Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Five Takeaways

Published

4 years ago

September 22, 2020

The Orlando Pride finally played a game of soccer! After 343 days, the Pride returned and surprisingly performed well and earned a point in a 0-0 match against the North Carolina Courage. Both teams had chances to win it, and while it was certainly not perfect, there were many positives for Orlando.

Here are my five takeaways from the match.

Welcome Back, Orlando

The biggest talking point entering the match was that it had been almost a year since the Pride last played. The Pride did not make the playoffs in 2019 and did not play in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup because of COVID-19.

“I’m so proud. I think, for us, our year has been pretty hard for everyone but especially for Orlando Pride,” said Sydney Leroux after the match. “So I am just so proud of us. I think we came here, and we battled, and it’s a hard team to play, but we had our chances, and they had theirs. We ended up figuring it out and had the game be tied. And I don’t necessarily know if we’ve ever done that so, I’m very proud of us. With what we have, I think everyone came to play, so I’m happy.”

The Pride did well to come away from the match with a point, especially with so many players out on loan. It was not the best performance, and there was undoubtedly some rust with the players. Still, the draw should give the team belief and momentum heading into the next match.

Youngsters on Display

If one thing could be said about Marc Skinner, he truly gives youth a chance. With 12 players out on loan, he did not have much of a choice on Saturday. Carrie Lawrence had the best performance out of the young players, but Courtney Petersen did well on the other side of the back line as well.

“I thought they were exceptional, I’ve spoken to both of them,” said Skinner. “Carrie [Lawrence] is involved, she’s disappointed she didn’t score to give us the lead, but obviously, she’s cleared it off the line so I said she’s even. I was so pleased because you never know how a young individual is going to take their moment and kind of adapt to it. For both of them today I just felt that they’ve shown a real maturity and at times they were overloaded, they had different players on them because North Carolina are very good at their rotation.

Second year midfielder Marisa Viggiano also did well in the midfield. Her 89% passing accuracy was the best on the team for all players who attempted more than five passes.

Courage Shoot from Everywhere

Although the Courage were also missing some key players, North Carolina has been a dominant force in the league for the past few years. A significant reason for the Courage’s success has been because of the number of shots they take. That trend continued on Saturday. North Carolina out-shot the Pride, 18-6. However, the Pride stayed compact defensively. This forced the Courage into difficult shots, and only four hit the target. In fact, half of their shots were from outside the box. Scoring from distance is no easy task, and Orlando did well defensively to minimize the Courage’s chances.

Orlando did little on the other side of the ball. The Pride attempted just six shots, of which two were on target. Both shots on target were from Sydney Leroux, and they were right around the penalty spot. In fact, four of Orlando’s shots were around the penalty spot. The other two shots were from distance after the 90th minute. The Pride will need to do much better going forward in the future, which leads me to my next takeaway.

More Possession for the Pride

Orlando actually held more possession than North Carolina. However, possession stats don’t always tell the full story, and this is a clear case of that. Orlando recycled the ball around often and held possession in its own half. The Pride attempted to build from the back, which almost returned to haunt them on multiple occasions. The Pride struggled going forward and when they entered the final third.

The Pride had a 73% passing accuracy. While it could certainly be better, that is not awful by itself. But that stat is severely helped by the fact that Viggiano and Leroux both had over 80% accuracy. Orlando’s midfield held the ball pretty well but building out of the back and precision in the final third were two areas where the Pride struggled.

Marta Magic?

This was a match that needed some magic from the Brazilian, but Marta did not have the best game, getting surrounded every time she touched the ball — not unusual from the Courage and their five-player midfield. She was involved in the play, and her 71 touches were tied for the most on Orlando. She also led the team with 55 passes. However, there was definitely a little rust there. This, too, is because the Pride were without many of their usual starters and playing against an excellent North Carolina team.

That’s what I saw on Saturday. What stuck out to you from the Pride’s road draw in North Carolina?

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Viviana Villacorta

Viviana Villacorta returned to the field late in the 2024 season. Let’s see how she performed this year.

