Williams, Caldwell Preview Fire Preseason Opener
Yesterday, Peyton Williams and Maya Caldwell spoke with the media. This piece highlights several quotes from their conversations.
Yesterday, Portland Fire players Peyton Williams and Maya Caldwell spoke with the media. This piece highlights several quotes from their press scrums.
Peyton Williams on the squad’s goals so far in camp
“I think we’re really just trying to lock in the fundamentals. They [Portland’s coaching staff] have a really specific system they want to run, and once we get that going, it’s going to be really hard to defend that if we’re cohesive as an offensive front. So I think that what we’re trying to do first is really lock in, make sure we got everything hammered down, our cutting is precise, and then from there building, to just figure it out. So yeah, it’s been really good to try to figure each other out these past five or six days. It’s not that much time, but it’s been good.”
Peyton Williams on the state of the WNBA, and women’s basketball returning to Portland
“Yeah, I think there’s a lot of talent in the US - I mean you see that as people go overseas, you see a lot of US players on those rosters and there’s just so much talent over there - so to find a home back in the states again, oh, that’s awesome. To just have more and more opportunities is amazing. So yeah, and being in Portland - Portland’s ready - they are so ready. I’ve seen so many fans already. They’re just so excited for a new team. And there’s lots of cities like that all over the states. So I just love seeing the W continue to expand.”
Maya Caldwell’s assessment of the team’s readiness
“Practice looked good today, as far as getting used to and getting comfortable with [Alex Sarama’s] system. I feel like these preseason games are going to help us. [They will] either expose us where we need to be exposed, or kind of show us where we’re doing well, and we can continue to grow in those spots. I’m excited for these preseason games. I can’t wait to see it because practicing against the guys is one thing, but when you’re out there in real time, it’s different.”
Maya Caldwell on having fun in Eugene
“Yeah, we went to get some ice cream [at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream] - we' might have been there a few too many times. That’s like our go to. But I mean, we even sit in the hotel lobby and just talk to each other in each other’s rooms. So just spending some one on one, two on two, formal time together like that.”
—
Matt Bagley is a professional sportswriter and broadcaster with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
PortlandSupporter.com has no paywall, and is 100% advertisement-free. Instead, we conclude every article with a brief spotlight on our favorite local charities.
Triple Threat Mentoring is a program that offers one-on-one and group mentoring primarily to youth of color living in the Portland metro area. They are dedicated to the academic success and lifelong health of Portland’s underserved youth of color, supporting them in becoming well-rounded learners, exceptional athletes, and global citizens. To learn more about donating, browse this link.