ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2023) — Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines has announced two additions to his support staff for the upcoming campaign, as the former Orlando City defender gets set to lead the Pride in his first year as the club’s full-time head coach. Giles Barnes, who served as Hines’ interim assistant last year, will return as first assistant. Additionally, Paul Crichton will join as the team’s goalkeeper coach.
“We want to bring success to this city and the fans, and having a staff that is driving that message is really important to us. I could not be more thrilled to have two coaches who not only fully support that goal, but who are going to be great resources for our players,” Hines said. “We are proud of what we achieved last year but feel we have some unfinished business to accomplish going into the 2023 season. I’m looking forward to this season with both the new and returning staff we have in place.”
Barnes made his professional debut at 17-years-old and spent four years with England-based side Derby County as a consistent starter during their time in the Premier League. During his tenure there, Barnes earned Derby County Young Player of the Year in 2007 and was the Championship Player of the Month in March of 2007. Following his stint with Derby County, he then helped West Bromwich Albion gain promotion to the Premier League, where he played for them until transferring to Doncaster Rovers FC.
Barnes transitioned to Major League Soccer in 2012 after signing with the Houston Dynamo. Playing a vital role in the Dynamo’s starting lineup, the London, England, native was the Dynamo’s leading scorer in 2013, scoring nine regular season goals. The 2014 season was Barnes’ best season with the Dynamo, earning four Club awards including Most Valuable Player, Players’ Player of the Year, Ironman of the Year and the Budweiser Golden Boot with 12 goals across all competitions. Barnes was then traded to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2016, eventually landing at Orlando City SC in 2017. He would go on and appear in 34 games for the Lions during the 2017 season, netting three goals and tallying two assists.
“Last season Giles came in as an assistant midway through the year, and the players immediately respected him and bought in to the new identity we’ve been striving for,” Hines said of his first assistant. “Giles brings a high-level of knowledge for the game through his playing career, having represented some of the best teams domestically and in Europe. Bringing him on board and sharing his lessons, from both playing coaching, will only elevate our player development and keep growing identity.”
“I was proud of what we, as a group, were able to accomplish as a staff and team in such a short period of time to end last season. I am excited to be back and to be a part of setting the tone from the beginning, with a full season ahead,” Barnes said. “We have a desire and drive as a staff, and a group of talented players who are hungry to bring success to this club. We will work hard every day to do whatever it takes to give the Orlando Pride fans a team that represents them and this city.”
A former Premier League goalkeeper, Crichton played 532 games as a professional in a variety of Clubs, including experience at the highest level of English Football helping Norwich City earn promotion and later featuring with Aston Villa in the Premier League. The goalkeeper was well traveled throughout his playing career, playing for 21 different Clubs across all levels of English football.
Crichton has been coaching professionally for the last 16 years and holds a UEFA ‘A’ License for both goalkeeper and outfield players. Over the years, Crichton has coached 440 English Football League games across the various levels from the Championship to the National League. After moving to the United States to open a soccer school, he was brought on as the Head Goalkeeper Coach at Miami FC of the United Soccer League. While there, Crichton helped lead Miami FC to the Sunshine Conference, South Region and NPSL Championships in 2019. He was on the staff when the Club made the jump to the USL Championship in 2020 and finished third in the Eastern Conference. Most recently, Crichton served as the Goalkeeper and interim Assistant Coach for the Washington Spirit during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, helping lead goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury to the 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award and guiding the club to the 2021 NWSL Championship.
“We’re excited to welcome Paul because he is not only a great person, but he brings a different perspective to the game that will help guide us this season. With myself being a young head coach, he offers a great history of experience coaching at the professional level,” Hines said. “He has an extensive background playing at a high level, too, and can relate to our goalkeepers through his time on the field. Paul understands how to win an NWSL championship and how to get the best out of his players. We’re excited to use that experience to help us bring championships to the city of Orlando.”
"I’m very grateful to Haley [Carter], Seb and everyone at the Club for this opportunity. Looking at the group of players that we have, I’m thrilled to be a part of the process of developing this roster, namely a very exciting and talented goalkeeper unit,” Crichton said. “I have great belief in what Seb and the rest of the staff are building here in Orlando and am looking forward to seeing all that we accomplish in 2023 and beyond."
