Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride at Washington Spirit: Player Grades and Player of the Match

Published

7 years ago

June 25, 2018

Saturday night proved to be a very hard-fought match for the Orlando Pride against a Washington defense that has kept Portland to a single goal in each of their two match-ups, and Seattle and North Carolina to a single goal in their last meetings.

The first half was where almost all the Pride’s chances came, and it was one gigantic long ball from Alanna Kennedy from midfield that was the difference.

It’s time to break the roster down and come away with our player of the match.

Starters

GK, Ashlyn Harris, 6.5 — There wasn’t a whole lot for Harris to do in this one, specifically in the first half when the Pride had more control of the game. She was only called to task three times, and it was the lone shot on target in the second half that made her stretch out and come away with the big save.

D, Poliana, 6 — There were two Polianas out there. The first was early on when she had several big stops in the box. She would barrel in from the outside and be in the right spot at the right time on several crosses. The second was later in the game when she pushed forward and made overlapping runs more often. The most promising of these was in the 63rd minute, but no one could get on the end of it.

D, Monica, 6.5 — Monica was solid throughout. When she was caught up the field a couple of times, she made great recoveries to make nothing easy for the Washington attack. She took one for the team in the 13th minute when she stopped a Joanna Lohman bullet with her face. She also led the team in passing accuracy with a 78.1%.

D, Shelina Zadorsky, 6 — Shelina had a decent game marking her attackers, but she wasn’t hardly ever involved in quelling the attack. The cross, or final pass always went to another defender’s mark. She was still a part of the shutout, so I’m giving the six.

D, Carson Pickett, 5.5 — Carson was a bit “hit or miss” in this one. She put a couple of good balls into the attack, but she would also miss others’ runs, or a ball would go wide of its target. I thought Francisca Ordega and Taylor Smith gave her a lot of trouble, and that’s where Washington was the most threatening.

MF, Emily van Egmond, 6 — Emily was one of the victims of Washington’s stubborn defense. She was a part of a few of the Pride’s chances, but a lot of those were quickly dealt with and she had nothing to show for it. Highlights involved a moment on defense when she put on the pressure and didn’t allow the Spirit to maintain possession, and just before she was subbed off, she had a great give-and-go with Rachel Hill that allowed Hill to put in a cross.

MF, Alanna Kennedy, 6.5 — Obviously, the interception followed by the midfield goal is the highlight here. After that, she was steady, but not heavily involved. A lot of the Spirit’s attacks when down the side, or over the top, so they often bypassed Kennedy altogether. Her 63.6% passer rating is why I couldn’t give the seven on this one.

MF, Christine Nairn, 7 (PotM) — Nairn was magnificent pretty much the entire time she was on the pitch. Long balls, lobs, free kicks, all of it was pretty on point. Any of the promising attacks were usually generated from Christine. She also tied for the lead in tackles, and won the most fouls. In addition, she made a couple of fantastic runs that ran the length of the field to try to get into the attack. Add in one of the top passer ratings at 75%, and she becomes my player of the match.

F, Sydney Leroux, 6 — Syd had an interesting match. She was forced into a more defensive position early, and was solid enough in that role, but around the 25th minute, she swapped sides with Chioma Ubogagu and that pushed her into the attack more. She was solid in passing with a 76.3%, and as always, put great pressure on her opponent’s attack.

F, Alex Morgan, 5.5 — This wasn’t one of my favorite performances from Alex, but I think it had to do less with any poor play from her and more to do with the stellar match from Estelle Johnson. Johnson was all over her and had perfect timing on tackles any time Alex was in, or near, the box. When Alex can’t produce, she creates for others, but that too was missing in this one, and again, I’m giving most of that credit to Washington and what can be a very stingy defense.

F, Chioma Ubogagu, 5.5 — I thought this was one of Chi’s better games. Her final touch was better, and her passes had a bit more determination. When the ball was at her feet, it was better than it has been. Here’s to hoping the corner has been turned and good things are to come.

