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Orlando Pride: Who to Watch In 2018

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With the Orlando Pride season coming up in a couple of months and the team staying basically the same from last season (so far), many people are wondering if this team has what it takes to go to the next step: making it to the NWSL Cup final. After a disappointing match in Portland during the semifinals, the Pride have had a long off-season to reflect and come back even stronger.

The team has yet to make any moves thus far in the off-season. Tom Sermani hit the ground running as soon as the season had concluded, traveling to Europe and Australia to scout new talent for the team. The front office was able to re-sign Dani Weatherholt who had a very good season in the midfield for the Pride. The club was also able to send a handful of players to Australia and Europe to ensure that they continue to compete at the highest level. I would argue that this has done wonders for the players who went. 

Five players from the squad went off to play in winter leagues this year. Rachel Hill went to play for Perth Glory for her first season in Australia. Toni Pressley also went to Australia for the first time, playing for Canberra United. Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy returned to their homeland to compete for Melbourne City. Monica also played in a winter league but did not travel to Australia. She has been playing for Atlético Madrid. Later on in the season, Sydney FC received Aubrey Bledsoe on loan from Orlando Pride due to some goalkeeping issues they had. This made the total rise to six players playing abroad and I can’t forget to mention that Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris were getting regular call-ups with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

With all this work in the off-season, the Pride are poised to have an even better season this year. You could basically go position by position on a team with this much talent when discussing who to watch for in the coming year, but here’s who I’ll be keeping an eye on for 2018.

Rachel Hill

One of the most exciting players to watch going into this season might not be Marta or even Morgan (though both of those ladies are certainly exciting to watch). I have my eyes on 22-year-old forward Rachel Hill, a player who originally was not selected by the Orlando Pride in the 2017 draft but was traded for shortly after. The Pride gave up a few assets to grab the young striker out of UConn last year and she is poised to have a breakout season.

Last year, Hill signed with the Orlando Pride in May shortly after graduating from college. She took a bit of time to break into the starting 11, finally getting an opportunity on June 28 to show what she had. Hill had three goals, and one assist in 713 minutes over 15 appearances. Though Hill only had the fifth most minutes out of the forward group, her play off the ball, as well as her link-up play, were something to be delighted with. 

The W-League has has done wonders for the young forward this winter, as she has lit up the league in the offensive end. I would argue she has had the best off-season of any Pride player that went off to play. 

Hill joined Perth Glory in the beginning of the W-League season, playing alongside NWSL Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr. Boy did Hill take off from the start. She scored seven goals with three weeks left to play in the league. Hill currently sits second in goals right behind Kerr, who has eight. 

2018 Outlook

The issue with this kind of form in the W-League begs the question: will she be able to bring over her goal scoring to the Pride when she returns? I believe she will. The opportunity that Rachel has had to not only have more professional soccer under her belt but to also study the game of Kerr has been invaluable.

This is not to say that working with Morgan and Marta hasn’t been influential but having as many opportunities to learn the forward position from some of the best strikers in the world does not hurt. Though Hill was fifth in minutes last year among strikers, I would not be surprised if Tom Sermani found ways to get her on the field more in 2018. The one thing that could help her is Camila’s absence from the team in the first few months as the Brazilian makes her way back from her ACL/MCL injury. If Hill can make an impact early for this team, she could not only see her minutes rise with the squad but she could also become an instant fan favorite. 

Prediction: If Hill can grab a starting spot she could easily have a ten goal/five assist season.

Marta

If there is anything Pride fans can hope for going into next season, its the idea that their two biggest stars hit the ground running. Marta’s play in the 2018 season can set the tone for the Pride.

The five-time World Player of the Year took the NWSL by storm last year, joining the team right before the home opener against the Washington Spirit. Though she did not start that game there was a different feel in the air. The Orlando Pride had signed one of the best women footballers in the world. As she came on in the 59th minute the crowd erupted and you knew that she was going to be special for the Pride. 

Marta did not waste any time leading the Pride as she bagged her first goal on May 7 against FC Kansas City. She was the leader of the Pride up until June 21 when Alex Morgan returned from Lyon. During the time Morgan was gone, Marta had five goals and three assists, with her numbers improving each week. Even when Morgan returned, Marta had eight goals and three assists, ending the year as the Orlando Pride leading goal scorer with 13 goals along with her six assists.

2018 Outlook

So where does Marta go from here? Having a full preseason with the Pride can only bode well for team chemistry, especially with all the stars this team has. Expect Marta to continue to split time between the attacking line and her midfield facilitator role, depending on the opponent and the team’s shape.

