Prior to the Chicago Red Stars’ match against OL Reign, Tatumn Milazzo and Head Coach Chris Petrucelli met with members of the media. The Red Stars line up against OL Reign for the second and final time this season, with OL Reign previously falling 1-0 June 4 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.
On the end of the season and upcoming playoffs (from Claire Watkins)
Tatumn Milazzo: I think at this point, our mindset is taking it one game at a time and playoffs are still five games away, so I think these next five games are what is most important at this time, so I think we’re more of a one game at a time mindset right now before we’re thinking of any playoff situation.
Chris Petrucelli: Well, I love Tatumn’s answer, I think that that’s something we’ve instilled from day one, is just to go one day at a time whether that’s training or the next match and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We all realize what’s going on and we know what's at stake. I’m aware, but in order for us to be successful we just have to play the next match and focus on playing the next match. The next match for us is against a good opponent, so they’ve got our attention.
On Morgan Gautrat’s return to the team (from Claire Watkins)
Petrucelli: Yeah, it’s possible. She's certainly further along right now than she was two weeks ago when we brought her along. I think she’s ready to get into a match for a few minutes here and there. We have another day of training where we need to sort that out. She’s certainly made good strides and we’re hoping to get her on the field. The hard part for her is she’s been out for a while, so it’s going to take some time to build her minutes, but we’re excited for anything we can get from her.
On managing the ebbs and flows of the season (from Claire Watkins)
Milazzo: Yeah, I think it has been a lot of travel and back and forth but I think the main focus is to do what we can when we’re all together at home and in training because I think that’s when we get the most out of everyone and work on what we need to work on for that week, despite traveling and all that, so I think those are the moments the team really likes to focus in. And then travel is travel, it’s a part of what we do so I think focusing in on the moments we can get everyone together and on the same page and doing what we want to do in training is I think the most important part.
On the USWNT signing the CBA
Tatumn Milazzo: I think before becoming a professional, I didn’t think about that side of the profession. Last year when everything went into place it was super exciting to be a part of and see all the moving pieces and although it was near the end it was still great to really appreciate the effort that was put in way before I even considered what a CBA and all of that type of thing was. I think moving forward, being able to see it happen in front of me was inspiring and I think it opens the door for the younger players to see the power that you have and that you can make changes that will benefit the people coming after you.
Tatumn Milazzo: I think my opinion is that it’s been a really big deal for everyone, I think it puts benefits into place for beginning players and veterans who have been around for awhile. So, in my opinion, it was long overdue but at the same time it was the perfect time for things to come together.
Chris Petrucelli: These really high level, fantastic athletes are finally getting what they deserve. They deserve to be compensated and to be treated right. I’ve been in the game a long time and it’s taken a long time to get to this point. It’s nice to see them get what they deserve.
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