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Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns: Final Score 2-0 as the Pride Disappoint in the Opener

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6 years ago

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The Orlando Pride were extremely disappointing in the first game of the season. The Portland Thorns came into Orlando City Stadium, dominated, and left with a 2-0 victory in front of 7,189 fans.

The Pride (0-1-0, 0 points) have dropped three of their four season openers, going 0-3-1 on opening day, with all three of those losses coming to the Thorns (1-0-0, 3 points). Orlando dropped to just 1-7-1 in the all-time series against Portland.

Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris showed their disappointment after the match and said the team needs to improve quickly if the Pride are going to be able to beat North Carolina on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t good enough from us,” said Skinner. “I think all the things that we looked at doing in preseason we didn't affect first half. We just didn't do them. So, we had some words at halftime, we were better second half, but still not good enough. That’s nothing against the players, that’s nothing personal, that’s not me telling the players they aren’t good enough. That’s me saying as a team, as a collective, we were not good enough in that game. Hence the reason why we lost.”

A few new signings made their debuts today for the Pride. Joanna Boyles started at center back and Erin Greening came off the bench to play the final 16 minutes. Bridget Callahan got her first start for the Pride. She came off the bench on March 31 against Washington and played one minute. Today she got a surprise start in the midfield, played 74 minutes, and finished with 44 touches, 32 passes, an impressive 91% passing accuracy, and a team high three tackles.

Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond both missed the game due to illness. Harris, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Chioma Ubogagu, and Marta all came back from international duty and were inserted right into the starting XI. 

The first half it was all Harris for Orlando. Portland had chance after chance, but Harris blocked nearly every attempt and finished the first half with four saves, and added another two in the second.

She was first called into action in the fourth minute. A Pride turnover led to a shot from Christine Sinclair, and the ‘keeper made a fingertip save over the bar. Six minutes later, it was Tobin Heath’s turn, and Harris calmly caught the ball. In the 30th minute, Lindsey Horan took a shot from distance and Harris made the diving save to keep the score 0-0. 

“Of course it’s frustrating, it could have been five or six nothing in the first half,” said Harris. “We were lucky to go into the locker room with only one goal [conceded]. I don’t want to beat a dead horse but what can I say? Am I pissed? Yeah, I’m pissed. But I have to be the best version of myself everyday for this team.

“I believe in myself that I’m the best [expletive] player out there every single day. and I can’t give that to other people. That is something that they have to wake up and feel every [expletive] day. I can’t give that. I’ll run through a brick wall for this team and every single one of you out there know that. I can’t give that to everyone else; that’s a choice. I hope that we continue to grow and dig deep.”

The game took a temporary water break just after the 30-minute mark, and Skinner was able to make some adjustments. After the break, Orlando limited Portland’s chances but was still second best. 

For how much better the Thorns were, Orlando still had its chances. Ubogagu had a few chances of her own. In the 18th minute she had two chances in the box, but both shots were blocked. About 10 minutes later, Morgan played a perfect ball over the top for Chi, but Ubogagu had no one helping her. She made one move to get by the defender but her shot was blocked, and the attack ended. 

Shelina Zadorsky was one of the better players on the field today. The Thorns were the better team and continuously put pressure on the Orlando defense. The Canadian stepped up and broke up many attacks, but her back pass at the end of the first half gift-wrapped a goal to the visitors. 

Zadorsky passed it back to Harris, and the ‘keeper was forced to slide to clear the ball away. It went straight to Portland, and Sinclair played the ball to Heath. With Krieger on her back, Heath made a no-look back pass to Foord who took one touch before beating Harris. 

“You have to be brave to be a footballer playing for me, playing how we want to play,” said Skinner. “We were not brave enough first half. Don’t take that the team was not brave, they were not brave enough first half. And that’s what needs to change.”

The Thorns took a 1-0 led into the half, but Orlando should be happy that it wasn’t worse. While the Pride held more possession (54%), Portland had more shots (15-5), shots on target (5-0), and corners (5-1). Skinner had some strong words for his team at halftime, and Harris described it as they got their “[expletive] chewed out.”

“I think we’re all professionals, so coming into [halftime] we knew that we didn’t have a great half and we knew what we needed to work on and we just needed [Skinner] to come in and do exactly what he did — just let us know tactically, emotionally, and get us going again,” Carson Pickett said. “I think we stepped it up in the second half but we don’t have a half to lose next time.”

Portland picked up right where it left off and scored five minutes after the second-half kickoff, with Heath putting the ball in the back of the net in the 50th minute. Portland won a 50/50 challenge in midfield and went straight to goal. Foord sent the ball into the box and Heath, who was on the ground, somehow doubled the visitors’ lead. 

The game started to settle down after the goal. Orlando was able to hold onto the ball a little better and made fewer turnovers. Portland, comfortably holding a 2-0 lead, did not need to press forward as much. This led to much of the second half being played in the middle of the field, but Orlando still had its chances to make it a game. 

In the 58th minute, Marta had the ball dribbling into the box and looked to have been fouled. With no call, Morgan took the chance at goal, but her shot hit the crossbar. 

In the 66th minute, Morgan hit the post again. The chance came from a throw-in, and Portland failed to clear the ball. Camila hit the ball to Morgan and the forward dribbled across the center of the field and took a shot, sliding to the ground. The ball somehow got through the traffic but banged off the woodwork again. 

With the game all but over, Orlando had one last opportunity to at least get a goal on the board. Krieger dribbled down the right-hand side of the field and the Pride had numbers going forward. With two defenders closing in on her, she sent in a cross to Morgan, and Morgan’s volley hit Franch. With the ‘keeper on the ground, Kristen Edmonds had a wide-open goal and she put her shot over the bar and into the stands. 

The game ended with the Thorns holding onto the 2-0 lead, and they were thoroughly deserving of it. The Pride did better in the second half, dominating parts of it but overall it was a poor effort. 

“The thing I’m disappointed with most is what did they have to do first half?” Skinner said. “We allowed them to do it. We’re going to turn this place into a fortress in the future but I’m learning fast and fast and fast on what our players do and don’t know already. And that for me is — it’s nothing about the players, it’s not personal — it’s understanding and educating. I don’t think that Portland really had to earn it, they didn’t do anything to earn their victory. I think we gave them the victory today and that’s the disappointing part that I’ll fix very quickly.”

The Pride are back in action again on Wednesday when Orlando visits WakeMed Soccer Park to take on the defending NWSL champions, the North Carolina Courage at 7 p.m. ET.

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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.

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6 days ago

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January 24, 2025

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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!

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Orlando Pride

A 2025 Orlando Pride Wish List

Four things I want for the Orlando Pride in 2025.

Published

7 days ago

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January 23, 2025

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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!

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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.

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1 week ago

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January 22, 2025

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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)
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