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2021 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Sydney Leroux

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The Orlando Pride acquired Sydney Leroux on Feb. 2, 2018 from the Utah Royals for a first-round 2019 NWSL Draft pick. After a solid 2018 season, Leroux missed almost all of 2019 while pregnant and her 2020 full return was wiped out by the global pandemic.

The 2021 season was the first time Pride fans saw Leroux at full strength since 2018 and she didn’t disappoint. The forward was a key part of the attack, leading the team in goals.

Let’s take a closer look at Leroux’s 2021 NWSL campaign.

Statistical Breakdown

Leroux was always going to be a starter from day one after returning back to full strength in 2020. She began her season by starting all four games of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, recording 351 minutes. Her 12 shots led the team in the preseason tournament and she scored one of the team’s three goals.

Leroux did make a slight defensive impact, recording eight clearances and three interceptions. She won four of her six tackles (66.7%), 28 of 35 duels (80%), and 15 of her 18 aerial duels (83.3%).

The 31-year-old wide player successfully completed 54 of her 78 passes (69.2%) and two of her four long passes (50%). She made five key passes, helping to build an attack, and seven of her 12 shots were on target. Additionally, she won three fouls and committed just one.

In the NWSL regular season, Leroux started 23 of the team’s 24 games. The only game in which she didn’t play was on June 6 away to the Washington Spirit. She totaled 2,018 minutes and was only substituted four times.

When tracking back defensively, Leroux made 41 clearances and 21 interceptions. She was successful in 12 of her 25 tackles (48%), 121 of her 217 duels (55.8%), and 55 of her 89 aerial duels (61.8%).

Leroux completed 404 of her 537 total passes (75.2%) and 11 of her 28 long passes (39.3%). Additionally, she made 23 key passes.

As a forward, Leroux’s primary contribution this season was scoring and she didn’t disappoint. When Marta and Alex Morgan departed for the Olympics, the team depended on Leroux to pick up the lost production. However, she made an impact before that.

The team’s first six goals came from Morgan and Leroux, with the latter converting twice. In the end, Leroux scored a team-leading eight goals from 47 shots, also a team high. She put 26 of her shots on target, another team-leading stat. She added a pair of assists, one behind Marta and Taylor Kornieck, who led the team with three each.

Additionally, Leroux drew 16 fouls, committed 10, and was booked once.

Best Game

Leroux’s best game undoubtedly came on June 23 in Kansas City. Facing the league’s newest team in a stretch that included three games in a week, the Pride left Morgan at home and Marta on the bench. That resulted in the hosts scoring first through a Marian Larroquette goal late in the first half.

The goal woke up the Pride, and especially Leroux, who scored just two minutes later. Leroux’s first goal was a bit fortunate. After she did well to beat the defender, her shot appeared to be right at Kansas City’s goalkeeper Abby Smith. However, the goalkeeper somehow let the ball pass, allowing Leroux to equalize just before the half.

While the first goal included some luck, the second was absolute brilliance. A long ball by Gunny Jonsdottir sent Leroux forward down the left. The forward took Taylor Leach one-on-one to the top of the box, creating enough space to get the shot off.

As if taking on the Kansas City defense on her own wasn’t enough, Leroux sent a long shot toward the far post. The shot might’ve taken a slight deflection off Rachel Corsie, but not enough to make a big difference. The laser shot went beyond the reach of Smith and into the far netting.

Leroux had a game-leading six shots, in addition to her brace. While the team left Morgan in Orlando (she met the team in Houston for the next game), Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner also brought Marta and Ali Riley off the bench. It could’ve been a throwaway game, but Leroux took over and assured that the Pride would take away all three points.

2021 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Leroux a composite score of 7 for the 2021 NWSL season. In her first full season since 2018, the forward was the Pride’s best attacking option. She led the team in shots and goals, and was a contender for the league’s top scorer for most of the season. Leroux’s grit and willingness to do the little things necessary contributed to the team even when she wasn’t scoring. Without her contributions, the team would’ve been eliminated from the postseason much sooner. It is noteworthy that the five-match losing streak to end the season — and the team’s playoff chances — coincided with both Leroux and Morgan not scoring a goal.

2022 Outlook

Leroux signed a three-year contract extension with the Pride on Feb. 3, 2021, ensuring that she’ll remain with the club through at least the 2023 NWSL season. The three-year deal is the longest available to NWSL players and Leroux showed her appreciation with her performances this year.

It’s unknown what the Pride will look like next year with some key players aging and a new head coach arriving. However, you can expect that Leroux will be a key part of the team’s attack next season, and a big part of the team’s plans moving forward.


