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Orlando Pride: Who to Watch In 2018

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With the Orlando Pride season coming up in a couple of months and the team staying basically the same from last season (so far), many people are wondering if this team has what it takes to go to the next step: making it to the NWSL Cup final. After a disappointing match in Portland during the semifinals, the Pride have had a long off-season to reflect and come back even stronger.

The team has yet to make any moves thus far in the off-season. Tom Sermani hit the ground running as soon as the season had concluded, traveling to Europe and Australia to scout new talent for the team. The front office was able to re-sign Dani Weatherholt who had a very good season in the midfield for the Pride. The club was also able to send a handful of players to Australia and Europe to ensure that they continue to compete at the highest level. I would argue that this has done wonders for the players who went. 

Five players from the squad went off to play in winter leagues this year. Rachel Hill went to play for Perth Glory for her first season in Australia. Toni Pressley also went to Australia for the first time, playing for Canberra United. Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy returned to their homeland to compete for Melbourne City. Monica also played in a winter league but did not travel to Australia. She has been playing for Atlético Madrid. Later on in the season, Sydney FC received Aubrey Bledsoe on loan from Orlando Pride due to some goalkeeping issues they had. This made the total rise to six players playing abroad and I can’t forget to mention that Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris were getting regular call-ups with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

With all this work in the off-season, the Pride are poised to have an even better season this year. You could basically go position by position on a team with this much talent when discussing who to watch for in the coming year, but here’s who I’ll be keeping an eye on for 2018.

Rachel Hill

One of the most exciting players to watch going into this season might not be Marta or even Morgan (though both of those ladies are certainly exciting to watch). I have my eyes on 22-year-old forward Rachel Hill, a player who originally was not selected by the Orlando Pride in the 2017 draft but was traded for shortly after. The Pride gave up a few assets to grab the young striker out of UConn last year and she is poised to have a breakout season.

Last year, Hill signed with the Orlando Pride in May shortly after graduating from college. She took a bit of time to break into the starting 11, finally getting an opportunity on June 28 to show what she had. Hill had three goals, and one assist in 713 minutes over 15 appearances. Though Hill only had the fifth most minutes out of the forward group, her play off the ball, as well as her link-up play, were something to be delighted with. 

The W-League has has done wonders for the young forward this winter, as she has lit up the league in the offensive end. I would argue she has had the best off-season of any Pride player that went off to play. 

Hill joined Perth Glory in the beginning of the W-League season, playing alongside NWSL Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr. Boy did Hill take off from the start. She scored seven goals with three weeks left to play in the league. Hill currently sits second in goals right behind Kerr, who has eight. 

2018 Outlook

The issue with this kind of form in the W-League begs the question: will she be able to bring over her goal scoring to the Pride when she returns? I believe she will. The opportunity that Rachel has had to not only have more professional soccer under her belt but to also study the game of Kerr has been invaluable.

This is not to say that working with Morgan and Marta hasn’t been influential but having as many opportunities to learn the forward position from some of the best strikers in the world does not hurt. Though Hill was fifth in minutes last year among strikers, I would not be surprised if Tom Sermani found ways to get her on the field more in 2018. The one thing that could help her is Camila’s absence from the team in the first few months as the Brazilian makes her way back from her ACL/MCL injury. If Hill can make an impact early for this team, she could not only see her minutes rise with the squad but she could also become an instant fan favorite. 

Prediction: If Hill can grab a starting spot she could easily have a ten goal/five assist season.

Marta

If there is anything Pride fans can hope for going into next season, its the idea that their two biggest stars hit the ground running. Marta’s play in the 2018 season can set the tone for the Pride.

The five-time World Player of the Year took the NWSL by storm last year, joining the team right before the home opener against the Washington Spirit. Though she did not start that game there was a different feel in the air. The Orlando Pride had signed one of the best women footballers in the world. As she came on in the 59th minute the crowd erupted and you knew that she was going to be special for the Pride. 

Marta did not waste any time leading the Pride as she bagged her first goal on May 7 against FC Kansas City. She was the leader of the Pride up until June 21 when Alex Morgan returned from Lyon. During the time Morgan was gone, Marta had five goals and three assists, with her numbers improving each week. Even when Morgan returned, Marta had eight goals and three assists, ending the year as the Orlando Pride leading goal scorer with 13 goals along with her six assists.

2018 Outlook

So where does Marta go from here? Having a full preseason with the Pride can only bode well for team chemistry, especially with all the stars this team has. Expect Marta to continue to split time between the attacking line and her midfield facilitator role, depending on the opponent and the team’s shape.

Prediction: I would expect Marta to score a bit less if Hill is able to seize a starting role up top and look for the Brazilian to finish with about seven goals but a boost in assists, most likely hitting double digits. 

Alex Morgan

After a lackluster first season with the Pride, Morgan decided to join Lyon for half of the year on a loan to provide another opportunity for herself. While with Lyon she was able to score five times in eight appearances, regaining top form. Due to the fact that she was away from the Pride for half of the season and returned with an injury, it took Morgan a bit of time to acclimate to the team. She eventually ended the season with nine goals and four assists, creating a kick in form for the Pride in the back end of their season leading them to the playoffs. Though it didn’t end how Morgan wanted it to, the season was a boost for her.

