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Dolan: “We want to get promoted”
Femení goalkeeper previews new season
RCD Espanyol Femení get their season underway on Saturday, when they face Fundación Albacete at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
The women’s first team head into the upcoming Primera RFEF campaign with plenty of excitement and high expectations, including goalkeeper Emily Dolan, the new number one in line to make her debut for the club.
Speaking to Espanyol Media, Dolan said, “The objectives of the team are very clear. Everybody understands that there's a very high expectation for this team and we don't shy away from that, we accept that responsibility. We're going to give everything that we can to represent Espanyol the way it deserves to be represented.”
Dolan is a new addition to coach Marc Cabestany’s squad, joining from Sporting Club de Huelva in the summer. She is going into her fifth year in Spain, having previously played in her native United States, Poland and Italy.
Arriving at a new club only emphasised the importance of pre-season and integrating oneself into the team, as the keeper reflected on.
She said, “Pre-season has been really well organised over everything else. I think we've seen the group really come together and create those connections on and off the field. We've got a great locker room and you're really seeing that product on the field.
“Pre-season is long. It's very difficult, that's not a secret. But we're going in a great direction, and we're really excited to keep growing and get started with the regular season.”
Dolan added, “As far as the team dynamic goes and the trainings, all of the new players have adapted really quickly to what the coaching staff is asking for us. We're really excited to get the season started and show all of that work in our upcoming season opener.”
Espanyol go into their second season in the second tier, following last year where they finished second. Speaking on the objectives for this season, the American insisted that there is a clear, common goal for the team.
“As a collective, the objective is very clear; we want to get promoted into the top division,” Dolan said. “A club that is as historic and important to the history of women's football in this country deserves to be playing in the highest level of professional football in Spain.”
She added, “Obviously, the season is long. There's always adversity, things that we're going to have to overcome. But I have total confidence in this group and the coaching staff that we're going to overcome any adversity that comes our way.”
The full interview will be available to watch exclusively on Espanyol Media on Friday, alongside full coverage of the Femení’s opening game against Fundación Albacete on Saturday at 11:30am CEST.