Published

2 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride selected Viviana Villacorta with the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft out of UCLA. The defensive midfielder opted to remain in school for her senior season, but tore her ACL shortly after, which kept her out of action for the 2021 NWSL campaign. She suffered an ankle injury in the 2022 season that required surgery and tore her ACL for the second time late in the 2023 season.

Villacorta didn’t re-enter the team until late in the year in 2024, making some league appearances and a playoff appearance as the season wound down. While she didn’t have a significant impact on the championship run, the fact that she got back onto the field was an accomplishment.

Let’s take a look at how Villacorta did in the few minutes she received in 2024.

Statistical Breakdown

Villacorta was in the team for the first time this season on Sept. 28, coming on as a substitute at home against the Houston Dash. She made three regular-season appearances in 2024, starting one — the last game of the season against Seattle Reign FC. She played 69 minutes in the regular season without a goal or an assist, completing 31 of 35 passes (91.2%). Villacorta attempted one shot but it was not on frame. Defensively, she recorded one tackle and two interceptions, commited three fouls, and was not booked.

She also came on as a substitute in the first playoff game against the Chicago Red Stars, making her professional playoff debut. The midfielder played three minutes in the match without a goal contribution, helping to see out the game. She completed four of her five passes (80%).

Best Game

The 25-year-old’s best game has to be her lone start against Seattle on Nov. 2. She had a season-high 26 touches, completed 95% of her 18 passes, and recorded one of her two interceptions in 45 minutes of action. She also took her only shot of the season in that game, though it was off target. She was replaced by regular starter Angelina at halftime.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Villacorta a 5.5 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but she didn’t play enough minutes (400 across all competitions) this year to get a grade. As a result, she receives an incomplete grade for the 2024 NWSL season.

2025 Outlook

Despite suffering multiple season-ending injuries, the Pride continue to believe in Villacorta, signing her to a new contract on July 16 that runs through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026. The defensive midfielder has shown her quality when healthy, but she’s been unable to remain on the field for long periods of time. The Pride have also strengthened that position, adding Angelina and Morgan Gautrat to the roster, as well as Luana, who is attempting to work her way back from cancer treatment. As a result, it will be hard for Villacorta to get significant minutes, even if she is able to remain healthy. With her experience, however, she can be a key depth player at the position.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Amanda Allen (11/28/24)
McKinley Crone (11/29/24)
Sofia Manner (11/30/24)
Mariana Larroquette (12/1/24)

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Mariana Larroquette

The Argentine international’s second season with Orlando did not produce the larger role with the team she may have expected.

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2024

Michael Citro

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

In the middle of the 2023 season, the Orlando Pride signed forward Mariana Larroquette, adding her to the roster July 6 on a deal through the 2025 season. The Argentine international represented her country in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning she didn’t join the Pride until after the competition. Although she was a signing made with an eye toward bolstering the offense, Larroquette made only five appearances in her first season in Orlando — all of them off the bench. With a full preseason with the Pride under her belt, many expected to see her play a more significant role in 2024, but ultimately, it didn’t work out that way. The Pride’s signing of Barbra Banda didn’t help matters for Larroquette in terms of playing time.

Let’s take a look at how Larroquette performed in her second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

Larroquette made her season debut March 22 against Angel City, which was one of just four appearances during the regular season — all off the bench — logging 48 total minutes. She did not contribute a goal or an assist, failing to attempt a shot. The 32-year-old completed just 41.2% of her 17 passes without a key pass. Larroquette won four of her six tackle attempts (66.7%) and two headed duels. She committed one foul and drew three on the opposition and was not booked.

In the Summer Cup, Larroquette made three appearances, starting once — in the team’s 2-2 draw against CF Monterrey, in which Orlando captured the extra point in penalties. Larroquette played 107 minutes but did not contribute a goal or an assist, attempting three shots but putting neither on target. She completed 68% of her 25 passes but did not create a scoring chance from them. Defensively, she won two headed duels and recorded three interceptions, but she did not attempt a tackle. Larroquette committed one foul in the Summer Cup, drew four on the opposition, and was not booked.

