Coffee & Valkyries, Episode 11: The One With Yael Averbuch

At this year’s NWSL College Draft, Seattle Reign FC traded for defender Yael Averbuch. With the changes that happened to the roster as the team was preparing to begin a new era under head coach Vlatko Andonovski, it made sense to add not only a quality defender, but one very familiar with what Andonovski wanted to do with the team. Unfortunately an illness has sidelined Averbuch for most of the season so far, but she is still very much here and very much a member of Seattle Reign FC. You’ll hear from Averbuch herself about how she is doing/feeling, insights into the mid-week draw at Utah Royals FC, and what Seattle needs to do to get the full three points against rival Portland Thorns. Here’s what else you’ll get in this episode:

Yael Averbuch came to Seattle Reign FC this past off-season as one of the many changes the team went through with the arrival of head coach Vlatko Andonovski. However an illness has kept Averbuch’s time on the field to just one match, but she is still very much an integral part of the team as she works to get back to fitness. Hear from Averbuch herself an update on her health, the moment she was asked to convert from midfielder to defender, and what it was like getting nutmegged by one of the best midfielders today.

And since it was discussed on the podcast, here’s the goal she scored for University of North Carolina Tar Heels against Yale, which for a decade stood as the fastest goal scored in NCAA soccer history (4 seconds) but was broken in 2016 by University of Mary’s Megan Searson.