Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Media Day Highlights

Published

7 years ago

March 14, 2019

We’re just a month out from the Orlando Pride’s 2019 NWSL season opener against the Portland Thorns and the team held its annual preseason Media Day event at Orlando City Stadium. The event featured a press conference with Pride GM Erik Ustruck and Head Coach Marc Skinner, with six players made available to the media in a roundtable format.

The players who spoke to media members today were almost all internationals, with former USWNT automatic selection Ali Krieger being the only player of the six not currently involved in her national team setup. The five current internationals were Ashlyn Harris and Alex Morgan of the U.S., Alanna Kennedy of Australia, Marta of Brazil, and Chioma Ubogagu, who has recently been getting England call-ups.

The players unanimously lauded the atmosphere, attitude, and attention to detail that Skinner has brought to the Pride this preseason and seemed energized.

Here are the highlights from today’s event.

Ustruck/Skinner Press Conference

Skinner said he was “over the moon” at being selected as the Pride’s head coach and said he was “proud and privileged to be here.”
Initial interviews with players are nearly complete, as Skinner is finally getting to sit down with the international players who were late to arrive.
The buzz around camp, according to Skinner, is “really, really something that energizes you as a person.”
Skinner said he’s identified his targets and what his ideal team would look like, however, he said he’s still identifying the abilities of his players and giving players an opportunity to show what they can do.
Although Skinner said Tom Sermanni is a wonderful person and is sure he’ll do well at New Zealand, he’s here to bring a new direction to the club and said he coaches to allow his players to make decisions on the field because they have to know what they’re doing even when they can’t hear the coach in hostile environments.
Skinner spoke often of getting to know the players’ character, as well as treating the players as people first, and players second, regardless of whether they’re stars. He said he thinks of the players as he would if they were his daughters, and works with them to make them as successful as possible.
Ustruck said he hasn’t yet spoken with club partner Wolfsburg on the women’s side. He said he’d like the Pride to explore options such as bringing them over during their preseason period or to look at potential player loan opportunities.
Skinner, who has watched all of last year’s games, said the team was far off from performances last season but not far off in results. He stressed that there is some time involved in getting the team to play the way he wants it to play and that it might seem a bit high risk at first.
Both Skinner and Ustruck said the team will play an attractive brand of football and the GM said he expects that will help bring more fans to the stadium.
Skinner said the athleticism in the NWSL is massive but the transition part of the game could be better. “We have to re-educate players or just switch on their senses to do that. That’s what we’ll be doing in training.”
“I’m 100 percent sure that our players will love how we’re asking them to play,” Skinner said. “But they have to be brave. If you want to do something different and you want success to come to Orlando then they’re going to have to be brave. And that’s how I will expect them to be. My job is to support them through that process.”
Skinner said he’s not just here to coach players to win, but to improve as players.
The idea of having North Carolina (on the preseason schedule) was to get the Pride up to speed in playing an NWSL team, said Skinner.
“We will play fixtures that will challenge the players in different ways,” Skinner said of the preseason schedule. Ustruck said the full preseason schedule will be out in the next few days.
Ustruck mentioned that the North Carolina game in preseason would give the club an opportunity to learn how far they still need to go to get to the level of the defending champs.
Ustruck said the idea of a preseason invitational tournament would be difficult due to the MLS side having started its season but it’s something the club might look into if they can find the right location or if the stadium was available.
Skinner said his team likes to play tactically and force the other team into playing a way in which is to Orlando’s advantage.
Ustruck said Camila is still in Brazil because she’s working on getting her green card. Her interview was scheduled for today and she’s expected back by the weekend.
There will be a recognized Orlando Pride supporters group this year, said Ustruck. He said he wasn’t at liberty to speak about it just yet, however.
“There needs to be patience for this team to understand what we want them to do,” Skinner said. He added that he’s seen a desire from the players to buy into that.

