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Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Drop Final Game of 2021

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The Orlando Pride (7-10-7, 28 points) fell 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars (11-8-5, 38 points) tonight in the final game of the season. Kealia Watt’s 65th-minute strike was the difference between the two teams as Orlando finished the season with a fifth consecutive loss.

The Pride came into this game shorthanded, as they were missing multiple key contributors. Marta (right knee), Meggie Dougherty Howard (right foot), Taylor Kornieck (right ankle), Ashlyn Harris (right hip), and Ali Krieger (right knee) were left out of the team. Amy Turner (right calf) was listed as questionable and was on the bench.

“Some of it was medically related,” interim head coach Burleigh said about players missing from the lineup. “And that international break, the travel doesn’t really help people like Marta and Emily (van Egmond). That was tough. That’s a long haul to go halfway around the world and then return two days before you play.”

The Red Stars controlled this game from the beginning, with the Pride not getting their first shot until the closing minutes of the first half. If not for some strong defending in the box, the final score could’ve been much more lopsided than it eventually was.

Chicago’s attack started in the eighth minute when the always dangerous Mallory Pugh found some space at the top of the box. She fired a shot but it was weak and wide of the target. 

Shortly after, Watt carried the ball to the end line, beating Kylie Strom. She played a dangerous ball to the middle of the box, but didn’t have any teammates inside the 18.

The Pride should’ve had their first opportunity in the 10th minute when Alex Morgan received the ball about 35 yards away from goal. She had plenty of space to collect the ball and dribble in on goal, but her poor touch resulted in a quick loss of possession. It was one of many chances blown by poor touches from the front three.

In the 15th minute, Courtney Petersen sent a great ball into the box toward Jodie Taylor. The English striker went up for it but the taller and stronger Arin Wright was able to head it away, ending the Pride’s last good chance of the game’s early stages.

Following the Petersen cross, the Red Stars took control. In the 23rd minute, Pugh had a second chance from the top of the box. This time she made a strong connection and nearly beat Erin McLeod to the near post. Fortunately, the ball just went wide, allowing the Pride to escape.

Watt had a pair of chances from outside of the box 10 minutes later. The first shot was wide of the target, but an inability to clear by the Pride gave her a second chance. This time, she got her shot on frame, but it was right at McLeod, who made the easy catch.

The Pride were outshot 10-0 before finally getting a chance on goal in the 37th minute. A free kick landed at the feet of Marisa Viggiano who fired on goal, but her shot was blocked.

Despite being thoroughly outplayed, the Pride were able to create multiple chances in the final minutes of the first half. After receiving the ball from Strom in the 43rd minute, Taylor’s first touch was a backheel to Gunny Jonsdottir darting past. The midfielder aimed toward the far post but the ball rolled just wide of the target.

Two minutes later, a Petersen cross was misplayed by Cassie Miller, who had come off her line to punch it out. Morgan had challenged for the ball but couldn’t find it after coming down. She was the first to the ball but it Wright bothered her just enough to force her to tap it wide of goal.

It was a dominating first half by Chicago, which led in shots (10-3), shots on goal (2-0), corners (1-0), crosses (4-2), and passing accuracy (81.1%-80.8%). The Pride did have more possession (57.2%-42.8%), but most of it was in a neutral part of the field.

The Pride were outplayed in the first half and things didn’t change when they came out of the break. The Red Stars’ first second-half chance came in the 49th minute when Pugh sent a corner kick into the box. Wright charged into the box and beat McLeod to the ball, but headed it over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Pugh kept it herself when she found space at the top of the box. Shielding Viggiano, she was able to get a shot on target. However, she was dribbling away from goal and the shot didn’t cause any trouble for McLeod.

Former Pride forward Rachel Hill entered the game at halftime and started to make her presence known in the 60th minute. After carrying the ball to the end line, Hill sent a low ball back across goal. It looked as though Watt would get on the end of it but just missed and Ali Riley was able to clear.

