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Orlando Pride vs. OL Reign: Final Score 3-0 as the Pride are Dominated By OL Reign.

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3 years ago

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It was a dominating performance tonight as the Orlando Pride (7-6-7, 28 points) fell 3-0 to OL Reign (11-7-2, 35 points). Two goals by Eugenie Le Sommer and two assists by Dzsenifer Marozsan led the Reign to the win.

The Pride had three changes from the team’s 3-1 win over Racing Louisville two weeks ago. Courtney Petersen replaced Phoebe McClernon in the back and Alex Morgan re-entered the lineup, replacing Marta. The biggest news was Ashlyn Harris starting after missing the last game with a neck injury.

The Reign started early, scoring just three minutes into the game. Sofia Huerta sent a lovely ball into the box, finding the head of Bethany Balcer who had gotten behind the Pride defense. The goal was Balcer’s ninth of the season, passing Sydney Leroux for the league lead.

Four minutes later, the Reign almost doubled their lead when Balcer sent a cross across the six-yard box. The ball was just over the head of Le Sommer and just beyond the foot of the sliding Jessica Fishlock.

The Reign came close again in the 10th minute when Dzsenifer Marozsan, who was one of the most dangerous players in the first half, sent a ball toward the back post. However, nobody in blue was able to get on the end of it, allowing the Pride to escape with a one-goal deficit.

While the Reign maintained the majority of possession, the Pride were able to keep the dangerous chances at bay for a while after the Marozsan cross. In the meantime, Sydney Leroux and Taylor Kornieck had chances at goal, two of only three shots in the first half. But both of those shots were over the crossbar.

The unrelenting Reign attack continued in the 25th minute when Fishlock set up Marozsan at the top of the box. Fortunately for the Pride, the shot was high of the target.

The Reign finally got their second goal in the 28th minute. After a Pride giveaway, Le Sommer ended up with the ball and took an unexpected shot from distance. The ball caught Harris off her line and into the corner of the goal.

In the 32nd minute. Le Sommer scored her second. Quick passing from Fishlock and Marozsan at the top of the box found Le Sommer right in front of goal. Once again, the Pride defense left a Reign attacker right in front of the net, allowing the French striker to tap in her second goal of the game.

It’s been common for Harris to be counted on for big saves and her first came in the 41st minute. Fishlock played a quick ball just inside the box for Rose Lavelle, who turned and fired on goal. The ball appeared to be headed toward the far post, but Harris made a diving one-handed block.

Just before the half, the Reign nearly got a fourth and it was Le Sommer again. Another great ball by Fishlock found the striker at the far post. Rather than bringing it down, Le Sommer swung her leg around for a volley, but the ball slammed off the crossbar.

The Pride finally forced Bouhaddi to do some work just before halftime. After winning the ball back in the box, Morgan split the defenders, creating a chance on goal. The left-footed shot was on target, but Bouhaddi was able to make the block.

At the end of the half, the Reign led in possession (60.9%-39.1%), shots (12-5), shots on goal (6-2), corners (4-0), crosses (11-5), passes (300-195), and passing accuracy (83.3%-73.8%).

“I think in the first half it was a shape issue for us,” Pride interim head coach Becky Burleigh said about the lack of offensive production. “We had talked about trying to push the weak side player in our 4-2-3-1 up higher to make it look like a two front during the week. But in the end, because the numbers in the midfield were overwhelming us, that was difficult for it to occur. So when we played two up top, when we actually changed to a 3-5-2 and kept two up top, it was a little bit more effective for them to actually be able to work with one another.”

“I think their lineup was so fluid, their movement was so fluid, that it made it a bit of a challenge whether we needed to step up higher and absorb one of those players or allow her to take a player running through the middle,” Burleigh said about the first half defense. ”And I think that’s where the confusion lies for us. So credit the Reign for making that difficult, but once we switched shapes, I think that was a much more straightforward match-up and allowed us to match up a little bit better defensively.”

“I think they really dominated us in the first half,” right back Ali Riley added. “It was a bit shocking. I think their midfield, I think is the best midfield in the league and I think they really exposed us, especially when we had a lot of turnovers.”

