Connect with us

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars: Final Score 2-1 as Hill and Ubogagu Lift Pride to Road Win

Published

5 years ago

on

The Orlando Pride had no right to go into SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois and come out with three points, but they did just that. The Pride were sloppy and failed to deal with seemingly dozens of routine balls that should have been easily cut off or cleared, but the Pride (4-11-2, 14 points) got timely goals from Rachel Hill and Chi Ubogagu and held on to beat Chicago (9-7-2, 29 points), 2-1.

Both Hill and Ubogagu also assisted on the other’s goal on a night when the Pride became the first NWSL team to receive three consecutive red cards in the league. Alanna Kennedy was sent off for a challenge in the 90th minute, knocking Sam Kerr down from behind outside the penalty area.

Orlando snapped a two-game losing streak and beat the Red Stars on the road for the third consecutive time. The Pride also inched above Sky Blue FC in the NWSL standings to take over eighth place.

Marc Skinner didn’t have Marta, who served the second game of her suspension, but he did have Alex Morgan in the starting lineup for the first time since long before the World Cup.

Morgan may have gotten the start, but she didn’t stay on the field long. Just six minutes in, on a long ball intended for Morgan, Julie Ertz crushed the Pride forward before the ball arrived and knocked her down. While falling, her head hit the hip of Sarah Gorden and Morgan stayed down.

After Chicago countered and Kerr hit the crossbar from 30 yards out after being left all alone, After play stopped, Morgan stayed on the field for several minutes before being replaced by Chioma Ubogagu in the 13th minute.

The Pride were sloppy at the back and gave the ball away cheaply and often but the Red Stars couldn’t do much with it. Orlando’s first half chance came when Hill got into the area but was a bit off balance in the 17th minute. She tried poking the ball to Ubogagu but couldn’t get much on it and Gorden took it away.

Chicago got a good look 24 minutes in when Erin Greening lost one of many battles with Yuki Nagasato, who crossed in for Vanessa DiBernardo, who had a free header but nodded wide of goal.

Hill opened the scoring in the 33rd minute against the run of play. Ubogagu threw the ball in from the sideline and took a pass from Marisa Viggiano, before lofting a gorgeous ball toward the top of the six. Hill made a brilliant run, beat the defense and flicked the ball just inside the back post and out of Alyssa Naeher’s reach to make it 1-0. It was just Hill’s second goal of the 2010 season.

The Red Stars could and should have pulled that goal right back four minutes later. Greening got beat again down the flank and the ball found Morgan Brian at the top of the area with no one in front of her, but the USWNT midfielder fired her shot right at Ashlyn Harris.

A Casey Short cross got through everyone two minutes into first-half stoppage time and Harris had to bundle it out for a corner kick. The final chance of the half came in the seventh minute of stoppage when Claire Emslie — who had an active first half — got deep in the area but had no passing options so she tried to squeeze the ball past Naeher along the goal line. The U.S. international made the save and allowed no rebound.

I can’t give you the halftime stats because the NWSL site still showed the game at the 14-minute mark on the match center page. I’m guessing Chicago had more shots and a better passing accuracy.

Orlando nearly threw the lead away in the first minute of the second half. A simple ball forward wasn’t dealt with by the defense, which struggled all night with seemingly easy clearances or interceptions, and Kerr broke in behind the defense at an angle, moving to her right. Harris came out to cut down the angle and made a vital sliding save to keep the game at 1-0.

Another awful giveaway in the defensive end found DiBernardo, who wasted the chance and fired wide of the short side in the 59th minute. That miss loomed even larger two minutes later, as the Pride doubled their lead.

Ubogagu played a ball to Hill, then blazed past the sleeping Short, took the return feed, then slotted home with her left foot to make it 2-0. With the goal, Ubogagu moved into a tie for the team lead, with four, equaling Marta’s 2019 total.

Chicago’s next good opportunity came in the 69th minute. Ertz headed a ball that took a deflection off Shelina Zadorsky and Harris did well to make sure it didn’t sneak inside the post.

