Laura Harvey took Seattle Reign FC to two NWSL Shields and Two NWSL Championship matches in her first run with what is now OL Reign.
She coached the startup Reign club for five seasons, leading it from a sluggish start to a club that challenged for trophies. At the end of the 2017 season, she left to pursue other options. Her shock departure from the club, still then in Seattle and with a loaded roster of talent, was a move that led her to another startup in Utah and international coaching opportunity. The club had moved on, but much of a veteran core remained in place.
When the Reign coaching position became open recently, Harvey was not immediately commented on as a likely return to the club. Yet, after a couple short weeks under the helm of her former assistant Sam Laity, Harvey takes back a club full of promise, but lacking in points and success on the season.
The Reign have used the word “Bold” in much of their media and promotional materials throughout their existence. In bringing back Harvey, with a core of veterans and international talent and much of a season to play, this could very well end up being the case.
Although in 9th place in the standings as of taking charge after Laity’s final interim match, the actual gap in the standings from 4th to 9th is 6 points. There is a great cluster in the middle of the standings and a few three point results could quickly make up the ground.
Coach Harvey has commented about being a different coach and the journey she has gone on since leaving the club. There is a real chance to right the ship this season should a winning run of even a few matches move the club up the standings. With returning Olympians and the talent on hand, the job is not so much a rebuild as a reset.
Contract terms are reported to be through 2023.