In the 63rd minute, Hill was on the end of a cross, which she was able to head toward the far post. There was no way that McLeod could get to the well-flicked header, but it went just wide of the post.

After 15 shots, the Red Stars were finally able to convert in the 65th minute. Morgan Gautrat found Watt just outside the box to the left of goal. The forward turned Riley to create space for a shot and fired toward the far post. The hard shot traveled beyond the outstretched arms of McLeod and into the far corner.

The Red Stars nearly doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Watt was able to get behind the Pride back line. Phoebe McClernon was the last defender and made a great tackle at the top of the box to win the ball. Had McClernon not gotten the tackle right, it likely would’ve been a red card.

The Pride had one more quality chance to equalize in the 77th minute. Dribbling the ball into the box. Morgan found second-half substitute Abi Kim. However, before she could get a shot off, the ball was blocked out of play.

The ensuing corner was headed out but landed at the feet of Emily van Egmond. The Australian international quickly shot on goal from distance, but it was right at Miller, who made the stop. That long-distance strike was the Pride’s only shot on target in the game.

The 1-0 defeat brings a disappointing season to an end. Given that the Pride had already been eliminated from playoff contention and the Red Stars were fighting for a home game, the result could’ve been worse.

“I thought both (center backs McClernon and Toni Pressley) played an outstanding game.” Burleigh said after the game. “The partnership at center back that we hadn’t played before. So for them to do such a great job with that was a real credit to both of them. I thought in the first half, we had a hard time keeping the ball in the final third. Just couldn’t quite connect and, obviously, you have to give Chicago a little bit of credit for that too. It got a little bit better in the second half, but still not quite enough quality chances to be able to break through.”

In the end, the Red Stars had more shots (17-6), shots on target (4-1), corners (3-1), and duels won (43-42). The Pride had better passing accuracy (78.2%-74.6%) and more possession (57.1%-42.9%).

After getting off to a great start and a resurgence under Burleigh, the Pride ended the season in eighth place in the 10-team league.

“The most difficult part to wrap my mind around was the lack of results for us,” Burleigh said about the season. “But if you take that away, I think the experience was one that I really enjoyed.”

“We always kind of knew what our potential was,” McClernon added. “So it’s always disappointing not to meet the potential that you kind of knew you could, and even the level that we set early on in the season and the expectations we set early in the season. That’s always going to be a bummer. But I think we come away from this season with a lot. A lot of learning, a lot of experience for players like me, Taylor (Kornieck), Courtney (Petersen), which obviously is going to be huge in the future of the club. And I think all we can do kind of with this season is just take away learning moments.”

With the 2021 season now complete, the Pride will start its coaching search in earnest as Burleigh has already taken her name out of the running for the permanent job.

“With new ownership, new attitude, new outlook, and I think they need to find someone that has got a little bit longer term perspective,” Bureligh said about not wanting to continue next season. “That was never going to be me. And I think it will really be best for the organization to start building for the future.”

The 2022 season should be brighter as there aren’t any major international tournaments scheduled for next year. That means the team can keep its international stars for the majority of the season.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Claim Point on Late Equalizer

The Pride claimed a point for the second consecutive week, again coming from behind.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride (0-0-2, 2 points) started their 2024 NWSL home schedule tonight with a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC (0-1-1, 1 point). The visitors opened the scoring early in the second half through Claire Emslie from the penalty spot, but a late Marta volley enabled the hosts to leave with a point.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that drew Racing Louisville FC 2-2 last weekend. Emily Sams was out with an illness and Kylie Strom was suspended after being sent off Saturday, while Luana was left out of the starting lineup. They were replaced by Brianna Martinez, Celia, and Ally Watt.

The back line in front of Anna Moorhouse was Haley McCutcheon, Martinez, Kerry Abello, and Celia. Morgan Gautrat and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind a familiar attacking midfield of Julie Doyle, Marta, and Adriana. It was the season debut for Watt, who started alone up top.

