For the first time in Orlando Pride history, a new coaching staff will lead the Central Florida side.
Following the signing of new Head Coach Marc Skinner, the Pride announced on Feb. 27 the acquisition of assistant coach Carl Green. Skinner and Green both come to Orlando from Birmingham City FC Women.
“Carl will be a great addition to our Pride coaching staff, and we are very excited to welcome him to the club,” General Manager Erik Ustruck said, per the release. “Not only does he boast a well-rounded expertise in both technical and fitness training, but his familiarity with Marc’s coaching style will be integral in making sure our team hits the ground running come March 4.”
Before joining the Pride, Green had been a sports scientist and strength-and-conditioning coach for Birmingham City since 2015. He led the team’s athletic-performance program, preparing and executing fitness sessions while monitoring performance. Green and Skinner, both 35 years old, jointly planned tactical and technical on-field training sessions. The duo will have a similar relationship in Orlando.
“I am very excited to be joining Marc in this new opportunity,” Green said, per the release. “I’m really looking to working with our very talented squad, the staff and everyone else at the club.”
Said Skinner of Green, per the release: “Carl is an integral part of my team, and I am thrilled that he is able to join me at the start of this exciting project. Carl has a wonderful blend of applied, functional sports science and coaching. His personality is infectious, and I’m sure the players will love his attitude and love working with him.
“I am confident the coaching team we have in place with Carl and Lloyd Yaxley, our goalkeeper coach, will push the players every day to ensure we are continually improving.”
Yaxley is the lone carryover from former boss Tom Sermanni’s staff. Former assistant coach Khano Smith is an assistant of United Soccer League Champion side Birmingham Legion FC.
The Pride will open their preseason on March 23 against the North Carolina Courage in North Carolina in the home side’s inaugural Friendship Cup. About three weeks later, Orlando will host Portland Thorns FC for both teams’ season openers on April 14 at 5 p.m.
For more on the Pride, as they prepare for their fourth National Women’s Soccer League season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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