This Saturday in New Jersey the top two teams in NWSL, Sky Blue FC and the Portland Thorns, play each for the second time this season. In the first match in Portland, Sky Blue FC won 1-0 on a goal by supersub Taylor Lytle. The real story of the match was the dominance of the Sky Blue midfield led by Katy Freels. With a new professional league comes the opportunity for new players to be discovered and on that night at Jeld-Wen Field, Freels was the attacking maestro - confident on the ball, pulling the strings in the midfield, and dangerous in the final 1/3. Soccer Banter caught up with the Auburn graduate to find out more about her game and her first season as a professional. Follow Freels on twitter: @KatyFry
Soccer Banter: What do you attribute the success of Sky Blue in the first half of the season?
Katy Freels: As a team we understand our strengths and weaknesses and have done a great job executing game plans and performing our individual roles to the best of our abilities. We are defending well as a unit, capitalizing on our chances, have showed great depth and our leadership has been second to none. It just seems a lot of the pieces are coming together for us right now.
SB: The most talked about play this season was Lisa De Vanna's bicycle kick goal against the Boston Breakers. When you chipped the ball into her path, what were your thoughts as you saw the play unfold?
KF: My first thought was the defense has overshifted a bit, Lisa is wide open in the box, and I have to find a way to get it to her. Once it was in the air though I was thinking what the heck is Lisa doing, why is she slowing down like that. But then after the play I just couldn't believe it. I got chills and was just so incredibly happy! I still can't figure out how she did that and am convinced she practices them in her room. But Lisa is such a dangerous and brilliant player and that bicycle kick is a testament to the instincts she has as a player.
Soccer Banter: What do you attribute the success of Sky Blue in the first half of the season?
Katy Freels: As a team we understand our strengths and weaknesses and have done a great job executing game plans and performing our individual roles to the best of our abilities. We are defending well as a unit, capitalizing on our chances, have showed great depth and our leadership has been second to none. It just seems a lot of the pieces are coming together for us right now.
SB: The most talked about play this season was Lisa De Vanna's bicycle kick goal against the Boston Breakers. When you chipped the ball into her path, what were your thoughts as you saw the play unfold?
KF: My first thought was the defense has overshifted a bit, Lisa is wide open in the box, and I have to find a way to get it to her. Once it was in the air though I was thinking what the heck is Lisa doing, why is she slowing down like that. But then after the play I just couldn't believe it. I got chills and was just so incredibly happy! I still can't figure out how she did that and am convinced she practices them in her room. But Lisa is such a dangerous and brilliant player and that bicycle kick is a testament to the instincts she has as a player.
SB: This Saturday is the marquee matchup in NWSL - a battle for first place against the Portland Thorns. Looking back at your earlier win in Portland, what are your expectations for this match?
KF: The last game at Portland was very even and decided by one incredible strike from Taylor (Lytle). That one shot proved the difference. Portland is a great team and I think they will come in Saturday with a lot of confidence, determination, and emotion to avenge that loss. We frustrated them a bit in Portland with our defensive discipline so I anticipate they will have some sort of tactical adjustments as well. It will undoubtedly be the biggest game of our season thus far.
SB: After being drafted by the Atlanta Beat, WPS folded and you had to wait a year to play professional soccer in the US? What was your reaction when WPS folded and now what does it feel like to finally be a professional athlete?
KF: When the WPS folded I was literally mad. I really wanted a chance to compete at the next level and continue doing what I love and it was difficult to accept that my soccer career was potentially over. Luckily the WPSL Elite formed not too long after, and then this year with the launching of the NWSL. It is such a cool experience getting to play soccer for a living. I have such a passion and joy for the game that being able to compete with the best players in the world day in and day out has been an absolute blessing. I'm growing so much both as a soccer player and person and that is the best part about it all.
KF: The last game at Portland was very even and decided by one incredible strike from Taylor (Lytle). That one shot proved the difference. Portland is a great team and I think they will come in Saturday with a lot of confidence, determination, and emotion to avenge that loss. We frustrated them a bit in Portland with our defensive discipline so I anticipate they will have some sort of tactical adjustments as well. It will undoubtedly be the biggest game of our season thus far.
