The second season of NWSL kicks off this weekend with many picking the revamped Seattle Reign to reverse their fortune from a year ago - from last to first. Soccer Banter spoke to one of the few holdovers from the Reign, holding midfielder Keelin Winters, about the squad, her own company (Pro Skills Soccer), the Pilots, and more. Follow Winters on twitter @KeelinWinters
Soccer Banter: A lot has changed with the Reign this offseason – new players, new stadium – How different is the atmosphere around the team this preseason compared to last year?
Keelin Winters: Aside from a handful of players who are back and the coaching staff, you really can't compare last preseason to this preseason. It feels completely different. We have way more depth to our squad, our stadium is incredible, and the Reign organization as a whole has really stepped it up a notch from last year (i.e. new hires like our digital media guy Joe Fann).
SB: What do you personally need to accomplish during games to find success individually while also helping the Reign win?
KW: As a holding midfielder I need to be that anchor point for the team. One thing Laura has been stressing is that we as a team need to be "hard to beat." So for me that means being vocal defensively, organizing our shape early, and being a player that my teammates can count on to get stuck in.
SB: The Pilots are taking over the Reign – What’s it like having so many former Pilots on one team and what makes a small school like Portland such a power in women’s soccer?
Soccer Banter: A lot has changed with the Reign this offseason – new players, new stadium – How different is the atmosphere around the team this preseason compared to last year?
Keelin Winters: Aside from a handful of players who are back and the coaching staff, you really can't compare last preseason to this preseason. It feels completely different. We have way more depth to our squad, our stadium is incredible, and the Reign organization as a whole has really stepped it up a notch from last year (i.e. new hires like our digital media guy Joe Fann).
SB: What do you personally need to accomplish during games to find success individually while also helping the Reign win?
KW: As a holding midfielder I need to be that anchor point for the team. One thing Laura has been stressing is that we as a team need to be "hard to beat." So for me that means being vocal defensively, organizing our shape early, and being a player that my teammates can count on to get stuck in.
SB: The Pilots are taking over the Reign – What’s it like having so many former Pilots on one team and what makes a small school like Portland such a power in women’s soccer?
KW: There are 6 former Pilots on the Seattle Reign roster which is a pretty wild number considering that there are a total of ten (rostered) Pilots in the league. It's a lot of fun playing with those girls because we already know each others tendencies as this is not our first time playing with each other. I think Portland has been a powerhouse over the years because of its tradition and attractive ball-playing style of soccer. The team has never been a kick and chase kind of team. The team wants to put the ball down and play. On top of all that, there aren't a lot of schools who have a field and accompanying atmosphere like Merlo Field.
SB: With the off-season being longer than the season – how have you spent your time since the season ended off the field, but also how do you stay sharp and prepared for preseason?
KW: This off-season I opted to stay here in the Seattle area to really take care of my body and work on the things that I needed work on. After the 2013 NWSL season I wasn't ready - mentally and physically - to jump into another season overseas. At this level, the mental side of the game is as important as the physical side because nearly everyone is as athletic as you or maybe even moreso. It's the mental side that will set you apart. I made sure that in the off-season I continued to work on my mental side of the game. To keep my game sharp, I was training with a couple of boys teams in Seattle (Crossfire & Sounders Academy). Playing with boys really forces you to play quickly and stay mentally one step ahead (i.e. you can't receive the ball and be unsure of where you're going next because they will take it from you). To stay physically strong and fit, I continued to work out at Precision Sports Performance with my strength coach Chris Leck. My hard work in the off-season is definitely paying off right now because I feel healthier than I have in a while, stronger than I ever have before, and maybe most importantly mentally fit.
SB: You have started running clinics for Adult Women in the Seattle area that are for novice soccer players. How did you come up with the idea and what’s it like teaching soccer to people that are older than you who are new to the game?
SB: With the off-season being longer than the season – how have you spent your time since the season ended off the field, but also how do you stay sharp and prepared for preseason?
KW: This off-season I opted to stay here in the Seattle area to really take care of my body and work on the things that I needed work on. After the 2013 NWSL season I wasn't ready - mentally and physically - to jump into another season overseas. At this level, the mental side of the game is as important as the physical side because nearly everyone is as athletic as you or maybe even moreso. It's the mental side that will set you apart. I made sure that in the off-season I continued to work on my mental side of the game. To keep my game sharp, I was training with a couple of boys teams in Seattle (Crossfire & Sounders Academy). Playing with boys really forces you to play quickly and stay mentally one step ahead (i.e. you can't receive the ball and be unsure of where you're going next because they will take it from you). To stay physically strong and fit, I continued to work out at Precision Sports Performance with my strength coach Chris Leck. My hard work in the off-season is definitely paying off right now because I feel healthier than I have in a while, stronger than I ever have before, and maybe most importantly mentally fit.
SB: You have started running clinics for Adult Women in the Seattle area that are for novice soccer players. How did you come up with the idea and what’s it like teaching soccer to people that are older than you who are new to the game?
KW: My girlfriend's mom actually came up with the idea because she started playing soccer in an adult women's league years ago at the age of 30 and totally fell in love with the game, the competition, and the team camaraderie. She told me that one thing she never got was real coaching and that there is a real need for it. So I decided I'd give it a go! And I absolutely love it. These women genuinely want to improve and are so passionate about soccer. Part of the reason I love soccer so much is the social aspect - I love playing on a team full of women who are all trying to achieve the same thing and want to have fun doing it. These women want the same thing. They want to come out to the clinics or practices I hold, work on their game with other women like themselves and have fun. I'm so happy that I can give back to the game in this way and provide an opportunity for these women to come out and play.
SB: With a few years under your belt in the professional ranks, what’s the hardest transition or difference between college soccer and professional soccer?
KW: Two things come to mind. One, the speed of play. In this league and at this level, everyone is as athletic, as quick, and as skillful as you. The speed of play is much faster in the NWSL than in college. It's just a matter of how quickly players can adapt to the speed of play. Two, the mental side of the game. Players entering this league are used to being the best on their college teams. The challenge is to keep your mental edge and be a confident player. Confidence is everything.
SB: Any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
KW: I'm not a superstitious person. So no superstitions. I do a lot of mental preparation before games (i.e. visualization, making sure I know what I need to do tactically against an opponent or opposing team). Oh. And I like to eat pancakes as my pregame meal.
SB: The Reign didn’t register their first win in 2013 until June! Any bold predictions on when the first win will happen this season?
KW: Our home opener on April 13th against Boston.
SB: With a few years under your belt in the professional ranks, what’s the hardest transition or difference between college soccer and professional soccer?
KW: Two things come to mind. One, the speed of play. In this league and at this level, everyone is as athletic, as quick, and as skillful as you. The speed of play is much faster in the NWSL than in college. It's just a matter of how quickly players can adapt to the speed of play. Two, the mental side of the game. Players entering this league are used to being the best on their college teams. The challenge is to keep your mental edge and be a confident player. Confidence is everything.
SB: Any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
KW: I'm not a superstitious person. So no superstitions. I do a lot of mental preparation before games (i.e. visualization, making sure I know what I need to do tactically against an opponent or opposing team). Oh. And I like to eat pancakes as my pregame meal.
SB: The Reign didn’t register their first win in 2013 until June! Any bold predictions on when the first win will happen this season?
KW: Our home opener on April 13th against Boston.
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