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A Look at the Orlando Pride’s Early Season Struggles

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6 years ago

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The Orlando Pride arguably had the worst off-season in the NWSL and it has left them flagging in the early weeks with only one goal and one point to show from the opening four games. The Pride now have a winless streak that stands at 10 games stretching back to last year. Thanks to such form, the impatient and reactionary takes alike have already started to surface with some around the league wondering what new Head Coach Marc Skinner is trying to build in his short tenure.

The Pride are coming off the back of missing the playoffs, having spent half of last season above the line before sliding all the way down to seventh. They ultimately parted ways with Tom Sermanni after three years and brought in Skinner to try and turn things around. In hiring Skinner, they committed themselves to a complete overhaul in playing style, one that will take time, and some carefully planned personnel changes.

Skinner has previously cited Maurizio Sarri and Pep Guardiola as influences, admiring their sides’ positional fluidity, high press, and control of space on the field. Such change doesn’t happen overnight. In his first season at Manchester City, Guardiola finished fourth and spent record fees on half a dozen players to eventually win the title. Sarri, meanwhile, is coming to the close of a difficult debut season at Chelsea and can still be seen frantically gesticulating on the sideline, barking instructions to his players.

Both bear similarities to the situation currently in Central Florida. We might not see the fruits of the labor until Skinner’s second season as he will look to recruit the players he feels fit his system, alongside developing the ones he already has. The Englishman said himself that it will take time for the current players to adapt but his decade plus experience in youth development prior to his time at Birmingham City breeds confidence for the long-term future.

While some in the media and online have been quick to criticize his energetic sideline manner, it is simply the only way to get an entire team to play on the same page in such an intricate, yet organic, system. He’s doing what he’s paid to do — coach — and there is no greater coaching opportunity than in an actual game.

While it may seem like the Pride are underachieving, it’s worth remembering this is a seventh-place team that has so far only played four times under its new boss and the schedule has been nothing short of brutal. The opening three games were against the top three teams from last season, with two on the road and all in the space of eight days. The fourth saw the visit of Utah Royals FC end in a 1–0 defeat, progress from the earlier thrashings but still riddled with errors both defensively and in possession. All this came after a disruptive preseason with no less than eight players called away by their respective national teams at some point. So while the great and good of the NWSL have been able to pick up exactly where they left off by sticking with the same coach and minimizing roster turnover, the Pride are one of three teams in a whirlwind transition. The other two teams, Houston Dash and Washington Spirit, both only have one win apiece and those were against last season’s stragglers, Sky Blue FC. Houston, meanwhile, were handed a similar thrashing by North Carolina this past weekend, just the like the Pride were in week two.

Despite a host of international caliber players, it is naive to think this roster is “too talented” to be missing the playoffs. Look around the league and you’ll find every team has its own collection of federation players alongside top level foreign internationals. Comparatively speaking, Orlando is not the stacked roster it is so commonly made out to be after a cursory glance at names like Alex Morgan and Marta, neither of whom has found the back of the net in 2019.

The support cast has been left wanting. Orlando’s next tier domestic talent has proven to be wildly inconsistent, the team hasn’t had a draft pick earlier than the third round since their debut season, and the depth leaves a lot to be desired in a year that will see teams increasingly lean on their newly expanded rosters.

Simply put, there has been a systematic failure when it comes to recruitment, something the team has tried to address with the hire of the Pride’s very own dedicated General Manager Erik Ustruck, the first to not also hold the same role for Orlando City. But Ustruck’s reign has gotten off to an unconvincing start. The front office allowed Brazilian internationals Poliana and Mônica to leave, and traded Christine Nairn to the Houston Dash. In doing so, Orlando let a combined total of 17,995 NWSL minutes leave the building. Factor in Sydney Leroux’s current inactive status due to her pregnancy and the Pride are missing the wealth of experience and quality that 321 NWSL appearances bring. A non-playoff team doesn’t lose that level of talent and suddenly start winning. Instead, suitable upgrades need to be found.

For Ustruck, that has so far come in the shape of one third- and one fourth-round rookie from January’s college draft, two undrafted rookies, and four players entering their second years as professionals who combine for three top flight professional appearances between the eight of them. That’s not a quick fix, it’s a long term project. But then again, nobody should think this is close to the finished product. These new players not only need time to adapt to the system but also the chance to develop as the professionals they aim to be.