The Pride did mostly a good job of killing off the game, but things did occasionally get shaky. Another seemingly routine ball forward found Kerr’s feet and Kennedy could do nothing but trip up her international teammate. She was sent off for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity as the last defender. Savannah McCaskill hit the free kick poorly and it bounced off the wall and out for a corner as the game moved into six minutes of stoppage time.

Harris did well to capture a pinballing soccer ball in the 92nd just in front of the goal line off a set piece. A minute later, Kerr headed a corner kick cross over the bar. McCaskill fired a ball off the crossbar in the 96th that ricocheted completely out of the penalty area to Tierna Davidson, who slotted home her first NWSL goal from long range on a ball that Harris either didn’t expect or see until it was too late to get over and cover her post on what wasn’t a hard-struck shot.

The Pride were able to see the game off from there and capture a big win on the road against the league’s second-place team.

Chicago led in shots (18-5), shots on goal (5-3), corners (8-1), passing accuracy (74%-65%), and possession (61%-39%) and yet, didn’t win.

The Pride were fortunate that the Red Stars were wasteful with some chances, which takes a bit of sting out of the soft goal late in stoppage time to ruin the shutout.

The road trip continues for Orlando on Saturday, when the Pride visit the Washington Spirit at 7:30 p.m.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Summer Yates

Summer Yates made big improvements during her second professional season.

Published

23 hours ago

on

December 9, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride drafted Summer Yates in the fourth round (39th overall) of the 2023 NWSL Draft. The former Washington Husky surprisingly dropped far enough for the Pride to select her, and she didn’t disappoint. The midfielder signed a two-year deal prior to her rookie season and took a big leap forward in 2024.

Let’s take a look at how Yates performed during her sophomore year.

Statistical Breakdown

Yates played in 25 of the Pride’s 26 games in the regular season, starting 17 and recording 1,334 minutes. She scored five goals — including her lone penalty on April 26 in Washington — and added a pair of assists. She put 10 of her 17 regular-season shots on target and completed 64% of her 409 passes. While she primarily played in an attacking role, the midfielder also helped defensively, recording 15 tackles and 10 interceptions. She committed 17 fouls, drew a whopping 38 on the opposition, and was not booked.

Yates earned a starting spot in Orlando’s NWSL playoff opener against the Chicago Red Stars, but suffered an injury in the 38th minute, requiring her removal. She didn’t start the final two games, coming off the bench in both. She made three total playoff appearances, recording 53 minutes. She didn’t have a goal contribution or take any shots, and completed 48% of her 23 passes. Defensively, she recorded two tackles while helping the Pride win the championship. She did not commit a foul in the postseason but suffered three, and she was not booked.

Yates 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 141 minutes. She didn’t have any shots, goals, or assists, but completed 30 of her 42 passes (77%), including four long balls and 26 short passes. Defensively, the midfielder had three successful tackles and made one interception. She did not commit a foul, drew three on her opponents, and wasn’t booked.

Best Game

Yates had several solid performances this season, resulting in her seeing more minutes and starting a playoff game. However, her best performance was on June 21 in a 6-0 drubbing of the Utah Royals at Inter&Co Stadium. The win saw the Pride extend their unbeaten run to 15 games on the season and, despite the lopsided final score, Yates played a key role in the win.

Arguably the biggest moment of the game was when Yates scored in what Hines calls one of the “big five moments.” In the third minute of the first-half stoppage time, with the Pride only up 1-0, Yates and Barbra Banda pressured a short pass to Kate Del Fava, causing the defender to concede possession. Yates took control and calmly put the shot past goalkeeper Amanda Haught to give the Pride a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The attacking midfielder started, playing 80 minutes, and was effective offensively and defensively beyond scoring her goal. She was active throughout the game, touching the ball 44 times and completing 78% of her 18 passes. All three of her shots were on target and she contributed defensively, adding a season-high three tackles and two interceptions.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Yates a composite grade of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season, an improvement from her 5.5 grade last year. She only played in 10 league games last year while recording 108 minutes with no starts, but became a regular contributor this season. Her improvement was obvious and it’s now clear she was the steal of the 2023 draft. While she played well all season, the most important thing is her improvement. In only her second year, her development was obvious, showing she can be a key player for the Pride in the coming years.

