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2021 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Phoebe McClernon

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3 years ago

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The Orlando Pride added defender Phoebe McClernon with the 14th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NWSL Draft but did not secure her services until signing her to a two-year deal this past Jan. 22. The University of Virginia product was signed to a short-term contract prior to the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup but instead went on loan to Swedish first division side Växjö DFF after the Pride withdrew from the competition due to positive COVID tests.

McClernon had a positive start to her pro career, making 12 appearances in the Damallsvenskan for Växjö, playing well, and leading all NWSL players on loan in the league with 156 challenges. She also made an appearance in the Swedish knockout tournament, the Svenska Cupen.

Let’s take a look back at her first NWSL season.

Statistical Breakdown

The West Chester, PA native played every minute of the four NWSL Challenge Cup matches in 2021, totaling 360 minutes. She did not have a goal involvement but created two scoring chances and attempted one shot, which was off target. She passed at a 66.7% rate, committed four fouls, and drew five while avoiding any bookings. However, she did concede a penalty April 21 in a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit, pulling down Ashley Hatch, although Ashlyn Harris then saved Hatch’s spot kick. McClernon registered 13 clearances, three blocks, and an impressive nine interceptions in the Challenge Cup, winning seven of nine tackle attempts, but not doing quite as well in duels. She won 48.5% of all duels (16/33) but struggled on aerial duels, winning just 28.6% (2/7).

In the regular season, McClernon appeared in 21 of the Pride’s 24 matches, starting 15 and playing 1,416 minutes. She was subbed off in six of her 15 starts. She did not score a goal but did assist on one, with one successful cross and four key passes on the season. She did not officially register a shot attempt. Defensively, McClernon finished with 47 clearances, 14 blocks, and 31 interceptions. She won 27 of 36 tackle attempts (75%), improved in her duels, winning 59 of 107 (55.1%), and got a little better in the air, winning 12 of 28 aerial duels (42.9%). Her 72.9% passing rate could have been better, but it was a solid 82.8% in her own half and she wasn’t too bad on long balls, connecting on 44.3%. A physical player, McClernon conceded 16 fouls and won 10, earning four yellow cards but no straight reds.

Best Game

McClernon’s best game may have been her first NWSL regular-season match. Back on May 16, the Pride drew the Washington Spirit 1-1 at home. She wasn’t the defender beaten on Hatch’s go-ahead goal in the 76th minute, as she stepped up to pressure the ball, forcing a pass out wide. Ali Krieger covered Hatch and was beaten to a cross as the Spirit took the lead. But McClernon’s perfectly timed long ball over the top set up Alex Morgan for the tying goal eight minutes later. It was her first (and only, so far) direct goal involvement in NWSL play and helped Orlando rescue a point.

McClernon had 57 touches in the match — the fourth most on the team — and attempted 39 passes — tied for second most. Her 79.5% passing accuracy was her second-best percentage of the season. She made five tackles in the match to lead all players on both teams, and didn’t concede a foul.

2021 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave McClernon a composite score of 6.5 for the 2021 season. There were times during the Pride’s franchise-best start 4-0-3 when she was the club’s best defender. There were times when she’d lose her cool, and she needs to improve in the air and get better at clearing the ball further outside the area, but she provided a physical presence the Pride was often lacking in their own penalty area. During the midseason she had a couple of tough games and then was replaced as a starter, with Becky Burleigh going with Krieger and Amy Turner.

Overall, the staff felt that McClernon has a lot of upside and perhaps should have started more down the stretch when the club seemed out of sorts defensively, especially early in matches. The Pride’s season-ending defensive struggles and five-match losing streak began Sept. 26 at OL Reign, when McClernon began a run of four straight games either on the bench or with an excused absence Oct. 9. She returned to the starting XI for the season finale and Orlando conceded only once in a 1-0 home loss to Chicago.

2022 Outlook

McClernon is signed through the 2022 season and should be back barring something unforeseen. There is an Expansion Draft coming up but hopefully the club will protect a defender with the upside McClernon has. She has versatility, having played as both an outside back and a center back in her first season in purple. If she can become more adept at reading the game and better in the air, the makings are there for McClernon to regain a starting role in 2022.

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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.

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15 hours ago

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December 2, 2024

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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.

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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

2 days ago

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December 1, 2024

By

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.

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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

3 days ago

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November 30, 2024

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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.

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