Orlando Pride vs. Western New York Flash: Player Grades and Player of the Match

The Orlando Pride remain undefeated at home after a win against Western New York Flash. The game was hard fought on both sides, with Orlando eventually getting the go-ahead goal from Alex Morgan in the 70th minute. Head over and check out our recap…I’ll wait.

All right, now that you’re back, here’s what we thought of each player’s performance.

Starters

G, Ashlyn Harris, 7.5 – Once again made several saves in the first half–including a few diving saves–because the defense struggled in the early going. Made her first really big save in the 50th minute and then kicked the ball directly into the back of a Flash player. Many of her saves came from corner kicks. Came up huge in the 67th minute when Taylor Smith made a one-on-one run at goal. Again, Harris’ saves kept the Pride in the game until Morgan was able to score a goal.

D, Josée Bélanger, 7 – Was able to recover a few chances from the Flash in the first half. She attacked well up the left side and had a shot in the 45th minute that forced the Flash goalkeeper to make a diving save. Was shown a yellow in the 70th minute on a questionable call. Bélanger continued to make fast, long, runs up the side of the field, creating chances for the Pride.

D, Laura Alleway, 5.5 – Had a disappointing first half as she was unable to hold the line, allowing the Flash to slip in behind several times. Alleway missed a mark in the 53rd minute that led to another Flash corner kick. Overall, not up to the level of the Seattle match, which can be said about multiple players.

D, Monica, 5 – Failed to see any major action until the 25th minute, when she missed a pass back that the Flash capitalized on, almost giving them a look at goal that was saved by the crossbar. In the second half, Monica missed a few through balls, allowing players to make some runs toward goal. She was pushed into the midfield when Toni Pressley subbed on in the second half.

D, Steph Catley, 6.5 – Connected well on the left side with Spencer for most of the first half, and contributed in creating several chances for the Pride, including a free kick that nearly found the back of the net from Hagen. Made some nice combination passes with Spencer and Edmonds.

MF, Samantha Witteman, 6.5 – Came out strong in the first half with the chances she was given. Unfortunately, most of the first half was not played on her side of the field. In the second half, Witteman continued to send in passes that were a few feet off. Was subbed out for Pressley in the 60th minute.

MF, Kaylyn Kyle, 7 – Lost several 50/50 balls in the midfield that allowed the Flash to have some chances. Turned over a few balls in the first half and was unable to recover. Kyle got her head on a ball in the 58th minute that went just wide. She was subbed off in the 85th minute for Edwards. Made the most contribution in stopping through balls from the Flash.

MF, Kristen Edmonds, 7 – Was shown a yellow card in the 32nd minute on what was an apparent take down. Other than multiple solid tackles, Edmonds had an uneventful first half. Didn’t do much in the second half, and was mostly unable to connect with her forwards, but she was a threat running down the right when the team shifted to a 4-3-3, although her teammates had trouble getting her the ball. She did, however, connect with Morgan, sending in a beautiful through ball that led to the go ahead goal for the Pride.

MF, Jasmyne Spencer, 7.5 – Started the first half recovering balls well, but was unable to connect with Morgan up top. In the second half, Spencer went from passing to keeping the ball a little longer, allowing her to create a few more chances. Spencer was taken down in the box in the 63rd minute, but no call was made. Overall played well in the midfield and connected well with Catley but she continues to either pick out the wrong pass in the final third or launch shots well off frame.

F, Sarah Hagen, 6 – Sat a little further back than Morgan, allowing her to make several runs in the first half. She was able to connect with Morgan twice in the first half. In the 29th minute Hagen almost found the back of the net off a free kick cross from Catley, having one of two shots on goal in the first half. Hagen was subbed out at the half for Sanderson.

F, Alex Morgan, 8 (POTM) – Spent most of the night being a little off every time she touched the ball. She sent a few balls wide, but forced a save on a nice run at goal in the 57th minute. That led to Orlando’s first corner of the night. Morgan finally connected in the 70th minute with a long chip over the keeper off an assist from Edmonds, netting the lone goal of the night.

Substitutes

MF, Lianne Sanderson (46′), 7 – Made an immediate impact, sending in a ball over top to Morgan that was shot wide. She then put on a show with some fancy footwork, avoiding the Flash and doing a great job holding onto the ball. Sanderson took a hard hit in the 88th minute that led to a red card for the Flash.

MF, Toni Pressley (60′), 6 – Saw her first minutes in an Orlando Pride uniform when she was subbed on in the 60th minute, taking Monica’s spot, pushing the Brazilian into the midfield. She seemed to settle in well, only touching the ball a few times in her short time on the field.

MF, Becky Edwards (85′), N/A – Edwards came on in the 85th minute and didn’t see a lot of play due to Sanderson’s injury that ate up some time on the clock. She wasn’t on long enough to impact the game much.

How’d we do? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to vote for your own Player of the Match in the poll!

Polling Closed