Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle spoke to the media for the first time since signing for Orlando Pride in what was then a world record deal in women’s football.
Speaking through an interpreter, the 20-year-old – who abbreviates her first names simply to “Jacquie” – said that she was “very happy” to have made the move to the NWSL, adding: “This move is very personal, to be able to come to one of the top clubs in this league is a great step for me.”
She explained how the transfer from Mexico’s Tigres had come about: “For me, the conversations began a couple of months ago. Tigres knew I didn’t want to renew my contract at that point with them, that this move was something I wanted both on the side of football and on the personal side. Talking with Orlando, they were presenting a project to me, showing me values of the club, values I connected with personally and that I feel represent me.”
She also described what she felt were the qualities she would bring to the team, saying: “I feel I’m very technical with the ball. The league here is so fast, there are so many players that have great speed. I have to be able to adjust, I have to think quickly, I have to be very thoughtful about what I’m doing in those quick moments. Whether it’s a long ball, whether it’s being able to play a cross into the centre, or playing it back to the midfielders, as long as I’m able to think quickly and be able to connect with my team-mates and triangulate the different connections on whichever side I find myself, I have to be able to think about that.
“For me, to be able to support my team in whatever way they need me to is the most important, and that’s going to be the adjustment right now.
Haley Carter: Jacquie Ovalle is a goalscorer
Haley Carter, the club’s sporting director, spoke about the importance of the club investing in big-money signings like Ovalle, saying: “The reason that I’m here is because of the interest and commitment to investment in the women’s game from our ownership. I would not be here if I did not feel like our ownership was very authentically and genuinely committed to the growth of the women’s game. Being able to bring an athlete like Jacquie here this season, following bringing Barbra Banda here last season, is a really important step.”
And she said that Ovalle’s skills were “obvious”, going on to say: “She’s a goalscorer, she’s a finisher, she is dedicated and committed to her craft, she’s incredibly crafty, she’s good on the dribble, she’s good in wide spaces, she’s good inside. We really value versatile football players in this environment.”
Orlando Pride’s next match is at home to Bay FC on Saturday, 13th September.