She did not appear in the Pride’s playoff run.

Best Game

Larroquette’s best game has to be the one in which she started and played a season-high 65 minutes — the Pride’s 2-2 draw and 5-4 penalty shootout victory over CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup. Although Larroquette was already off the pitch by the time the shootout took place, she still made her biggest impact in this match, as it was the only game of the year in which she attempted any shots. While she didn’t impact the scoresheet on the attacking end, Larroquette recorded three interceptions in the match as she helped out in the press and defending the Mexican side.

2024 Final Grade

With 155 total minutes across all competitions, Larroquette fell short of the required 400 minutes to qualify for a grade from The Mane Land staff. As a result, she’s given an incomplete for the 2024 NWSL season. She played more in 2024 than she did in 2023, but she was also on the roster all year.

2024 Outlook

Larroquette’s contract runs through the 2025 NWSL season, but the writing may be on the wall after getting few minutes the last two seasons. She’s also on the wrong side of 30 to see much of an increase in that department. This may be an off-season that sees the club part ways with the veteran striker, who may seek a chance to get more minutes elsewhere as she the shelf life on her professional career grows shorter. If she remains on the roster, I would expect her role to remain the same in 2025, giving the club a few minutes here and there later in games and perhaps seeing a larger role in midseason cup competitions.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Amanda Allen (11/28/24)
McKinley Crone (11/29/24)
Sofia Manner (11/30/24)

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Sofia Manner

The Finnish goalkeeper spent her first season in Orlando. Let’s look back to see how she performed.

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2024

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride signed Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner on Dec. 1, 2023 on a deal through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. At the time, Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said the club expected Manner to challenge Anna Moorhouse for the starting goalkeeper role. Given that Moorhouse played every minute of the season and McKinley Crone dressed as the primary backup, that didn’t exactly happen.

However, Manner did get some minutes in her first year in Orlando in the Summer Cup, giving Head Coach Seb Hines a look at her under competitive match conditions.

Let’s take a look back at Manner’s first season with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Manner did not play in the regular season, as Moorhouse played every minute of the season (and postseason) for the Pride in goal. However, Manner got the start in Orlando’s second game in the competition, a home match against CF Monterrey on July 28. The contest ended in a 2-2 draw before the Pride won 5-4 in penalties in the ensuing shootout.

Manner played 90 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves, for a 60% save percentage. She only faced seven non-blocked shots, but five of them were on target. The Helsinki native completed 16 of 21 passes (73%), including four of 10 long balls. Following the draw, Manner made the difference in the shootout, stopping a shot by Merel Van Dongen, who was the only player of the 10 shooters not to convert.

Best Game

Having played in only one match, this is an easy choice. Manner’s debut was her only match of the year, meaning the 2-2 draw vs. CF Monterrey in the Summer Cup was also her best game of the 2024 season. The visitors took the lead twice in the match, but Manner kept her team in the game, allowing the Pride to equalize twice. Once the match moved to penalties, Manner did well to stop a shot from one of Monterrey’s most dangerous players, allowing her team to claim an extra point.

2024 Final Grade

With only 90 minutes to her credit across all competitions in 2024, Manner didn’t play enough to get a grade for the 2024 season, receiving an incomplete from The Mane Land staff. Despite a small sample size, backup goalkeepers don’t always get a chance to play, so it’s good that the coaching staff got a look at the 27-year-old during a competitive match against international competition.

2025 Outlook

With Moorhouse signed through the 2025 season and McKinley Crone also under contract, Manner could remain and try to battle her way up the depth chart. However, if the prospects don’t look good for her to get playing time, there’s a chance that she and the club could mutually agree to part ways. Crone looked good in her limited time, but it’s always nice to have a more experienced option behind Moorhouse as well. Unless there are injuries, I would expect Manner’s minutes to be limited in 2025 as well, unless she can elevate her game and earn more looks.