Ashlyn Harris

“I have to say that I’ve been blown away by Marc,” Harris said about her new coach. “I’m very, very impressed with what he has brought just in the short amount of time that I’ve met him.”
Harris said the spark and enjoyment are back at training this preseason. “It’s like a breath of fresh air. This is a chance for people to start over and have new energy and a new opportunity.”
Harris said Skinner demands excellence and is detail-oriented. “He’s very organized and very, very specific about things.”
Harris said the international players are used to being in and out of the lineup but admitted this year would be challenging due to the time demands of the World Cup.
Last year is in the past for Harris and she wants to focus all her energy on 2019 and not what didn’t work in 2018. “We have a fresh start and I want to enjoy that taste in my mouth.”
“Marc is going to bring an element to this organization that people are going to be proud of and I’m excited to be on that train,” Harris said.
Harris said that Skinner sent her video clips from every touch from every game with notes attached, he has drones flying overhead every practice to record the players, and he frequently texts with thoughts as they occur.
Harris said that the feeling of unity hasn’t quite been there the last few years but that’s what Skinner is restoring in Orlando.

Ali Krieger

Krieger said that players can only change the culture of a team by bringing their best and control their work ethic and attitude each day.
“I think it’s so great to have somebody come in that makes every player feel like they’re the most important player,” Krieger said of Skinner. “I think that if we continue to create that positive atmosphere that will translate for sure on the field.”
Krieger said last year the team played more individually than as a collective group and expects the opposite this year.
Skinner creates an atmosphere where everybody feels important, said the veteran defender.
“Little specific movements, footwork stuff, the way your body is angled, or the pace of your pass,” – Krieger on the details that Skinner notices and brings to the team.
Skinner is “bringing the fun back into the game.”
Krieger reiterated Skinner’s statements in the presser about treating each person individually based on their needs.
“I don’t mind playing the underdog role,” she said. “If people think they’re going to come in here and it’s going to be easy-breezy, then good on them because we’re going to just crush it.”
Having a new coach will be an advantage for the Pride because no one in the league is going to know what to expect from Orlando.

Marta

“I like it here,” the Brazilian legend said. “I like the club. I like the atmosphere we have here. I like the city, the players. I think we have so much potential to [have] a very good season.”
Marta said her first impression of Skinner was good. “I see the energy he brings to the training and the ideas he brings to the players [are] good.”
Sermanni and Skinner are different. Skinner wants to keep the ball more and having the ball more means more opportunities to score.
“It’s about how we work together when we have the ball and when we don’t have the ball,” Marta said of the team’s philosophy.
Marta said players have to play hard and do their best for their club or they risk not being ready when called up to the national team. So there is no benefit in taking things easy with the club side to stay healthy for the World Cup.
When asked if she would continue to play internationally after this World Cup, Marta responded, “Let’s live day after day, you know?” She said if she feels good with her club and her teammates she can continue to do so with Brazil, too.
Marta said she was a little sad to see Monica and Poliana leave the club and hopes that they find a good new club to play for because that’s also important for the Brazilian national team.
When asked if she had any goals for the season, Marta replied, “Make more goals!”
Marta said Skinner’s system allows the freedom to roam and feel the game, so that she can play as both a midfielder and a forward, moving to spaces wherever she’s needed. “Not whatever I want,” she laughed, “but to produce good for the team.”

Alex Morgan

“I’m just eager to be coached by [Skinner], and for him to just implement his style, and for us to apply that in games,” Morgan said.
Morgan said she was happy with Ustruck’s decision to bring in Skinner to take the job.
“In previous years, just playing college teams is really difficult because that’s a hard gauge to see on like where we are in terms of how ready we are for the season,” Morgan said of the preseason. “So going in and playing North Carolina, obviously having them be the reigning champions from last year, it’s going to be just right away we’ll know what we still need to work on, where we are in terms of fitness, and in terms of Marc’s style being adapted by the team. So I’m really happy we’re making this trip.”
The team not having a lot of turnover is a good thing, Morgan said.
Morgan said the challenge for the Pride is the number of international players leaving for a big chunk of the season.
Younger players can learn from the internationals’ professionalism and they have to be eager to learn.
Morgan lauded France’s acceptance of women in sport as “exciting to see” and was glad to see the number of tickets sold for the World Cup games.
“I’m hopeful that we look very organized and have clear direction,” she said.
Morgan said she was impressed with Ustruck and his ability to bring in someone like Skinner.
She said she feels there’s still room for her to learn and grow as a player and she’s looking forward to Skinner helping her do that.