Substitutes

F, Rachel Hill (63’), 5 — Comparing this match to the spark I’ve seen in previous games, there wasn’t much there from Hill on Saturday night. Throughout the early parts of the match, the Pride were able to exploit that left side, and I figure that’s why she was put over there when she came in, but she never seemed comfortable and only got involved in the attack a couple of times.

F, Marta (71’), 5.5 — Marta too, struggled to get involved and provide the energy we’ve seen in the recent past. In roughly 25 minutes of play, she had 11 total passes for a 72.7% accuracy, and no chances in the attack.

D, Toni Pressley (77’), 5 — Toni came in to shore up the defense in midfield and although she wasn’t too involved, I still think that’s just what she did. She closed down space and passing lanes and that forced play away from her. She won a handful of 50/50 balls and put in a decent shift to finish out the game.

That’s it. It wasn’t always pretty, but three points add up the same no matter how they are won. Be sure to vote below and let me know what you thought.

Polling Closed

Player	Votes
Ashlyn Harris	2
Monica	1
Alanna Kennedy	14
Christine Nairn	7
Other (comment below)	2

Related Topics:Player Grades SBN_migrated

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Opinion

Three Orlando Pride Games to Circle on the Calendar

Let’s take a brief look at three games to pay extra attention to during Orlando’s upcoming NWSL campaign.

Published

2 days ago

January 24, 2025

Ben Miller

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

We got the release of the Orlando Pride’s 2025 schedule on Wednesday, which means we’re that little bit closer to the start of the season on March 7. The nature of the 14-team National Women’s Soccer League means that there are fewer scheduling quirks than with the 30-team Major League Soccer, with each team playing the other 13 clubs twice each. Still, there’s plenty to dig into with regards to how the scheduling shakes out, and now that I’ve had time to examine what 2025 holds, I’ve got three games in particular that I’ve got circled on my match calendar. Behold.

March 7 — vs. Washington Spirit

You had to know this was coming, right? There’s so much to like about this game. Not only is it the home opener, but as the NWSL Challenge Cup match, it’s also a chance to win another piece of silverware in a rematch of last year’s NWSL Championship game. This game sells itself on just about every level imaginable. The Pride return almost everyone from a wildly successful 2024 season, and while there aren’t a ton of new signings to familiarize ourselves with, getting healthy versions of Grace Chanda and Simone Charley is essentially like getting two brand new players. It’ll be our first chance to gauge where the Pride stand as they try to continue on from the high standards that were set last year, and we should also get a couple new banners hoisted into the rafters. You can hardly ask for more than all that.

Aug. 16 — at Kansas City Current

The Current were excellent in 2024, finishing fourth and boasting the league’s best attack, with 57 goals scored in 26 games, for an over two goals per game average. The Pride, meanwhile, had the league’s third-best attack, with 46 goals, and the joint-best defense with just 20 conceded. Orlando never lost to Kansas City in 2024, as the Pride drew and won the regular-season contests and then won again in the semifinal matchup between the two teams. The pair have made a habit of putting on entertaining affairs, and with the match placed as one of the first ones to occur after the league’s July break, it might go a long way towards setting the tone for the back half of Orlando’s season.

Nov. 2 — vs. Seattle Reign

The NWSL is bringing back Decision Day this year, and the Pride have been blessed with a home game on the league’s final day of regular-season play. On paper, Orlando has also been handed a favorable matchup against a Seattle team that struggled last year and is in the midst of a rebuild. Given how tight the margins tend to be in the upper reaches of the league, every point takes on added importance, and playoff scenarios can swing wildly when everyone is playing at the same time. It’s always nice to be able to play at home in a situation that variable, and it can make for a truly memorable atmosphere that will (hopefully) set Orlando up for another postseason run on the right note.

It feels a little cheap to highlight the first and last games of the season, but I can’t help liking what I like. Are there any games that you’re especially looking forward to this season? Be sure to have your say down in the comments. Vamos Orlando!

Orlando Pride

A 2025 Orlando Pride Wish List

Four things I want for the Orlando Pride in 2025.

