Emeri Adames Makes Instant Impact Off Bench with Timely Equalizer in Draw with Gotham FC
It took just two minutes — and four touches — for the Seattle Reign’s Emeri Adames to make an impact off the bench on Saturday in their 1-1 season-opening home draw with Gotham FC.
Adames entered in the 69th minute with her team down a goal before her sliding attempt on a scramble in the box brought the match on level terms.
“I knew if I just got a toe on it, or anything on it, there was a chance of it going in,” Adames said. “I thought the subs made a huge difference. We came in and knew we needed to make an impact.”
Adames is still just 18 after signing with the Reign last season and has leaned on the guidance of some of her more seasoned teammates as she adapts to professional life. She attributed much of her readiness for that moment to the trust and confidence her veteran teammates have in her.
“The older players are so [helpful],” she said. “They don’t feel that much older because we’re so comfortable with them and can ask them any questions that we want and they have so much advice for us.
“Going into the end of games like that are hard,” Adames continued. “You’re not going to get a ton of chances. You’re not going to take a lot of dribbles or get on the ball too much, but when you get a chance you have to take that opportunity.”
Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey was proud of the way her team responded when going down a goal to come back and earn a result. She mentioned the evolution from last year where she said they might not have had the composure to see the game through.
“The subs were great when they came on,” said Harvey. “They impacted positively. I said to the group at the end that our growth is that we can make some in-game changes and it doesn’t detract from us, it actually makes us better. That’s a real testament to preseason and having a good foundation.”
The Reign are back in action next Saturday at Angel City FC (5 p.m. PT; Watch on CBS Sports Network) before returning to Lumen Field, a place Harvey said she wants to turn into a fortress, for two matches against the Orlando Pride and the rival Portland Thorns.
“I’ve said this the whole time we’ve been at Lumen, it’s always so loud,” said Harvey. “We’re really happy that we can give the fans something around what mentality this group’s got.
“If you love a gritty, hardworking, never-say-die team, you’re that type of fan, you would have been here tonight. We hope to see you again and bring your mate.”