Alanna Kennedy

“I really like his direction and his philosophy,” Kennedy said of Skinner. “It’s something that’ll make all of us better, hopefully, as a collective.”
Kennedy talked about having surgery “thrown in there” during a six-week break. She said she’d played about 80 games in the previous 12 to 18 months. She said she’s now feeling good and is excited to be back in Orlando.
“When you’re in a positive environment, your well-being is taken care of, that’s when you’re able to thrive on the field,” she said. “I’ve loved every minute of the couple days I’ve been here.”
Kennedy said she thinks that with the style of play Skinner will have, she’ll be able to play both midfield and defense. She said she loves her midfield role but also loves her role on defense with Australia, because that’s where the team needs her and she can thrive there.
Kennedy noted the team has always had the personnel to succeed but needed to have more of an identity.
“To know your role and to know what’s expected of you every minute is important and that’s something Marc will bring with his experience and his personality,” she said.
“You don’t really” get used to all the international travel, Kennedy said. But she added that it’s helpful when you have people in place to take care of you, as the Pride have.

Chioma Ubogagu

When asked what kind of Chioma Ubogagu the Pride are getting back, as opposed to the one who left to go play in Australia at the start of the off-season, she replied, “I think just someone who understands even more now the definition of being a professional.”
She said she learned more about recovery, watching film, and working on details while playing in Australia.
Ubogagu said that coming in from overseas, she was expected to be an impact player in the W-League, and that challenged her and she learned how to deal with pressure.
Having three nationalities — English, American, and Nigerian — she said all three are very important to her and she feels connected to all three and they combine equally to make her who she is.
“That experience to put on the England kit and represent the Lionesses is something I’ll never forget,” she said of her time with the England national team.
Ubogagu said she got the call on her birthday that she’d be getting her first call-up to England and it was the best birthday gift ever.
She said her national team coach, Phil Neville, texts the whole team and he told her to train hard this preseason.
Ubogagu said she met with Skinner yesterday. She said he’s very intelligent and noted that he showed her an iPad with screen shots and detailed notes on it.
“I think everyone has been really impressed with training sessions and the detail and energy,” she said “[Skinner is] always saying ‘brains over brawn.’ He wants us to make sophisticated decisions with the ball.”
“I don’t want to label myself a leader because I think I’m learning every day,” she said.
“Last year, if we’re going to be frank [the North Carolina Courage] killed everyone in the league. They scored the most goals. I think they had the fewest goals against. They had this confidence, this swagger on the field that you weren’t going to touch them when you’re on the field,” Ubogagu said. “So I think that’s awesome that one of our first preseason games is going against the defending champions. We’re going to see what we’re about early on in the preseason. It’ll be really cool to see how we adapt and how we come out against a team like that.”
Ubogagu said she wanted to help with the game so she became the players union representative for the Pride. She said her main job was to bring information back to the club so the players had a voice on things like, for example, when the league would break for the World Cup.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride’s Defense Has Returned to Form, Goals Remain a Challenge

The Orlando Pride have rebuilt their defensive identity, but now they need more consistency from their attack.

Published

4 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride’s 2026 season has been defined by two very different stories.

One side of the team has spent much of the year trying to rediscover what made it a championship-winning group. The other has been searching for the consistency needed to support that foundation.

Early in the season, the biggest questions surrounding the Pride centered on the team’s defense. The unit that helped win the club’s first NWSL championship did not immediately look like the same dominant group. Goals were conceded more frequently, defensive mistakes were more costly, and they appeared to be searching for the organization and stability that became a defining part of their recent success.

But Head Coach Seb Hines eventually found the adjustment that helped the back line regain its identity.

By moving Hailie Mace from center back to her natural right back position and shifting Cori Dyke into a center back role, Hines created a defensive structure that gave the Pride more balance. It was clear that Dyke is more comfortable in that center back position, while Mace had much better performances on the right side.

And the results were almost immediately noticeable.

In the five games before the shift, the Pride conceded multiple goals four times. Since that change, the team has only conceded two goals once — a 2-0 loss to Angel City FC on July 3.

