Laura Harvey pens farewell to Seattle

It’s official. We have seen the last of Laura Harvey as Seattle Reign FC’s head coach. On Tuesday, the club announced her departure and the hiring of Vlatko Andonovski as head coach.

A new age of Seattle Reign FC soccer was born.

After the announcement, Harvey took to Twitter to say her goodbye to the club and its fans. “I want to thank everyone that has been part of this incredible club,” Harvey began. “Firstly, to Bill and Teresa Predmore, for giving me the opportunity and believing in me all the way throughout my time at the club. As owners they work tirelessly to make this club one of the best in the world.”

Harvey, who built a reputation as a players’ coach during her time in Seattle, also took the time to thank her players. “To all the players that have been part of this journey, you helped build something great, and to those players still at the club — keep pushing in the direction it needs to go! This journey has been wild and I appreciate every single player’s contribution to what we have built. We have stories and memories to last forever.”

To the fans, Harvey urged Seattle to continue supporting the club. “Keep showing all your support for this amazing club. Bring a mate and keep pushing for women’s soccer in this fantastic city!”

While rumors emerged Tuesday morning that Harvey was heading to a job with U.S. Soccer, she was not quick to confirm this. “I am looking forward to what the next opportunity could be,” Harvey said on Twitter. “I’m excited for some time to reflect and decide what my next step is.”

It is, quite frankly, extremely difficult to think about this team without Laura Harvey. It is rare that a coach, rather than a player, takes the role of the “star” who defines the club and everything it stands for. But when you thought of Reign FC, you thought of Harvey first and foremost. As Harvey concludes in her note, “Reign FC will always have a special place in my heart.”

She leaves the club with two NWSL Shields and a number of records attached to her name. But most importantly, to fans, she leaves a legacy that ensures her name will be forever etched into our hearts. #HarvsOut, but the legend will never be forgotten.