The most noticeable part of the lineup was the changes in the back line. Three of the four starting defenders were injured, sick, or suspended, causing Hines to make some unusual choices. As a result, the center back pairing included a midfielder and a fullback.

“The back line was very young too. That’s another point. Not only was it a makeshift back line, it was a very young back line,” Moorhouse said about the forced defensive changes. “I think I was the oldest one by like quite a lot, like four years maybe. So yeah, it was an inexperienced back line.”

The Pride were the better team for most of the game, creating more chances and better opportunities. It looked like they might break through late in the first half, but couldn’t finish. Angel City came out stronger to start the second half, punishing the Pride for their missed chances in the first 45 minutes. However, the Pride continued pushing and eventually found a late equalizer through their captain.

It was a slow start for both teams with neither getting any opportunities in the opening minutes. The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute, when Abello sent a long ball for Doyle on the left. It appeared as though the midfielder was looking to cross, but sent it towards the near post instead. Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson had little trouble handling the attempt, catching it on one bounce.

The visitors had their first chance in the 10th minute when Gautrat fouled rookie Kennedy Fuller and received the first booking of the game. The ensuing free kick by Emslie found former Pride striker Messiah Bright behind the back line. Fortunately, the second-year professional sent the volley over the crossbar for a goal kick.

In the 14th minute, Marta attempted an ambitious effort. A goal kick towards midfield was chased by the Pride captain and Alyssa Thompson. The Angel City forward attempted to shield Marta, but the Brazilian got her foot to the ball, knocking it off the opponent. Marta called for a handball but it wasn’t called, so she continued. Seeing Anderson well off her line, Marta attempted a shot from near the midfield line. However, it never challenged the Angel City goalkeeper, who easily collected it inside her box.

The Pride had a pair of chances that nearly saw them take a lead, beginning in the 22nd minute. Fuller was a little careless with the ball just outside of the Angel City box, enabling Adriana to take control. The midfielder found some space and shot for the far post, but Anderson made a nice diving save.

A minute later, Doyle intercepted Angel City’s goal kick. The midfielder quickly played the ball across the box for Marta at the back post, who put it in. However, while the ball was rolling across for Marta, Watt gave Paige Nielsen a hard shove, sending the defender to the ground. Referee Alex Billeter didn’t hesitate to blow the whistle, halting play and keeping the game scoreless.

Angel City was forced into the first change of the game in the 36th minute when Adriana made a somewhat uncontrolled run into the box. She passed a pair of defenders before M.A. Vignola stopped the midfielder with a slide tackle. However, the Brazilian attacker fell on the left back, injuring Vignola in the process. After receiving treatment, Vignola determined she couldn’t continue and was replaced by Merritt Mathias.

In the 40th minute, Thompson had a chance when Bright sent her behind Celia on the right. The USWNT attacker dribbled into the box and got a shot off towards the near post, but Moorhouse did well to cover and blocked the ball away with her leg.

The Pride nearly opened the scoring a minute into first-half stoppage time when Doyle received the ball on the left and laid it back for Marta. The Brazilian sent a dangerous ball to the back post, where Watt was sprinting in, but Nielsen did well to get to it first, knocking it out of play before it could reach the Pride forward.

At halftime, the Pride had more possession (51.8%-48.2%) shots on target (4-3), and corners (3-2). Angel City had more shots (8-7), crosses (8-7), and passing accuracy (78.2%-77.8%). Despite having fewer overall shots, the Pride had the better chances and probably should’ve had the lead at halftime.

Hines made one change at the break, and it was a somewhat surprising one, as Luana entered the game in place of Watt.

“Ally Watt coming into the game was on restricted minutes,” Hines said. “You’ve got to be very careful with a player of Watt’s quality. She runs at high speeds, and coming off a hamstring injury, you have to be careful. So, we thought it was best for her to play the first half and set a tempo.”