Prediction: I would expect Marta to score a bit less if Hill is able to seize a starting role up top and look for the Brazilian to finish with about seven goals but a boost in assists, most likely hitting double digits. 

Alex Morgan

After a lackluster first season with the Pride, Morgan decided to join Lyon for half of the year on a loan to provide another opportunity for herself. While with Lyon she was able to score five times in eight appearances, regaining top form. Due to the fact that she was away from the Pride for half of the season and returned with an injury, it took Morgan a bit of time to acclimate to the team. She eventually ended the season with nine goals and four assists, creating a kick in form for the Pride in the back end of their season leading them to the playoffs. Though it didn’t end how Morgan wanted it to, the season was a boost for her.

2018 Outlook

Alex can only continue to improve next season. She has not been on loan this off-season but she has spent time with the USWNT, continuing to work on her game. With having an entire preseason with the team, Marta being right at her side, and the improved form of Chioma Ubogagu and Hill, Morgan should expect to have an even better season than last year.

Prediction: I would expect Morgan to score at least 12 goals this season. If healthy, she’ll be one of the top scorers in the league.

Chioma Ubogagu

She would need to sign her contract offer to be in Orlando in 2018, but Chi has found a place among the Orlando Pride attack after joining the team last season. Ubogagu was acquired by trading a 2017 third-round draft pick to the Houston Dash. It was a move seen to bolster the attack that had been so lackluster the season before. Even with the additions of Marta in the beginning of the year as well as a few other attacking plays, Chi was able to make her presence known on the pitch.

She played over 1,300 minutes for the Pride in her first season with the club, scoring three times and providing three assists. Ubogagu played all but three games and was used in a variety of attacking spots. Her versatility is something that the Pride can value especially with some injuries and holes they will have to inevitably deal with next season.

Though she did not play in a winter league this off-season, Chi received a USWNT call up. Many believe that the reason she was brought into the USWNT was because of her position flexibility. This is a big step for Chi and if she can continue to play well and receive call-ups it’ll only improve her stock.

2018 Outlook

Chi could have an interesting season for the Pride but could certainly hold on to her spot in the starting 11 (I do not foresee Jamia Fields or Danica Evans taking over those spots, although Nadia Gomes could provide pressure). Her main area to improve is consistency in the final third.

Prediction: I would expect Ubogagu to net at least seven goals this year if she can hold onto a starting 11 spot. Even if she cannot, she could be a huge spark off the bench and provide goals to close out games. Though I would prefer to see her start, this could be a possibility. 

Dani Weatherholt

Most of Weatherholt’s game goes under the radar. Unfortunately, that is a common thread with more defensive players. Nonetheless, she was a key cog in the wheel for this Pride team since she was drafted in 2016. Though it took some time for her to see the field, she has been consistently locking down teams and connecting the defense to the offense in transition. 

Last season, Dani went from playing just under 800 minutes in year one to almost 1,500 minutes in year two. She was asked often to play a double pivot  (two defensive midfielder set up) to bolster the defensive end of the field. Weatherholt and Kennedy were a dynamic duo in the defensive part of the pitch. Like stated above, this type of play is not recognized as much because there aren’t a whole lot of stats to bolster the argument but when it comes to more defensive players that can be a good thing. 

2018 Outlook

With Dani being only 23-years-old, she still has room to grow and I fully expect that to continue going into next year. With the uncertainty of Kennedy up to this point, Dani could be asked to hold down the defensive midfield position solo. Even if Kennedy comes back (which at this point we expect to happen) Weatherholt can blossom even more becoming one of the best defensive midfielders in NWSL. As long as Weatherholt can continue to settle into the team and work well in possession, she will undoubtedly continue to hold down that defensive midfield spot.

Prediction: I would expect Weatherholt to work on her passing stats, not that she was terrible in that department, but having better possession and passing percentage would go a long way for this team. If Weatherholt can hold the ball more often or even distribute at a better rate, this Pride team could be even more potent. I expect even better growth out of her becoming an enforcer at the defensive midfield spot.

The Goalkeeper Position: Ashlyn Harris & Aubrey Bledsoe

When it comes goalkeeping, the Orlando Pride had the goal locked down last season. When Ashlyn Harris went out with a quad injury, Bledsoe came in and did a great job keeping the team in the fight for a playoff spot. With both goalkeepers doing well last season this could create a potential issue: If a team needs a goalkeeper, could one of these players be dealt?

As the season approaches, teams around the league could start inquiring about the availability of one of the Pride’s keepers if injuries occur. But for now Harris and Bledsoe return for the Pride and could be the most dominant one-two punch in terms of goalkeepers.

