Connect with us

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Final Score 2-2 as Pride Hold On for Road Point

Published

on

hThe Orlando Pride (3-5-5, 15 points) drew 2-2 with the Kansas City Current (5-4-4 19 points) tonight at Children’s Mercy Park. Celia gave the Pride the lead in the 25th minute and Julie Doyle doubled the advantage just after halftime. But the hosts came storming back with goals by Elyse Bennett and CeCe Kizer, pulling out a draw.

Pride Interim Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the team that played to a scoreless draw with the Washington Spirit two weeks ago. Carrie Lawrence replaced Toni Pressley in the starting lineup after missing the Washington game in COVID protocol. Darian Jenkins missed tonight’s game after being listed as questionable with a knee injury. She was replaced up top by Doyle.

The back four in front of captain Erin McLeod consisted of Kylie Strom, Megan Montefusco, Lawrence, and Celia. Jordyn Listro and Meggie Dougherty Howard were in the defensive midfield behind Kerry Abello, Erika Tymrak, and Viviana Villacorta, with Doyle up top.

Neither team got off to a good start in this game with both unable to maintain any possession in the opposing team’s half of the field. The Pride got the first opportunity in the seventh minute when Taylor Leach took down Doyle near the Current box. Strom sent the ball into the box, but it was headed out for a corner kick. The ensuing short corner was right to a Kansas City defender who cleared it away.

The hosts should’ve taken the lead in the 15th minute when Victoria Pickett sent Kristen Hamilton through into the box. The forward was one-on-one with McLeod, but the Pride goalkeeper did well to come off her line and block the shot. The rebound went to Lo’eau LaBonta but McLeod got right back up and knocked that away too.

It seemed as though the Current had taken control of the game, but the Pride shocked everyone by scoring first. In the 25th minute, Tymrak sent a cross into the box. It was a soft ball that most expected to be cleared away, but Celia flew in from her right back position and headed it past goalkeeper Adrianna Franch.

So unexpected was the header that Franch barely moved. It was the defender’s second career NWSL goal and her first as a member of the Pride. Her only other goal came on July 5, 2019 as a member of OL Reign against the Portland Thorns.

“I found myself on the left side, which Seb kind of tells us to be fluid, so I was kind of on the left side,” Tymrak said about setting up the goal. “And I think I was passing with Bello and Meggie and I took a look up and I saw Celia running into the box. So I kind of just looked at it and her finish was unreal. And it definitely silenced the crowd “

Late in the first half, the Pride committed two fouls near the top of the box that provided Kansas City with some good chances. In the 39th minute, Listro took down Pickett, resulting in a booking and a free kick. LaBonta tapped the set piece to Hailie Mace but the midfielder sent the shot wide.

In the 43rd minute, Lawrence was called for a foul on Mace. Again, LaBonta and Mace stood over the ball. Whether it was confusion or an attempt to trick the defense, both players ran past the ball before Mace sent the ball into the box. But it went wide of the target.

At the half, the Pride had more possession (52%-48%) and the half’s only corner kick. Despite holding onto a 1-0 lead, the Pride had fewer shots (4-1) and shots on target (2-1) in the first 45 minutes.

The second half got off to a surprising start as the Pride went right down the field and doubled their lead. It started when Doyle sent Abello into the box. The midfielder collided with Elizabeth Ball and Franch, leaving Franch lying on the ground. Dougherty Howard ended up with the ball, sending it across for Doyle who put it into the empty net for the rookie’s first professional goal.

“I remember Kerry Abello and Meggie doing something, winning the ball, working hard,” Doyle said about the play. “And then I knew that it popped out to Meggie and I had to make that run that Seb kept getting on me this week for, being in the width of the goal. So I just got there and it came right to me and I hit it left foot and I think I got a charley horse on the right side of my leg, but it went in.”

Following the goal, the Current dominated play. Coming on as a halftime substitute, Bennett was effective on the right, taking Pride defenders one-on-one and creating chances for herself and for teammates. As a result, Kansas City had the Pride on their heels and eventually got back into the game.