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

The Pride kick off the 2024 NWSL season this afternoon against Racing Louisville FC.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride open their ninth season in the NWSL, taking on Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. This is the first of two times the teams will face off with the return game in Orlando occurring on May 5.

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

History

This game marks the start of the fourth season of existence for Racing Louisville. The two teams have played eight times so far, with the Pride going 2-3-3 (2-3-2 in NWSL games and 0-0-1 in the NWSL Challenge Cup). The Pride are winless in Louisville (0-3-0 in league play, 0-3-1 overall).

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on Oct. 6, 2023 in Louisville. The Pride got off to a great start with goals by Marta from the spot early and an excellent individual effort by Kerry Abello to make it 2-0. However, Messiah Bright took Savannah DeMelo down in the box just before halftime and Nadia Nadia converted the penalty. A five-minute swing started in the 70th minute with goals by Kristen Davis and an own goal by Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, resulting in the Pride losing the critical game 3-2.

The other meeting in 2023 was on May 6 at Exploria Stadium. Bright gave the Pride an early lead and the hosts held on for 69 minutes for the 1-0 win. It was the first home win of 2023 for the Pride and their second win of the season.

The first meeting between the two in 2022 was on Sept. 16 in Louisville. The Pride got off to a quick start, but Louisville struck first when Nadia Nadim was left open in front of goal for a tap-in. The hosts doubled their lead on a great strike by Savannah DeMelo from outside of the box, and the Pride fell 2-0.

The first meeting of 2022 was in a unique setting, taking place at Daytona International Speedway on July 3. The game was a part of the 2022 Daytona SoccerFest and was the first time a soccer game was played at a racetrack. Emina Ekic gave Louisville a halftime lead and DeMelo doubled the lead shortly after the break. However, the Pride fought back with goals by Kylie Strom and Darian Jenkins, pulling out a 2-2 draw. The game launched a seven-game unbeaten run that pulled the Pride back into the playoff race.

The first year the two teams met was in 2021 during the NWSL Challenge Cup in Louisville. CeCe Kizer gave the hosts the lead early, but Taylor Kornieck equalized just before halftime. It looked like the Pride would win when Abi Kim scored late, but Brooke Hendrix equalized in second-half injury time and the teams drew 2-2.

The teams played three times in the 2021 regular season, with the first meeting coming on July 9 in Orlando. Ebony Salmon gave Louisville the lead, but Sydney Leroux scored to force a 1-1 draw with a goal in second-half injury time. The second meeting was on Sept. 11 in Orlando. The Pride took a 2-0 lead into the break with goals by Leroux and Marta. Kizer got one back, but Alex Morgan’s conversion sealed three points for the Pride.

The final meeting of 2021 was in the penultimate game of the year for both teams. The Pride needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and they got off to a good start when Jodie Taylor scored in the third minute. However, the game slipped away as Salmon and Katie McClure scored on either side of halftime and Yuki Nagasato made the final 3-1.

Overview

The Pride have made some big moves this off-season as they attempt to make the NWSL playoffs for the first time since 2017. While the defenders remain the same, they’ve added some key pieces in the midfield and up top. Brazilian internationals Angelina and Luana were signed earlier this preseason as well as U.S. women’s national team midfielder Morgan Gautrat and Swedish international Evelina Duljan.

Arguably the biggest move of the NWSL preseason was the Pride signing Zambian international Barbra Banda. The Pride also return attacking pieces Ally Watt, Marta, and Adriana. After focusing on defense following the 2022 campaign, the team improved its attack, despite the loss of starting striker Bright.

Tonight, the Pride take on a racing Louisville team in transition. The opening day opponent parted ways with former head coach Kim Bjorkegren, promoting assistant Bev Yanez to the position.

Louisville returns much of its starting lineup from 2023, a team that finished ninth in the NWSL. The returners include USWNT midfielder Savannah DeMello and captain Jaelin Howell. Former Pride defender Carson Pickett is still on the team and welcomes other former Pride players Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck) and Marisa DiGrande (nee Viggiano).

Controlling DeMelo in the midfield will be key for the Pride’s success today. The addition of Flint from the San Diego Wave should bolster their attack, requiring focus from the Pride back line. While the Pride return their entire defensive unit, they’ll be without Brazilian international Rafaelle, who fractured her foot during the Concacaf W Gold Cup semifinal against Mexico.

In addition to the center back, the Pride will play their season opener without Simone Charley (right leg), Megan Montefusco (right heel), and Viviana Villacorta (left knee), who are out with season-ending injuries, as well as Watt (right thigh).

