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Orlando Pride vs. Sky Blue FC: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Get First Shutout Win in More Than a Year

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5 years ago

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The Orlando Pride returned home and beat Sky Blue FC 1-0 at Exploria Stadium in front of 9,415 fans. It was the third-largest crowd at a home Pride game and the largest since the 2017 home opener. Marisa Viggiano got her first professional goal in the first half, and Orlando (3-9-2, 11 points) was able to hold on for the rest of the game to get the win over Sky Blue (2-8-2, 8 points). It was the first time all season Orlando shut out the opposition and the first shutout win since June 23, 2018. 

“You literally feel alive [in front of that crowd],” Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said. “There’s only some moments in life — like when my daughter was born — you feel alive, you break out of the norm of the monotonous day. When the energy of the crowd, it drives you on that extra bit. I don't think we’ve given them enough throughout the season to be cheerful about and come support us. I’m hopeful now that we've seen an increase in the attacking part of our game, then I think we will have that ability to draw that crowd in. I want these fans to be excited.”

Skinner made four changes from the loss to Portland last week. Ashlyn Harris replaced Haley Kopmeyer in net. On the back line, Ali Krieger slotted in at left back, Shelina Zadorsky and Toni Pressley partnered in the middle, and Erin Greening was at right back. Alanna Kennedy, Joanna Boyles, and Marisa Viggiano made up the middle three. The forward line of Chioma Ubogagu, Marta, and Rachel Hill remained unchanged. 

It was a mostly uneventful first half. There were just a few moments that were threatening, and Harris was never really bothered. However, the game changed just before the half-hour mark.

In the 23rd minute, Ubogagu sent a ball down the left wing to Viggiano. The rookie dribbled down the line, cut inside, and took a shot from just inside the box. Her rocket went into the top corner, Viggiano got her first professional goal, and Orlando went up 1-0.  

“Chi pulling out and into the midfield opened up that lane for me,” said Viggiano. “So I was able to get the ball, face forward, and just drive at the defenders. Honestly, it kind of just happened and I shot and it went in. It’s really, really cool.”

Ubogagu was the best player on the field for the majority of the game. She nearly found the back of the net at the half-hour mark. She made a great run, got behind the defense, and took a shot that went inches wide of the post. Julie James slid into her after she took the shot, and Ubogagu stayed down after the play. She got up with the help of the trainers and then was able to continue. 

Fans thought that the Pride went up 2-0 in the 36th minute. Kennedy sent the ball into the back of the net, but Hill was called for a foul moments earlier. The stadium erupted, the supporters let the flares loose, but the goal did not stand.

The Pride out-shot Sky Blue 7-5 in the first half, but the New Jersey side had two shots on target compared to Orlando’s one. Possession was fairly even, with the Pride having 52% and there were no corners by either team. For the third time all season, the Pride took a 1-0 lead into the break. 

“I’m so proud of the players,” said Skinner. “One of the things we’ve been asking them for awhile is a clean sheet. You’ve heard me say many times that we want a clean sheet because then you only have to score one goal. And that’s the difference.”

The second half was much of the same. There were not many chances in the game, and the few that were there were not put away. 

Pressley almost doubled the Pride’s lead in the 49th minute. Ubogagu played a great cross into the box. Neither team could get a good control of it, and it bounced around. Pressley pounced on the opportunity and toe-poked the ball as she was falling down. It was heading towards goal, but Kailen Sheridan made an excellent reaction save to deny the chance. 

Hill had two chances around the hour mark. First, Boyles played a great through ball. Hill was one-on-one with Sheridan but took too many touches and couldn’t even get off a shot. Minutes later, Marta played an even better through ball. Hill was again one-on-one with Sheridan, and the ‘keeper again got the better of Hill. 

That was Hill’s last moment of the match, and Claire Emslie subbed on for her, making her Pride debut after practicing for just two days with the team. The Scottish international was excited to finally get into her first match with the Pride.

“It was amazing,” said Emslie. “Even watching from the sidelines, just seeing the atmosphere. The crowd was incredible and the atmosphere was incredible. I think the girls, you can tell they’ve been working really hard. It was a good hustle first half and just excited to get on the pitch with the girls and excited to get a win.”

Emslie showed immediately why Skinner wanted her so badly. She used speed to get down the right wing, made a move to create space, and sent in a low cross to Marta. It was a rare moment as the Brazilian missed the golden opportunity and sent the ball wide. 