In the 50th minute, McLeod nearly made a mistake that cost her team a goal. After the ball was played back to the goalkeeper, she attempted to send it up field. Meanwhile, LaBonta was charging into the box. The clearance slammed off LaBonta’s face and went just over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, the Current had a good opportunity with numbers. LaBonta carried the ball into the Pride third and looked to either side for an overlapping run. However, she didn’t see anyone coming quick enough and fired on target. It was a low, long distance shot and McLeod didn’t have any trouble.

The Current got one of the goals back in the 57th minute. Bennett dribbled into the box from the right and took Lawrence on. She was able to turn the center back enough to create space for a shot. Despite the tight angle, the ball was on target towards the back post. McLeod got a hand to it, but not enough as it went inside the far post, cutting the Pride lead in half.

“They changed shape and they changed formation and we have to adapt to how we press effectively in that moment,” Hines said about the goal. “It was a domino effect, which allowed Bennett to get in behind and drive out our center backs.”

In the 63rd minute, Bennett got into the box on a run that was similar to her goal. She took a low shot that got underneath McLeod, but it was cleared off the line by Lawrence.

A minute later, Bennett and her teammates felt as though she had earned a penalty. After receiving the ball in the box, she turned Strom the wrong way. The right back attempted to get her heel to the ball to get it off the dangerous attacker and Bennett went to the ground. However, as Bennett was on her knees with her arms up, referee Greg Dopka didn’t see any contact from Strom and waved play on.

The Pride nearly regained their two-goal advantage in the 72nd minute when Bennett charged into Strom just outside the Kansas City box. The free kick was towards the back post where Mikayla Cluff, who came on in the 69th minute for Tymrak, headed it right into the legs of a defender. It went right back to Cluff who fired on goal but Franch made the save.

The Pride had another opportunity for a third goal in the 74th minute when a turnover by the Current gave Cluff the ball in the Kansas City half of the field. The midfielder found Dougherty Howard coming forward and the latter shot from the top of the box. However, the shot was right into the arms of Franch.

Kansas City found the equalizer in the 82nd minute. LaBonta sent a long ball over the top for CeCe Kizer, who was running alongside Montefusco. Kizer got behind the center back, forcing McLeod to come off her line. However, slight indecision meant that Kizer was able to beat McLeod to the ball, chipping it over her and in to tie the game at 2-2.

“They were hungry, they’re a great team, and they had a lot of momentum,” Tymrak said about the comeback. “So they definitely came out hungrier than we were. We probably got a little complacent.”

After coming back from a two-goal deficit and having the home crowd on their side, the hosts pushed for the win while the Pride tried to hold on for a draw. The Current nearly found the winner two minutes into second-half injury time.

LaBonta found Hamilton making a run into the box, but McLeod did well to make the stop. However, she allowed a rebound in free space which Hamilton ran onto. Fortunately, McLeod was able to jump on the ball before Hamilton could knock it in, allowing the Pride to hold on for a 2-2 draw.

In the end, the hosts had the better of the game. Kansas City had more possession (54.1%-45.9%), shots (13-7), shots on target (7-4), corners (2-1), and crosses (12-10). Despite having a two-goal advantage in the second half, the Pride were somewhat fortunate to get a point.

“Disappointed because we put ourselves in a great position to win the game,” Hines said after the game. “We knew how important this game was as it comes to a certain playoff position and we’re chasing to get into them playoff positions and we said before the game that we want to walk away from here with three points.

“Really pleased with the first half. Took it to Kansas, who are on good form right now. I think now they are unbeaten in eight. Got our goal, started the second half extremely well, got another goal. And I think the evolution of us will be, when we are in games, to weather storms and when the opponent starts pushing more players forward, can we get ourselves out of them situations where we can defend effectively and attack with penetration passes and play our style of play. Even though the emphasis is on them to try and get an equalizer and get back into the game.”

“I think all of us are pretty disappointed,” Tymrak said. “We really wanted three points, especially as we push for the playoffs. I think there are positives and what we can take away from it. Two goals on the road and a point, but I don’t think any of us are happy with that.”

Both teams came into this game with unbeaten runs. While the Pride were on a three-game unbeaten run, the Current had gotten a result in their last seven games and entered on a three-game winning streak. The Pride have now drawn three of their last four games and continue to claim points, something that seemed unlikely when the team was thrashed by the Portland Thorns on June 19.


The Pride will return home next Sunday night as they welcome Angel City to Exploria Stadium.

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.

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.

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


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending