
that I, you know, despite my lack of time or
experience or games played or whatever it might be, that
I owe it to the people around me to bring
the best, like the best of me, and for me,
that does have a side of leadership. And this year
(24:09):
I've just tried to kind of feed into that more
and to not allow this narrative of well, it's only
my second year and I still don't really know and
I'm still figuring things out, which I completely am, but
not allow those things to kind of gaslight me out
of showing up and showing up authentically and wholly is myself.
(24:31):
And for me, that authentic version of Sam is also
leading in any way that I can't And I mean,
we just have such a such an unbelievable group of
leaders on the seam and everybody, everybody is a leader.
I truly believe that, whether you are not dressing or
you're playing ninety minutes, I think we all lead in
(24:53):
our own ways, and we all ultimately have influence. And
I always want whatever my influence is to be one
that's and helps team move forward and win games and
be the best that it can be. And to think
that I don't have that, or to again like almost
like it's like imposter syndrome almost like think that I,
(25:14):
because I don't have X, y Z, that I can't
show up and be a positive force in this group.
I don't think serves my team well, doesn't serve the
grand doesn't serve it. It cheats myself. And so I
think we're all called to be that, and our team
does such a phenomenal job of leading into that in
whatever way that looks like embracing your role to the
(25:35):
maximum capacity and just doing it to the best of
your ability.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Yeah, easier said than done, Yes, definitely what I would
one hundred percent agree with you though, how incredibly important
it is for everyone to buy in. When you guys
reflect on your season, then obviously still a remarkable season.
You know, you guys finished second and the Shield race
and then semi final exit. But was your point when
(26:00):
you recognize, you said, we weren't that consistent or as
consistent as we should have been collectively over the course
of the year. It's hard with a World Cup thrown
in the middle, But was there a point when you
realize that the Shield was no longer in your control?
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Nope?
Speaker 4 (26:17):
No, If I'm being honest, I didn't believe that we
wouldn't do any of the things that we set out
to do until they were done, if that makes sense.
So like, until we lost in the Shield was not
in our hands, I didn't believe that we weren't gonna
win it. And until we lost on Sunday, I had
no doubt in my mind that we weren't gonna win
the championship. And that's not to sound like arrogant or like,
(26:40):
oh we you know, for the thorns, we just are
gonna wit, Like absolutely not. That is something I've learned
very quickly too, is like this league is so unbelievably competitive. Yeah,
and I don't even know why there are rankings, because
anyone can be anyone on any hiven day and we've
learned that the hard way this year and last year.
Like it is such a toss up, and there's so
(27:01):
much talent and incredible coaching, incredible players throughout the league
that I mean, that's why it's one of the best
in the world. Is like, you know, even last year
we were on the brink of the shield. Last place
got them beats us and we don't win it, and
it's like where else does that happen? You know, and
so and that's I mean, I love that about the
(27:22):
end of your cell on. It think one of the
greatest parts about it is how competitive it is. But
I think our are a key part of our team
and a key part of our culture is just like
the belief that we're going to get it done and
that we're not. It's not over till it's over. And
we might have, you know, a disappointing loss that maybe
(27:44):
puts us in a worse position that we may not
win it, you know, like we had we lost to
see a diego close to the end of the season
that put us in a worse position to win the Shield.
But like even after that, it's like we're looking forward,
How what can we control? What is out of our control,
like what do we need to take care of? And
the team I think really just leans into the possible
(28:05):
belief that it's possible and if we just continue to
do the little things day in and day out, that
we're going to find a way to get it done.
And again, on the flip side, that makes it all
the more painful when it doesn't happen. But there definitely
wasn't a point this season where I was like, no,
it's not going to happen for us, right, we don't
have it this year. You know, there were many ups
(28:26):
and downs, maybe too many downs that I would have lid.
But I do believe that so many of those losses
or ties or whatever they were that felt disappointing in
the moment just kept preparing us for what was to
come this year. And to your point, it wasn't I think,
(28:48):
being two days after a semi final loss, I was
still in a phase where I'm like, oh, well, we
fell short of everything and it's so disappointing, and I'm
still definitely like navigating the emotion of it all. But
to your point, there were so many incredible moments this season,
in moments that we need to be proud of. And
that was something I shared with the team after we
lost on Sunday, was that we just kept getting back
(29:13):
up this year, and there have been many things, whether
public knowledge or not, that the team has fought through
to get to the point that we were at on Sunday,
and that is no small fee. And we're a group
I think that is so resilient despite so much adversity.
And then I'm just proud of the group and proud
(29:34):
of the way that we do continue to get back
up despite beyond sometimes being against us. And I know
that that quality that I think is so inherent to
the Thorns is only going to propel us into great
things in twenty twenty four, and I'm just excited to
be a part of it.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
Well.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
With so many highs and so many lows, what would
be your twenty twenty three priceless moment of the season.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
My priceless moment of the season, I would say was
winning at home against North Carolina when we were down
to ten men. It was we were in the middle
of like the forest fires, so the air quality was
I don't even remember the number. It was high though.
It was like we were questioning, like if we could
(30:21):
play or not. So that was like the first part
of the day. That was that was the first bout
with the adversity that we had, and then we got
a red card in like the tenth or eleventh minute,
Carolina scores. We're downing nothing. We're like, whoof, we can't breathe,
We're down ten men. This is going to be an
feel battle. But that that to me was just like
(30:41):
the DNA of this team of just like rolling up
our sleeves, odds are against us, Okay, let's go, let's
just let's get it done. Let's work for each other.
Let's find a way when Carolina's passing around us and
we're in a low block and it's not And we did,
we did, we found, we found with and we we
(31:05):
I think that was we were like the first team
to ever win while playing down to ten men, and
so I would say that that wins my priceless moment.
I think that is like all that you need to
know about this team and this club and something that
I know we're just going to continue to build on
in the next year.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Well well said, because I'll tell you what, that's not
the Portland that I knew of. Maybe seven or eight
years ago, and so that sounds like a very different DNA.
But I will tell you this, and the incredible wisdom
and peace with which you speak and lead is really
something that is remarkable to be seen from my vantage point.
(31:45):
I've spoken to a lot of young athletes, and you
are absolutely wise be und your years. So we're very
excited to watch the rest of your career unfold and
can't wait to witness what you do next. So congratulations again.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Thank you so much, Ali, I appreciate it. Thank you.
Yeahm
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