Pride head coach Seb Hines, midfielder Mikayla Cluff and goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse give their thoughts on Saturday's win against San Diego:
Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Overall thoughts on the game
“Obviously delighted with the win. It was a great team performance, from all the players, the intensity of in possession and out possession was terrific and to come to a place like this and come away with three points is really impressive. [We’ve been] trusting in the players because we've had glimpses of what we can do in previous games, but today was probably the most overall, complete performance that we've put together. So I'm really happy for the players and all the staff to come away with three points.”
On the players finally being rewarded for their efforts
“For sure. I mean, even the game management at the end, to be up in the game towards the end, I thought we managed it really well. The subs came on and knew the roles and responsibilities, and it's a team game. Everyone played their part. I thought the backline was pretty solid, we had a shaky start to concede early but they stuck to the game plan. We looked threatening in transition, as well, and to come away with three goals was really good. We had a good chat before the game about looking more ourselves, looking more like a real Orlando Pride team and that's the reward. The intensity, the work off the ball and the work with the ball, as well to create goal scoring opportunities, we looked like more ourselves tonight.”
On capitalizing on set piece opportunities with Cluff’s goal
“Yeah, I mean that was that was a turning point and we talked about that. Set pieces can be turning points whether you go up in the game or you're coming back in the game. You could see the confidence after that goal went in with the players. We possessed much better, we worked for each other and, you know me, I love a good set piece goal, a headed goal. We've been working on that in previous weeks and we talked about desire and attitude to go attack the ball. And Kayla did that and she got rewarded with a goal today.”
Orlando Pride Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse
On the team’s feelings after the game
“I think, obviously, we're very, very happy. We've come to San Diego again and won. I think right now my main feeling is relief, honestly. Just to get the points on the board and get the win we can start moving forward this season. We've been working so hard as a group and as a team. And the results haven't been going our way. So it's just like a huge relief to get that three points and take the win home.”
On how the team builds on this win next week at home
“I mean, it's a huge win. San Diego is a very good team. They have a lot of international players, a lot of big players and to come here and get a win, to make it our first win as well, is very good. And we can just build on that and take it into next week.”
On the goalkeeper battle amongst the team
“Yeah, I mean, it's good. I always know that I have to perform and I have to play at my best. I have the [other] goalkeepers trying to get my shirt off me and we have a really good group of goalkeepers. So yeah, it's good to have someone pushing you. Keeps me on my toes. So yeah, it's really good.”
Orlando Pride Midfielder Mikayla Cluff
On her feelings about the match
“We have been battling every game for it, so it's nice to finally get that result. We've been super close every game, so it's nice that we finally had a positive finish.”
On the goal she scored and how it was built up
“We talked and we worked through corners, obviously leading up to this game. Our target was the back post. The play was actually designed for Kylie [Strom] to get onto it. It wasn't really flowing the way we had expected, so me and Kylie kind of made an adjustment right before and luckily, it fell where we wanted it to.”
On what the message was to the team after they went down early
“To be honest, we came together as a team and I felt a different vibe, both before they scored and after they scored. We didn't drop our heads. We didn't feel as defeated in that moment. We knew we had to run and play I think their goal kind of came unexpected. It's not like we were open to giving up a goal in that moment. They were able to put one away and then we just bounced right straight back and we were able to respond very well.”