There were not many chances after that. At the end of the game, Orlando had a couple of corners but couldn’t do much with them. Sky Blue defended with everyone in the box, and the Pride struggled to get off shots. The best one came from Pickett at the penalty spot, but it sailed over the post. Van Egmond had a golden opportunity in stoppage time all alone in front of goal, but she missed the net.

For the first game this season, the Pride were on top of the majority of the stats. Orlando led in shots (21-10), shots on target (6-2), corners (7-1), and possession (52%). It was a mostly uneventful game though and Sky Blue did almost nothing offensively. Orlando was the better team and left at least three goals on the field.

“I think that was the first shutout in a year, so that was something that we were always aiming to do this season,” said Viggiano. “It’s been a really, really good ride with these girls. Every day in training sessions we’re giving it our all. It’s there, and we saw it tonight. It’s really exciting.”

The Pride are now off until Aug. 10, when the Houston Dash visit Exploria Stadium.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Viviana Villacorta

Viviana Villacorta returned to the field late in the 2024 season. Let’s see how she performed this year.

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24 hours ago

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December 2, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride selected Viviana Villacorta with the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft out of UCLA. The defensive midfielder opted to remain in school for her senior season, but tore her ACL shortly after, which kept her out of action for the 2021 NWSL campaign. She suffered an ankle injury in the 2022 season that required surgery and tore her ACL for the second time late in the 2023 season.

Villacorta didn’t re-enter the team until late in the year in 2024, making some league appearances and a playoff appearance as the season wound down. While she didn’t have a significant impact on the championship run, the fact that she got back onto the field was an accomplishment.

Let’s take a look at how Villacorta did in the few minutes she received in 2024.

Statistical Breakdown

Villacorta was in the team for the first time this season on Sept. 28, coming on as a substitute at home against the Houston Dash. She made three regular-season appearances in 2024, starting one — the last game of the season against Seattle Reign FC. She played 69 minutes in the regular season without a goal or an assist, completing 31 of 35 passes (91.2%). Villacorta attempted one shot but it was not on frame. Defensively, she recorded one tackle and two interceptions, commited three fouls, and was not booked.

She also came on as a substitute in the first playoff game against the Chicago Red Stars, making her professional playoff debut. The midfielder played three minutes in the match without a goal contribution, helping to see out the game. She completed four of her five passes (80%).

Best Game

The 25-year-old’s best game has to be her lone start against Seattle on Nov. 2. She had a season-high 26 touches, completed 95% of her 18 passes, and recorded one of her two interceptions in 45 minutes of action. She also took her only shot of the season in that game, though it was off target. She was replaced by regular starter Angelina at halftime.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Villacorta a 5.5 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but she didn’t play enough minutes (400 across all competitions) this year to get a grade. As a result, she receives an incomplete grade for the 2024 NWSL season.

2025 Outlook

Despite suffering multiple season-ending injuries, the Pride continue to believe in Villacorta, signing her to a new contract on July 16 that runs through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026. The defensive midfielder has shown her quality when healthy, but she’s been unable to remain on the field for long periods of time. The Pride have also strengthened that position, adding Angelina and Morgan Gautrat to the roster, as well as Luana, who is attempting to work her way back from cancer treatment. As a result, it will be hard for Villacorta to get significant minutes, even if she is able to remain healthy. With her experience, however, she can be a key depth player at the position.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Mariana Larroquette

The Argentine international’s second season with Orlando did not produce the larger role with the team she may have expected.

Published

2 days ago

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December 1, 2024

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

In the middle of the 2023 season, the Orlando Pride signed forward Mariana Larroquette, adding her to the roster July 6 on a deal through the 2025 season. The Argentine international represented her country in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning she didn’t join the Pride until after the competition. Although she was a signing made with an eye toward bolstering the offense, Larroquette made only five appearances in her first season in Orlando — all of them off the bench. With a full preseason with the Pride under her belt, many expected to see her play a more significant role in 2024, but ultimately, it didn’t work out that way. The Pride’s signing of Barbra Banda didn’t help matters for Larroquette in terms of playing time.

Let’s take a look at how Larroquette performed in her second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

Larroquette made her season debut March 22 against Angel City, which was one of just four appearances during the regular season — all off the bench — logging 48 total minutes. She did not contribute a goal or an assist, failing to attempt a shot. The 32-year-old completed just 41.2% of her 17 passes without a key pass. Larroquette won four of her six tackle attempts (66.7%) and two headed duels. She committed one foul and drew three on the opposition and was not booked.