2018 Outlook

Alex can only continue to improve next season. She has not been on loan this off-season but she has spent time with the USWNT, continuing to work on her game. With having an entire preseason with the team, Marta being right at her side, and the improved form of Chioma Ubogagu and Hill, Morgan should expect to have an even better season than last year.

Prediction: I would expect Morgan to score at least 12 goals this season. If healthy, she’ll be one of the top scorers in the league.

Chioma Ubogagu

She would need to sign her contract offer to be in Orlando in 2018, but Chi has found a place among the Orlando Pride attack after joining the team last season. Ubogagu was acquired by trading a 2017 third-round draft pick to the Houston Dash. It was a move seen to bolster the attack that had been so lackluster the season before. Even with the additions of Marta in the beginning of the year as well as a few other attacking plays, Chi was able to make her presence known on the pitch.

She played over 1,300 minutes for the Pride in her first season with the club, scoring three times and providing three assists. Ubogagu played all but three games and was used in a variety of attacking spots. Her versatility is something that the Pride can value especially with some injuries and holes they will have to inevitably deal with next season.

Though she did not play in a winter league this off-season, Chi received a USWNT call up. Many believe that the reason she was brought into the USWNT was because of her position flexibility. This is a big step for Chi and if she can continue to play well and receive call-ups it’ll only improve her stock.

2018 Outlook

Chi could have an interesting season for the Pride but could certainly hold on to her spot in the starting 11 (I do not foresee Jamia Fields or Danica Evans taking over those spots, although Nadia Gomes could provide pressure). Her main area to improve is consistency in the final third.

Prediction: I would expect Ubogagu to net at least seven goals this year if she can hold onto a starting 11 spot. Even if she cannot, she could be a huge spark off the bench and provide goals to close out games. Though I would prefer to see her start, this could be a possibility. 

Dani Weatherholt

Most of Weatherholt’s game goes under the radar. Unfortunately, that is a common thread with more defensive players. Nonetheless, she was a key cog in the wheel for this Pride team since she was drafted in 2016. Though it took some time for her to see the field, she has been consistently locking down teams and connecting the defense to the offense in transition. 

Last season, Dani went from playing just under 800 minutes in year one to almost 1,500 minutes in year two. She was asked often to play a double pivot  (two defensive midfielder set up) to bolster the defensive end of the field. Weatherholt and Kennedy were a dynamic duo in the defensive part of the pitch. Like stated above, this type of play is not recognized as much because there aren’t a whole lot of stats to bolster the argument but when it comes to more defensive players that can be a good thing. 

2018 Outlook

With Dani being only 23-years-old, she still has room to grow and I fully expect that to continue going into next year. With the uncertainty of Kennedy up to this point, Dani could be asked to hold down the defensive midfield position solo. Even if Kennedy comes back (which at this point we expect to happen) Weatherholt can blossom even more becoming one of the best defensive midfielders in NWSL. As long as Weatherholt can continue to settle into the team and work well in possession, she will undoubtedly continue to hold down that defensive midfield spot.

Prediction: I would expect Weatherholt to work on her passing stats, not that she was terrible in that department, but having better possession and passing percentage would go a long way for this team. If Weatherholt can hold the ball more often or even distribute at a better rate, this Pride team could be even more potent. I expect even better growth out of her becoming an enforcer at the defensive midfield spot.

The Goalkeeper Position: Ashlyn Harris & Aubrey Bledsoe

When it comes goalkeeping, the Orlando Pride had the goal locked down last season. When Ashlyn Harris went out with a quad injury, Bledsoe came in and did a great job keeping the team in the fight for a playoff spot. With both goalkeepers doing well last season this could create a potential issue: If a team needs a goalkeeper, could one of these players be dealt?

As the season approaches, teams around the league could start inquiring about the availability of one of the Pride’s keepers if injuries occur. But for now Harris and Bledsoe return for the Pride and could be the most dominant one-two punch in terms of goalkeepers.

Harris began the season as the starting goalkeeper, a role she held in 2016 as well, when the team came into the league. She played the first six games of the season for the Pride putting in solids performances in all those games. Though she did not grab any clean sheets, she only let up about 1.5 goals per game and had four saves per game, also tallying a 10-save game against North Carolina Courage. However, against Seattle, Harris went out in the 26th minute and emergency backup Caroline Stanley was forced into action. Harris returned Aug. 13, grabbing a clean sheet in her first start back. She then led the Pride to the playoffs. Harris has done a bit of off-season work as well, playing with the USWNT, keeping her in form.

Bledsoe was pushed into action the week following Harris’ injury. She started 10 games for the Pride, allowing 1.5 goals per game and averaging 3.5 saves per game. Bledsoe also had two clean sheets. She slid right into a team that needed her to step up and boy did she. During the off-season, Bledsoe is currently with Sydney FC, where she’s made the most of her opportunities, chalking up five starts and two shutouts so far. The time with Sydney FC has done wonders for her thus far and only helps improve her stock.

