Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
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Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride host NJ/NY Gotham FC in their first game of the 2022 NWSL regular season. The Pride are coming off a tough Challenge Cup that saw the team finish in last in the East Division. Now they look to start the first regular season game of a new era. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams in 2022, with the Pride making the return trip to Red Bull Arena on Aug. 20.
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s game.
History
The Pride and Gotham have been playing since 2016 — the Pride’s first season in existence. The only year the two teams didn’t meet was in 2020, when the global pandemic resulted in the cancelation of the NWSL season. In 17 meetings, the Pride have a 6-6-5 record against Gotham, which changed its name from Sky Blue FC last year.
The two teams have already met twice this year in the Challenge Cup. The first meeting was on March 30 at Exploria Stadium. The Pride had a strong defensive effort but Ellie Jean sent Midge Purce through, allowing the latter to score the game’s only goal in a 1-0 result. The teams met again last week at Red Bull Arena in the final game of the preseason tournament. Gunny Jonsdottir gave the Pride a 10th-minute lead, but Kristie Mewis converted a penalty just before the half. Neither team found the back of the net in the second 45 minutes and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Pride and Gotham also met in the Challenge Cup last year but they only played once. The April 14 meeting in Orlando saw Paige Monaghan score the game’s only goal in the 79th minute. It ended up as the Pride’s only loss in the 2021 Challenge Cup.
The two teams played three times in the regular season following that Challenge Cup match. On June 20, Caprice Dydasco scored a first-half goal to give Gotham the lead in Orlando. But Courtney Petersen equalized in the 90th minute, allowing the Pride to claim a point. The second meeting came on Aug. 29 at Red Bull Arena. The difference was a long-range strike by Erika Tymrak early in the second half as the Pride won 1-0. The final game last year came on Oct. 9 in Orlando. The visitors took a 3-0 lead inside 50 minutes before the Pride began their comeback. Tymrak scored the first in the 84th minute and Marta converted a penalty in the 85th. Unfortunately, it was too little too late as Gotham went away with a 3-2 win.
Since the teams didn’t play in 2020, the most recent match-up prior to the 2021 season was in 2019. The first game came on June 20 and Chioma Ubogagu gave the Pride an early lead. But Sarah Killion of Gotham — then known as Sky Blue FC and playing at Rutgers University — equalized in the 67th minute. It looked to be headed for a draw but Gina Lewandowski scored an own goal in the 81st minute and the Pride ended their 15-game winless streak with a 2-1 win. The teams met again on July 20 in Orlando. Marisa Viggiano’s first professional goal was enough to see the Pride win 1-0. The third and final meeting came on Sept. 29 in New Jersey. Shelina Zadorsky gave the Pride the lead, but Carli Lloyd struck late to pull out a 1-1 draw.
The Pride and Sky Blue played three times during the 2018 season. On June 16, Sydney Leroux’s brace kept the Pride in the game, allowing Rachel Hill to score a late goal in a 3-2 win. They met again on Aug. 5 in Orlando. Marta and Dani Weatherholt were the Pride goal scorers in that one as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. The final meeting in 2018 came on Sept. 8. The teams combined for nine goals in the two previous games, but Lloyd’s 74th-minute goal was the only scoring in the last meeting as Sky Blue won 1-0.
The two teams played three times in a season for the first time in 2017. On May 27 in New Jersey, Jasmyne Spencer gave the Pride an early lead in the 18th minute. However, Sam Kerr and Maya Hayes responded and Sky Blue won 2-1. After dropping the first meeting, the Pride took the final two. On June 28, they came back from a 2-1 deficit with goals by Marta and Hill, winning 3-2. They followed that up on Aug. 12 with a 5-0 win, lifted by braces from Alex Morgan and Marta.
The first two meetings between the teams came in 2016. Unusual scheduling saw the two games occurring within three days of each other. On Sept. 7 in New Jersey, Morgan and Kerr scored in a 1-1 draw. Then on Sept. 10, Kristen Edmonds gave the Pride a 1-0 lead in Orlando, but Kerr and Hayes scored shortly after, claiming a 2-1 Sky Blue win.
Overview
Tonight begins the 2022 NWSL regular season for the Pride. The team comes off a tough Challenge Cup performance that saw the team go 0-4-2 for two points, finishing last in the division — four points behind third-place Gotham FC.
Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell spoke frequently during the Challenge Cup about defending as a team and the Pride did that well early. In the first three games, the team only conceded three times. However, they were unable to score in any of those matches.
By the time the offense got its first goal, the defense was spent. Orlando gave up eight goals in the following two games, a 4-1 loss to the Washington Spirit and a 4-2 loss to the North Carolina Courage. The team showed its early defensive strength in the final game, ending the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Gotham in New Jersey.
