By Luis Carlos Pineda
Orlando Pride head coach Marc Riley and Pride defender Ali Riley spoke with media the 2021 ongoing preseason.
Riley finally debuted with the Club and also one of the key subjects was the form of the squad towards the new NWSL season.
• When asked Marc Skinner about Ali joining the team and the overall atmosphere of the pride squad, he added “As a coach, it’s my job to keep balance and be critical. To have someone like Ali in the team, it helps create a good environment for players to be in.”
• When speaking about the core group atmosphere during practice and how they feel Ali joining the squad, “As a coach, it’s my job to keep balance and be critical. To have someone like Ali in the team, it helps create a good environment for players to be in.” As well he mentioned that he works by collaborating with all players. It’s not having a good player and a good coach, it’s a collaboration between them two, that’s how his system works.
• Also, Skinner mentioned that resilience is what is needed to win games in soccer, talent is not everything. Skinner referenced Orlando City’s superb 2020 season and made an ode to emulate their resilience when fighting for wins during this upcoming season.
• Then, Marc Skinner was also asked about Ali and Ashlyn adopting and he said that their story is wonderful and that surely baby Sloane (their child) has won the lottery and both will be great role models.
• When asked about the several players that left the pride this preseason, he added that he has nothing but love for what those players brought to the team, even before he got there. Then, he mentioned that the pride is building a good soccer culture and that the goal is for college players to want to come play for the pride, also he wants the pride to be a club that potential local players have the chance to play in.
• Finally, he was asked about Erika Tymrak (former Utah Royals) and he mentioned “When we sat down with Erika with what she was as a player, she explained that if the coach believes in her, they get the best out of her. That sounds simple, but for us getting to know each other, that’s huge.”
• Ali Riley, when asked about the vibes on joining the pride and how she is currently mingling with the group when some of the senior players are with the USWNT, she added “It’s a different vibe and culture when your senior players are gone, but it’s a good test for me to work on my communication and leadership skills… We have such a good group and have a lot of fun. We’ve been working really hard.”
• Riley also mentioned that she always had a good feeling for the club. The pride was always an option for her and when the pride took her option, she was super happy. She finally added that the coaching staff is always willing up give her and the squad constructive criticism to make them better, she praised the fact that they work collectively towards a common goal to bring the best out of them.