Harris began the season as the starting goalkeeper, a role she held in 2016 as well, when the team came into the league. She played the first six games of the season for the Pride putting in solids performances in all those games. Though she did not grab any clean sheets, she only let up about 1.5 goals per game and had four saves per game, also tallying a 10-save game against North Carolina Courage. However, against Seattle, Harris went out in the 26th minute and emergency backup Caroline Stanley was forced into action. Harris returned Aug. 13, grabbing a clean sheet in her first start back. She then led the Pride to the playoffs. Harris has done a bit of off-season work as well, playing with the USWNT, keeping her in form.

Bledsoe was pushed into action the week following Harris’ injury. She started 10 games for the Pride, allowing 1.5 goals per game and averaging 3.5 saves per game. Bledsoe also had two clean sheets. She slid right into a team that needed her to step up and boy did she. During the off-season, Bledsoe is currently with Sydney FC, where she’s made the most of her opportunities, chalking up five starts and two shutouts so far. The time with Sydney FC has done wonders for her thus far and only helps improve her stock.

2018 Outlook

Could it be possible that the team deals one of these bright stars to gain a missing piece? Bledsoe could be an attractive player to trade for due to her performances and her age. However, Harris also has her own appeal with a plethora of experience in the professional game, 14 USWNT caps, and the ability to inspire the players around her. I’m not suggesting that either player needs to leave the team but this could be something that the team entertains if there are needs that can’t be solved with just finding a player. 

Prediction: Harris will retain the starting job by the time the season begins but if there is any slip in form or if Harris gets injured again, we could see a changing of the guard, allowing an opportunity for Bledsoe to come in and compete for the job. If this team needs to grab one more piece and can do so by trading one of its keepers, it could be possible that Harris or Bledsoe are dealt.

Camila

After having an explosive year last year, Camila had an unfortunate ending to her season after tearing her MCL & ACL in the final regular-season game. Camila played 1,900 minutes last year in 24 games. In that time she scored four goals with five assists, creating a lot of chances on the attacking front but also was able to get back on defense. The unfortunate injury was something the Pride were not expecting and may have hindered them from going all the way to the NWSL Cup final.

Camila began her career at the age of 18 in Brazil, bouncing around a few teams. She also had a small stint in Houston before returning to Brazil. However, when Camila joined the Pride there were high expectations for the young defender/midfielder and she did not fail to disappoint. Though her stats may not be as high as some would have hoped, her effect on the field could not be missed. 

2018 Outlook

The number one goal for Camila in 2018 is for her to get healthy. Tearing one of either your ACL or MCL is tough enough but having to come back from both is no easy task. The Pride will do everything in their power to ensure that she rehabs correctly and gets back on the field. Injuries like Camila’s can take about six to nine months to properly heal pegging a summer to early fall return. Best case scenario for the Pride would have them above the line at that time with Camila gently sliding in so she can rehab back in time for a playoff run. Even so, this team should have enough depth to fill in for her even if the player isn’t as explosive. 

Prediction: I would expect Camila to have a slow return to the squad, easing back into the lineup midseason. With that, she could have a handful of assists and a goal or two by the end of the season. 

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Claim Point on Late Equalizer

The Pride claimed a point for the second consecutive week, again coming from behind.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride (0-0-2, 2 points) started their 2024 NWSL home schedule tonight with a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC (0-1-1, 1 point). The visitors opened the scoring early in the second half through Claire Emslie from the penalty spot, but a late Marta volley enabled the hosts to leave with a point.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that drew Racing Louisville FC 2-2 last weekend. Emily Sams was out with an illness and Kylie Strom was suspended after being sent off Saturday, while Luana was left out of the starting lineup. They were replaced by Brianna Martinez, Celia, and Ally Watt.

The back line in front of Anna Moorhouse was Haley McCutcheon, Martinez, Kerry Abello, and Celia. Morgan Gautrat and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind a familiar attacking midfield of Julie Doyle, Marta, and Adriana. It was the season debut for Watt, who started alone up top.

The most noticeable part of the lineup was the changes in the back line. Three of the four starting defenders were injured, sick, or suspended, causing Hines to make some unusual choices. As a result, the center back pairing included a midfielder and a fullback.

“The back line was very young too. That’s another point. Not only was it a makeshift back line, it was a very young back line,” Moorhouse said about the forced defensive changes. “I think I was the oldest one by like quite a lot, like four years maybe. So yeah, it was an inexperienced back line.”