But that move wasn’t the only one that’s made a difference.

Left back Kerry Abello has been out injured for much of the year and Mace has found herself on the shelf as well. That forced Dyke back to an outside back role and injuries to Brazilian center back Rafaelle have resulted in the pairing of Hannah Anderson and Zara Chavoshi. Even with backups forced into starting roles, the back line has been excellent in recent games.

Since returning from the break, the Pride have only conceded four goals in four games, including a clean sheet against the Kansas City Current and back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Boston Legacy FC and the Utah Royals. They’ve lost three of their last four games, but it’s not the fault of the defensive unit.

The losses come down to the lack of consistency in the attack.

The Pride have one of the most dangerous forwards in the world in Barbra Banda. The Zambian striker has been everything the Pride hoped for when the club made her one of the biggest signings in NWSL history, and she currently leads the league in goals scored.

But even Banda’s impact has come with some challenges.

The star has been working her way back into full match fitness from a thigh injury, and Hines has been carefully managing her minutes. That’s meant the Pride have not always had their most dangerous weapon available for a full 90 minutes.

The loss in Utah Saturday night was the first time Banda started since the World Cup break and the 62 minutes she played were her most in game during that stretch.

Getting Banda back to full fitness will be a major factor for the Pride moving forward, but they’ll also have to prepare for a stretch without her. Banda will soon be leaving for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, creating another challenge for an attack that has already struggled to find consistency.

That makes the need for secondary scoring options even more important.

Banda has done more than enough to carry her share of the responsbiity. The forward currently leads the NWSL with 12 goals, but the rest of the roster has combined for just nine goals this season. The next-highest scorers on the team are Haley McCutcheon, Marta, and Anderson, who have each found the back of the net twice.

Those numbers highlight just how much the Pride have relied on Banda for goals.

That type of dependence is difficult for any team to sustain. Even the best forwards in the world will eventually face opponents who adjust their defensive approach and focus more resources on limiting their impact. Other players have to step up and create goals from different areas of the field.

The Pride have already shown they can win games without dominating offensively. The defense has kept them competitive. Even when they’ve failed to score, they’ve remained within striking distance.

Saturday night was a perfect example. The Pride were outshot 13-3 and didn’t put a single attempt on goal. However, they only trailed 1-0 in the final minutes, so one quality strike or a fortunate bounce of the ball would’ve been enough to claim a valuable point.

That’s both a strength and a frustration for this team.

The defense has given the Pride a chance in nearly every game. It recovered from early-season struggles, adjusted through injuries, and returned to being one of the most reliable units in the league. But without consistent offensive production, those strong defensive performances have not always translated into results.

The Pride don’t have to become an offensive powerhouse overnight. They already have a world-class goal scorer and a defensive foundation capable of competing with any team in the league.

They just need more players to share the responsibility.

That’s been a defining characteristic of Hines’ teams in Orlando. The Pride have been built around a dominant defensive identity, but they’ve also found goals when they needed them — often from unlikely sources.

Even last season, when Banda suffered a season-ending injury, the Pride continued to find ways to create important moments and collect valuable points. The defense gave them a foundation, but the attack provided enough to turn close games into results.

This season, those moments have been harder to find.

The encouraging sign is that the Pride have already solved one major problem. The defense has rediscovered its identity despite injuries, lineup changes, and a difficult start to the year. Now they need the attack to do the same.

If the Pride can pair their improved defensive form with more consistent offensive production, they will once again have the formula that made them one of the NWSL’s best teams.

The defense has found its identity. Now the offense needs to find its rhythm.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Shut Out for Third Time in Four Games

The Pride’s struggles continue with a road loss at Utah as Orlando falls below the playoff line.

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (6-8-2, 20 points) fell 1-0 tonight to the Utah Royals (8-4-3, 27 points) at America First Field in Sandy, UT. Narumi Miura’s 36th-minute goal was the difference as the Pride lost their second straight and third in four games.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Boston Legacy FC on Wednesday. Luana, Nicole Payne, Seven Castain, and Barbra Banda entered the starting lineup, replacing Ally Lemos, Solai Washington, Jacquie Ovalle, and Marta.

