Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Opening Statement
“It was a great game. We started off really well, taking an early lead. I thought we played some really good stuff not consistently, but I thought there were some really good moments and opportunities to score. Maybe on another day we capitalize on them. Towards the end of the match, it really showed what type of team this is coming to a hostile environment and coming to Gotham’s home who is a very good team that nearly missed out on the playoff Final last year. We showed our character towards the end making sure we keep the clean sheet. It is very easy as the game goes on and they move forward to lose concentration, but I thought we were phenomenal towards at the end to get the shutout. Really pleased with the goals, another clean sheets and we continue on to next week.”
On back-to-back clean sheets to begin the season
“It has been a real focal point of our game model, you could say. We don’t want to concede, it hurts when we concede and you can see that with the attitude of the players. It is not just one or two players it is the full collective effort to keep the ball out of the net. You can see the effort from every single player, not just the starters but with the players coming off the bench with their roles and responsibilities to keep the ball out of the net. Pleased with it, it is never easy keeping a clean sheet in this league because there are so many quality players and great players that can carve you up. Again, I’ll go back to the concentration towards the end as the game goes on to keep that shutout.”
On scoring early and getting an early lead
“We talk about all the time, we want to get that first goal of the game, so we always want to start fast whether we are home or away. Regardless of the opponent we are playing against, that first goal is really important to us. To get it within one minute of the game was really rewarding. It kind of put our nerves at rest, I guess. It is always a difficult environment to come here. I think we only have one win back in 2021, so we have always left this stadium disappointed knowing that we could give more or get a better result. I think today epitomizes the attitude of the players and we spoke about last week being a statement win and today, I thought today was a statement win against with some really good players alongside it.”
Orlando Pride Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse
Opening Statement
“Towards the end of the game we were under a little bit of pressure from a very good side. When they put pressure on us in those last few minutes, there was a little bit of relief when the final whistle blew. Just so happy to get the win and the clean sheet.”
On being able to rotate players throughout the backline
“We said it last season that everyone knows what job they have to do and that everyone is comfortable in doing that job. It makes my life incredibly easy. The backline is incredible at keeping chances to a minimum and keeping threatening chances to a minimum. It is really enjoyable to be a part of. I love playing behind the backline, it is really just a dream for me.”
On the gameplan to try and negate Gotham
“I think the gameplan more was just playing our game. I think we did that for the most part. Towards the end of the game, they really cranked the pressure on us as a backline. We went to a back five and Zara [Chavoshi] came in made her debut and did incredibly well to deal with the pressure in that environment in a first game. Most of those clearances came in those last 20 minutes, but we dealt with the pressure and that is just what we do. It is not in the gameplan to do that but sometimes the game needs you to do it. We dig in, backs to the wall and we just fight for everything.”
Orlando Pride Defender Kerry Abello
Opening Statement
“I was definitely relieved that we saw out the game and got the three points and kept our clean sheet. It probably wasn’t our best, cleanest performance. I thought we were really threatening but we were definitely under it towards the end of the game, but I was really proud that we saw out the win and got the three wins.”
On back-to-back clean sheets to begin the season
“I think we are definitely picking up from last year, but like you said we do have a lot of people coming in and out of the backline which just goes to show how good we are and how much work we are doing off the game field. For us to be able to interchange people within our backline is really impressive for us to stay solid and keep our clean sheet. Zara made her debut tonight which is so exciting. Overall, I am really impressed with individually our backline is so solid and we are able to work together no matter who is next to us.”
On the last 20 minutes of the match
“It is nothing new for us. We have been up against it late in games. It says a lot for our backline, but I think at that point in the last 20 minutes of the game we were really under it, and they were sending balls forward. At that point we are kind of defending for our lives and emergency defending. A lot of it is gritty. Obviously, there are a lot of tactics that go into it with recovering and shifting, but at the end of the day it is grit, and I think that is what our backline has both individually and collectively. That is what it was in the last 20 minutes to keep to the ball out of our net.
