Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Acquire Defender Shelina Zadorsky from Washington Spirit

Published

7 years ago

January 23, 2018

Tom Sermanni has added some defensive help to the Orlando Pride by acquiring defender Shelina Zadorsky from the Washington Spirit in exchange for backup goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe and the club’s natural first-round selection in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. Sermanni is well acquainted with Zadorsky — a Canadian international who won a bronze medal in 2016 at the Summer Olympics — after working with the Canadian Women’s National Team in 2015.

“Shelina brings strong defensive qualities [to Orlando],” said Sermanni in a club press release. “The way we play, one of our emphases this year is that we need to be less vulnerable defensively. Bringing in Shelina, who is an out-and-out center back who also has extensive international experience with the Canadian National Team will be a big asset for us.”

Zadorsky, 25, played right central defense with the Spirit. She appeared in 21 matches last season, finishing second among all Washington players in minutes played (1,793). The London, Ontario native didn’t score a goal but recorded one assist on the year, attempting just six shots (two on goal). She finished fourth on the club in total touches (1,078) and she led all Spirit players in passing accuracy (80%) and clearances (100). Zadorsky conceded nine fouls on the season, won four, and was shown two yellow cards.

After playing collegiate soccer at the University of Michigan from 2010-2013, Zadorsky made 14 appearances during the 2014-2015 season in the W-League with Perth Glory, scoring her only professional goal over the course of 14 appearances. She played 18 games with Vittsjö GIK in Sweden in 2015 before joining the Spirit in 2016. In her first year in Washington, Zadorsky appeared in 11 regular-season matches and in both the Spirit’s playoff games.

She’s been part of the Canadian Women’s National Team setup since 2008, appearing with the U-17, U-20, and senior teams. She has one goal in 34 international appearances (32 starts) with Canada’s senior team. As a Canadian National Team player, Zadorsky’s contract was subsidized the last two seasons. Subsidized players for 2018 will be announced prior to the start of the season.

Bledsoe, 26, had a breakout year with the Pride in 2017 while filling in for an injured Ashlyn Harris (quad). The Cincinnati native went 5-4-2 over her 11 appearances in the net — all starts — from May 27 to Aug. 8, including shutout wins at home against Boston and Washington. She played a total of 990 minutes, allowing 15 goals and making 35 saves on 51 shots on goal, with a save percentage of 70% and a 1.36 goals-against average. She made a season-high six saves at Sky Blue on May 27, but in a losing effort as the hosts won, 2-1.

Three times during 2017 Bledsoe captured NWSL Save of the Week honors — Week 9, 12, and 13, stopping Carli Lloyd, Tori Huster, and Brittany Ratcliffe, respectively.

She went on loan to the W-League’s Sydney FC this off-season, making 22 saves and keeping two clean sheets in her five appearances. Her arrival in Australia led to Sydney FC’s rise up the standings from near the league’s basement into solid postseason contention.

“Obviously anytime we trade a player we are sad to lose them, particularly players who have been here since day one, but we chatted with Aubrey in the off-season. We’ve always felt that Aubrey was a starting goalkeeper in this league and we think she could go to D.C. and do that,” Sermanni said in the club release. “We’ll miss Aubrey and thank her for everything she helped us achieve in Orlando, but know that this will be a great opportunity for her career.”

What it Means for Orlando

Bledsoe’s trade value may never be higher than it is right now and Sermanni has cashed in on that to bolster his defense. Unfortunately, the club also parted with a valuable first-round pick, which is good business for Washington. Zadorsky will be worth that price if she can help solidify Orlando’s defense.

If the Pride are going to take the next step, they will need to be more stingy in defense, particularly in the period before Camila returns from her knee injury. Marta, Alex Morgan, and others should still provide plenty of offense, but a stronger central defense will make the Pride better equipped for tight regular-season games like the ones against the Chicago Red Stars last year and more physical playoff matches.

It remains to be seen which of Monica or Ali Krieger will be moved to accommodate Zadorsky. My best guess is that Krieger remains in the middle for now and Monica is the one to move into a different role, but perhaps play in camp will determine that. Yes, the team still needs a top notch right back and it would be logical to assume this trade will be the catalyst to move Krieger back to the right. However, Krieger has been pretty solid at center back overall and I think Sermanni likes what she’s done there. I think we’ll still see a move or two before the season starts — potentially a right back addition or another center back that would allow Krieger to slide to fullback.