The Pride were the better team for most of the game, creating more chances and better opportunities. It looked like they might break through late in the first half, but couldn’t finish. Angel City came out stronger to start the second half, punishing the Pride for their missed chances in the first 45 minutes. However, the Pride continued pushing and eventually found a late equalizer through their captain.

It was a slow start for both teams with neither getting any opportunities in the opening minutes. The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute, when Abello sent a long ball for Doyle on the left. It appeared as though the midfielder was looking to cross, but sent it towards the near post instead. Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson had little trouble handling the attempt, catching it on one bounce.

The visitors had their first chance in the 10th minute when Gautrat fouled rookie Kennedy Fuller and received the first booking of the game. The ensuing free kick by Emslie found former Pride striker Messiah Bright behind the back line. Fortunately, the second-year professional sent the volley over the crossbar for a goal kick.

In the 14th minute, Marta attempted an ambitious effort. A goal kick towards midfield was chased by the Pride captain and Alyssa Thompson. The Angel City forward attempted to shield Marta, but the Brazilian got her foot to the ball, knocking it off the opponent. Marta called for a handball but it wasn’t called, so she continued. Seeing Anderson well off her line, Marta attempted a shot from near the midfield line. However, it never challenged the Angel City goalkeeper, who easily collected it inside her box.

The Pride had a pair of chances that nearly saw them take a lead, beginning in the 22nd minute. Fuller was a little careless with the ball just outside of the Angel City box, enabling Adriana to take control. The midfielder found some space and shot for the far post, but Anderson made a nice diving save.

A minute later, Doyle intercepted Angel City’s goal kick. The midfielder quickly played the ball across the box for Marta at the back post, who put it in. However, while the ball was rolling across for Marta, Watt gave Paige Nielsen a hard shove, sending the defender to the ground. Referee Alex Billeter didn’t hesitate to blow the whistle, halting play and keeping the game scoreless.

Angel City was forced into the first change of the game in the 36th minute when Adriana made a somewhat uncontrolled run into the box. She passed a pair of defenders before M.A. Vignola stopped the midfielder with a slide tackle. However, the Brazilian attacker fell on the left back, injuring Vignola in the process. After receiving treatment, Vignola determined she couldn’t continue and was replaced by Merritt Mathias.

In the 40th minute, Thompson had a chance when Bright sent her behind Celia on the right. The USWNT attacker dribbled into the box and got a shot off towards the near post, but Moorhouse did well to cover and blocked the ball away with her leg.

The Pride nearly opened the scoring a minute into first-half stoppage time when Doyle received the ball on the left and laid it back for Marta. The Brazilian sent a dangerous ball to the back post, where Watt was sprinting in, but Nielsen did well to get to it first, knocking it out of play before it could reach the Pride forward.

At halftime, the Pride had more possession (51.8%-48.2%) shots on target (4-3), and corners (3-2). Angel City had more shots (8-7), crosses (8-7), and passing accuracy (78.2%-77.8%). Despite having fewer overall shots, the Pride had the better chances and probably should’ve had the lead at halftime.

Hines made one change at the break, and it was a somewhat surprising one, as Luana entered the game in place of Watt.

“Ally Watt coming into the game was on restricted minutes,” Hines said. “You’ve got to be very careful with a player of Watt’s quality. She runs at high speeds, and coming off a hamstring injury, you have to be careful. So, we thought it was best for her to play the first half and set a tempo.”

Angel City got off to the better second-half start, creating the first chance less than two minutes after the restart. Dougherty Howard found Bright in the box and the forward had space for a shot on target, but missed.

In the 51st minute, the visitors broke through. Dougherty Howard received the ball just outside the box and cut to enter the penalty area. Angelina stuck her foot out in an attempt to win the ball, but took down the midfielder. It was hard to tell whether Dougherty Howard had entered the area when the contact occurred, but Billeter didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot.

After a brief review by VAR, a penalty was awarded and Emslie stepped up to take the kick. As Moorhouse dove to her left, Emslie sent the penalty the opposite way, tucking inside the post and giving Angel City a 1-0 lead.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a good chance of their own in the 55th minute when Adriana went down just outside of the box. While Billeter didn’t award a free kick, the ball soon fell to Doyle right in front of the goal. Unfortunately, she slipped while attempting to shoot and Anderson made an easy save.

Angel City nearly had another chance in the 64th minute when Gautrat gave the ball away to Thompson near midfield. The attacker sent a dangerous ball towards the back post, but Abello was the first to reach it, clearing it out of play.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a breakaway seconds later when Marta won the ball with a pair of teammates sprinting forward. However, Billeter determined that Marta had fouled Sarah Gorden in the process of winning possession. It was clearly a call Marta disagreed with as she slammed her fist into the ground in anger.