However, even for those who #TrustTheProcess, the Orlando Pride really aren’t looking good at the moment. The team is on such a poor run of form, the players appear to lack any chemistry based purely on the eye test, and the new possession-heavy style has so far not made for good statistical reading either.

The Pride only average 47% possession and are out-passed 429-377, allowing for 75.7% accuracy to their own 70.7%. In terms of attack, they average 13 shots per game, with 15.4% on target, but allow 21 shots to a staggering accuracy of 37.8%, and are only making eight tackles to the opposition’s 13. It seems simple to say but improving on these and cutting down individual errors, something Skinner was keen to emphasize after the Utah game when he spoke at length about the accountability of both him and his players, will bring about an uptick in results. But that won’t happen until this team starts playing hard, fast, and for each other.

Remember, it is not just a style of play Skinner is trying to create but also a new culture, one he says has no room for excuses. His post-match press conferences have so far been notable for their unfiltered honesty, reminding players that they are professional athletes and that what he has seen from them so far simply hasn’t matched their potential. He’s not wrong. The NWSL’s coverage recently came into criticism for its unconscious misogyny and the frequency with which analysis is treated with kid gloves. Skinner’s high demand reminds us all of the elite nature of the league and the responsibility of the players to play to such a level.

We will see if Skinner’s latest call to arms inspires the players to step up and claim their first victory when they travel to Houston to take on the Dash next Sunday. Then, we should get a better sense of whether the team really has been underachieving or if this simply is its level.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Morgan Gautrat

The veteran holding midfielder brought stability and experience to the Pride in 2024.

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10 hours ago

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December 13, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride acquired former United States Women’s National Team midfielder Morgan Gautrat along with $50,000 in Allocation Money in exchange for a 2024 international spot on Jan. 11. Midfield depth was an area of need after the Pride had lost Mikayla Cluff in the NWSL Expansion Draft, with Viviana Villacorta also recovering from a serious knee injury. The team had already signed Brazilian internationals Angelina and Luana, so adding Gautrat ensured that there would be competition for the starting lineup and improved depth in that position group.

Gautrat added stability, experience, her high soccer IQ, and talent to the squad in an area of need, and she was rewarded on Sept. 12 with a new contract through the 2025 season with an option year for 2026. Players like Gautrat, who were willing to serve in any role (or multiple roles) needed, helped the club achieve remarkable accomplishments in 2024, including the NWSL Shield, NWSL Championship, and numerous league and team records.

Let’s look back at Gautrat’s first season in Orlando as she experienced somewhat of a homecoming, having grown up in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Statistical Breakdown

Gautrat made 17 appearances during the regular season, starting 11 games and amassing 850 minutes. She did not contribute a goal or assist, attempting just six shots and putting two of them on target. She passed well at an 88.5% rate on 504 attempts without a key pass, connecting on two crosses and 14 long balls. Defensively, she contributed 13 tackles, 16 interceptions, and 18 headed duels won. Gautrat committed 10 fouls on the season, drew six on the opposition, and was booked three times (all yellow cards).

In the postseason, Gautrat appeared in two of the Pride’s three playoff games — both off the bench — logging just 19 minutes. She did not contribute to a goal, attempting two shots and putting one of them on target. The midfielder completed 85% of her 13 passes without a key pass, cross, or long ball. She recorded one tackle, no interceptions, no fouls committed, no fouls drawn, and no bookings.

Gautrat appeared in all three of Orlando’s games in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, starting the last two and tallying 122 minutes. Again, she did not register a goal or assist, and she did not attempt a shot. She completed an impressive 95% of her 57 passes but did not log a key pass or successful cross, connecting on two long balls. She won two of her three tackle attempts (67%), adding an interception on the defensive end. Gautrat committed two fouls, suffered two fouls, and was not booked in the tournament.

Best Game

Several games leap out as strong defensive outings for Gautrat, including her part in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home against the Chicago Red Stars on March 29, in which she tallied four tackles and passed at a 96% rate.

I’ll go with her lone 90-minute outing of the season, which came in a 1-0 road victory at the Utah Royals April 12, because it was a similar performance and helped the team win on the road. This was before Barbra Banda appeared in a match with the Pride, who had scored only four goals in the first three games of the season, drawing all three. The offense again scored just one goal at Utah, but this time it was enough to provide Orlando with its first win in a season full of them, largely due to Gautrat’s part in the collective team defensive effort.

