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Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Are Shut Out Again

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6 years ago

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The Orlando Pride returned home after two road matches looking for their first win of the season. Instead, they found more frustration in the final third and continued to allow good scoring chances at the back in a 1-0 loss to Utah Royals FC in front of 4,640 fans at Orlando City Stadium. Christen Press scored the game’s only goal.

Accountability is the word that Orlando Pride Head coach Marc Skinner continuously used after the game. He said that players need to take more accountability for themselves and the failure of it was a key reason why Orlando (0-3-1, 1 point) lost to Utah (2-0-0, 6 points).

“I think what’s really, really missing from this team is a consistency,” said Skinner. “The first half was far too passive. Second half was much better, but we were just out of the game by that time. We give teams too many leads, and that’s what we’ve got to fix.” 

Skinner deployed nearly the same starting XI as the North Carolina game. Ashlyn Harris was a last-minute switch after picking up an injury in warm-ups. Haley Kopmeyer got her first start of the year and fourth start for the Pride overall. Camila made way for Chioma Ubogagu from last week, and the back line remained the same for the third consecutive week. 

“From my perspective, you really never know what is going to happen,” Kopmeyer said. “Obviously before the start of the game, I did what I normally try to do and prepare no matter what. It’s one of those rare instances in a career when you get called upon when maybe that day you’re thinking you might not. But this is why I’m here, and I was ready for it.” 

The game was very back and forth to start. Both teams had chances, and there were four corners in the first 12 minutes. Carson Pickett sent in a good cross on one of them in the seventh minute that found Alanna Kennedy’s head. The ball hit Utah goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and went behind her, but the ‘keeper fell on top of it and saved it with her back. 

Utah found the go-ahead goal in the 19th minute and was on the front foot for the rest of the half. Press did well to control the ball on the top of the box, and then turned and shot. It was a slow-moving ball that Kopmeyer probably should have gotten. However, it was deflected off of Shelina Zadorsky which made it difficult for Kopmeyer to adjust to. 

“The goal was just ridiculous,” said Skinner. “It was a ridiculous goal. You can’t concede things like that and hope to build the foundations that we need to go forward. I just talked in the huddle [with the team] at the end about accountability. The players must be accountable for that because no coach in the world can stop that goal from going in. It needs to be stopped by the players.”

Utah controlled play for the rest of the half. The Pride were second best, but they still almost got on the score sheet. The play continued to stall in the final third, though, and the last ball was missing. 

Ali Krieger hit a ball over the top in the 26th minute, but Chioma Ubogagu just missed on it. Four minutes later, Orlando used excellent buildup play to get down the field. Morgan then tried to pass to Ubogagu, but it was too strong. It was a similar situation a few minutes later when Pickett put in a cross that was just a bit too hard and Morgan was unable to make good contact. 

“I think we could use some more numbers in the attack,” Morgan said. “I think that we attack in a block and I think if we could get up our defensive six, that would help a lot and just in the readings in the attacking third and the central half.” 

Utah led in most of the statistics at the half. The Royals had more shots (9-5), shots on goal (4-2), total passes (257-170), and possession (60%-40%) than Orlando. The Pride were better in the second half but still struggled to get into the match. 

“No excuses; it’s a no excuse culture. We have to create that,” said Skinner. “That’s the hard part for us. Because everybody wants to hide behind, ‘it’s not my fault, it’s their fault.’ No, no, no, no. Everybody’s accountable. That will be the word that rings out on this press conference. Accountability. I’m accountable, the players must be accountable.” 

Orlando had a golden opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half. Good ball movement led to Morgan playing in Ubogagu. The England international took a shot from about six yards out, but her shot was well wide of the net. 

There was not much happening for most of the second half. Utah was comfortable with its 1-0 lead and sat a bit deeper and held onto the ball well. Kopmeyer was called into action in the 58th minute, but it was an easy near-post save. 