After the missed opportunity, Hines made three more changes. Amanda Allen, Ally Lemos, and Summer Yates entered the game for Gautrat, Doyle, and Celia.

Thompson tried to double the Angel City lead in the 71st minute when she was left alone on the left. She sent a long ball searching for the far post, but the ball sailed on her and didn’t trouble Moorhouse.

The Pride had their own chance in the 74th minute when Lemos found Adriana in the box. The Brazilian quickly turned and shot, but Anderson was there to make the stop.

Hines made his final change of the game in the 76th minute and it was an attacking one. Forward Mariana Larroquette replaced defender McCutcheon, as the Pride searched for a late equalizer.

In the 81st minute, the Pride felt like they should’ve had a penalty when Adriana carried the ball into the box and went down with some contact. She threw her arms up in the air, but Billeter didn’t feel it was enough to point to the spot.

Adriana had another chance in the 85th minute, when she found space at the top left corner of the box. The Brazilian attempted to curl the ball into the top corner and inside the far post, but couldn’t get around it enough and it sailed wide of the target.

Allen made her impact on the game in the 88th minute with a strong run into the Angel City box. After initially losing the ball, the young Canadian won it back and forced Madison Curry to clear it out of play. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina was sent to Marta near the top of the box, away from the crowd of players around the six. The Brazilian volleyed the ball calmly past Anderson and inside the post to even the game at 1-1.

“I had the perfect view of Marta’s goal. I saw it go all the way over the top and then Marta’s just at the back post,” Moorhouse said about her view of the equalizer. “Yeah, it was a really good finish.”

“She fully deserved the goal,” Hines said about Marta’s conversion. “Because of what she’s done in this game, in previous games, and, you know, I’m really happy for her to get rewarded with the goal and the equalizer.”

The Pride created another chance a minute into injury time when Larroquette won a corner kick. Angelina sent this one shorter when Adriana was approaching. The Brazilian’s first touch was a shot, but missed the target.

It looked as though the Pride might get one last chance in the final minute of stoppage time when Adriana carried the ball over the midfield line and was taken down by Amandine Henry, resulting in a booking. However, the Pride couldn’t go forward on the restart and the game ended.

The Pride ended the game leading in most statistical categories, including possession (50.8%-49.2%), shots (14-12), shots on target (8-4), and corners (6-4). Angel City had more crosses (22-15) and passed more accurately (78.1%-76%).

“It’s an emotional game of course. You have the highs and lows, but overall I’m super proud of the team and the players to show that sort of resilience to never give up,” Hines said after the game. “You know, it’s difficult when everything’s going against you, but you look at that group of players and they wear their hearts on their sleeves and they give absolutely everything, and I’m so proud of them to to get something at the end of it, because they fully deserved it.”

The Pride will be disappointed not to claim all three points after leading most statistics against a team traveling across the country. However, they’ve come away with results in their first two games of the season and come from behind in both instances. It’s a much better start than last year, when it took five games to claim points and the team conceded second-half injury time winners twice.

“We learned the hard way last year, especially early on in the season, giving up late goals, and it’s something that we spoke about coming into the season, how we manage the game and having that self belief that, even when we’re 1-0 down, that we can still get something out of the game,” Hines said about the change from early last year. “And so, the players have fully bought into that. You can see their desire, their determination, their belief towards the end of the game. And I even think towards the end we’re actually seeing it out all the way. This is a good point for us.

“Of course we would love three, but again, under the circumstances, same as last week, getting these points, we’re two points better off than we were last year, and we finished the season really well. We’ve still got players to come back from injury and can play a part in the squad, so we’re in a really good place right now.”


After a short week between the first two games, the Pride have a full seven days before they’ll take the field again. They also won’t have to travel, as the next contest is at home against the Chicago Red Stars next Friday night.

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride look for their first win of 2024 as they welcome Angel City FC.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride play their first home game of 2024 against Angel City FC. This is the first of two games the teams will play against each other this year, with the return game in Los Angeles coming on June 30.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

Angel City was one of the NWSL’s two expansion teams entering the league in 2022. As a result, the Pride have only played tonight’s opponents four times. The Pride are 2-1-1 in the four games, all in NWSL regular-season play.

The most recent matchup between these two teams took place on Oct. 2, 2023 in Los Angeles. An Adriana volley in the 22nd minute beat Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to her near post for the only goal of the game as the Pride won a crucial late-season game.  On April 2 of last year in Orlando, Emily Sams (nee Madril) took down Alyssa Thompson, giving the visitors a penalty. Former Pride forward Claire Emslie stepped up and converted to give her team a 1-0 lead. Messiah Bright responded just after halftime to make it 1-1, and the game appeared to be heading for a draw. But Katie Johnson scored the winner in the 10th minute of second-half injury time — the latest goal in NWSL history.

