Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Opening Statement
“Everyone knows how difficult this league is and the parity within the league. San Diego are a very good team [with] very good, organized ball possession. I thought we did really well at times, but they were able to pick us off but not really create too many opportunities so our attitude and desire to get behind the ball once they did get through our initial press is something we take a lot of pride in. Goals change games and to get the first goal was brilliant. Another set piece goal that we work very hard on. Obviously, they get themselves back into the game, which obviously we don’t want to happen, [but we] show our character again to come back and get the penalty.”
On the importance of capitalizing on set pieces
“It is so important. It's a moment. We really train it; we are really focused on it. That can determine an outcome of a game. Both sides of the game, both boxes can dictate if you win or lose. It's great that we're getting the results, getting the opportunities, but capitalizing on those opportunities as well, with some goals and then defensively, we’ve been solid. Everyone knows the roles and responsibilities to keep it out."
On what he has seen from Haley McCutcheon offensively
“I mean, as a midfielder, we’ve spoken about it, you probably have to be the most rounded player. So, for her, it's been a real focus in her game to be adding goals to it, so she’s getting in the right areas and has been lively in the box. You can see that it’s very similar to last year's goal she scored where she just anticipates it, is in the right position, and is able to execute. She’s been tremendous ever since she got here, in all honesty. Her energy, her desire, her willingness to go and press, track, and get into the box. On days like today, it just epitomizes it. I thought she was tremendous again today.”
Orlando Pride Forward Marta
Opening Statement
“Of course, we weren't so happy with the first half that we had, but I think the second half was a little bit better. We started to connect our passes a little bit more and that resulted in chances to score goals. About the penalty, I was a little bit confused if I should go to the right or the left. So, when you are confused, you do what I did, just chip it in the middle and then hope for the best.”
On the team’s improved performance in the second half
“Well, we are not the team that we showed in the first half. That was the first thing that I told everybody, and second, I said we need to complete our passes, because we kill ourselves all the time when we take the ball back. We give it back so fast to them, and it killed us. So, we figured that out and we came back to the second half a little bit better, as I told you guys, and I think we deserve the result.”
On the importance of Haley McCutcheon's goal and how the team settled down in the second half
“First, we want to score more goals when we have opportunities. About set pieces, I think we started very well this season. For Haley, most of the time she is in the right place, and then she puts the ball in the net. I can celebrate by myself, because when I score goals by corner kick, I celebrate by myself. It's something that we train a lot, and I'm really happy that we have scored a couple goals so far this season.”
Orlando Pride Defender Cori Dyke
Opening Statement
“I thought it was a really gritty win. We're always happy to get three points. It’s a big deal to protect our home, and we did that today. San Diego is a really good team, and they caused us some problems that we'll learn from. But overall, very happy with the win.”
On countering San Diego’s pressing and traps
“They have a lot of very technical players that are good at getting out of pressure. I think initially it took us a little bit to figure out our spacing and our press, and that's something we can continue to look at and work on. We just found our groove as the game went on. Even when we did get broken down, the grit from our team allowed us to recover, get behind the ball and make clutch tackles and I thought that was really big today.”
On how her role with the Pride has evolved since last season
“I'm always just grateful to be on the field and to get the start. I'm just so blessed to play with such incredible players. So, whatever my role looks like I'm happy to do that for the team, and today, that was to be a starter, and I'm grateful for that. Evolving from last year, I'm still trying to learn and grow because I'm surrounded by the best players in the world, and I'm so grateful for that. I think I have some higher expectations for myself, for sure, but I'm still just trying to do the same thing that I've always done.”