Gautrat started and went the distance without contributing anything offensively. However, she turned in one of her best passing performances of the season, connecting 94% of the time on her 50 attepts — her second-most passes of the year. She didn’t record a tackle, but she managed three interceptions, which ended up tying for her high in a game for the 2024 season. She committed one foul in the match but was not booked. Her efforts helped the Pride limit Utah to just five shots in the match.

The win was an important one, because it kicked off a league record eight straight victories for the Pride, who built momentum and didn’t lose a match until after they’d won the NWSL Shield.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Gautrat a solid rating of 6 out of 10 for the 2024 season. While the veteran midfielder provided stability in helping to shield the back line and goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse well throughout the year, the offensive side of the game was not a strength, as shown in her 517 pass attempts in NWSL regular season and playoff games without a single key pass or assist and only two successful crosses. While offense isn’t her primary job, and she was by no means the only holding midfielder short on goal contributions, the occasional critical through ball to free up an attacker is essential in the way the team plays. Gautrat also had to fight through some injuries in April and June, which may have affected her to some degree, because she began the year starting frequently but was more of a bench player after her second injury spell.

2025 Outlook

Gautrat remains under contract with the Pride for 2025 (and 2026, if the option is exercised), and I expect she will play a similar role next season for Orlando. She will turn 32 in February, and the years, miles, and several injuries over her career have robbed her of some of her lateral quickness. But she’s a savvy player who reads the game well, so she is still mostly able to get herself into the right spots. Gautrat will continue to bring value to Orlando’s midfield group. She will push others in her position group for a starting spot but may end up as a second-half super sub to protect leads or replace teammates on yellow cards while providing spot starts when needed.

Players like Gautrat and Angelina brought a level of composure to the Pride midfield that had never previously been seen in the club’s history. Moving Haley McCutcheon from right back to midfield only added to that. But there’s also the uncertainty of Luana returning to fitness to consider as well as the development of 2024 draft pick Ally Lemos. The Pride midfield is in good shape entering next season, and it showed in 2024 that it could even survive multiple absences and still perform at a high level. This bodes well for the team in 2025.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Julie Doyle

A look at the forward’s third season with the Pride.

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1 day ago

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December 12, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride selected Julie Doyle 11th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft and signed her on Jan. 27, 2022 to a one-year contract with an option for 2023. On May 8, 2023 the California native was given a new two-year contract through the 2024 season. Doyle was then given another contract on Oct. 1, 2024, a new two-year deal through the 2026 season.

Doyle saw more of the pitch this season but wasn’t able to increase her offensive productivity. Let’s look at how the attacker performed in 2024.

Statistical Breakdown

Doyle played in 25 of the Pride’s 26 games in the regular season, starting 21 and recording 1,377 minutes. She scored two goals and added one assist on one key pass, with seven successful crosses and seven completed long balls. Doyle put 13 of her 23 regular-season shots on target and completed 76% of her 308 passes. Despite playing in the attack, she also helped defensively, recording 17 tackles and four interceptions. She committed 15 fouls, suffered 23 fouls, and earned two yellow cards.

During the NWSL playoffs, Doyle came off the bench in all three of the Pride’s matches, recording 72 minutes. The majority of those minutes came when she subbed on at halftime for Ally Watt in the 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars. Through the three matches, she took five shots, putting one on target, and completed 92% of her 12 passes. Defensively, Doyle recorded two tackles, committed two fouls, and earned one yellow card.

Doyle played in all three of the Pride’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup games, starting in the first and third games while recording 189 minutes. Doyle scored one goal on five shots with two on target. She did not register an assist, but completed 19 of her 33 passes (62%) without recording a key pass, a long ball, or a cross, turning the ball over 25 times. Her one goal came in the match against Liga MX Femenil club CF Monterrey. Defensively, the attacker contributed one interception and won two headed duels. She committed one foul, drew one on her opponents, and wasn’t booked.