The first-ever game between the teams took place on May 8, 2022 in Los Angeles. In the third minute, Gunny Jonsdottir’s cross was tipped by Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic, but it went right to Sydney Leroux. The Pride striker fired right at Morgan Reid standing in front of goal. The ball bounced off the defender and went in to give the Pride an early lead. The Pride dominated the first 15 minutes, before Angel City took over. The hosts controlled the final hour, but the Pride held on for 87 minutes to claim their first win of the season.

The teams met again on Aug. 7 in Orlando. Former Pride defender Ali Riley opened the scoring with a wonderful strike from the left side. The Pride responded in the second half through Julie Doyle, three minutes after she entered the game to even the game at 1-1. The visitors took another lead when Cari Roccaro beat Viviana Villacorta to a corner kick, putting it past Erin McLeod. The Pride equalized for a second time in the 90th minute. Doyle and Paige Nielsen raced for a Thais Reiss cross, with the defender reaching it first. But Nielsen’s attempted clearance went into her own net, allowing the Pride to claim a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Overview

The Pride opened the 2024 NWSL season Saturday afternoon against Racing Louisville FC in Kentucky. They got off to a tough start, conceding two goals in 19 minutes. An Elli Pikkujämsä own goal in the 24th minute got the visitors back in it, trailing 2-1 in the second half. Kylie Strom was sent off with a second yellow in the 62nd minute and it looked nearly impossible that Orlando would get something out of the game, but Summer Yates came up big, netting the equalizer in the 86th minute as the Pride took a point from their opening game.

Tonight, the Pride start their 2024 home schedule against Angel City FC. They’ll possibly be without three of their four starting defenders, including both center backs, through injuries, suspensions, and illnesses. The lineup losses could be significant because Angel City has a potent attack with Emslie, Leroux, and Thompson.

The absences mean the team will likely need production out of their attack. Adriana caused headaches for Louisville last weekend and the hosts will depend on her to produce tonight. They’ll also need a better performance on the opposite side of the field by Julie Doyle. When at her best, Doyle can be trouble, but she was largely absent last weekend.

Angel City began its third season in the NWSL against newcomers Bay FC at home Sunday. They outshot the opposition 19-8, but Bay FC was more efficient, putting six of the team’s eight shots on target. Meanwhile, Angel City only put nine of its 19 shots on frame. Lysianne Proulx claimed the first clean sheet in the history of the San Jose-based side as Bay FC won 1-0 — the first win in team history.

Angel City brings back a strong roster that will make a first win of the season difficult for the Pride. In addition to the aforementioned lethal attack, Angel City has an experienced back line that includes M.A. Vignola, Nielsen, Sarah Gorden, and Riley. After falling in its own home opener, Angel City will be desperate to claim its first win, despite traveling across the country.

Last week, the Pride took on familiar faces in former Pride defender Carson Pickett and midfielder Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck). Marisa DiGrande (nee Viggiano) was on the bench but didn’t appear. Even more familiar faces are on the Angel City roster, including Emslie, Leroux, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Bright, and Riley. 

“I feel like it’s a common theme, even going back to Louisville. There was familiar players that we know. But with Angel City, there’s a couple that we’re aware of,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s opponent. “They played on Sunday. Traveling cross country is always difficult, and so the emphasis is on us. We’re at home in front of our own fans and it’s really important that we put a performance together that they’re proud of.”

The Pride will be without several players for this game, including forward Simone Charley (SEI-leg), midfielder Villacorta (SEI-knee), and defenders Megan Montefusco (SEI-heel), Rafaelle (foot), and Strom (suspension). Additionally, Sams is listed as questionable with an illness.

Angel City is dealing with its own injuries to key players. The visitors will be without Jun Endo (SEI-knee), Christen Press (SEI-knee), Rocky Rodriguez (concussion protocol), and Gisele Thompson (lower leg).


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Celia, Kerry Abello, Brianna Martinez, Haley McCutcheon.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Ally Lemos, Amanda Allen, Luana, Mariana Larroquette, Evelina Duljan, Carrie Lawrence, Cori Dyke, Summer Yates.

Angel City FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Angelina Anderson.

Defenders: M.A. Vignola, Paige Nielsen, Sarah Gorden, Ali Riley.

Midfielders: Kennedy Fuller, Amandine Henry, Meggie Dougherty Howard.