In the Summer Cup, Larroquette made three appearances, starting once — in the team’s 2-2 draw against CF Monterrey, in which Orlando captured the extra point in penalties. Larroquette played 107 minutes but did not contribute a goal or an assist, attempting three shots but putting neither on target. She completed 68% of her 25 passes but did not create a scoring chance from them. Defensively, she won two headed duels and recorded three interceptions, but she did not attempt a tackle. Larroquette committed one foul in the Summer Cup, drew four on the opposition, and was not booked.

She did not appear in the Pride’s playoff run.

Best Game

Larroquette’s best game has to be the one in which she started and played a season-high 65 minutes — the Pride’s 2-2 draw and 5-4 penalty shootout victory over CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup. Although Larroquette was already off the pitch by the time the shootout took place, she still made her biggest impact in this match, as it was the only game of the year in which she attempted any shots. While she didn’t impact the scoresheet on the attacking end, Larroquette recorded three interceptions in the match as she helped out in the press and defending the Mexican side.

2024 Final Grade

With 155 total minutes across all competitions, Larroquette fell short of the required 400 minutes to qualify for a grade from The Mane Land staff. As a result, she’s given an incomplete for the 2024 NWSL season. She played more in 2024 than she did in 2023, but she was also on the roster all year.

2024 Outlook

Larroquette’s contract runs through the 2025 NWSL season, but the writing may be on the wall after getting few minutes the last two seasons. She’s also on the wrong side of 30 to see much of an increase in that department. This may be an off-season that sees the club part ways with the veteran striker, who may seek a chance to get more minutes elsewhere as she the shelf life on her professional career grows shorter. If she remains on the roster, I would expect her role to remain the same in 2025, giving the club a few minutes here and there later in games and perhaps seeing a larger role in midseason cup competitions.

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2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Sofia Manner

The Finnish goalkeeper spent her first season in Orlando. Let’s look back to see how she performed.

Published

3 days ago

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November 30, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride signed Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner on Dec. 1, 2023 on a deal through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. At the time, Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said the club expected Manner to challenge Anna Moorhouse for the starting goalkeeper role. Given that Moorhouse played every minute of the season and McKinley Crone dressed as the primary backup, that didn’t exactly happen.

However, Manner did get some minutes in her first year in Orlando in the Summer Cup, giving Head Coach Seb Hines a look at her under competitive match conditions.

Let’s take a look back at Manner’s first season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Manner did not play in the regular season, as Moorhouse played every minute of the season (and postseason) for the Pride in goal. However, Manner got the start in Orlando’s second game in the competition, a home match against CF Monterrey on July 28. The contest ended in a 2-2 draw before the Pride won 5-4 in penalties in the ensuing shootout.

Manner played 90 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves, for a 60% save percentage. She only faced seven non-blocked shots, but five of them were on target. The Helsinki native completed 16 of 21 passes (73%), including four of 10 long balls. Following the draw, Manner made the difference in the shootout, stopping a shot by Merel Van Dongen, who was the only player of the 10 shooters not to convert.

Best Game

Having played in only one match, this is an easy choice. Manner’s debut was her only match of the year, meaning the 2-2 draw vs. CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup was also her best game of the 2024 season. The visitors took the lead twice in the match, but Manner kept her team in the game, allowing the Pride to equalize twice. Once the match moved to penalties, Manner did well to stop a shot from one of Monterrey’s most dangerous players, allowing her team to claim an extra point.

2024 Final Grade

With only 90 minutes to her credit across all competitions in 2024, Manner didn’t play enough to get a grade for the 2024 season, receiving an incomplete from The Mane Land staff. Despite a small sample size, backup goalkeepers don’t always get a chance to play, so it’s good that the coaching staff got a look at the 27-year-old during a competitive match against international competition.

2025 Outlook

With Moorhouse signed through the 2025 season and McKinley Crone also under contract, Manner could remain and try to battle her way up the depth chart. However, if the prospects don’t look good for her to get playing time, there’s a chance that she and the club could mutually agree to part ways. Crone looked good in her limited time, but it’s always nice to have a more experienced option behind Moorhouse as well. Unless there are injuries, I would expect Manner’s minutes to be limited in 2025 as well, unless she can elevate her game and earn more looks.

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