“The league is unforgiving at times and that’s why you need a roster to supplement some of the fatigue with other players,” Hines said about the changes. “Make sure they’re rested and ready to go. We have to be careful with certain players. Obviously, players coming back from injury and managing their minutes, but also fatigue. And we don’t need any more injuries within the current squad.”

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse included Oihane, Hannah Anderson, Zara Chavoshi, and Cori Dyke. Angelina and Haley McCutcheon were in the defensive midfield behind Castain, Luana, and Payne with Banda up top.

This was a tough watch for Pride fans as the Royals dominated every facet of the game. The Pride didn’t record a shot until the 52nd minute and, even worse, didn’t come close to a chance at goal. The fact they only lost by one is an achievement as the Royals should’ve won by multiple goals. But some poor finishing and a header off the post allowed the Pride to keep it close.

Utah created the first shot of the game in the 14th minute when Ana Tejada played a ball forward that Cece Delzer tapped to Mina Tanaka. The midfielder driblbed across the box to find space and unleashed a shot that Moorhouse tipped over the crossbar.

The ensuing corner kick was deflected, landing at Kiana Palacios’ foot. The Mexican international turned to shoot, sending her attempt off target.

Palacios received a ball at the top of the Pride box in the 23rd minute before cutting and slipping. But she was able to get the ball to Miyabi Moriya, who laid it off for Tejada. The Spanish international sent her attempt over the crossbar, creating little concern for Moorhouse.

The 36th minute saw a seemingly innocuous situation turn into the game’s opening goal. Tejada sent a long ball forward for Cloe Lacasse, whose shot was blocked. It fell to Moriya, who tried to shoot but stumbled over the ball. Instead, she played it central to Tejada, who continued the ball to Miyabi. The midfielder dribbled outside as she was defended by Angelina before lifting a cross into the box. However, it sailed over the Moorhouse’s head and inside the far post to give the hosts the 1-0 lead.

WHAT A BALL BY NARUMI 😱 pic.twitter.com/NxhRPv0Lvk
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 19, 2026

Miura sent Delzer down the right in the 42nd minute. As the attacker reached the end line, she attempted a cross that Chavoshi blocked out of play. Chavoshi then headed the corner kick out to Miyabi, waiting just outside the box. The Japanese international’s second touch was a shot that sailed over the target.

The final chance of the half came in the second minute of stoppage time when Moriya sent Delzer down the right. The midfieder spotted Tejada making a run to the top of the box, allowing the attacker to take a first-touch shot. However, the shot went off Palacios and wide of the goal.

After 45 minutes, Utah had the advantage in possession (59%-41%), shots (7-0), shots on target (2-0), corner kicks (4-2), and passing accuracy (78%-62%). It was a dominant half that had the Pride down a goal and needing a major lift.

Hines made three changes at halftime. Kerry Abello, Washington, and Lemos came into the game for Castain, Luana, and Oihane.

The Royals started the second half on the attacking foot, taking their first shot less than a minute after the restart. Tejada played Tanaka into the Pride third of the field, and Tanaka tried to chip the ball over Moorhouse. However, she sent the attempt wide of the target.

The Pride finally created their first shot of the game in the 52nd minute when they won a corner kick. The set piece was cleared away where Lemos took possession. She played it centrally for Abello. Since nobody stepped up to the defender, she attempted a shot through a group of players that was blocked.

In the 54th minute, Payne sent a cross into the box for Banda. The striker tried to turn the ball on goal, but Kate Del Fava was there to block it. The ball went right back to Banda, who laid it off for Abello. But her shot was also blocked. With her back facing the goal, Banda turned and shot into Del Fava, allowing Utah to clear.

A Tanaka cross in the 59th minute went right to Anderson, but the center back’s clearance only went to the top of the box. Chavoshi blocked Tejada’s first-touch shot and Lacasse’s follow-up attempt as well.

Hines made his fourth change of the night in the 61st minute, replacing Banda with Ovalle. The substitution was due to a minutes restriction on Banda, who continues to increase her minutes as she returns from a thigh injury.