Forwards: Alyssa Thompson, Messiah Bright, Claire Emslie.

Bench: Madison Curry, Madison Hammond, DiDi Haracic, Katie Johnson, Clarisse Le Bihan, Mathias, Lily Nabet, Jasmyne Spencer, Hannah Stambaugh.

Referees

REF: Alex Billeter.
AR1: Katarzyna Wasiak.
AR2: Jeremy Smith.
4TH: Alejo Calume.
VAR: Kevin Broadley.
AVAR: Maggie Short.


How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium —Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video.

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville: Final Score 2-2 as 10-Player Pride Finish Two-Goal Comeback

The Pride earn a good road point from a bad position despite being shorthanded in the second half.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride fought back from two goals down, coming from behind despite being down a player in a wild 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY. Summer Yates’ first career goal pulled a valuable road point out of Louisville (0-0-1, 1 point) for the Pride (0-0-1, 1 point), with Orlando getting its first ever point in four trips to Kentucky (0-3-1).

Elexa Bahr and Uchenna Kuna gave the hosts the lead in the first half, but a Louisville own goal threw Orlando a lifeline. Despite Kylie Strom being sent off in the second half with a questionable second yellow, Yates scored on a late set piece and the Pride held on for a draw that felt more like a win. The Pride remain winless in season openers, but earn their third opening day draw (0-5-3) in league play. [Note, this is season nine for the club, but there was no NWSL season in 2020.]

“Hard-fought point. We showed a lot of character towards the end,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said after the match. “It’s never easy to go two goals down in a game, especially in this league. I can’t fault the players and their attitude toward the end. You’re looking at a lot of young players stepping up in that environment to not only get the goal but to see the game out. A really important point for us, moving forward.”

Hines’ starting lineup included goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse behind a back line of Strom, Kerry Abello, Emily Sams (nee Madril), and Haley McCutcheon. Morgan Gautrat and Luana made their Pride debuts in the central midfield behind an attacking line of Julie Doyle, Marta, and Angelina, with Adriana up top.

The Pride started well, pressing together and pinning the hosts back at times. But it didn’t last and the attack left the back disorganized, allowing Louisville to create transitions out of nothing.

Early on, former Pride midfielder Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck) pulled back Adriana just outside the box to halt a transition and was booked for her foul. The Pride couldn’t pay off the set piece, however, as Marta’s shot fizzed wide of the far post, and Katie Lund appeared to have it covered anyway.

The hosts grabbed the lead in the 13th minute. A cross-field long ball from Reilyn Turner sent Bahr in behind Abello. Moorhouse was off her line, but didn’t charge out and was caught in between two minds as Bahr easily chipped the ball over her and in to open the scoring.

Strom was booked two minutes later to prevent an opponent getting in behind again, as the back line’s shape continued to be problematic early.

Louisville doubled the lead in the 19th minute. Bahr sent a ball for Kanu that McCutcheon appeared to have a bead on, but the defender took a poor angle to it and it got through. That allowed Kanu a free shot at goal and despite Moorhouse getting a touch, the game was 2-0 to Racing early.

Adriana’s shout for handball moments later was checked, but it wasn’t a handball, as Louisville started looking content to sit in a lower block with its two-goal lead.

Abello made the hosts pay for that by working her way back and forth before sending a ball across the front of goal. The cross hit defender Elli Pikkujämsä and deflected into the net behind Lund for an own goal, making it 2-1 in the 24th minute and giving the Pride a lifeline in the match.

Much of the rest of the first half was played in Racing’s half of the field, but the Pride didn’t create many clear-cut chances due to the low block. An Adriana flat-footed shot from outside the box that one-hopped straight at Lund served as Orlando’s only shot on target of the half.

Abello tried to pick out the far corner in the 36th minute but the ball stayed wide. A late corner kick cross was sent straight to Lund and that was about it for the opening period.

The Pride held way more possession (60.2%-39.8%) but much of that advantage came after the second Louisville goal. Orlando also had the edge in shots (4-3), passing accuracy (87.6%-87.1%), and corners (4-0). Racing put more shots on target (3-1).

The hosts nearly doubled their lead to start the half. A corner kick landed at Kanu’s feet and appeared to catch her off guard. She sent her shot wide of the net in the first minute after the restart.

The Pride’s first half chance came in the 52nd minute on a good cross into the box from Marta. Lund did well to leave her line and prevented it from reaching Adriana.

Louisville got Kanu in behind a minute later, slicing Orlando’s defense open again with a long diagonal ball, but she fired over the bar and the flag came up anyway.