2018 Outlook

Could it be possible that the team deals one of these bright stars to gain a missing piece? Bledsoe could be an attractive player to trade for due to her performances and her age. However, Harris also has her own appeal with a plethora of experience in the professional game, 14 USWNT caps, and the ability to inspire the players around her. I’m not suggesting that either player needs to leave the team but this could be something that the team entertains if there are needs that can’t be solved with just finding a player. 

Prediction: Harris will retain the starting job by the time the season begins but if there is any slip in form or if Harris gets injured again, we could see a changing of the guard, allowing an opportunity for Bledsoe to come in and compete for the job. If this team needs to grab one more piece and can do so by trading one of its keepers, it could be possible that Harris or Bledsoe are dealt.

Camila

After having an explosive year last year, Camila had an unfortunate ending to her season after tearing her MCL & ACL in the final regular-season game. Camila played 1,900 minutes last year in 24 games. In that time she scored four goals with five assists, creating a lot of chances on the attacking front but also was able to get back on defense. The unfortunate injury was something the Pride were not expecting and may have hindered them from going all the way to the NWSL Cup final.

Camila began her career at the age of 18 in Brazil, bouncing around a few teams. She also had a small stint in Houston before returning to Brazil. However, when Camila joined the Pride there were high expectations for the young defender/midfielder and she did not fail to disappoint. Though her stats may not be as high as some would have hoped, her effect on the field could not be missed. 

2018 Outlook

The number one goal for Camila in 2018 is for her to get healthy. Tearing one of either your ACL or MCL is tough enough but having to come back from both is no easy task. The Pride will do everything in their power to ensure that she rehabs correctly and gets back on the field. Injuries like Camila’s can take about six to nine months to properly heal pegging a summer to early fall return. Best case scenario for the Pride would have them above the line at that time with Camila gently sliding in so she can rehab back in time for a playoff run. Even so, this team should have enough depth to fill in for her even if the player isn’t as explosive. 

Prediction: I would expect Camila to have a slow return to the squad, easing back into the lineup midseason. With that, she could have a handful of assists and a goal or two by the end of the season. 

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit, NWSL Championship: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Win Club’s First League Title

The Pride defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 to become NWSL champions.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride finished their historic season tonight by capturing the club’s first NWSL Championship with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Barbra Banda gave the Pride the lead in the 37th minute and, despite defending almost the entire second half, held on to take the title.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed the same lineup that beat the Kansas City Current 3-2 Sunday afternoon to advance to this championship game. The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina were in the defensive midfield behind Ally Watt, Marta, and Adriana with Banda up top.

For the first time since 2019, the NWSL Championship was between the two teams with the best records in the league. Despite being the lower seed, Washington was the more aggressive team in this game and created multiple early chances. However, the Spirit struggled to put attempts on target, enabling the Pride to take the lead before halftime. The second half was all Spirit, as the Pride sat behind the ball, desperately holding onto the one-goal lead. They were able to keep the opposition at bay and Banda’s goal stood as the Pride claimed their first-ever league title. It caps a season in which the Pride took home both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship, becoming the first team to win the double since the 2021 Portland Thorns.

The Spirit got off to an attacking start, putting the Pride on their heels in the opening minutes. Rosemonde Kouassi received the ball on the left in the third minute and beat Dyke to create enough space for a shot. However, it was from a tight angle and right into the arms of Moorhouse.

The Pride went the other way and created their first chance of the game seconds later. Banda was able to get a shot off, but it was deflected out of play by Hal Hershfelt. The ensuing corner was cleared and the Pride didn’t cause any trouble for Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

Orlando had a better chance in the 15th minute when the ball popped out to Banda and the striker turned her defender before sprinting down the field. She had Adriana on her left and Marta on her right, ultimately playing it wide to the Pride captain. Marta took a touch inside to find space to shoot between a pair of defenders, sending the ball into the arms of Kingsbury.

Ashley Hatch made an overlapping run in the 22nd minute, receiving the ball from Tara McKeown. Receiving it on the right, Hatch sent a low cross into the six-yard box. However, it was too close to Moorhouse, who collected it.

In the 33rd minute, Kouassi made a run to the top of the Pride box, swerving through multiple defenders before getting a shot off. She was aiming for the near post, and Moorhouse dove for the attempt, but it went just wide.

The Pride took the lead in the 37th minute from the only player that caused problems for the Spirit defense. It started when Angelina won the ball from Leicy Santos, pushing the Colombian in a physical battle to win possession. She then sent Banda down the right, and the Zambian took on defender Esme Morgan one on one. Moving inside to get enough space for a shot, she beat Kingsbury with her left foot to her near post for the opening goal.

“I think that was a great moment for me,” Banda said about her goal  “As that ball came through me, I don’t hesitate. I always want to take on the defenders. So I saw that opportunity and I had to put the ball at the back of the net because I saw the positioning of the goalkeeper. So it was great for me.”