2025 Outlook

Yates’ rookie contract was a two-year deal, running through 2024 with an option for 2025. Her play during the first half of the season resulted in a contract extension on July 11, keeping her in Orlando through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026.

The Pasco, WA native became a key player for the Pride during the 2024 season, playing almost every game and starting most of them. Her role on the team in 2025 will likely depend on what happens with Marta. If the Pride captain retires or the club decides not to bring her back, Yates might become a regular starter in the attacking midfield. Otherwise, she’ll likely have a similar role to this year, splitting time with Julie Doyle and starting when Marta or Adriana need a rest.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Ally Watt

The speedy attacker earned a starting role for the playoffs to cap her best professional season to date.

Published

2 days ago

on

December 8, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride originally acquired forward Ally Watt from OL Reign on Aug. 15, 2022 in exchange for $125,000 in Allocation Money. That November, she signed a new deal to keep her in Orlando through 2024. Back in July, in the midst of her second full season with Orlando, the 27-year-old signed another new contract through the 2025 season with a mutual option for an additional year.

After the Colorado Springs, CO native played just six matches with Orlando in 2022, she took on a bigger role in 2023, appearing in 19 games during the regular season, but started just six. Her role was similar in 2024, as she played in a lot of games but still only started sparingly. However, she started down the stretch when it mattered most, earning the confidence of Head Coach Seb Hines to keep her in the starting XI throughout the postseason.

Let’s take a look at what made 2024 Ally Watt’s best year in the league so far.

Statistical Breakdown

Watt made 21 appearances for the Pride in the NWSL regular season, starting nine times and playing 879 minutes. Her minutes were concentrated at the beginning and end of the year, as she started six of the first seven and two of the final three regular-season matches. She scored three goals on 22 shots with 14 on target. She also provided an assist. She completed 128 of her 215 passes (60%), four of which were key passes. She also chipped in on the defensive end with 15 tackles, four interceptions, and 30 headed duels. Watt was fouled 15 times on the season and committed the same number herself and was shown one yellow card.

Watt started two of the three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup matches and came off the bench in the third match, playing 207 minutes in total. She did not record a goal as none of her three shots were on target, and she did not record an assist. The attacker completed 18 of her 39 passes (53%), and she also added three tackles. The speedy forward committed three fouls in the competition, suffered three, and was not booked.

Watt started all three of Orlando’s NWSL playoff matches, playing at her best to close the season. In 196 minutes, Watt attempted four shots (none target), but turned provider with three assists. In the playoffs, Watt completed 26 of her 37 pass attempts (70%). She also succeeded in two tackles in the NWSL Championship, her only tackles of the postseason. She committed three fouls but was not booked.

Best Game

Ally Watt had two goal contributions in a match twice this season. First, she scored one and assisted one in Orlando’s 4-1 victory over the Courage on May 1. Then, in the first round of the playoffs, she had two assists in the 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Nov. 8. Despite her role in these lopsided victories, her true best game of the season was the 3-2 victory over her former club, Seattle, in the final match of the regular season on Nov. 2. 

Against Seattle, Watt kick-started Orlando’s electric form in front of goal to close the season. While she thought she had assisted Barbra Banda for the first goal of the match in the second minute, the goal was ruled out due to Banda being offside. Instead, Watt was able to break the deadlock just seven minutes later by beating the goalkeeper one on one after she raced behind to receive a lovely ball from Summer Yates. 

This goal was not the only reason to pick this match as Watt’s best of the season. Against Seattle, she was heavily involved for the entire match, setting or tying her highest marks for the season in touches (40), completed passes (20), carries (22), and tackles (three). In hindsight, this match was key to turning Orlando’s fortunes at just the right time after the Pride had slumped to back-to-back losses after securing the NWSL Shield, and Watt was a huge part of making it happen. 