One move that the Pride must now make is to find a backup for Harris. Bledsoe provided peace of mind last year as the Pride found their footing after a slow start and started working their way up the table. Once Alex Morgan started clicking and Harris returned, Orlando was the league’s hottest team, but that run began with Bledsoe between the sticks.

The deal also continues the club’s trend of using future draft picks to improve the club now. With Marta, Morgan, Harris, and Krieger all 28 or older, the window for this group of star players to win an NWSL championship in Orlando won’t be open long. All should have a few more years of great soccer in them, but adding pieces to help them win now is important before the inevitable shift to the next generation of Camila, Rachel Hill, and others as they enter their prime years.

From Bledsoe’s perspective, she deserves an opportunity to compete for a starting job in the NWSL and, as long as Harris is with the Pride, that won’t happen here.

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Viviana Villacorta

Viviana Villacorta returned to the field late in the 2024 season. Let’s see how she performed this year.

Published

15 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride selected Viviana Villacorta with the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft out of UCLA. The defensive midfielder opted to remain in school for her senior season, but tore her ACL shortly after, which kept her out of action for the 2021 NWSL campaign. She suffered an ankle injury in the 2022 season that required surgery and tore her ACL for the second time late in the 2023 season.

Villacorta didn’t re-enter the team until late in the year in 2024, making some league appearances and a playoff appearance as the season wound down. While she didn’t have a significant impact on the championship run, the fact that she got back onto the field was an accomplishment.

Let’s take a look at how Villacorta did in the few minutes she received in 2024.

Statistical Breakdown

Villacorta was in the team for the first time this season on Sept. 28, coming on as a substitute at home against the Houston Dash. She made three regular-season appearances in 2024, starting one — the last game of the season against Seattle Reign FC. She played 69 minutes in the regular season without a goal or an assist, completing 31 of 35 passes (91.2%). Villacorta attempted one shot but it was not on frame. Defensively, she recorded one tackle and two interceptions, commited three fouls, and was not booked.

She also came on as a substitute in the first playoff game against the Chicago Red Stars, making her professional playoff debut. The midfielder played three minutes in the match without a goal contribution, helping to see out the game. She completed four of her five passes (80%).

Best Game

The 25-year-old’s best game has to be her lone start against Seattle on Nov. 2. She had a season-high 26 touches, completed 95% of her 18 passes, and recorded one of her two interceptions in 45 minutes of action. She also took her only shot of the season in that game, though it was off target. She was replaced by regular starter Angelina at halftime.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Villacorta a 5.5 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but she didn’t play enough minutes (400 across all competitions) this year to get a grade. As a result, she receives an incomplete grade for the 2024 NWSL season.

2025 Outlook

Despite suffering multiple season-ending injuries, the Pride continue to believe in Villacorta, signing her to a new contract on July 16 that runs through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026. The defensive midfielder has shown her quality when healthy, but she’s been unable to remain on the field for long periods of time. The Pride have also strengthened that position, adding Angelina and Morgan Gautrat to the roster, as well as Luana, who is attempting to work her way back from cancer treatment. As a result, it will be hard for Villacorta to get significant minutes, even if she is able to remain healthy. With her experience, however, she can be a key depth player at the position.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Amanda Allen (11/28/24)
McKinley Crone (11/29/24)
Sofia Manner (11/30/24)
Mariana Larroquette (12/1/24)

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Mariana Larroquette

The Argentine international’s second season with Orlando did not produce the larger role with the team she may have expected.

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2024

Michael Citro

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

In the middle of the 2023 season, the Orlando Pride signed forward Mariana Larroquette, adding her to the roster July 6 on a deal through the 2025 season. The Argentine international represented her country in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning she didn’t join the Pride until after the competition. Although she was a signing made with an eye toward bolstering the offense, Larroquette made only five appearances in her first season in Orlando — all of them off the bench. With a full preseason with the Pride under her belt, many expected to see her play a more significant role in 2024, but ultimately, it didn’t work out that way. The Pride’s signing of Barbra Banda didn’t help matters for Larroquette in terms of playing time.

Let’s take a look at how Larroquette performed in her second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

Larroquette made her season debut March 22 against Angel City, which was one of just four appearances during the regular season — all off the bench — logging 48 total minutes. She did not contribute a goal or an assist, failing to attempt a shot. The 32-year-old completed just 41.2% of her 17 passes without a key pass. Larroquette won four of her six tackle attempts (66.7%) and two headed duels. She committed one foul and drew three on the opposition and was not booked.