Kingsbury took responsibility for the goal in the Spirit’s postgame press conference, confessing Banda’s shot caught her off guard as she was expecting a cross from that position. The quick shot with her off foot fooled the former Pride shot stopper and got between her leg and the post for the game’s only goal.

Marta tried to create something on her own in the 43rd minute, using multiple stepovers to beat Casey Krueger. The Brazilian sent the ball towards goal from a tight angle, forcing Kingsbury to tip it wide for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was cleared and it remained a 1-0 Pride lead.

Strom conceded a corner kick in the 45th minute and the Spirit nearly found an equalizer. McKeown’s set piece was towards the penalty spot where Hatch and Dyke jumped for the ball. The forward outjumped the right back, getting her head to the ball and sending towards the corner. It was behind Moorhouse but off the post and the Pride barely survived the attack.

Possession was evenly split in the first 45 minutes, but the Spirit created more shots (8-4). However, the Pride put more of their chances on target (3-1). While the Pride had more corner kicks in the first half (3-2), the Spirit had more crosses (9-8) and better passing accuracy (74%-70%).

Similar to the first half, the Spirit were the more dangerous team in the opening minutes of the second half. In the 47th minute, Kouassi got her head to a Trinity Rodman cross at the top of the six-yard box, forcing Moorhouse to push it away for a corner kick. 

The short set piece resulted in Marta fouling Kouassi just outside of the box. Makenna Morris’ free kick found Hatch, who was left alone in the middle. The forward got her head to the ball and sent it towards the far post, but the attempt was wide.

The Spirit continued to put pressure on the Pride, creating a pair of chances in the 52nd minute through Morris and McKeown, but the Pride were able to clear the danger without conceding.

It looked like the Pride might double their lead in the 58th minute when Banda used her strength to turn McKeown and sprint into the Spirit third of the field. The striker slowed down as she approached Morgan and decided how to attack the center back. That gave McKeown time to get back and win the ball for Washington.

The Pride were finally able to cause some problems for the Spirit in the 61st minute when their press forced a turnover in Washington’s defensive third of the field. Watt took possession and played it back for McCutcheon, who lifted the ball for the far post. Unfortunately, she was unable to get around the ball and it sailed wide.

A minute later, Banda played the ball back for Marta, who sent a low shot towards the far post. Watt was making a run, stopping when the shot was taken. Adriana let the shot go through, and the ball bounced wide. It appeared like Watt also might have gotten on the end of it had she continued her run. Instead, it was a goal kick for the Spirit.

Hines made his first change of the game in the 66th minute, replacing Adriana with Summer Yates.

Hatch had several good chances in front of goal, and she had another in the 68th minute. McKeown received a loose ball on the right and sent the cross into the middle of the box. As she had all night, Hatch beat the Pride defenders to the ball, redirecting it on goal. However, the header was directly at Moorhouse.

Hines’ second change came in the 74th minute as Julie Doyle came into the game for Watt.

The Pride were on their back foot most of the second half, so it didn’t help when they needlessly gave the ball away in their own third. In the 85th minute, the ball slipped out of Abello’s hands as she threw it in, going straight to Kouassi. The attacker played it forward for Morris, whose cross was blocked by Sams.

Santos took possession and took a step forward before shooting, but Strom was there to block it. The ball went to Hatch at the top of the box, and the forward took a shot of her own. This time, McCutcheon was the one who got in the way, enabling the Pride to clear without Moorhouse having to make a save.

Hines made his final two changes of the game in the 86th minute, as the Pride looked to see out the win. They were defensive moves, as Carson Pickett and Morgan Gautrat came into the game for Abello and Angelina.

Kouassi was active in the final third all game and had a chance in the 88th minute. The Ivory Coast international cut to get past Pickett and shot for the near post, sending the attempt just wide.

The Spirit wanted a penalty as the game entered six minutes of stoppage time when Hatch dribbled around Gautrat and into the box. Gautrat extended her arm as Hatch entered the 18 and went to the ground. However, Hatch was already slipping and referee Alyssa Nichols determined that to be the case.

Rodman was sent down the right in the third minute of stoppage time before playing it back to Morris behind her in the box. The rookie sent her right-footed shot between a pair of defenders and towards goal, but it curled away from the target.

The Spirit felt they should’ve had a penalty again in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Kouassi won the ball from Banda and cut to split McCutcheon and Yates before going down. However, Kouassi seemed to go down easily and Nichols again let play continue.

The final chance for the Spirit came in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Kouassi’s shot was blocked and Gabrielle Carle crossed the ball towards the back post. Rodman and Dyke went up for the ball with the final touch going off the Pride right back.

Kingsbury came up as Rodman sent the ensuing corner kick into the box. The goalkeeper headed the ball towards the goal, but Gautrat was there for the block. Despite protests it was a corner kick, Gautrat’s clearance was blocked out of play by McKeown for a goal kick. That was all the Pride needed to see out the game.