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

David Rohe

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

I know that it probably seems greedy to ask for anything more after the Orlando Pride won both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in 2024, but I’m still going to do so. If the Pride want to repeat their success in 2025, they will need a little bit more than in 2024. Let’s look at my wish list for the defending champs.

No Banda Slump

Barbra Banda scored 12 goals with five assists in her first 12 matches with the Pride. She then scored one goal with one assist in the next 10 regular season matches. I know that players have slumps. Strikers in particular tend to be streaky when it comes to goal contributions. I’m just asking that Banda not have another slump quite that big in 2025.

It might be that teams did a better job of double- or triple-teaming her on defense. Perhaps she just got a little unlucky during the slump. Whatever the reason, I hope that her familiarity with her teammates, the league, and Seb Hines’ style of play allows her to significantly increase her goal contributions this season.

A Healthy Chanda and Charley

Neither Grace Chanda nor Simone Charley were able to see the pitch much for the Pride last season. That hopefully changes in 2025. Adding these two players is almost like signing new players, except they’ve been there for everything. There’s no need to adapt to the culture of the club, as they are already a part of it all.

Chanda not only brings international experience, but she has played with Banda for the Zambian National Team. I expect she’ll be able to make an immediate impact when she integrates into the attack. As for Charley, she will be yet another speedy striker the Pride can utilize in their potent attack.

Adding Depth Contributions

The 2024 season saw some players step up a level. Ally Watt had one of her best seasons, Summer Yates impressed everyone, and Cori Dyke earned a starting spot after an appearance on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast. If we can have other young players make the same type of jump in 2025, it bodes well for the club.

Despite having the best defense in the league, the Pride are a little light along the back. I’d like to see Brianna Martinez and new signee, Zara Chavoshi, make some noise on the back line when they get some minutes. There’s also the possibility of a non-roster invitee impressing enough to get a contract. Depth is incredibly important for a team looking to repeat.

Overcoming History

Winning back-to-back anything in any sport is difficult. Every other team will bring their best against you. The weight of expectations can also be very heavy. That being said, if any club can do it, this Pride team can.

The coaches and players already dealt with the pressure of the undefeated streak last season. They dealt with the pressure of winning the NWSL Cup after winning the NWSL Shield. They have dealt with plenty of pressure. Now, they will need to find the proper motivation to propel them to the top yet again. There will be no sneaking up on the league this year.

Those are some of the things I want to see in 2025, but I want to know your thoughts on these points. Perhaps you have some wishes of your own. Let me know in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Announce 2025 NWSL Schedule

We now know who, where, and when the Pride will play in 2025 as they seek to defend their two shiny trophies.

Published

4 days ago

January 22, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

The National Women’s Soccer League schedule was released this afternoon, telling us who, where, and when the Orlando Pride will play this year as they look to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. The 2025 season once again includes a balanced schedule with each team playing the other 13 teams once at home and once away. As previously announced, the Pride will take part in the NWSL Challenge Cup against the Washington Spirit on March 7 at 8 p.m. at Inter&Co Stadium prior to the regular season.

The Pride will open the season at home against the Chicago Red Stars at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 14. The first road contest will take place on Sunday, March 23 at NJ/NY Gotham FC. Like last year, the season will end with a Decision Day matchup at home against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday Nov. 2 at a time to be announced later.

The postseason will start with the quarterfinals taking place Nov. 7-9, with matches televised on ESPN/ABC, CBS/Paramount+, and Prime Video. The semifinals will be played the weekend of Nov. 14-16 and broadcast on CBS/Paramount+ and ESPN/ABC. The final will take place in primetime and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

The Pride’s longest homestand this season will be just two games, which happens four times if counting the Challenge Cup match against the Spirit and season opener against the Red Stars. Orlando will host Washington and Angel City on April 19 and 25, respectively; the Utah Royals and Racing Louisville on Aug. 3 and 9, respectively; and Bay FC and the North Carolina Courage on Sept. 13 and 19, respectively.

