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Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals FC: Final Score 1-1 as Marta Brings Pride Back

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7 years ago

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The Orlando Pride fell behind early but equalized through Marta’s penalty and the teams split the points in a 1-1 draw in front of a nice opening day crowd of 9,017 at Orlando City Stadium. Marta’s first of the season was vital, after Gunnhildur Jonsdottir gave the visitors a lead just three minutes into the match. But the Pride (0-0-1, 1 point) responded well and both teams proved difficult to break down, especially in the second half.

Orlando and Utah (0-0-1, 1 point) each was lacking in sharpness, as is typical early in the NWSL season. With teams not getting many preseason tests, or having some of their players in camp at all due to international duty, the offensive precision can suffer and that seemed to be the case on this night, with each team only mustering seven shot attempts and creating just five chances.

“It was kind of the game we expected. We knew they would come out, be well organized, and start to really press us and work really hard to get a result here,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said after the match. “They’re a new franchise and they kind of brought that enthusiasm to the game.”

With everyone except Camila (knee surgery) and Australian internationals Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond available, Sermanni deployed his squad like this:

Utah struck first on the game’s first scoring chance. After a pair of Pride corners went nowhere, Utah finally got out of its own end and headed into the attacking third. Diana Matheson sent a dangerous cross into the box just as Jonsdottir made a run through the Orlando defense. The Icelandic attacker got her foot on the end of the cross to volley it past Ashlyn Harris to make it 1-0 in the game’s third minute. It was the first goal in Utah Royals FC history.

“I thought we got just a little bit disorganized. Our two center backs got dragged out to our left hand side, probably a little bit too far across — both of them,” Sermanni said of the early defensive breakdown. “And that left us a little bit short in numbers at the center in the back there and Dani kind of filled in but didn’t probably get in there quite quick enough. And then the second thing is that we allowed the cross to come in a little too easily.”

The Royals’ midfield dictated play in the first half, as Christine Nairn, Toni Pressley, and Dani Weatherholt had difficulty maintaining possession in traffic. Kelley O’Hara tried to double the Utah lead in the 15th minute but her shot was comfortable for Harris. Two minutes later, Ali Krieger fired just over the bar off a corner kick that found her at the top of the box.

In the 19th minute, left back Carson Pickett fired a cross into the box for Weatherholt that the Pride midfielder hit on the volley, the ball smashed off of Utah defender Becky Sauerbrunn and a penalty was awarded for handball. Whether it hit the USWNT captain’s arm or not, it definitely hit her in the face and she needed a moment to gather herself. After she did, Marta slotted home the Pride’s first goal of the season to level the score in the 21st minute.

“It was a credit to Carson’s vision to see me running in behind there,” Weatherholt said of the play that led to the penalty. “Our coaches tell us as midfielders to make runs past the forward line. Carson played an incredible ball and I wish it went in but we got a handball out of it, and Marta placed it.”

Orlando looked a threat to score a second in the 28th, when a ball over the top was flicked on by Sydney Leroux to Alex Morgan, who race in and fired on target but Abby Smith made a diving save. In the 37th minute, Leroux got to the end line and fizzed a cross to the back post for Marta, but the shot got deflected out for a corner.

That was the last good chance for either team in the half but it wasn’t the last significant event. In the 45th, Morgan tried to reach a long ball over the top but Smith got there at the same time. The two players collided and Morgan got the worst of it. After receiving attention from the training staff, the striker walked off under her own power straight to the locker room. She is undergoing concussion protocol.

The Pride held 55% of the first-half possession, completed 75.5% of their passes (to Utah’s 69.8%), and led in shots, 5-4 (2-2 on goal).

Chioma Ubogagu started the second half in place of Morgan, but it was Leroux who almost started the second half with a bang. A well-timed run on a long ball from the back got her in behind the defense. However, she took a heavy touch just inside the top of the box and the ball got too far out in front, allowing Smith to come off her line and collect.

“I think it just got away from me,” Leroux said. “I took an extra touch and I should have actually just hit it with my left foot, but first game…hopefully that won’t happen next game.”

“I thought if we had scored, I think, early in the second half when we had a couple good chances, we’d have gone on and won the game quite comfortably,” Sermanni said. “But the more it stays at one each, the more they defended and dug in and kept well organized.”

Two minutes later, the Royals got a free kick and the cross in started ping-ponging around the box before Harris caught it while backing toward her far post.

Leroux got her head to a ball in the box in the 49th minute but could only make glancing contact with it, making for an easy stop for Smith.

That was just about it for the decent chances in the game. Both coaches used up their three substitutions as the players grew more fatigued in the game’s final half hour. Second-half sub Rachel Hill probably had the biggest impact of the replacements, crossing in a ball for Leroux in the 75th minute that Smith got to first, and then sustaining a big collision in the box in the 81st minute — that play somehow ended in a Utah free kick even though it appeared a 50/50 challenge and Hill got by far the worst of it, having to get treatment.

Jonsdottir got the last look at goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, getting onto a failed clearance but firing over the bar. The final whistle blew moments later and both teams shared the spoils.

Shots were 7-7 (3-2 on target to the Pride), with Orlando holding 54% of the possession and winning in the passing game, 75%-68% and earning more corners (4-1).

All in all, it was a sloppier game than we’re used to from Orlando, but it looked like a typical opener. The defense did fall asleep on the early goal but after that Utah didn’t create much danger.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Leroux said. “It was hard to get a rhythm. I felt like there were a lot of stoppages. But I feel we can build on this and move forward.”

The Pride are back in action next Saturday on the road against the Washington Spirit. Pregame coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. on Lifetime. Marta, Poliana, and Monica will not be part of that game, as the three Brazilian internationals are leaving for national team duty.

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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.

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11 hours ago

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December 2, 2024

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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.

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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

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December 1, 2024

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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.

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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

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November 30, 2024

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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.

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