The Spirit dominated the game statistically with the advantage in possession (58%-42%), shots (26-9), shots on target (5-3), corner kicks (8-3), crosses (25-11), and passing accuracy (79%-69%). However, the Pride were able to stay strong defensively and Banda’s first-half goal held up.

As the stats show, the Spirit dominated play in the second half, forcing the Pride to show the defensive prowess that led them to their 14th clean sheet this season. They’ve been more porous in recent games, but were solid in this one. It’s largely due to the play of center backs Sams and Strom, something the rest of the team noticed.

“Our back line was incredible today, but nothing that they didn’t do before. It was like that the whole season,” Marta said about the defending. “Like, Em (Sams) won the best defender of the year, and I think she deserves it. I’m a little bit sad because I did see Kylie in one of the teams, the best teams. But for us, for Orlando, both are so important. And both inside and outside the field, they just proved, they just show this kind of stuff every single game. And for me, they’re the best defenders in this league.”

“Tremendous,” Hines added about the center backs. “You know, I think you forget that Em is only a two-year pro. What she’s done this year is unimaginable. She’s won an Olympics, she’s won an NWSL Shield, she’s won an NWSL Championship, she’s (NWSL) Defender of the Year. You know, to replicate this year is incredible. And so, I’m very grateful for her trust in me and my experiences as a center back and Kylie as well. You know, (Strom) transitioned from a left back into center back. It’s not something that we planned at the start of the year, but it’s a testament to these players and doing a job for the best of the team.”

The Pride defense especially showed its abilities in the final 15 minutes. While the Pride defended most of the second half, the team was put under tremendous pressure in the final moments. It took some desperate defending, including diving in front of shots, to keep the clean sheet and come away with the win in 90 minutes.

“We’ve been put through those moments. If you ever watched us throughout the year, you know, you would have seen a team who’ve had to deal with those moments in the last 15 (minutes),” Hines said about his team’s defending. “And I’m not sure if this is still a record as well, but I think we’ve conceded the least amount of goals in that last 15. And so nothing changed in that last 15. You could see the players throw their bodies on the line, working together, tracking back, trying to stop the service to Orlando getting close to them, blocking shots. And so it’s no different to what we’ve done all season long, especially in this championship game.”

Despite the defensive performance, it’s no surprise that the game’s MVP award went to Banda. The Pride striker scored the lone goal and was a problem for the Spirit back line. The clean sheet was impressive, but it was a team effort.

This win is especially meaningful for Marta. The Brazilian joined the Pride in 2017, playing in the club’s first playoff game that season. She went through some terrible years and a complete roster overhaul, being the lone player from the club’s only successful campaign to experience the rebuild. After eight years with the Pride, she’s finally a champion.

Arguably the best player in the history of women’s soccer, Marta showed how much this win meant to her when being interviewed on stage after the game. “I f***ing wait eight years for this moment!” she yelled into the microphone.

“I’ve been in Orlando for so long, and then I see players come and then leave, come and leave,” Marta said after the game. “We had ups and downs. Some seasons we were okay, but not good enough. And I always ask myself what I’m looking for, because I’m still staying in Orlando. I was not satisfied with all of the other seasons, and I feel like I don’t want to leave this place without doing something really big, because it was like that in every single place that I’ve played.”

“I was just so happy for her,” Hines said about Marta finally winning the championship. “You know, she’s put everything into this club. She’s never played for any other team than Orlando Pride since she moved over to the U.S. So, I was just so happy for her to just share that moment. It’s a moment that she has been waiting for so long, and just to give her a hug at the end of the game, just meant the world to me. And obviously the club in general, because the players are working so hard for her to have that moment.”

In a season full of breaking records, the Pride had some more in this game. Moorhouse became the first international goalkeeper to win an NWSL Championship, Sams became the first player to win an Olympic goal medal and an NWSL Championship in the same year, Angelina became the first international player to record an assist in a NWSL Championship game, and Seb Hines became the first Black head coach to win an NWSL Championship.

“I appreciate it,” Hines said about being the first Black coach to win the NWSL Championship. “Obviously. I think it’s a historic moment for America, the NWSL. You know, my journey has been a different one. I started as a volunteer, I finished my career. I had a great playing career. I finished that journey and then transitioned to coaching. I want to be that role model for other people to get the opportunity that I got. It’s a big responsibility. I fulfilled a lot of joy in this, in this opportunity, and so I just want to continue to be an advocate for more Black coaches and create a more diverse league within the NWSL.”

Additionally, Banda scored four goals in three games during the postseason. That makes her the leading goal scorer in a single NWSL postseason in league history.

It’s not just an historic occasion for the Pride, but for the city of Orlando. The Pride are the first major professional sports team in the city to win a league championship. The NBA’s Orlando Magic have been to two NBA finals — losing in both — and Orlando City has never made it past the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup playoffs.