In the Summer Cup, Larroquette made three appearances, starting once — in the team’s 2-2 draw against CF Monterrey, in which Orlando captured the extra point in penalties. Larroquette played 107 minutes but did not contribute a goal or an assist, attempting three shots but putting neither on target. She completed 68% of her 25 passes but did not create a scoring chance from them. Defensively, she won two headed duels and recorded three interceptions, but she did not attempt a tackle. Larroquette committed one foul in the Summer Cup, drew four on the opposition, and was not booked.

She did not appear in the Pride’s playoff run.

Best Game

Larroquette’s best game has to be the one in which she started and played a season-high 65 minutes — the Pride’s 2-2 draw and 5-4 penalty shootout victory over CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup. Although Larroquette was already off the pitch by the time the shootout took place, she still made her biggest impact in this match, as it was the only game of the year in which she attempted any shots. While she didn’t impact the scoresheet on the attacking end, Larroquette recorded three interceptions in the match as she helped out in the press and defending the Mexican side.

2024 Final Grade

With 155 total minutes across all competitions, Larroquette fell short of the required 400 minutes to qualify for a grade from The Mane Land staff. As a result, she’s given an incomplete for the 2024 NWSL season. She played more in 2024 than she did in 2023, but she was also on the roster all year.

2024 Outlook

Larroquette’s contract runs through the 2025 NWSL season, but the writing may be on the wall after getting few minutes the last two seasons. She’s also on the wrong side of 30 to see much of an increase in that department. This may be an off-season that sees the club part ways with the veteran striker, who may seek a chance to get more minutes elsewhere as she the shelf life on her professional career grows shorter. If she remains on the roster, I would expect her role to remain the same in 2025, giving the club a few minutes here and there later in games and perhaps seeing a larger role in midseason cup competitions.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Amanda Allen (11/28/24)
McKinley Crone (11/29/24)
Sofia Manner (11/30/24)

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Sofia Manner

The Finnish goalkeeper spent her first season in Orlando. Let’s look back to see how she performed.

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride signed Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner on Dec. 1, 2023 on a deal through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. At the time, Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said the club expected Manner to challenge Anna Moorhouse for the starting goalkeeper role. Given that Moorhouse played every minute of the season and McKinley Crone dressed as the primary backup, that didn’t exactly happen.

However, Manner did get some minutes in her first year in Orlando in the Summer Cup, giving Head Coach Seb Hines a look at her under competitive match conditions.

Let’s take a look back at Manner’s first season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Manner did not play in the regular season, as Moorhouse played every minute of the season (and postseason) for the Pride in goal. However, Manner got the start in Orlando’s second game in the competition, a home match against CF Monterrey on July 28. The contest ended in a 2-2 draw before the Pride won 5-4 in penalties in the ensuing shootout.

Manner played 90 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves, for a 60% save percentage. She only faced seven non-blocked shots, but five of them were on target. The Helsinki native completed 16 of 21 passes (73%), including four of 10 long balls. Following the draw, Manner made the difference in the shootout, stopping a shot by Merel Van Dongen, who was the only player of the 10 shooters not to convert.

Best Game

Having played in only one match, this is an easy choice. Manner’s debut was her only match of the year, meaning the 2-2 draw vs. CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup was also her best game of the 2024 season. The visitors took the lead twice in the match, but Manner kept her team in the game, allowing the Pride to equalize twice. Once the match moved to penalties, Manner did well to stop a shot from one of Monterrey’s most dangerous players, allowing her team to claim an extra point.

2024 Final Grade

With only 90 minutes to her credit across all competitions in 2024, Manner didn’t play enough to get a grade for the 2024 season, receiving an incomplete from The Mane Land staff. Despite a small sample size, backup goalkeepers don’t always get a chance to play, so it’s good that the coaching staff got a look at the 27-year-old during a competitive match against international competition.

2025 Outlook

With Moorhouse signed through the 2025 season and McKinley Crone also under contract, Manner could remain and try to battle her way up the depth chart. However, if the prospects don’t look good for her to get playing time, there’s a chance that she and the club could mutually agree to part ways. Crone looked good in her limited time, but it’s always nice to have a more experienced option behind Moorhouse as well. Unless there are injuries, I would expect Manner’s minutes to be limited in 2025 as well, unless she can elevate her game and earn more looks.