💬 Seb Hines: 'I just love the commitment' after first win of the season

Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines

Opening Statement 

“We set out at the start of the year, considering how well we did last year, we knew we had to pick up more points away from home and what a great example today with three points away from home, under tough conditions. Obviously after an international break, as well. I just love the commitment and the desire from the players to keep going and play the right way and it’s a massive reward for them to come away with three points after having a really good performance today.” 

On how close he thinks the team is to putting together a “full 90 minutes” 

“I’m really pleased with the shutout, that’s something that we need to continue to grow on. I do feel like, both in possession and out-of-possession, we controlled the game for the most part. I thought Summer [Yates] and Ally [Watt] did a really good job with dictating the press, forcing errors from Utah. I think what we can do to improve more is being a little more threatening in transition. You know, maybe get a few more shots off at the opponent’s goal. But other than that, I’m just so pleased with them. Marta takes a goal really well. Again, it comes from waves of attack – one, two, a third phase within that moment, and then she just finished perfectly into the corner. The backline and the midfield did really well just controlling it and communicated well, as well. They made sure they were covering the distances. But Utah are a good team. They do a lot of rotations, they’ve been unlucky in a couple of games early on in the season and so we were prepared for that. They started to put a few balls in behind and I thought everyone played a part in defending those moments. So, yeah, I’m really pleased with the clean sheet and the goal and the three points.” 

On the start of this season for Marta 

“She’s full of energy. You can see her passion. She had a different role today, we were mindful of her energy levels. She played 90 minutes for Brazil on Tuesday and it was a quick turnaround with the travel, also. So to come off the bench and make an impact, there’s no better way than scoring the winning goal. She’s been brilliant for us. She just loves the game whatever her role is.”

Orlando Pride Defender Kylie Strom

Opening statement 

“It feels so good, it feels so good. We’ve been working so hard, we’ve been grinding, we deserved it at the end. We really pushed it at the end, we were never in doubt, we never stopped believing. We knew it was coming and it feels so good for it to pay off.” 

On if earning a win after three season-opening draws pushes the team into a better place 

“We were just missing that final piece. We were knocking on the door, knocking on the door and we finally got one through. What a goal by Marta, are you kidding me? I think we just needed that confidence. We knew it was coming, we were never in doubt, we were not leaving this field without three points. So happy we got it.” 

On the impact Marta has on the team on a daily basis 

“She’s an absolute legend. Honestly, it’s such an honor and a privilege that I get to share the pitch with her every day. She drives the standard, she has so much passion, she completely changed the game when she came on the field. She scores a goal like that with her right foot, like come on. You can’t stop her. She makes all of us so much better.”

Orlando Pride Midfielder Kerry Abello

Opening statement 

“First and foremost, I’m so happy we finally got the win. It’s been a long time coming and we needed that. We needed those three points. I’m so proud of the team, I thought we put together a great performance. I thought we had a really good game plan and we stuck to it and I thought at the end of the day we had the grit to see it out.” 

On the tactical discussions for the left hand side tonight 

“I think Adri[ana] is super techy and wants to dribble and can dribble inside or outside. Almost all of our forwards can play anywhere on that front line and we like to interchange them and switch things up. I think it was a good move to put Adri on the left and give her free rein to sit in the pocket or get in behind and then allow me to get up the left flank. I love working with Adri so I think it went well.” 

On what it’s like to play with Marta daily 

“That’s the perfect way to describe it – she's the most energetic. Words cannot describe playing with Marta. She brings this child-like joy and passion to the game that really is unmatched. She truly loves to play, and have fun, and sauce all of us every day at training and it certainly makes us better. I think, more than just her on-the-pitch is her off-the-pitch and the attitude she brings and the advice she constantly gives and how she uplifts the team. I think it really sets the tone for our entire team.”