Louisville is without Milly Clegg (thigh) and Yuuka Kurasoki (lower leg) for this game. Additionally, Ary Borges (lower leg) and Kirsten Wright (lower leg) are listed as questionable.


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kylie Strom, Kerry Abello, Emily Sams, Haley McCutcheon.

Defensive Midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Luana.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Angelina.

Forward: Adriana.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Brianna Martinez, Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Ally Lemos, Summer Yates, Evalina Duljan, Amanda Allen, Mariana Larroquette.

Racing Louisville (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Katie Lund

Defenders: Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä, Lauren Milliet.

Defensive Midfielders: Taylor Flint, Savannah DeMelo.

Attacking Midfielders: Reilyn Taylor, Elexa Bahr, Jordan Baggett.

Forward: Uchenna Kanu.

Referees

REF: Laura Rodriguez.
AR1: Matthew Rodman.
AR2: Ben Rigel.
4TH: Kevin Fikar.
VAR: Samantha Martinez.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.


How to Watch

Match Time: 4 p.m.

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium — Louisville, KY.

TV: None.

Streaming: NWSL+.

Twitter: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride Announce 2024 Start-of-Season Roster

The Pride have announced their roster ahead of the 2024 NWSL regular season.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride announced their roster to start the season a few days ahead of the team’s first 2024 NWSL regular-season game on Saturday afternoon against Racing Louisville FC. Seb Hines’ team contains 31 players for his second season as permanent head coach.

Of the 31 names listed by the club, 21 players are returning from last year’s team that came just short of qualifying for the NWSL playoffs. The returners include goalkeepers Kaylie Collins, McKinley Crone, and Anna Moorhouse; defenders Tori Hansen, Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Brianna Martinez, Haley McCutcheon, Megan Montefusco, Emily Sams (nee Madril), Rafaelle, and Kyle Strom; midfielders Marta, Kerry Abello, Viviana Villacorta, Adriana, Julie Doyle, and Summer Yates; and forwards Amanda Allen, Mariana Larroquette, and Ally Watt. 

The team’s 10 newcomers are goalkeeper Sofia Manner; defender Cori Dyke; midfielders Angelina, Evelina Duljan, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, and Luana; and forwards Barbra Banda, Simone Charley, and Alex Kerr.

The Pride start the season with three players on the season-ending injury list. Villacorta tore her ACL during last season, Montefusco had foot surgery during the offseason, and Charley ruptured her Achilles during preseason. Lawrence and Gautrat were previously on the season-ending injury list from last year, but have been removed to start the 2024 campaign.

In addition to the injured players, the Pride will be without two who are currently on loan in Australia. Hansen has been with the Melbourne Victory and Collins with the Western Sydney Wanderers, both of the A-League Women. Those seasons run through the first weekend of May.

Five players are listed as internationals on the roster this year, including Manner (Finland), Duljan (Sweden), Luana (Brazil), Allen (Canada), and Banda (Zambia). While Manner, Duljan, Luana, and Allen are with the club, Banda has yet to report after signing six days ago on March 7.

With the signing of Kerr earlier today and Dyke earlier this week, the Pride have inked three of the club’s four picks from the 2024 NWSL Draft. The only player unsigned of their selections is midfielder Talia Gabarra. The club also signed two of their four non-roster invitees to preseason training in Crone and Charley. Goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell and defender Raegan Cox remain unsigned. However, they may remain with the club in training in case of additional injuries or the need for International Replacement Players.

2024 Orlando Pride Start-of-Season Roster

Goalkeepers (4): Kaylie Collins (LOAN), McKinley Crone, Sofia Manner (INTL-FIN), Anna Moorhouse  

Defenders (9): Tori Hansen (LOAN), Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Bri Martinez, Haley McCutcheon, Megan Montefusco (SEI), Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom 

Midfielders (8): Angelina, Evelina Duljan (INTL-SWE), Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Cori Dyke, Luana (INTL-BRA), Kerry Abello, Viviana Villacorta (SEI) 

Forwards (10): Adriana, Amanda Allen (INTL-CAN), Barbra Banda (INTL-ZAM, NYR), Simone Charley (SEI), Julie Doyle, Alex Kerr, Mariana Larroquette, Marta, Ally Watt, Summer Yates 

Key

LOAN: Player On Loan
INTL: International Player
SEI: Season-Ending Injury List
NYR: Not Yet Reported


The Pride and Racing Louisville will kick off their 2024 NWSL season at 4 p.m. Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY.

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