The Pride came out better in the second half, even creating the first real attack. In the 51st minute, Leroux was sent through and had a one-on-one against Reign center back Alana Cook. With more defenders chasing the play, Leroux decided to shoot, but the shot was blocked by Cook and there were no other Pride players forward to keep the attack alive.

Four minutes later, the Reign had a chance to take a four-goal advantage. Le Sommer beat Riley to the end line and got off a cross to the back post. Balcer was charging in and reached out for the cross, but it was just beyond her reach and went harmlessly out of play.

The Pride had one of their best chances of the game when Morgan and Leroux were finally able to connect. A quick one-two set up a shot by Morgan that was blocked. The ball fell to Leroux who took a second shot that made it through the Reign’s back line. However, it was right at Bouhaddi, allowing the goalkeeper to make the easy stop.

The best chance of the second half came from the Reign in the 83rd minute. Lavelle set up Angelina to the right of goal, but Harris did well to get low and make the save with her foot. After briefly exiting the box, the ball re-entered and ended up at the foot of Balcer. Having gotten up quickly from the first shot, Harris was ready for Balcer’s close-range strike, making an impressive double save.

The Reign ended the game with the statistical lead in nearly every category, including possession (56.1%-43.9%), shots (21-11), shots on goal (8-3), corners (5-2), crosses (23-13), passes (537-428), passing accuracy (80.4%-73.8%), and tackles (11-9). The Pride led the game in duels won (38-31), clearances (25-13), and saves (5-3).

“In the second half we opened with a 3-5-2,” Burleigh said about a better second 45 minutes. “And I really liked that pairing of the three backs of Amy, Kriegs, and Phoebe. That’s been a good three for us in the past. So I think that really helped solidify things.”

“Marisa and Marta coming in, I think, made a big difference,” Riley said about the second half. “We got our act together a little bit in the press, had some chances, but too little too late I guess. So a lot to learn. I think a lot we need to go over with the coaching staff about the formation and when we’re going to make changes and how we have to train during the week to make sure that we can execute. So a lot to work on before Chicago.”

The loss keeps the Pride in fifth in the NWSL standings, just two points above the red line for the final playoff spot.

The Pride will return to action next Saturday night when they take on the Chicago Red Stars in Bridgeview, IL.

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Seb Hines Has Decisions To Make For Orlando Pride’s Back Line

What will the Pride’s back line look like when everyone is healthy?

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2 days ago

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February 3, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

As the 2025 NWSL season approaches, the Orlando Pride’s roster is taking shape. While the lineup will mostly remain the same, the departure of Adriana and the addition of Prisca Chilufya will impact changes. Additionally, the team has a key previously injured player returning for next season, something that will force Head Coach Seb Hines to make some tough decisions.

One of the most interesting situations impacting the Pride is the back line. Last season, Rafaelle went down with an injury that forced Emily Sams back to her natural center back position, partnering with Kylie Strom. The duo were terrific down the stretch, lifting their team to 14 shutouts, including in the NWSL Championship.

The move forced rookie Cori Dyke to take a more significant role, starting at right back. It was a tough situation for the 24-year-old, but she handled it brilliantly. Dyke was excellent during the final stretch of the season and especially during the playoffs, helping the team win the league title.

When Rafaelle returns from her injury and is fit to play, Hines will have three center backs, all of which have proven to make strong pairings on the back line. So how will the Pride boss handle the situation? Let’s take a look at some of his options.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

While Rafaelle is a Brazilian international and a great center back, Sams and Strom were fantastic together for much of last season. Sams began the year at right back, while Rafaelle and Strom were the center back pairing. When Sams was forced to move to her natural position, Dyke took over as the starting right back.

Dyke had a strong rookie campaign, especially after taking over. Taking her out of the starting lineup with how she performed would be difficult for Hines. It would be surprising to see Rafaelle healthy and on the bench, but the back line of Kerry Abello, Strom, Sams, and Dyke was the best in the league last year and Hines might not want to rock the boat.

Go Back To The Start of 2024

Another option is to go back to how the back line looked at the start of 2024. While Sams was a regular at center back in 2023, Hines moved her to right back to begin last season. In a corresponding move, Strom — who had been the starting left back since 2022 — moved to center back alongside Rafaelle.