“It’s massive. I obviously did my research. When I took this job on, I’d seen that Orlando had never won a championship between City, Pride, Orlando Magic, just to name a few,” Hines said about the accomplishment. “And so, yeah, I always wanted to have that open bus (ride) through the streets of Orlando. I think it’s a monumental moment for the city of Orlando, because they’ve been through so much since I’ve been here. You know, I’ve been here 10 years and I’ve seen a lot of things. Not only with the Pride, but Orlando in general. And so, to give back to the city is a massive achievement for everyone.”


This is only the beginning of the celebrations for the Pride. The city of Orlando has planned a parade that will start at 4:30 p.m. on Orange Avenue and arrive at City Hall for a celebration ceremony on Monday.

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride prepare to take on the Washington Spirit for the NWSL Championship.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride/Mark Thor

Welcome to your match preview as the Orlando Pride face the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship in Kansas City, MO. This is the third time the top two teams in the NWSL will face each other this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

The Pride and Spirit have faced off 25 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a record of 9-9-7 in all competitions against Washington and an 8-6-6 record in NWSL play. This is the first time the two teams will meet at a neutral site and the first time the sides have met in the postseason.

The last time these two teams met was on Oct. 6 in Orlando. Despite dominating the game, the Pride didn’t convert until Marta scored in the 53rd minute. An Adriana shot was deflected by Tara McKeown for an own goal in the 73rd minute, lifting the Pride to the 2-0 win and clinching the NWSL Shield. On April 26 in Washington, D.C., Angelina gave the Pride the early lead before Ouleymata Sarr equalized shortly before halftime. A Barbra Banda strike and a Summer Yates penalty conversion in the second half seemed to put the game away, but Anna Moorhouse dropped an easy catch from Ashley Hatch, giving the Spirit a second goal. Fortunately, the Pride held on for the 3-2 win, extending their early-season winning streak to three games.

The first meeting of 2023 was on May 10 at Audi Field in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Tori Hansen gave the Pride a surprising early lead, but late first-half goals by Lena Silano, Sam Staab, and Marissa Sheva made it 3-1 Washington at halftime. Ally Watt scored off the bench early in the second half and Ashley Sanchez put the game away in injury time as the Spirit won 4-2.

The first regular-season matchup of 2023 was on May 20 in Orlando. Marta converted a first-half penalty, but Staab equalized five minutes later. Kylie Strom netted the winner late, and the Pride won 2-1. The Pride dominated the Spirit in the second regular-season matchup on July 1. Julie Doyle had a brace in the first 16 minutes and a Tara McKeown own goal put the game out of reach as the Pride won 3-0.

The final meeting in 2023 was in the Challenge Cup on Aug. 4 in Orlando. The game appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw until Mariana Speckmaier scored eight minutes into second-half injury time, lifting her team to a 1-0 win.

The first game between the teams in 2022 came on May 27 at Exploria Stadium. Trinity Rodman gave the Spirit an early lead and Hatch doubled the advantage after halftime. As the game entered second-half stoppage time, it appeared as though the Pride would fall for the second straight time, but a pair of late goals by Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins stunned Washington with a 2-2 draw. The teams met again on July 17 at Audi Field and the Spirit dominated the game statistically. They had more possession, shots, and shots on target but couldn’t find the back of the net, resulting in a scoreless draw.

Prior to the draw in May, the Pride and Spirit played two games in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The first was on March 19 in Orlando. The Pride had less possession and fewer shots, but a strong defensive effort allowed them to come away with a scoreless draw. The second Challenge Cup meeting came on April 3 at Audi Field. Gunny Jonsdottir scored the team’s first goal in four games. However, the Spirit already had a 3-0 lead. Rodman scored a late goal to put the game away as the Pride fell 4-1.

The two teams played four times during 2021. The first was on April 21 in the Challenge Cup. Sydney Leroux’s goal was the only scoring as the Pride won 1-0. Just two games later, the Pride opened their regular season by hosting the Spirit on May 16. Hatch gave Washington the lead, but Alex Morgan equalized to claim a 1-1 draw. The second regular-season meeting that year was on June 6 in Washington. Hatch opened the scoring, but Taylor Kornieck equalized minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The final meeting of 2021 came Aug. 22 at Audi Field. Marta gave the Pride the lead, but Hatch equalized just two minutes later. It looked like it would be a third straight 1-1 draw but Sanchez won it for Washington late.

Due to the pandemic, the Pride and Spirit didn’t play in 2020 but faced off three times in 2019. The first was on July 6 in Orlando. Marta scored a brace in the second half, leading the Pride to a 4-3 win. They played again on Aug. 24 in Washington. Crystal Thomas gave the hosts the lead and Marta equalized. But Hatch’s goal lifted the Spirit to a 2-1 win. The final game was supposed to be the following weekend but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Instead, the game was played Oct. 9 in Orlando. The Spirit dominated the rubber match, beating the Pride 3-0.

The first of two meetings in 2018 was on March 31 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Hatch scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-0 win for the Spirit. The Pride got their revenge in the second game in the same location. Alanna Kennedy’s goal was the difference as the Pride won 1-0. The final meeting that year was on July 7 in Orlando. Hatch gave the Spirit the lead, but Leroux scored just before halftime and Marta’s goal gave Orlando the 2-1 win.