Best Game

Doyle’s best game came in the 1-1 draw against the San Diego Wave June 7. While it was the match that broke the team’s NWSL-record winning streak after eight victories, the Pride remained undefeated, thanks to a first-half goal from Doyle. She made a good run into the box, and held up just a bit to give herself space between the defenders. It wasn’t an easy goal, as the cross from Barbra Banda was slightly behind her, but she made the most of it to give the Pride the early lead.

The attacker started, played 63 minutes, and was a big part of the Pride’s offensive scheme, touching the ball 30 times and completing 86% of her 14 passes. Two of her three shots were on target, including the goal. She also contributed defensively, adding two tackles and committing one foul.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Doyle a composite grade of 5.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season, which matches the 5.5 grade she received last year. Doyle always brings the energy when she is in a match, but her finishing and decision making in the final third aren’t always the best. Still, the club finds value in her game, and I’m certain she’s a cultural fit within the club and the locker room. A few more goals and she can see her grade go up next year.

2025 Outlook

Doyle will be with the Orlando Pride in 2025 as the club looks to defend two titles. With Banda, Adriana, Ally Watt, Grace Chanda, and Summer Yates all options for Seb Hines, Doyle might find herself in the role of energetic sub again next season. She’ll still get plenty of playing time but is unlikely to get as many starts as she did early in 2024. That doesn’t mean she won’t play an important role, but she’ll need to put the ball in the net a lot more to earn a starting spot.

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Orlando Pride Sign Goalkeeper Kat Asman

The Pride have signed goalkeeper Kat Asman to a two-year contract through the 2026 NWSL season.

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2 days ago

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December 11, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has signed Kat Asman to a two-year contract through the 2026 season. The Portland Thorns selected Asman in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

“Kat is a phenomenal addition to our goalkeeping corps and is someone we expect to provide competition and push this group to be even better than they have been,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “We are so excited for what she brings to the group both on and off the pitch and are confident she will play an important role in our upcoming season. Kat is a great fit for our club, and we look forward to providing her the atmosphere and tools to grow her game and make an impact in Orlando.” 

Asman was selected by the Thorns with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. The Thorns needed a goalkeeper due to starter Bella Bixby’s pregnancy, which would cause her to miss significant time. While the rookie was on the roster, she was behind Shelby Hogan, Mackenzie Arnold, and Lauren Kozal. As a result, she didn’t make any NWSL or NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup appearances in 2024.

The Roswell, GA, native was already fourth-choice goalkeeper and Bixby will likely return to her starting position in 2025, leaving the rookie with no place in the squad. The Pride came to her rescue by signing the 24-year-old to a two-year contract.

“I am extremely excited to join the reigning NWSL champions,” Asman said in the club’s release. “A big reason I felt so drawn to joining the Pride is their drive to creating a connected team culture that thrives on building relationships off the field in order to cultivate results on the field. Over the last season, I’ve been able to watch Orlando have an unforgettable season, and I feel very blessed that I get to be a part of everything this team will continue to build in the future.”

Prior to being drafted by the Thorns, Asman spent four years starting for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where she was a teammate of Pride defenders Kerry Abello and Cori Dyke. She played 87 games in State College with 323 saves and 27 clean sheets. Additionally, she became one of four women in Penn State history to win 50 games.

Internationally, Asman has participated in training camps for the USWNT U-14 through U-18 youth teams.

What It Means for Orlando

This signing may not have much of an impact on the Pride in 2025, although the addition may bring into question Sofia Manner’s future with Orlando. Anna Moorhouse started all 26 regular-season games and all three playoff games in 2024, while McKinley Crone was the backup in all of those games. Manner was only on the team sheet for the Summer Cup matches, playing the second game and being an unused sub in the other two.

The Pride will likely have three goalkeepers on the roster for 2025, meaning one of the four currently under contract is likely on their way out. The club signed Crone to a new contract through 2026 on Sept. 6, indicating she’s part of the Pride’s future plans. With Moorhouse under contract next season, it might mean Manner is departing. The Finnish shot-stopper signed a two-year deal on Dec. 1, 2023, with an option for 2026. But with her lack of ability to lock down even the primary backup role this year, we could see a corresponding move in the coming days.

Regardless of who makes way for Asman, it’s likely she’ll be third string. The club seems content with Moorhouse and Crone as the top two goalkeepers and Asman has yet to make a professional appearance. There isn’t much for Carter to do this off-season to beef up the team, but determining who will be the third goalkeeper next season will be something to watch.

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