Angel City got off to the better second-half start, creating the first chance less than two minutes after the restart. Dougherty Howard found Bright in the box and the forward had space for a shot on target, but missed.

In the 51st minute, the visitors broke through. Dougherty Howard received the ball just outside the box and cut to enter the penalty area. Angelina stuck her foot out in an attempt to win the ball, but took down the midfielder. It was hard to tell whether Dougherty Howard had entered the area when the contact occurred, but Billeter didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot.

After a brief review by VAR, a penalty was awarded and Emslie stepped up to take the kick. As Moorhouse dove to her left, Emslie sent the penalty the opposite way, tucking inside the post and giving Angel City a 1-0 lead.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a good chance of their own in the 55th minute when Adriana went down just outside of the box. While Billeter didn’t award a free kick, the ball soon fell to Doyle right in front of the goal. Unfortunately, she slipped while attempting to shoot and Anderson made an easy save.

Angel City nearly had another chance in the 64th minute when Gautrat gave the ball away to Thompson near midfield. The attacker sent a dangerous ball towards the back post, but Abello was the first to reach it, clearing it out of play.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a breakaway seconds later when Marta won the ball with a pair of teammates sprinting forward. However, Billeter determined that Marta had fouled Sarah Gorden in the process of winning possession. It was clearly a call Marta disagreed with as she slammed her fist into the ground in anger.

After the missed opportunity, Hines made three more changes. Amanda Allen, Ally Lemos, and Summer Yates entered the game for Gautrat, Doyle, and Celia.

Thompson tried to double the Angel City lead in the 71st minute when she was left alone on the left. She sent a long ball searching for the far post, but the ball sailed on her and didn’t trouble Moorhouse.

The Pride had their own chance in the 74th minute when Lemos found Adriana in the box. The Brazilian quickly turned and shot, but Anderson was there to make the stop.

Hines made his final change of the game in the 76th minute and it was an attacking one. Forward Mariana Larroquette replaced defender McCutcheon, as the Pride searched for a late equalizer.

In the 81st minute, the Pride felt like they should’ve had a penalty when Adriana carried the ball into the box and went down with some contact. She threw her arms up in the air, but Billeter didn’t feel it was enough to point to the spot.

Adriana had another chance in the 85th minute, when she found space at the top left corner of the box. The Brazilian attempted to curl the ball into the top corner and inside the far post, but couldn’t get around it enough and it sailed wide of the target.

Allen made her impact on the game in the 88th minute with a strong run into the Angel City box. After initially losing the ball, the young Canadian won it back and forced Madison Curry to clear it out of play. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina was sent to Marta near the top of the box, away from the crowd of players around the six. The Brazilian volleyed the ball calmly past Anderson and inside the post to even the game at 1-1.

“I had the perfect view of Marta’s goal. I saw it go all the way over the top and then Marta’s just at the back post,” Moorhouse said about her view of the equalizer. “Yeah, it was a really good finish.”

“She fully deserved the goal,” Hines said about Marta’s conversion. “Because of what she’s done in this game, in previous games, and, you know, I’m really happy for her to get rewarded with the goal and the equalizer.”

The Pride created another chance a minute into injury time when Larroquette won a corner kick. Angelina sent this one shorter when Adriana was approaching. The Brazilian’s first touch was a shot, but missed the target.

It looked as though the Pride might get one last chance in the final minute of stoppage time when Adriana carried the ball over the midfield line and was taken down by Amandine Henry, resulting in a booking. However, the Pride couldn’t go forward on the restart and the game ended.

The Pride ended the game leading in most statistical categories, including possession (50.8%-49.2%), shots (14-12), shots on target (8-4), and corners (6-4). Angel City had more crosses (22-15) and passed more accurately (78.1%-76%).

“It’s an emotional game of course. You have the highs and lows, but overall I’m super proud of the team and the players to show that sort of resilience to never give up,” Hines said after the game. “You know, it’s difficult when everything’s going against you, but you look at that group of players and they wear their hearts on their sleeves and they give absolutely everything, and I’m so proud of them to to get something at the end of it, because they fully deserved it.”

