💬 Marta: "The way that we did it was incredible" after winning NWSL Shield at home

Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines

Opening Statement

“I haven't seen it yet [the Shield], but a lot of praise has to go to the players and what they've done, they've been incredible. Their efforts and what they've put into this year, and I said to them before, it wasn't our time last year. They were bitterly disappointed with how the season ended, and it just wasn't meant to be, so they took that as fuel going into this year. I can't doubt them, and they've been absolutely amazing from start to finish. I'm so happy for them that they finally got the job done tonight, in front of our own fans.”

On being the first Black coach in NWSL history to win a trophy

“It means a lot. I think when I stepped into this role, you always have doubters. You have people that always say you may not be ready, but hopefully now I can be a person who was given an opportunity to be successful with the backing of the ownership and the backing of Haley Carter coming in as well. You can see that with great support staff, that you can be successful, you can achieve something and that's really important to me that you have good people around you. Hopefully, I can be an advocate for many more Black head coaches around the world. So yeah, I'm really pleased.”

On resetting the team’s mindset back to the end of the season

“They've got to enjoy this moment. They've worked so hard to live through this moment as well, the dedication and what they've put into it. You've got to enjoy it because it can go by so quickly. They are a terrific group and you can see that togetherness. They are obviously having some fun right now, but we'll be back to business on Friday away at Portland. That is how it is. You have to be adaptable to what's in front of you. In every other league, you win the shield, you win the league, and you're done. Here, you've got to win a three-game tournament. We’ve put ourselves in a terrific position being number one, making sure that in the postseason, we're playing here at home in front of our own fans. They were amazing tonight as well. Hats off to them coming out in this type of weather as well and sticking by us. The reward is that they're able to see success here, and for us to lift the Shield.”

Orlando Pride Forward Marta

Opening Statement

“Wow. It means a lot. Like I said on the field after the game, we have been working so hard from the beginning and every single game. And we looked to have this moment, especially here in our house, in front of our fans and families and friends. It's unbelievable. Something that I, wow, I dreamed about, but to be honest, never believed that it was going to happen the way that it did [undefeated]. And I can tell you guys, I don't think that’s going to happen again with this team or another team. I'm sorry, but it’s so special and the way that we did it was incredible.”

On winning the shield at home

“Well, I can't just talk about this game. I think about every single game that we [played], because, like I said we won the shield, but we won in a really different way than other teams won in the past. So the mentality, every single game we talk about it and we try to show each other how important it is. We played tonight, and then in a few days we have another game. So we're going to celebrate tonight, of course, but we need to think about ‘how can we keep [going] and do better next game?’ So it's something that we work on every single day, talk with each other and show, ‘yeah, we need to keep and do it like that’ because nobody is going to give anything to us. So I think the most important is the way that we look forward.”

On if there was a moment this year or in past season to look back on that reflects this team

“When I think about the season, I think that I can’t believe we did that because nobody has won against us this season. We won the Shield and we haven’t lost any games, so it is incredible. I think there have been different times with past teams and different times. We have a really good team here that is strong mentally and we work with every single player. Women’s soccer every single year is getting better. The level [of play] is so strong and you need to improve so much to have success. I can’t compare to the past times but I just enjoy all the moments.”

Orlando Pride Defender Kylie Strom

Opening Statement

“I mean, Marta said it, we have something so special here. People keep asking, ‘how are you guys doing it? What's the secret?’ And it's unexplainable. The group of girls that we have here is just so special, and it's just crazy. What we've accomplished, to have Marta score the game winner, you can't write it. It's written in the stars for us, we just have so much belief, and everything just seems to be going our way. So one thing down, and we still have that championship on our mind.”

On winning with this group

“Like I said, we have such an unbelievable group of girls and everybody is so important. I feel like every team says that, it's kind of like a cliche, easy thing to say, like ‘oh, everybody's so important.’ But when we say that, we actually mean it. Everybody shows up to training every day, pushes us, makes us better and I think everybody enjoys coming to work and enjoys the process, and I think that's a big part of our success. So, moving forward, the job's not done. Yes, we've accomplished one of our goals, but we have so much more to play for, and we're going to need every single player here on out.”

On what it meant for the team to lift the trophy with Luana on the stage

“It’s kind of crazy, the timing. The first time we played Washington away was the first game we had when we found out about Lu and that was when Ang[elina] raised the “L” [after her goal]. So then, to kind of come full circle, she finished her last chemo treatment [this week] and we win the Shield playing against Washington, kind of crazy. But she is so incredibly inspiring, she was at training this week! It’s unbelievable. Sometimes you wake up and you’re tired and you’re sore and then you see Lu out there and it just puts everything in perspective. We’ve been so lucky to be able to do what we get to do and she’s so incredibly strong so she’s been a big motivation for us. We wear this [the No. 8 wristbands] every game. So this one’s for her, for sure.”