Starting in the 60th minute, the Pride had a few chances to get the tying goal. It was the same story as the first half though, and Orlando struggled with the final ball. Orlando finished the game with 10 corners, and most of them were dangerous. Carson Pickett and Emily van Egmond took the majority of them, and almost all were aimed at Kennedy. The Australian international continued to get on the end of the services, but they were easy saves for Barnhart. 

Press nearly got a brace in the 64th minute. She took a one-timer off the volley, but Kopmeyer got there to make the stop and keep Orlando in it. 

About 15 minutes later Orlando had its best opportunity of the game. Pickett cut inside and took a shot from a distance. The ball somehow got past all the traffic but was heading wide. Kennedy was there, running onto the ball, but her slide to put it in the back of the net was just a little late, and it went out for a goal kick. 

The Pride had one more chance in the dying minutes. Morgan was fouled at the top of the box. Marta and Kennedy stood over the ball, but it was the Brazilian who took it. With a one-step run, Marta chipped the ball over the wall but it went inches above the crossbar as well. 

Orlando finished with 15 shots, four on target, and just 44% possession. Morgan only tallied one shot, which was not on target, and after the game said that she should have been a bit more selfish. 

“I think the teams that have had the same coach over the last couple of years is probably a little bit easier,” Morgan said. “With the style that Marc wants to implement, I think that it’s going to lengthen the process more. It’s not going to be a two- to three-month process, it’s more of a four- to six-month thing.” 

The Pride play again next week against the Houston Dash on Sunday, May 5 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

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Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Three Keys to Victory

What do the Pride need to do to secure an NWSL Championship win over the Washington Spirit on Saturday?

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1 hour ago

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November 22, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Win or lose, the Orlando Pride’s season comes to an end on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. After they defeated the Chicago Red Stars and the Kansas City Current in prior playoff matches, this final match could see the Pride lift the NWSL Championship trophy. The Pride have already won the NWSL Shield earlier in the year, and this second trophy would cement them as one of the greatest teams in NWSL history. Standing in their way is the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the same Washington Spirit club the Pride defeated to clinch the Shield.

So, what do the Pride need to do to defeat the Spirit and bring home more silverware?

Prepare for a Better Spirit

During the regular season, the Pride defeated the Spirit twice, 3-2 in Washington all the way back in April, and 2-0 at home in October. The Pride may need to scrub these results from their memory and prepare for a more capable and complete opponent. For starters, in the first matchup, the Spirit were led by interim head coach Adrián González, who is still with the club as an assistant. While González performed well in the role, the Spirit are now led by one of the best coaches in the game, Jonatan Giráldez, who took over in July. Before joining the Spirit, Giráldez led Barcelona Femeni, the single most dominant club in Europe during his tenure. In each of the past two seasons, Giráldez’ Barcelona won the Copa de la Reina, Spain’s domestic cup tournament, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, showcasing his skill in coaching championship games.

The Pride were able to beat Giráldez’ Spirit squad just over a month ago, but that matchup was missing several key players on Washington’s side of the pitch. The Spirit were without NWSL Best XI players Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger as well as Best XI Second Team representative Hal Hershfelt. All three of these players have since returned and are likely to play in the NWSL Championship. Ouleye Sarr, the joint leading scorer for Washington along with Rodman, was also out for the October matchup, but she is struggling with a back injury and may not play this weekend. While the Spirit were limited in the last meeting, Orlando was convincing in its 2-0 win. This time around, the Pride will have to prepare for a Spirit team that looks a lot different than the last time out.

Keep the Match to 90 Minutes

One of the key storylines heading into the NWSL Championship is the paths each team has taken. While the higher-seeded teams have won each match of the 2024 playoffs, Orlando has won its matches in regulation, while Washington required extra time to beat Bay FC and penalty kicks to get past NJ/NY Gotham FC. As a result, Orlando has played fewer high-stress minutes in recent weeks and comes in on a great run of form. On the other hand, the Spirit are battle tested, knowing the challenges that come from tight matches. Their goals forcing extra time have come late in matches — the 86th minute against Bay, and the third minute of stoppage time against Gotham. To their credit, the Spirit never know when they are beaten, so Orlando will need to be locked in all the way to the final whistle, hoping to avoid the chaos that ensued at the end of the Kansas City match.