The Pride will be disappointed not to claim all three points after leading most statistics against a team traveling across the country. However, they’ve come away with results in their first two games of the season and come from behind in both instances. It’s a much better start than last year, when it took five games to claim points and the team conceded second-half injury time winners twice.

“We learned the hard way last year, especially early on in the season, giving up late goals, and it’s something that we spoke about coming into the season, how we manage the game and having that self belief that, even when we’re 1-0 down, that we can still get something out of the game,” Hines said about the change from early last year. “And so, the players have fully bought into that. You can see their desire, their determination, their belief towards the end of the game. And I even think towards the end we’re actually seeing it out all the way. This is a good point for us.

“Of course we would love three, but again, under the circumstances, same as last week, getting these points, we’re two points better off than we were last year, and we finished the season really well. We’ve still got players to come back from injury and can play a part in the squad, so we’re in a really good place right now.”


After a short week between the first two games, the Pride have a full seven days before they’ll take the field again. They also won’t have to travel, as the next contest is at home against the Chicago Red Stars next Friday night.

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride look for their first win of 2024 as they welcome Angel City FC.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride play their first home game of 2024 against Angel City FC. This is the first of two games the teams will play against each other this year, with the return game in Los Angeles coming on June 30.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

Angel City was one of the NWSL’s two expansion teams entering the league in 2022. As a result, the Pride have only played tonight’s opponents four times. The Pride are 2-1-1 in the four games, all in NWSL regular-season play.

The most recent matchup between these two teams took place on Oct. 2, 2023 in Los Angeles. An Adriana volley in the 22nd minute beat Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to her near post for the only goal of the game as the Pride won a crucial late-season game.  On April 2 of last year in Orlando, Emily Sams (nee Madril) took down Alyssa Thompson, giving the visitors a penalty. Former Pride forward Claire Emslie stepped up and converted to give her team a 1-0 lead. Messiah Bright responded just after halftime to make it 1-1, and the game appeared to be heading for a draw. But Katie Johnson scored the winner in the 10th minute of second-half injury time — the latest goal in NWSL history.

The first-ever game between the teams took place on May 8, 2022 in Los Angeles. In the third minute, Gunny Jonsdottir’s cross was tipped by Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic, but it went right to Sydney Leroux. The Pride striker fired right at Morgan Reid standing in front of goal. The ball bounced off the defender and went in to give the Pride an early lead. The Pride dominated the first 15 minutes, before Angel City took over. The hosts controlled the final hour, but the Pride held on for 87 minutes to claim their first win of the season.

The teams met again on Aug. 7 in Orlando. Former Pride defender Ali Riley opened the scoring with a wonderful strike from the left side. The Pride responded in the second half through Julie Doyle, three minutes after she entered the game to even the game at 1-1. The visitors took another lead when Cari Roccaro beat Viviana Villacorta to a corner kick, putting it past Erin McLeod. The Pride equalized for a second time in the 90th minute. Doyle and Paige Nielsen raced for a Thais Reiss cross, with the defender reaching it first. But Nielsen’s attempted clearance went into her own net, allowing the Pride to claim a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Overview

The Pride opened the 2024 NWSL season Saturday afternoon against Racing Louisville FC in Kentucky. They got off to a tough start, conceding two goals in 19 minutes. An Elli Pikkujämsä own goal in the 24th minute got the visitors back in it, trailing 2-1 in the second half. Kylie Strom was sent off with a second yellow in the 62nd minute and it looked nearly impossible that Orlando would get something out of the game, but Summer Yates came up big, netting the equalizer in the 86th minute as the Pride took a point from their opening game.

Tonight, the Pride start their 2024 home schedule against Angel City FC. They’ll possibly be without three of their four starting defenders, including both center backs, through injuries, suspensions, and illnesses. The lineup losses could be significant because Angel City has a potent attack with Emslie, Leroux, and Thompson.