The 2017 season was the first time the teams played three times in a year. Their April 22 meeting was the Pride’s first home game that year. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen gave the visitors the lead, but Danica Evans answered as the teams drew 1-1. They met for the second time that year in Maryland on July 8 when Marta and Mallory Pugh both scored braces in a 2-2 draw. The final game in 2018 was on Aug. 8 in Orlando. Marta, Camila, and Morgan all scored as the Pride ran away with a 3-0 win.

The Spirit swept the first two meetings in 2016, winning 2-0 in Maryland and 2-1 in Orlando.

Overview

The Pride have had a record-breaking season and Head Coach Seb Hines has said throughout the ultimate goal was to win the NWSL Championship. They clinched the NWSL Shield with three games remaining before defeating the Chicago Red Stars and Kansas City Current in the playoffs. They’ve now reached the final game with a chance to take home the biggest prize.

Following the last meeting between these two teams, the Pride dropped their first two games of the regular season against the Portland Thorns and NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, they bounced back with a 3-2 win over Seattle Reign FC in the finale and have played their best in the postseason, winning 4-1 against the Red Stars and 3-2  against the Current. The latter included the team’s first comeback win of the year.

The higher seed has won every game in this year’s playoffs. However, they all played at home until this final game, which will take place at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Fittingly, the championship game is between the two best teams in the league, setting up a dream final.

Finishing the season four points apart, both teams won 18 games, sharing a new league record. However, while the Spirit had six losses and two draws, the Pride had two losses and six draws, enabling them to finish the regular season atop the league with 60 points, another league record.

The Spirit were the better offensive team this season, scoring 51 goals to the Pride’s 46. It’s not surprising when Washington’s attack includes Rodman and Hatch. Meanwhile, the Pride were the better defensive team, conceding a league-best 20 goals to the Spirit’s 28.

Aiding the Pride in the postseason has been the play of Banda. After a stellar start to the season, the striker didn’t score in any of the final five games of the regular season. She turned it on in the postseason, scoring three goals in two games and assisting Marta’s goal against the Current. Marta has also contributed with a goal in each playoff game and Haley McCutcheon has netted her first two goals this year in the postseason.

While the Pride are relatively healthy, the Spirit have been missing some key players. Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune and Andi Sullivan both suffered late-season knee injuries and Sarr — who shares the team’s goal lead with Rodman — has been out injured. Even without those players, the Spirit beat Bay FC 2-1 in the quarterfinals before drawing Gotham 1-1 and advancing to the championship on penalties.

The Spirit still have players that can worry the Pride back line. Rodman is one of the best attackers in the world, leading the team with eight goals and sitting second with six assists. Hatch is just behind with seven goals and rookie Makenna Morris has had a strong season, recording five goals and three assists.

It’s also worth noting that the Pride haven’t been in this position before. Meanwhile, the Spirit have several players expected to start that won the 2021 championship, including Rodman, Hatch, McKeown, and Kingsbury. That could give Washington a leg up going into this game. Despite the lack of experience, Hines said his team is prepared for this moment.

“Mostly excitement,” Hines said about the team’s mood heading into the game. “We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long. Especially since we won the shield at home. Getting into the playoffs was one of our goals and here we are today prepping for the championship final.

“I think we prepare as best we can. Control the controllables like our training, our load, everything. Obviously this is a bit new to us, having a media day before the game. But the players are very focused on what the task is and there’s an excitement, there’s a rawness because there are not that many players that have been in this position as well. So I think everything together will ultimately help us to get what we want.”

The Pride have everyone available tonight other than the players out with season-ending injuries. Those players include Rafaelle (thigh), Megan Montefusco (heel), Luana (illness), Simone Charley (ankle), and Grace Chanda (thigh).

The Spirit will be without Croix Bethune (knee), Lyza Bosselmann (wrist), Anna Heilferty (knee), Civana Kuhlmann (knee), Andi Sullivan ( knee), and Sarr (back).


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Ally Watt, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Celia, Summer Yates, Carrie Lawrence, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Viviana Villacorta, Julie Doyle, Carson Pickett.

Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Kingsbury.

Defenders: Casey Krueger, Esme Morgan, Tara McKeown, Paige Metayer.

Defensive Midfielders: Leicy Santos, Hal Hershfelt.

Midfielders: Trinity Rodman, Rosemonde Kouassi, Makenna Morris.

Forward: Ashley Hatch.

Bench: Nicole Barnhart, Courtney Brown, Annaig Butel, Gabrielle Carle, Brittany Ratcliffe, Chloe Ricketts, Lena Silano, Heather Stainbrook, Kate Wiesner.

Referees

REF: Alyssa Nichols.
AR1: Tiffini Turpin.
AR2: Brian Marshall.
4TH: Brad Jensen.
VAR: Ekaterina Koroleva.
AVAR: John Krill.
RAR: Seth Barton.


How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: CPKC Stadium — Kansas City, MO.

TV: CBS.

Streaming: Paramount+.