While the team struggled in the Challenge Cup, much of it was Cromwell looking at different lineups. In the six games, the Pride had 21 different players start. All three goalkeepers started at least one game, and the back line was the same only once in back-to-back games.
The biggest problem for the Pride in this year’s Challenge Cup was a series of injuries. During the tournament, the Pride suffered injuries to Marta, Erin McLeod, Leroux, Carrie Lawrence, Tymrak, Amy Turner, and Meggie Dougherty Howard. While most of the injuries were relatively minor, the team lost its captain, Marta, for the season with a torn ACL.
Gotham didn’t do a whole lot better during the Challenge Cup, going 1-2-3 in its six games. The lone win for Gotham came in the team’s March 30 victory over the Pride in Orlando.
“A familiar opponent,” Cromwell said about Gotham FC. “Of course, just having seen them and already played them twice, so we’ve been working on how to be better from what we did last game. We have players back from injury, so that’s going to be exciting to get some players back on the field. We’re just really looking forward to getting the regular season kicked off.”
While the Pride still have multiple players out, the team’s injury report excludes McLeod, Leroux, and Tymrak, who are all eligible for selection. Those listed as out for this game include Caitlin Cosme (D45), Marta (SEI), Parker Roberts (right ankle), Meggie Dougherty Howard (right hip), and Anna Moorhouse (left shoulder). Those out for Gotham include Sabrina Flores (right knee), Hensley Hancuff (right knee), and Allie Long (maternity leave).
Official Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Erin McLeod.
Defenders: Courtney Petersen, Toni Pressley, Megan Montefusco, Celia.
Defensive Midfielders: Angharad James, Mikayla Cluff.
Midfielders: Darian Jenkins, Gunny Jonsdottir, Kerry Abello.
Forwards: Leah Pruitt.
Bench: Kaylie Collins, Abi Kim, Julie Doyle, Viviana Villacorta, Carrie Lawrence, Erika Tymrak, Kylie Strom, Amy Turner, Sydney Leroux.
NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Ashlyn Harris.
Defenders: Ali Krieger, Estelle Johnson, Imani Dorsey, Caprice Dydasco.
Midfielders: Kristie Mewis, McCall Zerboni, Midge Purce.
Forwards: Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Nahomi Kawasumi.
Bench: Michelle Betos, Cam Tucker, Jen Cudjoe, Gina Lewandowski, Kumi Yokoyama, Delanie Sheehan, Domi Richardson, Ellie Jean, Mandy Freeman.
Referees
REF: Natalie Simon.
AR1: Melissa Gonzalez.
AR2: Ben Pilgrim.
4TH: Jasmine Peralta.
How to Watch
Match Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Exploria Stadium — Orlando.
TV: None.
Streaming: Paramount+ (U.S.), Twitch (International).
Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).
Enjoy the match. Go Pride!
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Sign Goalkeeper McKinley Crone to New Contract
The Pride have signed backup goalkeeper McKinley Crone through 2026.
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The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has signed backup goalkeeper McKinley Crone to a new contract. The deal runs through the 2026 NWSL season.
“Mac has played an important role in our goalkeeping corps, continuing to push our group each day while investing in herself both on and off the pitch,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “We are very excited for her to continue her career with us here in Orlando, where we can continue to support her development as a player. We believe she can become a competitive goalkeeper in this league, and we look forward to providing her with the resources and environment to reach her potential.”
Crone went undrafted in 2023 before joining the Pride as a non-roster invitee during preseason. The Maitland native continued with the Pride as a training player and was awarded with a National Team Replacement Player contract on June 27, 2023 when Marta and Adriana departed for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 25-year-old signed a second National Team Replacement Player contract and was signed for the remainder of the season on Sept. 13, 2023.
Her play in training and during her call-ups earned Crone a NWSL contract for the 2024 season. She only made the team sheet once in 2023, but became the regular backup this year. Anna Moorhouse was called up to the England National Team when the NWSL went on break for the Olympics, opening a spot for Crone. She made her professional debut in a 1-1 draw with the North Carolina Courage on July 20 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The young goalkeeper made five saves on six shots while conceding once and helping the Pride maintain their unbeaten record this year in all competitions.
“To be staying here in Orlando, the place I grew up, means everything to me. Being given the chance to represent this city as well as this club has been a huge honor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue living out my dream,” Crone said in a club press release. “What we are building here is really special and I can’t wait to continue to be a part of it for years to come. This club and this city mean so much to me and I will do everything I can to help bring championships to the City Beautiful. Roll Pride!”