The absences mean the team will likely need production out of their attack. Adriana caused headaches for Louisville last weekend and the hosts will depend on her to produce tonight. They’ll also need a better performance on the opposite side of the field by Julie Doyle. When at her best, Doyle can be trouble, but she was largely absent last weekend.

Angel City began its third season in the NWSL against newcomers Bay FC at home Sunday. They outshot the opposition 19-8, but Bay FC was more efficient, putting six of the team’s eight shots on target. Meanwhile, Angel City only put nine of its 19 shots on frame. Lysianne Proulx claimed the first clean sheet in the history of the San Jose-based side as Bay FC won 1-0 — the first win in team history.

Angel City brings back a strong roster that will make a first win of the season difficult for the Pride. In addition to the aforementioned lethal attack, Angel City has an experienced back line that includes M.A. Vignola, Nielsen, Sarah Gorden, and Riley. After falling in its own home opener, Angel City will be desperate to claim its first win, despite traveling across the country.

Last week, the Pride took on familiar faces in former Pride defender Carson Pickett and midfielder Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck). Marisa DiGrande (nee Viggiano) was on the bench but didn’t appear. Even more familiar faces are on the Angel City roster, including Emslie, Leroux, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Bright, and Riley. 

“I feel like it’s a common theme, even going back to Louisville. There was familiar players that we know. But with Angel City, there’s a couple that we’re aware of,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s opponent. “They played on Sunday. Traveling cross country is always difficult, and so the emphasis is on us. We’re at home in front of our own fans and it’s really important that we put a performance together that they’re proud of.”

The Pride will be without several players for this game, including forward Simone Charley (SEI-leg), midfielder Villacorta (SEI-knee), and defenders Megan Montefusco (SEI-heel), Rafaelle (foot), and Strom (suspension). Additionally, Sams is listed as questionable with an illness.

Angel City is dealing with its own injuries to key players. The visitors will be without Jun Endo (SEI-knee), Christen Press (SEI-knee), Rocky Rodriguez (concussion protocol), and Gisele Thompson (lower leg).


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Celia, Kerry Abello, Brianna Martinez, Haley McCutcheon.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Ally Lemos, Amanda Allen, Luana, Mariana Larroquette, Evelina Duljan, Carrie Lawrence, Cori Dyke, Summer Yates.

Angel City FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Angelina Anderson.

Defenders: M.A. Vignola, Paige Nielsen, Sarah Gorden, Ali Riley.

Midfielders: Kennedy Fuller, Amandine Henry, Meggie Dougherty Howard.

Forwards: Alyssa Thompson, Messiah Bright, Claire Emslie.

Bench: Madison Curry, Madison Hammond, DiDi Haracic, Katie Johnson, Clarisse Le Bihan, Mathias, Lily Nabet, Jasmyne Spencer, Hannah Stambaugh.

Referees

REF: Alex Billeter.
AR1: Katarzyna Wasiak.
AR2: Jeremy Smith.
4TH: Alejo Calume.
VAR: Kevin Broadley.
AVAR: Maggie Short.


How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium —Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video.

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville: Final Score 2-2 as 10-Player Pride Finish Two-Goal Comeback

The Pride earn a good road point from a bad position despite being shorthanded in the second half.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride fought back from two goals down, coming from behind despite being down a player in a wild 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY. Summer Yates’ first career goal pulled a valuable road point out of Louisville (0-0-1, 1 point) for the Pride (0-0-1, 1 point), with Orlando getting its first ever point in four trips to Kentucky (0-3-1).

Elexa Bahr and Uchenna Kuna gave the hosts the lead in the first half, but a Louisville own goal threw Orlando a lifeline. Despite Kylie Strom being sent off in the second half with a questionable second yellow, Yates scored on a late set piece and the Pride held on for a draw that felt more like a win. The Pride remain winless in season openers, but earn their third opening day draw (0-5-3) in league play. [Note, this is season nine for the club, but there was no NWSL season in 2020.]