Despite looking shaky at the end of the match against the Current, Orlando’s success this season has come about in the opposite manner of the Spirit’s postseason wins. Orlando has done exceedingly well to get the lead and secure the result. The Pride have only dropped points from winning positions twice, losing none. The semifinal match against Kansas City was also their first come-from-behind victory of the year, showcasing how uncommon it was for them to fall behind in an NWSL match in their 18-win season. Should the NWSL Championship go to extra time, it would be uncharted territory for Orlando. With so few elimination matches in their history, very few players on the roster would have any experience with extra time. The Orlando Pride as a club only participated in their first-ever (then their second and third) penalty shootout in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, winning one of three shootouts. In the end, Orlando will be in a much better position if it can keep this game to 90 minutes.

Marta Magic

The Orlando Pride have four players on the NWSL Best XI first and second teams, but no player is more easily recognized in purple than 38-year-old Marta, the GOAT. While she has been with the Pride since 2017, this campaign (11 goals, 1 assist) has been her most productive since 2017, her first in Orlando (13 goals, 6 assists). The 2017 season was also the last time that Orlando made the playoffs. In 2024, Marta has scored two postseason goals so far, including a magical game winner against the Current. Orlando’s success is inexorably linked to the performances of its best-ever player. Yet, as hard as it is to imagine, the NWSL Championship will be the last match of her existing contract with the Pride, and win or lose, this could be farewell, at least for now. 

On the pitch, Marta will be a focal point for the Orlando attack against the Washington Spirit. While Washington’s Best XI defenders Krueger and Tara McKeown attempt to slow down Barbra Banda and Ally Watt, Marta is likely to drop deep and connect the play. Her precision passing and driving runs in recent matches have contributed mightily to an attack that has now scored 10 goals in the past three matches — three by Marta herself. Beyond these traits, Marta will also be a pitch general for the Pride in this final match, directing traffic and keeping the team locked in and organized. Earlier this year, Marta announced her retirement from international soccer with Brazil and took home the silver medal in the Summer Olympics. Expect Marta to leave it all on the pitch on Saturday, and if it were to be her last match for the Pride, it would be incredible to leave with an NWSL Championship.

Saturday night the NWSL Champions will be crowned. Could one of these keys to victory make the critical difference? Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando Pride Center Back Emily Sams Named 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year

Pride center back Emily Sams adds another honor to her trophy case after being named the NWSL Defender of the Year.

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18 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The National Women’s Soccer League announced this evening that Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams has been named the 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year. She’s the first player in club history to win the award. It was the second major NWSL award won by the Pride after Seb Hines was named the league’s Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Sams played center back during her 2023 rookie season, but moved to right back at the beginning of this year. Brazilian international Rafaelle’s injury trouble forced Sams back to her natural position where she partnered Kylie Strom, forming arguably the best center back partnership in the league. Together with goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and the rest of the back line, the Pride conceded a league-best 20 goals while tying the league records for most shutouts in a season (13) and setting a new mark for most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal (554).

Individually, Sams was second in the league with 163 recoveries, and she led the Pride with 108 possessions in the defensive third, 76 clearances, and 16 blocks. Additionally, her 88.18% passing accuracy led all Pride defenders.

Including the playoffs, Sams has played in 27 games this season with 26 starts and recorded 2,365 minutes. She’s recorded 25 tackles and 28 interceptions, winning 30 headed duels and 47% of her tackles. She’s also contributed offensively with a goal and three assists, including assisting Barbra Banda’s first goal in the NWSL quarterfinals against the Chicago Red Stars.

The center back was named to the league’s monthly Best XI three times this year — in May, September, and October/November — and was named to the league’s end-of-the-year Best XI.

