A Season Of Rebirth

NWSL Matchday Seven

A sizable gathering of former UCLA and Virginia players associated with the Seattle Reign and North Carolina Courage broke bread at Olive Garden on Friday night ahead of their NWSL match at WakeMed Soccer Park the next day.

McCall Zerboni: What is everyone's opinion about what went down at national team camp a couple of weeks ago? Danielle, you're probably the closest to the situation of all of us here, but if you're not comfortable sharing, that's fine.

Danielle Colaprico: I guess I should go first since I DO know a good number of those who squared-off in the intervention. I am glad that most of those in the wrong admitted so and that there was a spirit of reconciliation amongst the players. When Emily and I had dinner before last week's game against the Thorns, she told me what she and Moe talked about and asked if I would be willing to give her a face-to-face chance to patch things up when the Red Stars visit in two weeks. I'm guessing there will also be opportunities to talk with Sofia and Arin then as well.

Katelyn Rowland: We've tried to keep the drama out of the locker room here, but the next two weeks are going to test that, with Houston here on the 2nd and us playing in Portland on the 9th. If on-field extracurriculars occur, we'll stand up for Sammy, but I also understand Abby and Kristie's position about being kept in the dark regarding her intentions to elope. If I were deeply in love with someone and they did that to me, I don't know if I could ever stomach seeing the person again.

Makenzy Doniak: Kristen, how has it been with Danny in Seattle alongside you?

Kristen McNabb: It's been pretty fun. I never got much of a chance to know her in Charlottesville because you, Moe, and Emily took up so much of her off-the-field time, so us both being on the Reign has helped me do so.

McCall: How are you taking to Carm (Moscato, Reign head coach) and her methods?

Lauren Barnes: I haven't noticed them being much different than what Laura (Harvey, former Reign and current Utah Royals head coach) did, but I'm guessing that's because Harvs and Herdman probably come from the same tactical tree. The biggest difference with Carm is her youthful exuberance, and D-Math plays on it SO WELL to embarrass her in front of the rest of the team. Next week's Friday night hangout time in Salt Lake City will probably be a riot as you'll have Carm, her two best friends in Steph Labbe and Ali Krieger, D-Math, Quinny, Jessie Fleming, and Desiree Scott all in the same room. Anyone know if there will be TV coverage for that one, since it's not the Lifetime Game of the Week?

Makenzy: I can ask Brittany (Ratcliffe, Utah forward and former Virginia Cavalier) about it.

Katelyn started to retreat into herself, which Taylor Smith noticed and acted upon.

Taylor: Wahoos, since Mak is SUCH a closed book when it comes to affairs of the heart, maybe you can fill us team Yentes in on what she might like in a person?

Danielle: Well, she didn't go for me or Moe or Sonny. Come to think of it, I don't remember her crushing per se on anyone on the team. Kristen?

Kristen: There was that volleyball player she was smitten with as a freshman, but nothing came of it. Can't remember her name, but personality-wise was like Alyssa Naeher. Quiet, focused, but with a really big heart.

Makenzy: I wish I'd been able to tell Tobi what I thought, but that three-year gap, me a lonely little freshman and her a senior, plus not being on the same team but playing the same season, the opportunity to do it was limited if not non-existent.

Darien Jenkins: Sooooo....is that like "your type", the strong, silent person?

Makenzy: Not TOO strong, and not TOO silent, but yeah, the comforting girlfriend who is sure of herself and what she feels for me, and can trust that what I feel in return is genuine. I think I know someone like that, but my spot in the team isn't as solid as hers and thus I don't know if I'll be here from one month to the next.