The longest road trip this year will also be two games, occurring four times: at Portland and North Carolina May 3 and 10, at Bay FC and Louisville June 13 and 20, at Kansas City and Angel City Aug. 16 and 21, and at San Diego and Houston Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.

There are no regular-season matches scheduled in July, meaning the league is taking a break for any potential summer international friendlies/tournaments or an as-yet-unannounced cup competition. The Pride’s busiest month will be August, in which they’ll play five matches, with three at home and two on the road. There will be four Pride matches in March (counting the Challenge Cup), May, and September; three each in April, June, and October, and one — the regular-season finale — in November.

Here’s the month-by-month breakdown for the regular season:

March – 3 (plus the Challenge Cup)
April – 3
May – 4
June – 3
July – 0
August – 5
September – 4
October – 3
November – 1

The most common day the Pride will play this year will be on Friday (11 times, or 12 times counting the Challenge Cup), including four consecutive Friday games late in the season. They’ll play 10 Saturday games, four Sunday matches, and once on Thursday (at Angel City Aug. 21).

Here is the Pride’s schedule by day in the regular season:

Friday – 11 (plus the Challenge Cup)
Saturday – 10
Sunday – 4
Thursday – 1

Pride games will air on various platforms again in 2025, including Prime Video, ESPN 2, ESPN, ION, NWSL+, Paramount+, CBS, and CBS Sports Network.

A new NWSL Rivalry Weekend has been added to the schedule in 2025. While the Pride have some rivalries growing naturally against Kansas City and Washington, they have been pitted against Racing Louisville for some reason. Both teams wear purple, I guess.

Fans who support both Orlando City and the Pride will be interested to know the teams play on the same day eight times this season, but only twice do the game times overlap — on May 3, when the Pride play at 7:30 p.m. at Portland and the Lions play at 8:30 p.m. at Chicago; and on May 10, when the Lions host New England at 7:30 and the Pride and Courage kick off in North Carolina at the same time. However, the teams cut it close a couple other times, with the Pride hosting the Washington Spirit at 5 p.m. April 19 and the Lions playing at Montreal at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sept. 13, with the Pride hosting Bay FC at 5 p.m. and Orlando City facing D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. The other four times the teams play on the same day, the kickoffs are at least three hours apart and as many as 10.5 hours apart (March 29).

2025 Orlando Pride Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Friday, March 7 — vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. (Prime Video) – NWSL Challenge Cup
Friday, March 14 — vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Sunday, March 23 — at NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Saturday, March 29 — vs. San Diego Wave, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, April 12 — at Seattle Reign FC, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Saturday, April 19 — vs. Washington Spirit, 5 p.m. (ION)
Friday, April 25 — vs. Angel City FC, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Saturday, May 3 — at Portland Thorns, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Saturday, May 10 — at North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Friday, May 16 — vs. Kansas City Current, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Friday, May 23 — at Utah Royals, 9:30 p.m. (NWSL+)
Saturday, June 7 — vs. Houston Dash, 7 p.m. (NWSL+)
Friday, June 13 — at Bay FC, 10 p.m. (Prime Video)
Friday, June 20 — at Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. (NWSL+)
Sunday, Aug. 3 — vs. Utah Royals, 6 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
Saturday, Aug. 9 — vs. Racing Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
Saturday, Aug. 16 — at Kansas City Current, 4 p.m. (CBS)
Thursday, Aug. 21 — at Angel City FC, 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Friday, Aug. 29 — vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Sunday, Sept. 7 — at Chicago Red Stars, 3 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
Saturday, Sept. 13 — vs. Bay FC, 5 p.m. (ION)
Friday, Sept. 19 — vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. (NWSL+)
Friday, Sept. 26 — at San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
Friday, Oct. 3 — at Houston Dash, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Friday, Oct. 10 — vs. Portland Thorns, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
Saturday, Oct. 18 — at Washington Spirit, 12:30 p.m. (CBS)
Sunday, Nov. 2 — vs. Seattle Reign FC, TBA (broadcast platform TBA)