Winning debut
In Reid’s 1st game in new role, Hartford Athletic defeat Colorado Springs
On the sideline, with a brand new title, Ray Reid did what he does best: Win soccer games.
Hartford Athletic’s newly named interim coach led his squad to a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Tuesday at Trinity Health Stadium.
“We’ve got a good group,” Reid said. “I’ve been watching practice since the middle of April and I’ve said to people this group is better than their record. They had low confidence. Tonight they got it.”
Reid was named interim coach on Saturday after former coach Harry Watling resigned and returned to England to tend to family matters. Reid joined the Athletic (4-4-9) on May 13 as technical director.
The sudden coaching change was quite a shock for the players.
“I give these guys a lot of credit,” Reid said. “They’ve been working hard and their focus was great. Really great effort from the boys and I couldn’t be happier for these kids.”
Reid is a Connecticut soccer royalty. He spent his first eight seasons coaching his alma mater, Southern Connecticut State University, from 19891996, leading them to three national championships in 1990, ‘92 and ‘95.
He replaced the legendary Joe Morrone at Uconn in 1997 and led the Huskies to the Division I national championship in 2000, eight Big East regular-season titles and four conference tournament titles. In May 2021 Reid, 62, retired to take care of his elderly parents. At the time of his retirement, he had an overall career record of 394-197-61.
Reid doesn’t expect to be coaching the Athletic for very long.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in,” he said, quoting a line from a Godfather movie. “Harry resigned and we got a very young staff. We are going to have a big-time coach in two weeks. Bruce Mandell (owner) has made a major commitment and get the right to lead this team. Then, I can go back to help from the outside. Hopefully, we can stay positive a little bit and get momentum going.”
For a midfielder, Andre Lewis this game was an important one as it was against his former team and he delivered with the second goal.
“I wanted to win and the goal came when I took it,” he said. “I am a really happy man.”
From the start of the game, both teams were aggressive in pursuing the ball, leading to many fouls.
Despite eight shots by Hartford, only two were on target. At
“And that’s really what it was for me. Having a close relationship with Sue [Bird] and being able to talk to her in the offseason, and even now at this point, it just made it really that much easier.
“But it was extremely hard because the decision I made didn’t just impact my life but those in Phoenix. It’s something I think about all the time, but at some point you do what’s best for you and your career and what you’re trying to get out of it.”
There are now four Huskies together in Seattle — Charles joins Bird, Breanna Stewart and Gabby Williams.
“Sue and I are cut from the same cloth,” Charles said. “We came from Uconn and there’s a certain level and standard that Coach [Geno] Auriemma has for his players.”
Selected No. 1 overall out of Uconn in the 2010 WNBA draft, Charles is an eight-time WNBA All-star, three-time gold medalist and was named the league’s MVP in 2012. She led the league in scoring last season, averaging 23.4 points per game with the Washington Mystics.
Charles signed with the Mercury and was averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and
2.1 assists through 16 games but was unhappy with her role, according to multiple reports.
“After discussions with Tina and her agent, it was best for both parties to go our separate ways at this time,” Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said. “Due to circumstances both in and out of our control, our season has not gone according to our plan, and we will continue to pursue all avenues for improvement.”
Phoenix is currently 8-12 and in fourth place in the Western Conference. Seattle is 11-7 and in second, three games behind the 14-4 Las Vegas Aces. Charles will be available when the Storm take on Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
“It’s been an emotional whirlwind,” Charles said, “because again I’m human. I know my decision impacted those in Phoenix, but again I still had the support of Diana [Taurasi] and that’s what meant the world to me because of what she’s done for my career and the rest of us and all those who’ve been in and out of the league.
“I’m moving forward and I’m staying present. And those who were involved [in the situation in Phoenix], we all know respectfully, professionally, and this isn’t the platform to explain it here. So I’m thankful to be here.”