SB: After being drafted by the Atlanta Beat, WPS folded and you had to wait a year to play professional soccer in the US? What was your reaction when WPS folded and now what does it feel like to finally be a professional athlete?
KF: When the WPS folded I was literally mad. I really wanted a chance to compete at the next level and continue doing what I love and it was difficult to accept that my soccer career was potentially over. Luckily the WPSL Elite formed not too long after, and then this year with the launching of the NWSL. It is such a cool experience getting to play soccer for a living. I have such a passion and joy for the game that being able to compete with the best players in the world day in and day out has been an absolute blessing. I'm growing so much both as a soccer player and person and that is the best part about it all.
SB: For those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
KF: I would describe myself as a very technical and tactical attacking minded player. I love being on the ball as much as possible and creating opportunities for my teammates through combinations or through balls. I really enjoy the mental aspect of soccer and understanding the intricacies of the game.
SB: Who is the toughest player you have ever played against?
KF: That's a tough one. I have played against so many amazing players in my career, especially this year. But I have to go with Brittany Bock. Even though she is on my team and has been injured for a majority of the season, she's an absolute force to reckon with. She works so hard, is very physical, has such great timing on her tackles and anticipates so well defensively. Needless to say, I'm thankful Britt's on our team.
SB: What is your most memorable moment involving the game of soccer?
KF: My most memorable moment was winning the SEC Tournament with Auburn my senior year. That had been an ongoing goal my entire career and finally winning it in such dramatic fashion with all of my best friends was an experience I will cherish forever.
KF: I would describe myself as a very technical and tactical attacking minded player. I love being on the ball as much as possible and creating opportunities for my teammates through combinations or through balls. I really enjoy the mental aspect of soccer and understanding the intricacies of the game.
SB: Who is the toughest player you have ever played against?
KF: That's a tough one. I have played against so many amazing players in my career, especially this year. But I have to go with Brittany Bock. Even though she is on my team and has been injured for a majority of the season, she's an absolute force to reckon with. She works so hard, is very physical, has such great timing on her tackles and anticipates so well defensively. Needless to say, I'm thankful Britt's on our team.
SB: What is your most memorable moment involving the game of soccer?
KF: My most memorable moment was winning the SEC Tournament with Auburn my senior year. That had been an ongoing goal my entire career and finally winning it in such dramatic fashion with all of my best friends was an experience I will cherish forever.
SB: What advice would you give young players that have dreams of playing soccer at the highest level?
KF: I would tell kids to fall in love with the game! If you develop that passion for soccer, then the commitment and training necessary to accomplish your dreams will be possible. I would also tell any young player to always do your best. Set a standard of excellence for yourself and don't ever accept anything less than your best. Finally, enjoy the journey and value the friendships!
SB: Lastly, as your soccer career continues on, what were your own goals as a player growing up and how have those evolved into your present day goals?
KF: My goals as a player growing up were to be the best I could be and play for the women's full team. And those goals are still very much relevant today. Playing collegiately and professionally are both stepping stones to that ultimate goal. I would absolutely love a chance to play on our national team, but along the way I just want to continue training my hardest, playing my best and having fun while competing at this level.
KF: I would tell kids to fall in love with the game! If you develop that passion for soccer, then the commitment and training necessary to accomplish your dreams will be possible. I would also tell any young player to always do your best. Set a standard of excellence for yourself and don't ever accept anything less than your best. Finally, enjoy the journey and value the friendships!
SB: Lastly, as your soccer career continues on, what were your own goals as a player growing up and how have those evolved into your present day goals?
KF: My goals as a player growing up were to be the best I could be and play for the women's full team. And those goals are still very much relevant today. Playing collegiately and professionally are both stepping stones to that ultimate goal. I would absolutely love a chance to play on our national team, but along the way I just want to continue training my hardest, playing my best and having fun while competing at this level.
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