Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines
Overall thoughts on the win
“[Tonight} was more about ourselves. We needed to have a reaction after the last two defeats. Recently, we haven't been ourselves and going to an environment like Washington, it’s difficult, of course. But, we wanted to come here with loads of energy, loads of desire, commitment, and put a real good performance together for our fans, because they deserve it. The players know it, as well, we haven't been ourselves. Go back to our identity and when we show what we're capable of doing, that's where you get your success. So I was really pleased with, the not just the goals, but their overall performance and their attitude leading into this game.”
On the difference between expecting more from players instead of asking for more
“You know, I'm pretty demanding. I'll push the players’ limits on the field and if they give absolutely everything, leave everything on the field, you can't ask more from them. And that's what they showed today. They showed that they're capable of competing at the highest level, competing against a good team. And when you do that, you get your success, and you get your win. And now I'm really pleased for them because it's not easy in this league, anyone can beat anyone, and when you have the right attitude, and right desire, commitment, you give yourself a chance of winning the game.”
On Julie Doyle’s performance
“She had a terrific preseason and then got injured early on into the into the season, and it was disappointing for her and the rest of the team. You know, easing your way back into it is not the easiest, because you're catching up from games and minutes. What you saw today is her with a real intent to go after defenders, be threatening in the attack and transition, be decisive with her decisions, driving at defenders, getting shots off, being clinical. That's what we want from all the forwards. You've got an opportunity, you must take it, and she took it tonight. We also know that we're missing two key players with Adri[ana] and Marta [at the World Cup], and players have to step up and take that role. I thought between Erika [Tymrak], Messiah [Bright], Julie coming in, and that forward line, that their intent to go up against defenders was brilliant.”
Orlando Pride Forward Julie Doyle
On how she feels after her two-goal performance
“It felt so good. We needed that, I needed that. There's been a lot of pressure on getting an end product and so, to finally get three goals, to get a shutout, you definitely saw a team performance tonight and I'm so proud of everyone.”
On how scoring early helped set the tone
“It doesn't stop after one goal and I made a small goal tonight to at least get two [goals], actually. Losing Marta and Adri, that's a huge loss for us so I think everyone realized that and knew that we all had to step it up and I think that's what we did tonight.”
On being able to score two goals after coming back from an injury
“[It’s] so important. Anna [Moorhouse] before the game actually said 'you miss every shot you don't take’ so I was like, I need to shoot because if I don't shoot, we're not going to score.”
On the team’s mentally to continue pushing for more
“The best defense is a good offense, so if we can keep the ball in our attacking half then we'll make everyone's life easier. I think that we know that we can do that and if we're going at them, why let off?”
Orlando Pride Midfielder Mikayla Cluff
On how the team feels after the win
“Really good. We've been kind of scrambling the last little bit, fighting for a win. So it's just great to get back in that winning column and kind of get things going the way we know that we're all capable of playing.”
On how Julie Doyle’s eighth-minute goal set the tone for the team
“That was huge. We talked so much about how important it is to come on with a good start and just set the tone from the very beginning of the game. And it's been evident in all our games so far how big of a difference that makes for us. So it was huge for us tonight to come out on the front foot and just put pressure on [Washington] early. Then when we get a goal, like you said the eighth minute, it just makes all the difference in the world.”
On the offense continuing to push forward despite the scoreline
“[Head Coach] Seb [Hines] said from the beginning that he was just going to expect more out of us. We know what we're capable of. We've shown it in spurts throughout the season and we can play such quality soccer and beat the best of the best. But it just kind of comes down to our determination and our desire when we step on the field every single game, no matter who we're playing. So that was kind of the message going into this game and I think that we obviously accomplished that tonight.”
Orlando Pride (5-8-1, 16 points) vs OL Reign (7-4-3, 24 points)
When: Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla
TV: Paramount+ (subscription required)