Twitter: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Three Keys to Victory

What do the Pride need to do to secure an NWSL Championship win over the Washington Spirit on Saturday?

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Win or lose, the Orlando Pride’s season comes to an end on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. After they defeated the Chicago Red Stars and the Kansas City Current in prior playoff matches, this final match could see the Pride lift the NWSL Championship trophy. The Pride have already won the NWSL Shield earlier in the year, and this second trophy would cement them as one of the greatest teams in NWSL history. Standing in their way is the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the same Washington Spirit club the Pride defeated to clinch the Shield.

So, what do the Pride need to do to defeat the Spirit and bring home more silverware?

Prepare for a Better Spirit

During the regular season, the Pride defeated the Spirit twice, 3-2 in Washington all the way back in April, and 2-0 at home in October. The Pride may need to scrub these results from their memory and prepare for a more capable and complete opponent. For starters, in the first matchup, the Spirit were led by interim head coach Adrián González, who is still with the club as an assistant. While González performed well in the role, the Spirit are now led by one of the best coaches in the game, Jonatan Giráldez, who took over in July. Before joining the Spirit, Giráldez led Barcelona Femeni, the single most dominant club in Europe during his tenure. In each of the past two seasons, Giráldez’ Barcelona won the Copa de la Reina, Spain’s domestic cup tournament, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, showcasing his skill in coaching championship games.

The Pride were able to beat Giráldez’ Spirit squad just over a month ago, but that matchup was missing several key players on Washington’s side of the pitch. The Spirit were without NWSL Best XI players Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger as well as Best XI Second Team representative Hal Hershfelt. All three of these players have since returned and are likely to play in the NWSL Championship. Ouleye Sarr, the joint leading scorer for Washington along with Rodman, was also out for the October matchup, but she is struggling with a back injury and may not play this weekend. While the Spirit were limited in the last meeting, Orlando was convincing in its 2-0 win. This time around, the Pride will have to prepare for a Spirit team that looks a lot different than the last time out.

Keep the Match to 90 Minutes

One of the key storylines heading into the NWSL Championship is the paths each team has taken. While the higher-seeded teams have won each match of the 2024 playoffs, Orlando has won its matches in regulation, while Washington required extra time to beat Bay FC and penalty kicks to get past NJ/NY Gotham FC. As a result, Orlando has played fewer high-stress minutes in recent weeks and comes in on a great run of form. On the other hand, the Spirit are battle tested, knowing the challenges that come from tight matches. Their goals forcing extra time have come late in matches — the 86th minute against Bay, and the third minute of stoppage time against Gotham. To their credit, the Spirit never know when they are beaten, so Orlando will need to be locked in all the way to the final whistle, hoping to avoid the chaos that ensued at the end of the Kansas City match.

Despite looking shaky at the end of the match against the Current, Orlando’s success this season has come about in the opposite manner of the Spirit’s postseason wins. Orlando has done exceedingly well to get the lead and secure the result. The Pride have only dropped points from winning positions twice, losing none. The semifinal match against Kansas City was also their first come-from-behind victory of the year, showcasing how uncommon it was for them to fall behind in an NWSL match in their 18-win season. Should the NWSL Championship go to extra time, it would be uncharted territory for Orlando. With so few elimination matches in their history, very few players on the roster would have any experience with extra time. The Orlando Pride as a club only participated in their first-ever (then their second and third) penalty shootout in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, winning one of three shootouts. In the end, Orlando will be in a much better position if it can keep this game to 90 minutes.

Marta Magic

The Orlando Pride have four players on the NWSL Best XI first and second teams, but no player is more easily recognized in purple than 38-year-old Marta, the GOAT. While she has been with the Pride since 2017, this campaign (11 goals, 1 assist) has been her most productive since 2017, her first in Orlando (13 goals, 6 assists). The 2017 season was also the last time that Orlando made the playoffs. In 2024, Marta has scored two postseason goals so far, including a magical game winner against the Current. Orlando’s success is inexorably linked to the performances of its best-ever player. Yet, as hard as it is to imagine, the NWSL Championship will be the last match of her existing contract with the Pride, and win or lose, this could be farewell, at least for now. 

On the pitch, Marta will be a focal point for the Orlando attack against the Washington Spirit. While Washington’s Best XI defenders Krueger and Tara McKeown attempt to slow down Barbra Banda and Ally Watt, Marta is likely to drop deep and connect the play. Her precision passing and driving runs in recent matches have contributed mightily to an attack that has now scored 10 goals in the past three matches — three by Marta herself. Beyond these traits, Marta will also be a pitch general for the Pride in this final match, directing traffic and keeping the team locked in and organized. Earlier this year, Marta announced her retirement from international soccer with Brazil and took home the silver medal in the Summer Olympics. Expect Marta to leave it all on the pitch on Saturday, and if it were to be her last match for the Pride, it would be incredible to leave with an NWSL Championship.


Saturday night the NWSL Champions will be crowned. Could one of these keys to victory make the critical difference? Vamos Orlando!

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