What The Heart Wants

Party Line

The first day of preseason wrapped up around the NWSL and the players took to Skype to catch up with their friends, families, and loved ones.

Jen Hoy: Evening, sunshine! How was your first day with Sky Blue?

Danielle Colaprico: It went pretty well. The rookies seem to have brought in a bit of an edge as they try to prove their ability to be legitimate scoring threats alongside Sam or Sarah and Rocky. How was Hearts' opening day?

Jen: The truth is that it was pretty uneventful, which is a good thing. We ran a couple of drills and rondos, then did a 10 v 10 game where the first-string offense and backup defense and keeper were paired together against the backup offense and the first-string defense and keeper. The top offense won, 3-1. We've got some good talent here and once it meshes, we should be able to give most of the teams in the East a competitive game. We're playing you guys at your place in ten days. First chance to see what we have as one unit and whether it's good enough to be a playoff-level team.

Danielle: Your teammates are so fun to be around. They seem to really enjoy one another and get along pretty well.

Jen: Credit all of that to the inner circle of Carm, Ali, Steph Labbe, and Diana that has been together with one another in some form for 15 years or so. Their inside stuff and honesty sets the tone for the rest of the team to engage one another. It's how the two goalkeeper/midfielder couples came to become close, because Ali and Steph focused on them and modeled how being a team on and off the field works. Do you have anyone in Jersey that everyone seems to gravitate towards for advice or mentoring?

Danielle: With Kelley leaving for the Courage and Christie retiring, Sam and Sarah really are the pulse of the team now.

Danielle got an incoming call on her computer. She answered it and patched the callers into her existing conversation with Jen.

Morgan Brian: DANNY! How's my favorite Wahoo alum?

Danielle: You better not let Emily hear that or she'll kill you. And to answer your question, just peachy since I'm chatting with my wuuuuuuv in Philly.

Jen: Hi, Moe. KO around with you?

Moe: She is, but she's messing around with getting some of the house-settling-in accomplished. 

Danielle: How was your first day with the Courage?

Moe: Tough. New team for us, new coaching staff for everyone, and we're trying to replace a LOT of defensive depth from last year here. They drafted a goalkeeper and two defenders in January and have brought a local player in on trial today and tomorrow. The offense is still there, made a bit more dangerous by the additions of Kelley and Heather. The team seemed to respond well to Tiffany's leadership today. We'll have to see if it will stick, though.

Kelley: HELLO UP THERE!

Danielle: KO! Our girl was saying that your first day went well, but was rough. Care to expand?

Kelley: Tiffany put us through a lot of endurance work today, but it looks like the squad will be strong like last year. Gotta get the new defenders up to speed. Heather and I are going to have some fun moving all over the place so long as Moe can keep things locked down in front of Abby and whoever fills that other center back spot.

Jen: We're solid up here, more solid that most expansion teams would be, but how that back line comes together will determine how successful we will be in the East. Wendy thinks we can compete head-on with Washington, Sky Blue, and Boston and thus should be able to be a part of the race for the wild card playoff spot.