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Watt a composite grade of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season, a solid improvement on her grade of 5.5 from the prior season. Early in the season, prior to the arrival of Banda, Watt played in an advanced attacking role but struggled with her shooting and final touches. After Banda arrived, her minutes dropped for the middle third of the season. Later in the year though, something clicked for Watt, whether from playing in a wider role or alongside a more conventional striker, and her form took off. Watt’s three postseason assists were vital to the Pride winning the NWSL Championship, and her grade reflects how she played at her best in the biggest matches.

2025 Outlook

As mentioned above, the 27-year-old played the best soccer of her career in 2024 and was rewarded with a contract extension through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026. She showed this year that she can compete for the starting role in the winger / wide attacking positions or back up Banda as a striker. Her speed and defensive work rate are valuable aspects to her game that should keep her in the regular rotation in 2025, even if new faces are added to the squad.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Brianna Martinez

The right back played a more significant role during her second season in Orlando.

Published

3 days ago

on

December 7, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Brianna Martinez was drafted by Racing Louisville FC with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NWSL Draft. After failing to impress in Kentucky, the defender became a non-roster invitee to camp with the Orlando Pride, earning a contract on March 29, 2023. The Pride picked up her option for the 2024 season, keeping her in purple for the club’s historic campaign.

Let’s take a look at how Martinez performed during her second season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Martinez claimed the starting right back position early in the season and held it until Emily Sams took over the role. She regained her starting spot when Sams had to move to her natural center back position to replace an injured Rafaelle, but lost it again when she suffered a non-contact injury in the Summer Cup.

The right back made 13 NWSL appearances this season with eight starts and recorded 696 minutes. She put her only shot on target, but didn’t score a goal or record any assists. The defender completed 196 of her 284 passes (71%), including a cross and 20 long balls, while turning the ball over 119 times. Defensively, Martinez won nine tackles at a 75% success rate while recording 14 interceptions and winning 18 headed duels. She committed 13 fouls, suffered eight, received a yellow card and was sent off once.

With Sams away at the Olympics, Martinez was expected to start all three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup games. She started the first one on July 20 in North Carolina, but suffered a non-contact injury in the 73rd minute, walking off in tears. She completed 18 of her 26 passes (70%) in those 73 minutes and turned the ball over 14 times. She won one of her two tackles and her only headed duel before exiting the game. She did not commit or suffer a foul and wasn’t booked.

Martinez did not appear in the Pride’s postseason matches.

Best Game

Martinez was a regular starter early in the season, starting five straight games and playing 90 minutes four times between March 22 and April 26. However, the right back’s best game has to be in the 1-1 draw on June 7 away to San Diego Wave FC when she was a significant part of claiming a crucial away point and keeping the Pride undefeated.

Starting and playing 90 minutes, the right back touched the ball 53 times and completed 64% of her 30 pass attempts. She only won one tackle on the night, but recorded a season-high four interceptions, helping to keep the game even when the Wave were pushing forward. She also only recorded one foul in the game, something that has been a problem for the defender at times.

2024 Final Grade

After not playing enough minutes to get a grade in 2023, The Mane Land staff gave Martinez a composite grade of 5.5 for the 2024 season. She was a little inconsistent as a starter, but earned that spot when Sams was forced into the center back role. Unfortunately, she was out due to injury and Cori Dyke’s performance after being inserted into the lineup kept her on the sidelines. Despite the inconsistency, Martinez played well enough to earn a new contract and likely would’ve continued to start if Dyke hadn’t played so well.

2025 Outlook

After taking the starting right back position, Dyke didn’t give it up, starting throughout the championship run. However, the club likes the depth Martinez provides and rewarded the 24-year-old with a new two-year deal on June 24 that will keep her in Orlando through the 2025 season. Martinez will push Dyke for the right back starting spot, although Seb Hines will need to figure out if the club is best served by having Sams, Kylie Strom, and Rafaelle all on the pitch or just two of them. Regardless, Martinez provides another piece the club believes can be a starter.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Continue Reading

Trending