Dyke cleared a loose ball in the Pride third of the field over the end in the 65th minute as Lacasse chased it down. Tatumn Milazzo shook free of Lemos on the ensuing corner kick and sent her free header off the far post. It bounced off Delzer’s shoulder, allowing Ovalle to clear the danger.

Hines made his final change in the 74th minute as Julie Doyle came on for Payne.

The Pride should’ve had a good attempt at goal in the 84th minute when Angelina drew a foul and quickly played the ball to Abello. The defender sent it forward for Washington down the left with Doyle and Ovalle making runs. Washington sent the ball into the box, but her cross sailed over the crossbar. It was especially irritating to Ovalle, who had a step on her defender at the top of the six-yard box.

At full time, Utah had the advantage in possession (57%-43%), shots (13-3), shots on target (3-0), corner kicks (6-5), and passing accuracy (77%-65%). Frankly, the Pride are fortunate they didn’t lose by more as the post saved them from a two-goal loss.

“Tough one. Tough defeat,” Hines said. “I thought the game was quite even. The goal is just one of those that, it’s a cross that goes into the corner and they take the lead. The players gave absolutely everything. It’s always tough, big turnaround from Wednesday night to come in here. The travel. We’ve always said we’re not going to look for excuses. We always look at what’s in front of us and try our best and I think the players tried their best tonight, but it wasn’t quite enough today.”

The Pride continue to struggle since returning from the FIFA World Cup break. They’ve now lost three of their first four games since the restart, with the only win being a surprising 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Current at home.

While the Pride are in a slump, it hasn’t been the defensive unit’s fault. Orlando has only conceded four goals in the last four games and has a clean sheet in that span. The last two losses have been narrow 1-0 defeats.

“Defensively, I thought we did everything in our power to try to stop clear-cut opportunities,” Hines said. “We knew that Utah would use the space in behind and try to exploit that, use their goalkeeper. So we were patient within that. Structurally we were okay. We allowed certain players to have the ball.”

The main problem for the Pride has been finding goals. They’ve only scored in one of their last four games. It’s a problem that appeared tonight and is why they weren’t able to get anything from the game.

“We weren’t quite threatening enough in transition,” Hines said. “Would’ve like to have seen some better opportunities to go to goal, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. The ball just ran out of play or we mishit it.”

This loss sees the Pride out of the playoff spots, landing in ninth with 20 points from 16 games. While they sit just one point behind the North Carolina Courage for eighth and two behind Angel City FC for seventh, they’ve now played two more games than all of the teams around them. Denver Summit FC is just one point back, Bay FC is two back, and Seattle Reign FC is three back, with each holding two games in hand.

The Pride will look to achieve a positive result on Friday when they welcome Chicago Stars FC to Inter&Co Stadium.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride look to bounce back from a poor performance as they face the Utah Royals away from home.

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your match preview and live thread as the Orlando Pride (6-7-2, 20 points) head back out on the road to face Utah Royals FC (7-4-3, 24 points). This is the first of two meetings between the two teams with the return game in Orlando scheduled for Aug. 29.

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

History

The original Utah Royals first played in 2018 and 2019 before the team was purchased and relocated to Kansas City. The new owners of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake bought an expansion side, so 2024 was the first season the two teams met since 2019, although this is an all-new side. After going 1-3-2 against the old Royals, the Pride are 4-0-1 against the current iteration of the club, with all games coming in the NWSL regular season. Orlando is 2-0-0 in Utah.

The last time the Pride met the Royals was on Aug. 3, 2025 in Orlando. The visitors led early through Mina Tanaka off an assist from Kaleigh Riehl. But Simone Jackson set up Prisca Chilufya for the 72nd minute equalizer, ensuring the Pride came away with a 1-1 draw. On May 23 in Utah. It was the Barbra Banda show, as the striker became the first Pride player to score a hat trick, doing so in just 38 minutes. Brecken Mozingo scored the only goal for the hosts early in the game, getting behind the back line. But a scoreless second half resulted in a 3-1 win for the Pride.

The first game between the two since this new version of the Royals began NWSL play took place on April 12, 2024 in Sandy, UT. Marta started on the bench and came on for Adriana in the second half. It didn’t take long for the Pride captain to make an impact, netting the game’s lone goal six minutes after entering the match, as Orlando left the Beehive State with a 1-0 victory.

