Worldwide Pride: Ali Riley Scores and Other Orlando Pride News

The Orlando Pride are back in training and getting ready for the start of the 2020 NWSL season. The plan, as first reported by Steven Goff of the Washington Post, is three “pods” that each consist of three teams. The Pride will be with North Carolina and Houston. Each team will host the other two teams in the pod and travel for games at each as well, meaning each team will play four times — two at home and two away.

While this sounds great, the problem is that many players around the league have gone out on loan. It is particularly bad for Orlando, with 10 players from the roster currently playing elsewhere. Many of the players loaned out would likely have been starters for Marc Skinner. 

Below is the list of players who have been loaned out (or, in the case of national team allocated players, signed short-term deals) and where they are playing. It will include a recap of how they did the previous week, and preview their upcoming week. 

Ali Riley (FC Rosengård), Emily Sonnett (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC)

Riley and Sonnett faced each other this past weekend in Sweden. Rosengard won 3-0, and Riley found the back of the net. Both players did well defensively. That was Riley’s seventh appearance and first goal of the season, while Sonnett made her debut. Both teams are currently tied at the top of the table with 29 points. Goteborg plays on Saturday, while Rosengard’s next game is Sunday. 

Jade Moore (Atletico Madrid)

Atletico Madrid lost to Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals last week. Moore did not play, likely because the loan became official three days before the match. 

Erin McLeod (Ungmennafélag Stjarnan)

McLeod started and played the full 90 in goal for Stjarnan in her first game for the Icelandic side. They went down 2-0 in the first 15 minutes. Despite a comeback attempt, Stjarnan lost 3-2 to Hafnarfjordur. Stjaran sit in seventh place out of 10 teams, and just two points from last. Stjaran takes on ÍB Vestmannaeyja on Saturday. 

Claire Emslie (Everton), Alanna Kennedy (Tottenham), Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham)

The FA Women’s Super League has yet to play a game in the 2020-2021 season. The season is set to start Sept. 6. Emslie and Everton take on Bristol City, while Kennedy and Zadorsky will face West Ham United. 

Carson Pickett (Apollon Ladies FC)

The Cyprus women’s football league is currently in preseason. The Apollon Ladies just completed their third week of preseason, and work to get fit for the season.

Camila (SE Palmeiras)

Palmeiras have yet to play since before the quarantine. The team’s first game back is this Saturday against AA Ponte Preta. 

Phoebe McClernon (Växjö DFF)

McClernon is trying to help Växjö avoid relegation. The 22-year-old has made two appearances for the Swedish side this season. She last played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Linkoping. Växjö is back in action on Sunday against Vittsjö.