Orlando squandered a few promising attacks over the next several minutes. Abello did well to jump in front of a pass and started the attack, but she dribbled the ball all the way to the top of the box, got in among too many defenders, and lost possession. Doyle then gave the ball away a couple of times, allowing Louisville to transition. On the second, Bahr ended up near the top of the box with the ball but sent a soft shot wide that Moorhouse caught in the 61st minute.

A minute later, the game turned in Louisville’s favor. Strom stepped up to try to win a ball and clipped Savannah DeMelo’s foot. It wasn’t an egregious foul, nor did it stop a counter or impede the player, but despite being lenient with DeMelo and Flint in the first half after they were booked, the referee showed Strom a second yellow, sending her off in the 62nd minute. Both Flint and DeMelo later had another heavy challenge each but neither saw a second booking.

“Going down a man is hard, especially being down in the game, but I think preseason has really prepared us for that in the sense that, you know, I think we’re in great shape physically,” said rookie Ally Lemos, who made her professional debut in the second half. “We’ve gone through certain situations — up a goal, down a goal, down a man, and stuff like that — so, I think our preparation was really the difference maker and our character was a big part of that too.”

Racing nearly made the extra player pay off immediately. A ball from the left was chipped to the right post, and only a touch from Abello’s head prevented an easy third goal for Louisville. Two minutes later, substitute Emma Sears sent a near post shot that was comfortable for Moorhouse.

Yates should have scored in the 79th minute. A layoff right in front fell for her and she quickly got a foot to it, but sent it sideways across the face of goal, where the defense collected it. Doyle won the ball back and earned the Pride a free kick. The ensuing set piece delivery from Angelina fell in the box but the defense swept it behind for a corner. There was a brief check for handball but none was given.

“Adri played me one, and I thought I had a sitter, and I missed it,” Yates said. “So, I knew after that I was going to put myself in any opportunity to get that goal back. It’s hard to get opportunities in this league. And after I missed that one, my mindset really was not to shut down, but find the next moment, and the next moment you’re going to capitalize on it.”

Adriana had a shot from the top of the box deflect softly to Lund in the 84th minute as the Pride kept looking for the equalizer. That came two minutes later on another free kick.

The service into the area was flicked on by substitute Amanda Allen. Yates got to it first and stuck out a foot, getting just a touch, but it was enough to direct it just inside the right post to make it 2-2 in the 86th minute. In addition to being Yates’ first NWSL goal, it was Allen’s first career assist.

“Angelina played a great ball off the cross, and I just tried to time the run and find an opening,” Yates said. “Once I saw the goal, I knew I could place it in the side. It’s super exciting to get that point here. It was an amazing feeling and a good start to the season.”

“Summer has put the effort in in the off-season,” Hines said. “She’s had moments in preseason when she’s had to come in and made the difference, and today she did exactly what I would ask from her. To get the goal and get the equalizing goal late in the game shows her worth and what we need for us to move forward.”

Neither side got a good look for the rest of normal time, and the fourth official showed a seemingly generous 10 minutes of injury time, which was lengthened when Sams went down with a knock moments later, although Sams was able to continue.

The final minutes of stoppage time saw Racing Louisville throwing numbers into the attacking half to try to steal a late winner. The Pride were content to simply play the ball anywhere to take the pressure off and Orlando even did well to win a corner.

Racing got the last good chance of the game. Allen got the last touch on a diagonal ball to the back post, conceding a late corner. Sears was left wide open at the back post and the ball found her. She made a mess of her volley attempt, however, sending it high in the air. Moorhouse caught it and then got crashed into. No foul was given, so fortunately she was able to keep it from crossing the goal line.

The final whistle came in the 103rd minute and the Pride had courageously fought back against tall odds to get a road point.

Because of the second yellow on Strom, the statistics finished nearly as even as the game did. Orlando won the posession battle (51.5%-48.5%) even though the hosts had more of the ball in the second half. Louisville, and won more corners (6-2). Louisville had the edge in shots (10-9), shots on target (4-2), and passing accuracy (81.6%-80.9%).

“I think this team is really special, and we’re really together, and our mentality this year is to stick together and take every game, game by game,” Yates said. “So we’re all really pumped, really excited, and this is a good point for us and a good start to the season.”

“I think at times, we played some really good football,” Hines said. “We played from back to front by using our midfield, got into some really good spaces. I think an area we can improve on is that final pass, that killer pass to get more success.”


The Pride will be back in action Friday night in their home opener, hosting Angel City FC at 8 p.m. Strom will miss the match with a suspension for getting the second yellow.

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