After a 6-1 defeat by North Carolina Courage last September, Orlando Pride head coach Marc Skinner stood in front of reporters and issued a message of defiance.



“I’m going to give everything and I am going to get this team going, no doubt about it,” he said. “I’ll stand here next year when we play here, and you’ll be like, ‘He meant what he said.’ If not, I’ll go home. I’ll get sacked and I’ll go home.”



It was a message to reassure Orlando’s fans, who had seen their team win just four of 20 matches before that thumping defeat to the eventual NWSL champions. But those supporters would not see their side win again in the remaining three games of the season as they finished bottom of the nine-team league.



Skinner admits he broke down in tears “on at least three occasions” last season through pure frustration, leaning on his partner and former England defender Laura Bassett...