Midfielder Dani Weatherholt is a league veteran and SoCal native who came to Angel City from the then-Seattle Reign via the expansion draft. AngelCity.com sat down with her after training last week to talk about the current state of the season, the World Cup, and more.
From my perspective, the vibes on the last couple of gamedays have been immaculate. It also feels like there's been a shift in the mood on the team. Could you talk about that?
I felt a shift even at the beginning of this year, but yes, since we have also gotten back on track [results-wise], we really have just made changes in terms of our commitment to small details and standards. I think when you create a culture like that, you're able to ask more of one another and it creates a healthier environment. You're able to push each other, demand more, and ultimately, you enjoy it more, because you've worked harder and you've prepared for it. So I see that with the group. There's definitely been a shift and obviously winning and getting results helps. But I think it's allowed us to be more resilient as well. So yeah, I think the group has a really good mentality and a really good energy and culture.
Earlier this season and even last year the team often dropped points by conceding late goals, but the group hasn't been letting that happen in the last six weeks. What's changed?
Protecting a lead is challenging because the other team has that mentality of digging deep, and they're throwing everything they can at you to score. So you need composure. You need a calming presence. You also need like someone to keep the energy up and communicate to the group to stay focused.
I think the biggest thing last year was that we would lose focus, we'd get tired, we'd stop communicating, so our decision making was more reactive than proactive. I'd say this year we've become a lot more proactive. We start to see ourselves getting tired, and then we'll almost overcompensate to make sure we're in a good place and that we feel confident and composed to see out of game. We've also put more of an emphasis on how we see our game tactically—maybe going to the corner, or where we clear the ball.
We had one moment in Portland this year that was a heartbreak for us, and it was the hardest film session we've had all year. It was terrible. And from that point on, I don't believe we've given up a last-minute goal. Sometimes you need a breaking point. From that point on, we've seen out games, so now we have confidence about it. So that last game [where Portland equalized late in the first half], fear could have crept in. But I'm like, 'no, we've seen out a game, we're fine.' And I think we pick each other up—someone might be more tired, so someone else has to step up.
What have been some highlights of the World Cup for you?
Watching Spain in early stages—just the way they connect—was really fun. Watching Jun and Japan is so special. I hope they just keep that momentum going. It's so fun to watch Alyssa getting her first few minutes and Julie being back on the team.
And there was one Brazil goal where Debinha played it back post, Ary Borges trapped it, laid it off, Zaneratto finished. Oh, and Japan, their locker room after the game and the way the fans clean the stadium. As we were leaving our locker room the next day, it made me actually want to clean up.
You're in a weird moment in the season right now—you had a week off, then a bye week, and now you're having two Challenge Cup games in a row. What's that been like?
I personally think we're rolling right now. So I want to play league games. However, I think every game is an opportunity to add more momentum. Another game we play that we're undefeated and another game we play that we're putting goals in the back of the net, it all adds to our momentum.
I think we could have turned the corner maybe sooner, but I've been saying since the beginning of year that we're fine, we're moving in the right direction. I think we're peaking at the right time. I think we're clicking as a team. Everything's coming together at the right moment. So I do want to play more league games because I want them to count towards our standing, but they all do count in the long run, towards our momentum, towards our confidence, towards our resilience. So I think it's brick by brick.
What's a small thing that makes you happy?
Definitely coffee in the morning is a happy ritual. Anytime I come home to my dog. Oh, sometimes little encounters with strangers. Like, you're expected to love your family and your parents and your friends, but a small, meaningful act or a helping hand. That brings me so much joy—either doing it or having it done for you.