Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Opening Statement
“Every game is a challenge. Chicago are trying to keep themselves in the playoff positions and we obviously want to keep ourselves at the top of the table. So, every game, there's always something on the line. I thought in the first half we did really well. We got ourselves in really good positions to try and score the goal but fell short. [Marta’s] unbelievable finish and goal, and that just epitomizes her performance today. I thought she was tremendous. Then, same as a lot of other games, backs against the wall late on in the game, Chicago trying to push to get an equalizer, but the team stayed strong and managed to get the three points over the line.”
On clinching a playoff spot
“Massive achievement. The heartbreak of last year and falling short was disappointing, but I think that was a massive motivator for us to go into this year. We had that objective at the start of the season to go after it, and to do it with eight games remaining is pretty incredible. Now we've managed to do that, we've put ourselves in a really positive position to go on and win the Shield. We just got to keep our standards high. Every game is a challenge, and it's always going to be difficult, but we're in a really good place, and we want to continue that momentum.”
On team’s defensive performance
“I think with our forward line, we're always going to put ourselves in a really good position to win the game. Being relentless and trying to score goals, today it was just the one goal, but the defensive effort has been incredible all season long. Like you said, 10 clean sheets all year. Limiting the amount of opportunities that teams are having against us as well. I say every week, it's not just the goalkeeper and the backline, it takes everyone, but there's some really brave moments. There are players getting tight, not allowing the cross to come in, and then if that does happen, then getting first contact, second contact and then having the calmness to play out of pressure as well. I think it's all important elements to our game, but most importantly, I think you have to build a foundation with your defensive structure. Historically, Orlando hasn't always had that, and so we've really pinpointed that we need to be defensively solid and not give the opponent too many opportunities, which the players have done extremely well all season long.”
Orlando Pride Forward Marta
Opening Statement
“We came here of course for three more points, it’s what we look for all the time in every game. I think we should have scored more goals today. We had so many chances, but 1-0 is enough to put three more points in the table.”
On clinching a playoff spot
“It’s really nice. It’s a result of how we wanted to start this season. We work very hard to achieve all our goals. The first was of course to go back to the playoffs again, which was a long time ago. Last year we were so close but in the last game we didn’t have much luck. We are so happy with that, but we want to keep making history in this Club and we want more.”
On her game-winning goal
“I was reading the situation from the beginning. They were giving us a lot of space to turn, to look up, and I always look for this situation. You have this space and this time to take a shot. I had a little bit of luck, but this was in my mind the whole time. If I have a chance, I’m going to take it, and you guys saw the result.”
Orlando Pride Midfielder Haley McCutcheon
Opening Statement
“We will take three points. I know we created a lot of chances and we just want to continue to refine our attack, but I am really happy with the way we played defensively. I think we limited their chances and their transition was where they were going to potential hurt us and we mitigated that, so we are happy.”
On clinching a playoff spot
“It is really special in light of last year and wanting that so bad on Decision Day and not quite getting there. I think that it is just a little goal that we have achieved, and we have much bigger goals that we want to achieve ahead. We are happy with it, but it is expected at this point. We want to keep being ruthless and relentless as we continue on.”
On having over half their games ending in a defensive shutout
“That is unbelievable. Wow, I just want to soak that in. Last year, it felt like we were so close and sometimes we were not quite there. This year we have been so incredibly focused, we have been so incredibly organized, and we just have the grit and the willingness to grind out wins and shutouts and all the things. I am just incredibly proud of that stat. Much more than scoring goals, I think that just speaks volumes to our team and our character."