On June 21, 2024 in Orlando, it was a dominant performance from start to finish as the Pride roared to a 6-0 win. Banda started the scoring, and Summer Yates made it 2-0 just before halftime. The Pride took off in the second half with goals by Banda and Ally Watt, along with a Marta brace.

Overview

The start to the second half of the NWSL season has gone about the same for the Pride as the whole year — up and down. They started with a 2-0 loss to Angel City FC, in a game where the Pride defended for nearly the entire 90 minutes. They followed that with a 3-0 win against a red-hot Kansas City Current team, playing possibly their best half of the season in the second 45 minutes. Then, Wednesday night, they fell to expansion side Boston Legacy FC, this time losing 1-0.

If the trend continues, it might bode well for the Pride tonight. They’ve tended to play up or down to their competition. While both Angel City and Boston sit behind the Pride in the standings, the Royals are above them. Given Utah’s current position in fifth place, the Pride seem destined to have a quality performance tonight.

In order to beat the Royals tonight, the Pride will likely need production from Banda. The striker leads the league in goals with 12 and has been the primary source of goals for the team this season.

They’ll also need a strong performance from the back line, but the players that will make up that group is much more of a question. The Pride’s defensive unit has been better since Rafaelle and Cori Dyke have made up the center back partnership. However, Rafaelle was out Wednesday night and Dyke had to move to the left back position, making the center back pairing Zara Chavoshi and Hannah Anderson.

Tonight’s opponent has seen success on both sides of the field this season. They’ve scored 21 goals so far, good enough to tie them for third most in the league. Defensively, they’ve only conceded 16 goals this season, fifth-least in the NWSL.

The Royals are led in the attack by Cloe Lacasse with five goals. She’s followed by Tanaka with four. Lara Prasnikar, Kiana Palacios, Tatumn Milazzo, and Cece Delzer have two goals each this year. Lacasse and Tanaka also lead the team in assists, though it’s the other way around. Tanaka leads the team with four assists and Lacasse has three. Palacios and Delzer follow with two assists apiece so far this season.

As you can see, keeping Tanaka and Lacasse from creating problems for the Pride’s back line will be crucial in keeping the Royals off the scoresheet.

Despite being a relatively new team, the Royals have plenty of veteran leadership in the back, which has been crucial in their defensive success. Mandy McGlynn is the starting goalkeeper in front of a center back pairing that has consisted of Kate Del Fava, Tatumn Milazzo, and Riehl. The three right in front of the goal has made Utah a difficult team to score against.

The Pride will play tonight without Hailie Mace (thigh), Marta (excused absence), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), and Summer Yates (ankle). Utah will be without DeAira Jackson (concussion), Alex Loera (knee), and KK Ream (knee).

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Cori Dyke, Hannah Anderson, Zara Chavoshi, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Haley McCutcheon.

Attacking Midfielders: Nicole Payne, Luana, Seven Castain.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: Cosette Morche, Zoe Matthews, Jacquie Ovalle, Simone Jackson, Ally Lemos, Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Julie Doyle, Solai Washington.

Utah Royals FC (4-2-1-3)

Goalkeeper: Mandy McGlynn.

Defenders: Nuria Rabano, Tatumn Milazzo, Kate Del Fava, Miyabi Moriya.

Defensive Midfielders: Narumi Miura, Ana Tejada.

Attacking Midfielders: Mina Tanaka.

Forward: Cloe Lacasse, Kiana Palacios, Cece Delzer.

Bench: Paige Cronin, Kameron Simmonds, Lara Prasnikar, Brecken Mozingo, Courtney Brown, Kaleigh Riehl, Mia Justus, Alexa Spaanstra, Madison Hammond.

Referees

REF: Servando Berna.
AR1: Matthew Schwartz.
AR2: Fernando Fierro.
4TH: Brad Jensen.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: Kevin Huet.

How to Watch

Match Time: 8:45 p.m.

Venue: America First Field — Sandy, UT.

TV: Ion.

Streaming: None.

Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter (@ORLPride) or Bluesky (@orlpride.com) feed.

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!