The Boise, ID, native played three seasons over five years at Florida State before signing with Racing Louisville’s W League team for the 2022 season. She decided to forgo her senior year at Florida State, signing with the NWSL instead on Aug. 31, 2022. The league loaned her to Swedish club BK Hacken for the remainder of the 2022 season, enabling her to enter the 2023 NWSL Draft. The Pride selected Sams with the third overall pick and she immediately became a key player on the team’s back line.

She was paired with veteran Megan Montefusco at the beginning of her rookie season and Brazilian international Rafaelle after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sams played 22 regular-season games last year, recording 1,977 minutes, 19 interceptions, and 17 tackles. She won 61% of her tackles and 33 headed duels.

Despite not having any caps, Sams was selected by new USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes to compete for the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, earning a gold medal. Her first appearance for the national side came on Oct. 24 when she started against Iceland in Nashville, TN.

Preliminary voting for the NWSL Defender of the Year award included league owners, general managers, coaches, players, and media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players, and the media with the winner announced this evening. Strom, San Diego Wave FC center back Naomi Girma, North Carolina Courage center back Kaleigh Kurtz, and Washington Spirit center back Tara McKeown were the other finalists.

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Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines Named NWSL Coach of the Year

After a record-breaking regular season, Pride Head Coach Seb Hines has been named the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year.

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3 days ago

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November 19, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The National Women’s Soccer League announced this afternoon that Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines had been named the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year. It’s the first time in the club’s history that a coach has won the award.

In his second year as permanent head coach, Hines led the Pride to a record-breaking season that saw them finish 18-2-6, winning the NWSL Shield. They finished third in the league with 46 goals scored and tied with NJ/NY Gotham FC for a league-best 20 goals conceded. They set five league records this year, including most points in a season (60), most wins in a season (18), longest winning streak (8), longest shutout streak (554 minutes), and longest single-season unbeaten run (23 games). The Pride also tied the league record for clean sheets in a season (13). Dating back to last season’s finale, the club went 24 matches without a loss under Hines. Orlando also drew all three Summer Cup matches this season, giving the Pride 26 matches without a loss in all competitions under Hines in 2023 and 27 games overall dating back to last year. Orlando’s 2.31 points per game in 2024 is second in league history behind the 2018 North Carolina Courage, who had 2.4 points per game. 

The 2024 season caps a rebuild that started following the 2021 NWSL season when the Pride traded away several star players. They hired Amanda Cromwell as head coach for the 2022 season, but she and assistant Sam Greene were suspended and eventually fired for retaliatory behavior. Assistants Michelle Akers and Aline Villares Reis left their positions following the suspensions, leaving Hines as the club’s only option as head coach.

The controversy turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Hines finished the season strong as interim coach, taking the team to a 3-7-5 mark in the final 15 games, which included a seven-game unbeaten run (3-0-4). His performance down the stretch was enough to earn the permanent role. The Pride elevated Hines from interim coach to head coach on Nov. 11, 2022.

In his first year as the club’s permanent head coach, Hines nearly led the Pride to their first playoff appearance since 2017 and second in club history last year, missing out on the goal difference tiebreaker on the final match day of the 2023 campaign. This year, the team came back with the goal of making the postseason and soon became the best team in the league, going the full season without a single home loss in any competition.

Since taking over in June 2022, Hines has become the Pride’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 31-30-12 in league play. His 1.67 points per game and .492 winning percentage also top all previous Pride coaches.

Despite a turnaround that saw the Pride go from one of the worst teams in the league to narrowly missing out on the playoffs, Hines wasn’t a finalist for coach of the year in 2023. It was an easy choice this year as he led the team to its best-ever season and the first trophy in team history.

The team’s 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Nov. 8 was the first playoff win in club history and the Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 3-2 Sunday afternoon to secure their spot in the 2024 NWSL Championship, which will be in Kansas City on Saturday night.

The NWSL Coach of the Year Award began with a preliminary round voted on by owners, general managers, coaches, players, and the media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players, and the media to determine the winner. The other finalists were Current Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski and Gotham Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros, last year’s winner.

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