“Hard-fought point. We showed a lot of character towards the end,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said after the match. “It’s never easy to go two goals down in a game, especially in this league. I can’t fault the players and their attitude toward the end. You’re looking at a lot of young players stepping up in that environment to not only get the goal but to see the game out. A really important point for us, moving forward.”

Hines’ starting lineup included goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse behind a back line of Strom, Kerry Abello, Emily Sams (nee Madril), and Haley McCutcheon. Morgan Gautrat and Luana made their Pride debuts in the central midfield behind an attacking line of Julie Doyle, Marta, and Angelina, with Adriana up top.

The Pride started well, pressing together and pinning the hosts back at times. But it didn’t last and the attack left the back disorganized, allowing Louisville to create transitions out of nothing.

Early on, former Pride midfielder Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck) pulled back Adriana just outside the box to halt a transition and was booked for her foul. The Pride couldn’t pay off the set piece, however, as Marta’s shot fizzed wide of the far post, and Katie Lund appeared to have it covered anyway.

The hosts grabbed the lead in the 13th minute. A cross-field long ball from Reilyn Turner sent Bahr in behind Abello. Moorhouse was off her line, but didn’t charge out and was caught in between two minds as Bahr easily chipped the ball over her and in to open the scoring.

Strom was booked two minutes later to prevent an opponent getting in behind again, as the back line’s shape continued to be problematic early.

Louisville doubled the lead in the 19th minute. Bahr sent a ball for Kanu that McCutcheon appeared to have a bead on, but the defender took a poor angle to it and it got through. That allowed Kanu a free shot at goal and despite Moorhouse getting a touch, the game was 2-0 to Racing early.

Adriana’s shout for handball moments later was checked, but it wasn’t a handball, as Louisville started looking content to sit in a lower block with its two-goal lead.

Abello made the hosts pay for that by working her way back and forth before sending a ball across the front of goal. The cross hit defender Elli Pikkujämsä and deflected into the net behind Lund for an own goal, making it 2-1 in the 24th minute and giving the Pride a lifeline in the match.

Much of the rest of the first half was played in Racing’s half of the field, but the Pride didn’t create many clear-cut chances due to the low block. An Adriana flat-footed shot from outside the box that one-hopped straight at Lund served as Orlando’s only shot on target of the half.

Abello tried to pick out the far corner in the 36th minute but the ball stayed wide. A late corner kick cross was sent straight to Lund and that was about it for the opening period.

The Pride held way more possession (60.2%-39.8%) but much of that advantage came after the second Louisville goal. Orlando also had the edge in shots (4-3), passing accuracy (87.6%-87.1%), and corners (4-0). Racing put more shots on target (3-1).

The hosts nearly doubled their lead to start the half. A corner kick landed at Kanu’s feet and appeared to catch her off guard. She sent her shot wide of the net in the first minute after the restart.

The Pride’s first half chance came in the 52nd minute on a good cross into the box from Marta. Lund did well to leave her line and prevented it from reaching Adriana.

Louisville got Kanu in behind a minute later, slicing Orlando’s defense open again with a long diagonal ball, but she fired over the bar and the flag came up anyway.

Orlando squandered a few promising attacks over the next several minutes. Abello did well to jump in front of a pass and started the attack, but she dribbled the ball all the way to the top of the box, got in among too many defenders, and lost possession. Doyle then gave the ball away a couple of times, allowing Louisville to transition. On the second, Bahr ended up near the top of the box with the ball but sent a soft shot wide that Moorhouse caught in the 61st minute.

A minute later, the game turned in Louisville’s favor. Strom stepped up to try to win a ball and clipped Savannah DeMelo’s foot. It wasn’t an egregious foul, nor did it stop a counter or impede the player, but despite being lenient with DeMelo and Flint in the first half after they were booked, the referee showed Strom a second yellow, sending her off in the 62nd minute. Both Flint and DeMelo later had another heavy challenge each but neither saw a second booking.

