Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Breaking Their Youth Records

Published

6 years ago

May 27, 2019

Last week I looked at the Orlando Pride’s transfer struggles and how the roster rebuild is still very much in the “tear it down” phase and painfully stalling at its attempt to rebuild. While things are still bad, there’s an intriguing new youth movement worth watching develop.

The long and short is that the team had no room left under their salary cap, with few assets and only two draft picks (a third and fourth round) to help rebuild the core of their team. The Pride parted ways with three starters from last year, lost Sydney Leroux due to a pregnancy, and saw a further eight players now leave on international duty. That’s not to mention being denied a loan player from Chelsea FC Women by the NWSL. Last weekend’s trip to Utah saw the Pride dig deep into the back end of the senior and supplemental rosters. The starting lineup even included two players making their first ever professional starts: Marisa Viggiano and Abby Elinsky.

Meanwhile Caitlin Farrell, an undrafted rookie and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist fresh out of Georgetown University, who was signed to the Pride’s supplemental roster in April, made her professional debut from the bench aged 21 years, 238 days — the youngest ever appearance maker for the Pride. She took the title from fellow rookie Erin Greening, who had only set the latest record herself on April 14 in the 2019 season opener. It was a stat that had previously stood for two years, from when Danica Evans made her pro debut back in 2017.

Having rewritten the record twice in a couple of months, and the prospect of National Team Replacement player Taylor Porter doing so for the third time, the injection of untested youth is no coincidence. The team partly had its hand forced by the aforementioned roster situation, compounded by the World Cup absences. But it’s familiar territory for new Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner, who will turn to his 10 years’ worth of experience in youth coaching prior to becoming a senior head coach to lay the foundations of this new look Orlando side.

General Manager Erik Ustruck, alongside Skinner, has had to recruit cheap, young, and inexperienced players with the incoming eight players on permanent contracts having an average age of just 22.7 and a combined total of 33 professional career minutes between them prior to the season. Essentially recruiting an entire U-23 team, the average age of the roster has gone from 28.3 down to 26.3.

It’s not known how many of the new players will be carried over into next year, but it’s a promising sign that there’s now a long-term strategy in place to buy low and develop given the Pride’s current finances and aging squad. The NWSL is a league not known for the impact its rookies have and it’s not like we’re talking about players selected at the top of the first round either. But it’s a strategy that if done right, can pave the way for a stronger overall squad and more consistent performances when key players are missing.

The team has historically relied on individual talent to win games — talent it either no longer has or cannot reliably lean on each week. Eleven of the 24 Pride players are currently on league minimum salary deals, just a show of how all-in the previous Niki Budalić/Tom Sermanni regime was on a small handful of key players in a bid for short-term success to the detriment of squad depth and prolonged viability.

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day and the same applies here. Expecting a team that finished in seventh last year, and has since lost a bunch of its starters, to suddenly start winning is frankly insane. It’s like planting a seed and being mad at it for not being a tree two weeks later. It needs time to grow. Taking on the Pride in the current state is no small undertaking and there’s no quick fix. It will take the whole year and another off-season to steer the ship back on course.

The elephant in the room, however, is that the organization has already proven with the mismanagement of Orlando City that it is impatient and self-destructive when it comes to head coaches. It tends to not allow projects to be seen through and sparks a nosedive in a cycle of abject instability and rebuilding.

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

2 days 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

3 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)