Orlando Pride

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

Published

6 years ago

June 22, 2019

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (0-7-2, 2 points) take on Sky Blue FC (0-6-2, 2 points) at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. This is the first of three scheduled matches between the teams for the 2019 season, with the New Jersey club visiting Exploria Stadium on Saturday, July 20, and the Pride returning to Yurcak Field on Sunday, Sept. 29 in their final road game.

History

The all-time series between Orlando and the New Jersey side is tied 3-3-2. Orlando held the slim lead heading into the last game of 2018. Sky Blue had been winless all season up to that point, but Shea Groom connected with Carli Lloyd in the 74th minute for the lone goal of the match. The win gave Sky Blue its only of the season and continued the Pride’s winless streak. Orlando ended the season going its final six games without a win.

On Aug. 5 of last year, the teams played to a 2-2 draw. After a scoreless first half, Marta put away a rebound after Dani Weatherholt’s shot hit the post at the beginning of the second half. Two minutes later, Imani Dorsey tied the game and six minutes after that Groom gave Sky Blue its first lead of the season in any match. In the 73rd minute, Camila drew a foul, but Weatherholt got on the end of it. The referee played advantage, and somehow Weatherholt put the ball in the back of the net. Marta missed what would have been the game-winning penalty in stoppage.

It has been over a calendar year since Orlando last beat Sky Blue. That is the longest time out of all NWSL teams. That win came on June 16, 2018 when the Pride won 3-2. Sydney Leroux recorded a first-half brace and Rachel Hill scored the late game-winner.

In 2017, Orlando had the edge. The Pride lost the first meeting, but then followed that up by winning the next two matches by a combined score of 8-2. In Orlando’s inaugural season the teams played in back-to-back games, and Orlando failed to win either. The teams drew 1-1 on Sept. 7, 2016 — the first draw in Pride history — and then Sky Blue won 2-1 three days later.

Overview

The Orlando Pride enter tonight’s game riding a 15-match winless streak. The last win for the Pride was back on July 14, 2018, against the Utah Royals. Still, there has been slow progress this season and Orlando is coming off just its second draw of 2019.

The Pride tied the Houston Dash a week ago, with Joanna Boyles opening the scoring on a free kick in the 13th minute. For the first time all season, Orlando held the lead in halftime, 1-0, but the Dash scored two unanswered after the break. Danica Evans scored the equalizer just minutes after she entered the match, and the game ended 2-2.

Sky Blue comes into the match in almost as bad shape as the Pride. With just two draws on the season and no wins, the New Jersey side is on a four-match winless streak. Every match in those games has been decided by just one goal. In Sky Blue’s most recent game, the Utah Royals won 1-0 off of Amy Rodriguez’s NWSL Goal of the Week in the 16th minute.

“I think [Sky Blue] will be very, very structured,” Marc Skinner said. “I think they press effectively when it comes into zones so you’ve got to be able to impact that by getting in between their lines and playing quickly. If you do that, I think you can cause them a real problem. If you don’t then they are structured, they’re organized, and they’ll counter-attack on you, and that’s what I’m expecting. I think we have to be resilient again, but we also have to find our creative form to get between players, get around them, and then punish them going forward.”

With the international players out, Orlando has lacked creativity up front. Boyles has been one of Orlando’s best players in recent weeks, and Skinner will again look to the midfielder to provide a spark.

For Sky Blue, Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez is the player to watch. Rodriguez has scored two goals and added an assist this season — the most points of any Sky Blue player. She has started in all eight matches and should be a focal point again tonight.

Obviously, both teams are impacted by the World Cup. The home team is without Carli Lloyd, Estelle Johnson, and Kailen Sheridan, while the Pride will be missing Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Alanna Kennedy, Emily Van Egmond, Marta, Camila, Shelina Zadorsky, and Claire Emslie. Sydney Leroux is the only other Pride player out, but Sky Blue will be missing Mandy Freeman (right achilles tendon repair), Madison Tiernan (left ACL/MCL sprain), and Domi Richardson (left ankle). Further hampering Sky Blue is the recent trade of Savannah McCaskill to the Chicago Red Stars for draft picks.

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Haley Kopmeyer.

Defenders: Carson Pickett, Toni Pressley, Morgan Reid, Erin Greening.

Midfielders: Marisa Viggiano, Joanna Boyles, Dani Weatherholt.

Forwards: Chioma Ubogagu, Danica Evans, Rachel Hill.

Bench: Lainey Burdett, Abby Elinsky, Hana Kerner, Taylor Porter, Caitlin Farrell, Bridget Callahan, Alika Keene.

Sky Blue FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Didi Haracic.

Defenders: Caprice Dydasco, Gina Lewandowski, Erica Skroski, Sabrina Flores.

Midfielders: Raquel Rodriguez, Sarah Killion, Nahomi Kawasumi.

Forwards: Imani Dorsey, Jennifer Hoy, Elizabeth Eddy.

Bench: Paige Monaghan, Julie James, Kaylan Marckese, Gabi Morais, Amandine Pierre-Louis, Kenie Wright.

Referees

Ref: Rebecca Pagan.

AR1: Meghan Mullen.

AR2: Ben Pilgrim.

4th: Jared Simons.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7 p.m. ET.

Venue: Yurcak Field — Piscataway, NJ.

TV: None.

Streaming: Yahoo! Sports app (U.S.), NWSLsoccer.com, NWSL app (international).

Twitter: For live updates, follow along at the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride) and on The Mane Land’s Twitter (@TheManeLand).

Match Thread Rules

This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. So use our comments section below to talk about the game in real time with other supporters. If you’re new, welcome to our happy home! While you’re here, please observe a few basic rules:

Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They can get us in trouble, and no one wants that.
Try not to be the person who spews nothing but venom and hate for the team. It’s OK to be critical, and, let’s face it, sometimes even the best teams can be frustrating to watch, but being overly negative relentlessly can sap the enjoyment for others.
Keep it somewhat clean and fair when criticizing players / officials. You never know who might be reading.
Do unto others in the match thread, the way you would have others do unto you. We are a fun community and want to keep it this way. We have a moderator, but we’d rather let him enjoy the game instead of having to play babysitter.

Enjoy the match! Go Pride!

Opinion

Three Orlando Pride Games to Circle on the Calendar

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

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Ben Miller

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

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

March 7 — vs. Washington Spirit

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

Aug. 16 — at Kansas City Current

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

Nov. 2 — vs. Seattle Reign

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

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

Orlando Pride

A 2025 Orlando Pride Wish List

Four things I want for the Orlando Pride in 2025.

Published

2 days ago

January 23, 2025

David Rohe

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

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

No Banda Slump

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

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

A Healthy Chanda and Charley

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

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

Adding Depth Contributions

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

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

Overcoming History

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

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

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

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Announce 2025 NWSL Schedule

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

Published

3 days ago

January 22, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 Orlando Pride Schedule (All Times Eastern)

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