Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Opening Statement
“I think we were brilliant from start to finish. I thought in the first half, the intensity of our press, the intensity of how we played, we created some good opportunities. We stayed in the game, which was important as well because there's been previous games where we've dominated, but haven't got the rewards and been punished. So as long as it stayed 0-0, we always felt that we were going to score that first goal and we left it late, but it doesn't matter. You know, we're walking away with three points, a clean sheet, one goal, and victory, so, we’re really happy.”
On utilizing Ally Watt against Portland’s defensive tactics
“I think the evolution of this team is playing what the opponent gives you. So, if Portland wants to press high and be aggressive, you have to draw them out as well. So, there were moments where we wanted to exploit that spacing behind. We wanted to get Ally [Watt] facing forward on goal. Obviously, she was offside, but she should take a lot of confidence from that. There are margins where the defense just takes an extra step. As long as she can continue to be a threat, she should still get opportunities to find the back of the net. Also, we have to recognize if we are having success, a team is going to drop off, so then there may be more space to play through them rather than over them. This is just an ongoing thing where we have to recognize what the opponent's given us and obviously in the first half Portland had given us a lot of space behind.”
On the playoffs
“Well, we have to clinch it first, so we don't want to get too ahead of ourselves. We handled our business tonight. Obviously, if some of the results go our way, then we've made it, which was a big incentive for today. I think home field advantage is massive. We experienced that last year. So, if we can finish as high as possible, we can play here in front of our own fans. They were brilliant tonight, we've missed out, we've been on the road for a long period of time. But when you have the fans really driving you and I really think they played a part in the goal that we scored late on in the game, that can be an advantage when you go into playoffs, making it intimidating for the opponent. We've also had those experiences of last year as well, which should put us in a good spot if we're in that position. And I think there's a real togetherness; you saw a togetherness tonight with the team. There was a real hunger. You could see that it wasn't just individuals doing their own thing. You could see that there was a real good team cohesion on the field and players coming off the bench, making a difference as well. So, I was really proud of them tonight because again, they put a lot of effort into it. We looked ourselves and we got the reward for it.”
On Marta’s return and the leadership on the team
“ Yeah, it's massive. She's a massive part of this team; we've missed her. We've missed her leadership, we've missed what she brings on to the field. But I'd say with the absence of Marta, players have stepped up and taken the initiative to have moments where they can lead. I think Simone Charley’s been brilliant since she's got back into the team with her voice and the passion that she shows in her pregame talks has been really inspirational for everyone, also what she's bringing on to the field as well. Obviously, Haley McCutcheon’s been carrying the armband, and she’s been a real vocal point in what we’ve done since the start of my managerial career. So, we've had players like Kerry Abello, Angelina as captain of Brazil, Rafaelle, Emily Sams. They all contribute when players are missing and other players have to step up, and that's what everyone's been seeing in recent games.”
Orlando Pride Defender Rafaelle
Opening Statement
“I am so glad after the three points, it is a big win. We are solid in the back. That is all we need, especially when playing at home. It's not easy—everybody is tired, especially after the 10 days we just had away, now coming back home with our fans. We gave everything, we needed those three points, now we are just looking forward to the next games.”
On the team's mindset following recent results
“I feel like our mindset changed after these two wins we've had in the last two games. It is big, it is huge, especially in this time of the season. Getting those two wins is going to help us so much looking forward, especially in getting a spot in the playoffs, hopefully this weekend or next weekend. But it is big. I feel like everybody is giving everything. We feel the pressure, and we have shown that we are just fine. Even though there is a lot of pressure on us, we are doing great things. Every time we were in front of the goal, the ball was hitting the post and going away. Now I feel like the luck is in our favor, so getting three points here is huge. It was a hard match, but we deserved to win.”
On defender Emily Sams and the team’s resiliency
“I feel like everybody is giving everything. You guys just see us here, but I feel like when we step on the pitch to train every day, it is so hot and humid here in Florida, we know how hard it is and everybody is giving everything. But I would say Emily Sams: she's a great player, she is playing almost every single game and she is doing great. She got a little shoulder injury a few weeks ago and she is still pushing; she is giving everything. She is a great player and I am so glad to be able to play with her in the back.”
Orlando Pride Midfielder Haley McCutcheon
Opening Statement
“I think we settled into the game. I think we had a lot of momentum and deserved the luck that we got there at the end.”
On staying confident with the gameplan
“I think that it's easy to fall into frustration when that happens, but we were just dead set on continuing to do what we were doing. We refined the little details that are going to get us the goals that we need. I felt like we had them on their back foot for most of the game, so that just gave us momentum, and we never shut off. We were locked into our details, defensively, especially. And so, I’m really proud of the group. I think that at halftime we just were like, okay, we got to dig in and keep doing what we're doing.”
On the team’s mentality this season and preparing for Wednesday’s match
“I think this team's mentality is absolutely relentless. We have dealt with a lot of adversity this year. There are too many things to name, honestly, and we just keep coming back and we keep leaving. And so, yeah, I'm so proud of this group and definitely relentless is our mentality, and we're going to continue to do that into the postseason. Going into Wednesday, I think we have to keep that same mentality. I think that we've been short on bodies, and we've had to really sacrifice for the group. And so, we're going to go into Wednesday expecting three points because this is huge for our club and we cannot overlook these midweek games. They've been difficult, but we welcome the challenge.”
