💬 Ally Watt: "We needed to make sure we have some momentum going to playoffs" after win over Seattle

Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines

Opening Statement

“It was so important that we had a reaction after the last two games. Like you said, it's an incredible season, not only to finish top of the table, but to set new records with 18 wins, 60 points, that was our motivator going into this game. A lot of talk has been these last three games after winning the Shield. ‘What are you playing for?’ We put a big emphasis on finishing with the most points in NWSL history, the most wins in NWSL history, so we can ultimately take that record and make it difficult for anyone else to try and beat it. So, I'm incredibly proud of the players for today's performance and throughout the season, also.”

On Ally Watt’s contributions

“It gives us another outlet. Something you can't teach is the pace with both Ally [Watt] and Barbra [Banda]. I thought Ally was phenomenal in that first half, caused a lot of problems. She was unfortunate with the goal that got disallowed for offside early on. I thought that really set a tone for the rest of the game. With Ally and for any players, that consistency, can you have that product on the field and make it difficult for defenders? I thought when she got a start, and she got the game today she made it difficult for the fullback for Seattle. She has to consistently do that for every game, because when she does play at that level, it's very difficult to stop her.”

On giving up two goals

“It's things that we can control. You're most vulnerable after you score, and so a level of concentration is so important. Being switched on, knowing that Seattle are going to do whatever they can to get themselves back into the game as quickly as possible. It was a direct ball, we didn't deal with it, we didn't stop the cross, we allowed a player to run in unopposed, and before you know it, celebrations and replays are going on, and you're back to 1-1. So, we have to stop that. We can't allow teams to get back into the game. The second goal comes from a defensive throw in that, similarly, we allow a ball to get into the box. She's [Maddie Mercado] open, again, free header and it goes into the back of the net. These are things that we can control. It’s concentration, and we'll review that going into next week's game.”

Orlando Pride Forward Ally Watt

Opening Statement

“Even though we've come into this game knowing that we're guaranteed playoffs, guaranteed [to play at] home and we won the Shield, we just wanted to go with the mindset of ‘we're still going to give our all no matter what game.’ We're counting down the number of games we have this year, so we had no time to waste to just put nothing out there. I made sure I put everything I had out there. The team did as well, and we need to make sure we have some momentum going to playoffs. So that's what the plan today was.”

On her overall confidence after this game

“Just to know that I'm playing a role in this team, no matter if it's on or off the field, and I take my opportunities on the field. Just to know that we all accept what our roles are are on this team, and if it's starting every game, coming off the bench, be a good practice player, whatever it is you get to make sure you get to be 100 percent in your role to get to the team. That's how we’ve got to where we are now. So, I just make sure I just take the opportunity I get. I'm here for the girls. I'm here for this team. I'm here for Orlando. I'm going to put everything I have out there, no matter what happens.”

On team’s response after conceding the first Seattle goal

“We just let our foot off the gas. I don't want to say it's a good thing it happened, but it humbled us to make sure that no matter what we're turned on. It's a lesson. The second goal for them was easy as well, and that's just another lesson for us, knowing that we need to lock down when we go to playoffs. Rather it happens now than later, but always a learning opportunity and just shows that we have so much more in the tank than we realize. We have so much more potential going to the playoffs, and hopefully we can go up from there.”

Orlando Pride Defender Kerry Abello

Opening Statement

“I'm so happy. Getting to 60 points is such an amazing feat, and I don't think anything takes away from that. Three points is three points, but I'm upset that we conceded two goals the way that we did. There's definitely some things to tighten up on but overall, I'm just so incredibly proud of our team and that, points wise, we’re the best team that played in this league, and I'm really proud of that.”

On the goal she scored

“I was just trying to get in there. The cross was coming in, and we've talked a lot about gambling in the box, having movement in the box and more numbers. I don't always get up in there playing left back. I kind of have to cover some ground first, but I was in there and I just wanted to get across my defender. The ball popped out for me and found its way into the back of the net. It was a very Bello goal, I've been telling people. I'm not surprised that that's how I scored my first goal of the season. You know, better late than never.”

On dealing with Seattle’s Pressure

“I think at one point we realized that we needed to go in behind a few times. We needed to test their center backs. I don't think we did it enough in the first half. We have Barbra Banda up top, like, why are we not going in behind more? So, I think sending a few balls over the top of them and kind of keeping them accountable so that space in behind helped relieve some pressure on the other side of the ball. Then later in the game, we were able to sustain more possession, kind of in their half, but they [Seattle] definitely gave us some problems.”