Must Love Dogs, Soccer, and Coffee
When it comes to Reign FC star Beverly Yanez, there are a lot of important things in life. Of course, there’s family, but there’s also a vital trio: dogs, coffee, and soccer. Thankfully for Bev, the Pacific Northwest has become the perfect place for everything she loves. “The area is beautiful. I come from Riverside, California and having family there will always keep it as a piece of me and a piece of my heart,” Yanez said. “But, coming here and seeing so much greenery, the mountains, and the food. It’s a big dog city and I love dogs. From a team perspective, it’s such a positive environment that allows for development and growth.” Bev and her husband, Othaniel, have two dogs of their own. Avocado is a one and a half year old, blue-nosed pit bull and their rescue is a six-month-old pit bull mix named Maverick.
Outside of dogs and rain, the area is obviously known for its java. Until arriving in Seattle in 2014, Yanez did not drink coffee. “It was never something I did in high school or college. I was disgusted by the smell of it,” she explained, adding that she couldn’t imagine how people drank it. “Here, being more overcast and chilly, I decided to try it out. I drink a cup a day. My go-to is an oat milk latte. I usually get a pump of whatever their house syrup is, usually it’s vanilla or hazelnut.”
Before she signed with Reign FC, she was a star in the Nadeshiko League for INAC Kobe Leonessa and earned a golden boot during her time there. Not knowing the language at all when she arrived, Bev really enjoyed getting to learn the culture and said the Japanese top league and NWSL are two very different leagues. After she came back to the States, she was impressed by the growth of her domestic league. No matter what country she’s been playing in, including stops in Finland and Australia, her husband has been the perfect partner to discuss the sport they both love.
“Obviously, I think it’s very beneficial to me as a player and as a person. I met him when I was 14 years old, we’re high school sweethearts. Our dates consisted of playing 4 v. 4., where he would bring friends and I would bring friends and we would put two shoes on each end for a goal,” she said.
“So, him having known me for that long ago as a person and player, around 17 years, he just really understands all of me. If I don’t think I played well, he’s very honest with me and that’s something I appreciate, even when it’s not what I want to hear. He was in MLS so I obviously value his opinion and when he gives me a compliment, it means the world to me because I know it’s true and comes from the heart. We love watching soccer and we’re always fighting over the remote to rewind it. We love the sport so much that’s pretty much the only thing that’s on in the house. He knows how I wanna be the best player I can be, so we constantly watch soccer and analyze not only my games but also games that are on TV.”
Bev says, funny enough, she and Othaniel are very similar players and that people have commented that before. She said that nowadays her husband is crazy fast and buzzes all over the pitch in his Monday night over-30 league. Yanez added that sometimes she just thinks, “Oh my gosh, he’s so good.”
She’s been pretty good herself, starting ten matches for Reign FC this season. The club currently sits fifth, but they are only two points behind second place. “Every game is extremely difficult, meaning every game has a different challenge,” said Bev about the stretch run. “We need to focus on us. We want to be a team that everyone wants to beat. We want to be the best versions of ourselves, on and off the pitch. It’s important that we get out into the community. Getting the job done every week and everything else will fall into place.”
On Sunday, the club will return home to play a crucial match vs. Chicago Red Stars. Making her pitch to a fan in the area, Bev expressed, “Our stadium is incredible. It’s a really fun experience and we work very hard to put the best we can on the field. Afterward, we always take the time to head over to the fans and make sure they enjoyed the game and sign autographs. We appreciate the fans taking their time to spend their afternoon or evenings with us. We do our best to put on a show.” This is the club’s first year in Tacoma after years in Seattle. “It’s been great to see the support in Tacoma and to see people still come down from Seattle. There’s a bus that comes down from Seattle to catch our games and we appreciate the years they’ve given us.”
Weβre back home on Sunday! Get familiar with Cheney Stadium, whether it is your first time or your sixth.#BeBold #RFC253 #ShePlaysHere
π°: https://t.co/uo2yJmqSs1 pic.twitter.com/fIAhbWKfCf— OL Reign (@OLReign) July 25, 2019
Kick-off is set for 1 PM on Sunday from Cheney Stadium. Beverly Yanez and her Reign FC teammates will be ready for the challenge.