With everyone healthy, Hines could give that lineup another chance. After all, Strom was more solid at center back than left back and Sams proved she’s more than capable of playing right back. This is probably the most likely option and would ensure the team’s three best defenders are on the field.

Return to 2023

The Pride acquired Rafaelle on July 3, 2023, while the league was in the middle of the FIFA Women’s World Cup break. When the Brazilian joined the team, she started with Sams at center back and Strom was the starting left back. Strom has much more experience at left back than Sams does at right back, so Hines could send her back to her original position.

However, Strom had her best season as a member of the Pride in 2024 while playing center back. It’s hard to believe that Hines would send his vice captain back to left back after playing her in the middle all of last year. Rafaelle and Sams are the team’s only other experienced center backs, so this option is a possibility, even if it is unlikely.

Take Advantage of Versatility

When it comes to acquiring defenders, one of the primary things Hines and Haley Carter consider is versatility. Almost everyone on the back line can play center back and at least one of the outside back positions. This gives Hines an opportunity that few coaches have with their rosters.

Hines could move the players around, pairing all three center backs at times and moving Strom to the left and Sams to the right occasionally. Even Dyke can play center back, as she did in college. Moving players around would give them breaks during the season, keeping them fresh.

This decision could also backfire. Players get comfortable with their positions, so moving them around constantly could impact their quality. It would be a risky choice and is unlikely, but given the versatility of the players, it is an option for Hines. He could also take advantage of their versatility by playing a back line of three center backs, using Strom, Rafaelle, and Sams, while pushing Kerry Abello and Dyke up to wingback.

The Pride won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, one of the best seasons for any team in league history. They have most of the team returning, so they’ll be a favorite to repeat in 2025. While most of the lineup will be back, there are still some questions to be answered. One of those is who will start along the back line. We’ll find out soon enough, and it will be interesting to see what Hines decides.

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Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya

Pride add to their attack by signing Zambian international Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez.

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5 days ago

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January 31, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has signed Zambian forward Prisca Chilufya to a three-year deal that runs through the 2027 season. She’s the third Zambian attacker to join the Pride in the last 10 months.

“We are thrilled to welcome Prisca to the Orlando Pride. Prisca is a dynamic forward who brings exceptional ability, speed, and a proven scoring record to our attack,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Her experience in both international competition with Zambia and her success in Liga MX Feminil demonstrates the kind of top-tier talent we’re committed to bringing to Orlando. She represents both immediate impact and long-term potential, and we believe she will thrive in our environment. Her three-year commitment reflects our shared vision for building something special. We can’t wait for our fans to see her take the pitch in purple.” 

The 25-year-old attacker joins the Pride from FC Juarez in Mexico. Since joining the team in 2023, she’s made 48 appearances and scored 14 goals. She’s scored four goals this year in just over half a season.

“I am honored to be joining Orlando Pride, a club with such a strong vision and commitment to excellence in women’s soccer,” Chilufya said in the club’s release. “I’m excited to bring my experience and skills to the NWSL, which is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The opportunity to play alongside such talented teammates and learn from the coaching staff here in Orlando is something I’ve dreamed about. I’ve watched as the Pride have been built something special, and I want to contribute to the team’s success both on and off the field.” 

Before moving to Mexico, Chilufya played for Tomris Turan of the Kazakh Women’s Championship, making 14 appearances and scoring 18 goals during the 2022-2023 season. She moved to that club from fellow Kazakh club BIIK Kazygurt — which she helped win the championship in 2021.

On the international level, Chilufya has been a regular for Zambia since making her debut in the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. She took part in all three of Zambia’s games in the 2024 Paris Olympics, serving as an alternate for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most recently, she played in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

What It Means for Orlando

This signing comes on the heels of the Pride transferring Brazilian star Adriana to the Saudi Women’s Premier League. It’s not surprising the club made a move to bring in an attacker and that the player was Zambian.

Chilufya is the third Zambian international the Pride have signed in the last year. It started with the acquisition of striker Barbra Banda, who quickly became a focal point of the Pride’s attack. Then they signed Grace Chanda, whose injury during the Olympics has thus far kept her from making her Pride debut.