“Going down a man is hard, especially being down in the game, but I think preseason has really prepared us for that in the sense that, you know, I think we’re in great shape physically,” said rookie Ally Lemos, who made her professional debut in the second half. “We’ve gone through certain situations — up a goal, down a goal, down a man, and stuff like that — so, I think our preparation was really the difference maker and our character was a big part of that too.”

Racing nearly made the extra player pay off immediately. A ball from the left was chipped to the right post, and only a touch from Abello’s head prevented an easy third goal for Louisville. Two minutes later, substitute Emma Sears sent a near post shot that was comfortable for Moorhouse.

Yates should have scored in the 79th minute. A layoff right in front fell for her and she quickly got a foot to it, but sent it sideways across the face of goal, where the defense collected it. Doyle won the ball back and earned the Pride a free kick. The ensuing set piece delivery from Angelina fell in the box but the defense swept it behind for a corner. There was a brief check for handball but none was given.

“Adri played me one, and I thought I had a sitter, and I missed it,” Yates said. “So, I knew after that I was going to put myself in any opportunity to get that goal back. It’s hard to get opportunities in this league. And after I missed that one, my mindset really was not to shut down, but find the next moment, and the next moment you’re going to capitalize on it.”

Adriana had a shot from the top of the box deflect softly to Lund in the 84th minute as the Pride kept looking for the equalizer. That came two minutes later on another free kick.

The service into the area was flicked on by substitute Amanda Allen. Yates got to it first and stuck out a foot, getting just a touch, but it was enough to direct it just inside the right post to make it 2-2 in the 86th minute. In addition to being Yates’ first NWSL goal, it was Allen’s first career assist.

“Angelina played a great ball off the cross, and I just tried to time the run and find an opening,” Yates said. “Once I saw the goal, I knew I could place it in the side. It’s super exciting to get that point here. It was an amazing feeling and a good start to the season.”

“Summer has put the effort in in the off-season,” Hines said. “She’s had moments in preseason when she’s had to come in and made the difference, and today she did exactly what I would ask from her. To get the goal and get the equalizing goal late in the game shows her worth and what we need for us to move forward.”

Neither side got a good look for the rest of normal time, and the fourth official showed a seemingly generous 10 minutes of injury time, which was lengthened when Sams went down with a knock moments later, although Sams was able to continue.

The final minutes of stoppage time saw Racing Louisville throwing numbers into the attacking half to try to steal a late winner. The Pride were content to simply play the ball anywhere to take the pressure off and Orlando even did well to win a corner.

Racing got the last good chance of the game. Allen got the last touch on a diagonal ball to the back post, conceding a late corner. Sears was left wide open at the back post and the ball found her. She made a mess of her volley attempt, however, sending it high in the air. Moorhouse caught it and then got crashed into. No foul was given, so fortunately she was able to keep it from crossing the goal line.

The final whistle came in the 103rd minute and the Pride had courageously fought back against tall odds to get a road point.

Because of the second yellow on Strom, the statistics finished nearly as even as the game did. Orlando won the posession battle (51.5%-48.5%) even though the hosts had more of the ball in the second half. Louisville, and won more corners (6-2). Louisville had the edge in shots (10-9), shots on target (4-2), and passing accuracy (81.6%-80.9%).

“I think this team is really special, and we’re really together, and our mentality this year is to stick together and take every game, game by game,” Yates said. “So we’re all really pumped, really excited, and this is a good point for us and a good start to the season.”

“I think at times, we played some really good football,” Hines said. “We played from back to front by using our midfield, got into some really good spaces. I think an area we can improve on is that final pass, that killer pass to get more success.”


The Pride will be back in action Friday night in their home opener, hosting Angel City FC at 8 p.m. Strom will miss the match with a suspension for getting the second yellow.

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