The impact Chilufya will make on the team is unknown, but it won’t be easy to break into the lineup. With Adriana gone, Chanda will likely move into the attacking midfield if she’s healthy. Meanwhile, the club re-signed club captain Marta to a new two-year deal, and she’ll obviously play the 10 role. Julie Doyle and Summer Yates both played on the left side in 2024 and are expected to continue sharing responsibility there in 2025. Such competition for a starting spot can only help the club, pushing all of these attackers to develp their game.

Regardless of which players seize a starting spot, the Pride have added depth, something Carter continually tries to do. Head Coach Seb Hines will have plenty of choices in an attacking midfield that can be devastating to NWSL defenses at times. It’s a good move for the Pride after losing a key piece in the attack.

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Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC

The club has secured one of the highest transfer fees in NWSL history for the Brazilian attacker after she requested a transfer.

Published

6 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has secured a club-record transfer fee from Al Qadsiah FC of the Saudi Women’s Premier League in exchange for Brazilian international attacking midfielder/forward Adriana. The club announced that the sale was one of the three highest in NWSL history, with Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer reporting the fee as $500,000.

“We are incredibly grateful for Adriana’s contributions to the club, and while we will miss her presence both on and off the pitch, we are happy to support her in this next chapter of her career,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “At the Pride, we believe in empowering our players to pursue opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. The record transfer fee we received reflects both Adriana’s exceptional talent and our commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships in the global transfer market. These resources will help us continue to attract world-class talent to Orlando as we build for the future. We wish Adriana all the best and she will always be part of the Pride family.” 

The move, which was requested by Adriana, comes shortly after the start of training camp as the Pride prepare to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship titles.

“I want to thank the Orlando Pride, my teammates, and especially our amazing fans for making Orlando feel like home,” Adriana said in the club’s release. “This club gave me an incredible opportunity to grow as a player and person, and I will always be grateful for my time here. The Pride organization has been very supportive of my desire to take on this new challenge overseas. They worked hard to make this move possible while ensuring it benefited everyone involved. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed.” 

The Pride signed Adriana almost exactly two years ago on Jan. 19, 2023, from Brazilian giants Corinthians. That deal was through the 2025 season, meaning her contract would have been up at the end of this year. As Orlando typically extends players’ deals before they expire, the timing makes some sense, despite it happening during the Pride’s preseason.

In two seasons with Orlando, Adriana was a key player for the Pride with the versatility for Seb Hines to deploy her in multiple ways. She was primarily used as a winger during her time in Orlando, appearing in 46 NWSL regular-season games with 38 starts, logging 3,333 minutes. She scored six goals and added four assists, sharing the team lead in those categories in 2023. Her contributions in 2024 raised her career regular-season totals with the Pride to 12 goals and five assists across two seasons.

Adriana appeared in all three of the Pride’s playoff games during her stay in Orlando, starting two and logging 197 minutes. She did not make a goal contribution, attempting six shots with only one of those hitting the target. She tallied five key passes and one successful long ball in the Pride’s run to the title.

Additionally, the Brazilian made one appearance in the NWSL Challenge Cup, playing just eight minutes off the bench in 2023 without a goal contribution. She was on international duty during four of the Pride’s six matches in that competition. Adriana was away at the Olympics during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, so she did not play in that competition.

What It Means for Orlando

Losing a player of Adriana’s caliber does not make a team better, but the club got a big return for an attacking piece that had started splitting time with Summer Yates during Orlando’s final stretch of the season in 2024. The Pride’s younger players are starting to demand more minutes with their performances, and while the team’s depth takes a hit with Adriana’s departure, the club has the resources to find a roster replacement.

Someone will have to replace Adriana’s six goals per year. Yates scored five in her second season in the league, but a jump to 11 in her third year seems unrealistic. However, more minutes for Yates may mitigate some of Adriana’s lost offense. Others who can contribute to replacing those goals include Grace Chanda, Simone Charley, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle. The first two on that list are talented, but still have yet to play their first game for the Pride. It’s also conceivable that Barbra Banda can score more goals in her second NWSL season.

In Adriana, the Pride also lost one of the team’s better penalty takers. Adriana was two-for-two from the spot in 2024. Someone else will need to step up and take up the secondary penalty-taker role (to Marta) in 2025.

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