Prior to joining the Pride, Crone played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Alabama. Her final three seasons for the Crimson Tide saw her make 66 starts, play 9,519.77 minutes, and concede 70 goals while making 229 saves. She had a goals-against average of 1.10 and saved 76.6% of the shots she faced. She finished her collegiate career with Alabama’s record for single-season wins (10), career shutouts (23), and career wins (41).
What This Means for Orlando
Crone has worked her way from a non-roster invitee last preseason to the team’s primary backup. When the club signed Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner during the off-season, it was expected the newcomer would be behind Moorhouse. However, Crone has been on the team sheet for every game this season, while Manner only appeared during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.
During the summer break tournament, Crone’s five saves topped the Pride’s goalkeeping group, which saw Crone, Manner, and Moorhouse start one game each. In addition to equaling Moorhouse with a team-best one goal conceded, she saved two penalties in the shootout, more than Moorhouse and Manner.
Crone’s role as the primary backup this season and her play in the Summer Cup makes her the obvious choice for the same role next year. For this reason, it was a matter of when and not if the Pride would attempt to sign her to a new contract. With Moorhouse and Manner already signed through the 2025 season, the Pride now have their goalkeeping corps for next year.
Orlando Pride
Finding Glory? The Orlando Pride “Just Keep Winning”
As Orlando’s NWSL rivals stumble, the Pride have shown no signs of slowing down.
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Nearly two months ago, the Orlando Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 2-1 for a gritty road win to enter the Olympic break on top of the league table and favorites for the NWSL Shield. If any fans were anxious about the Pride’s form dipping in their return to action, they should now let go of those fears.
While Orlando has continued to rack up points with stingy defense and timely goals, the other credible contenders for the shield, the Current and the Washington Spirit, have both dropped points. Now, there are just eight matches remaining in the regular season, and the Pride have a six-point lead in the table. So, to paraphrase the ever-optimistic Dory from Finding Nemo (and also from the sequel, Finding Dory), “just keep winning.”
Since returning from the break, Orlando has won at the last-place Houston Dash and against fourth-place NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. The latter match featured 12 Olympians, and could have passed for a gold medal rematch due to Gotham’s U.S.-heavy squad and Orlando’s Brazilian contingent. Both the Dash and Gotham games were ones Orlando would be disappointed not to win, but winning is never a given in a league as competitive as the NWSL. Just ask the Current, who started the season unbeaten through 15 matches and set the pace at the top of the table, only to lose three straight and drop to third. On the other end of the table, both Utah Royals FC and Seattle Reign FC are on two-match winning streaks, showing just how quickly things can change for better or worse.
Orlando, however, leads the league and is not slowing down, because the Pride have avoided the trap games and off nights that can bite most teams. It is a testament to values instilled in the squad by Head Coach Seb Hines, now the winningest coach in Pride history, that the players have remained focused and ready for each match. Following the win over Gotham, Orlando’s fifth straight, center back Kylie Strom put it simply, “at the end of the day, we have to stick to our principles, and we did exactly that.”
Strom was referring specifically to the team’s defensive performance, but around the pitch, players are staying true to the other key principles that got them here. In recent matches, defense, as well as squad depth and versatility, have set this club apart from the competition.
Defensively, the numbers speak for themselves. Orlando now has five clean sheets in its past six NWSL matches and has only conceded 12 times in 18 matches. During the previous six matches, the Pride have started seven different players in the back four positions, and that does not include Rafaelle, who has been struggling with leg injuries this season. One of the players deputizing due to injuries to Rafaelle and Bri Martinez is Cori Dyke, who despite only starting three matches to this point in her debut season, is beginning to thrive in the environment the staff and other players have created.
Dyke exemplifies how squad depth has also been key to this defensive run. Despite a couple of injuries, the Pride still have not trailed in a match since the first month of the season, nor have they conceded a goal past the 75th minute. This stat could only be achieved because the roster is ready top to bottom to do the dirty work of defending, whether the players on the pitch are regular starters, or late game specialists. Also, it never hurts to be able to bring on Orlando’s newest addition, veteran defender Carson Pickett, to help see out games.
Orlando’s depth and versatility have also shown for the attack in recent weeks. While outsiders may wrongly view the Pride offense as a one-player “Barbra Banda show” due to her team-high 12 goals, the Dash and Gotham games demonstrated how lethal Orlando can be even without a goal from Banda. Against Gotham, it was Adriana who contributed two great goals within 20 minutes to put the game out of reach right after kickoff. Despite a slower start to 2024 following her electric debut campaign, Adriana now sits on five goals for the season. This tally brings her level with Marta, who has hit her highest individual goal mark since 2019, and Summer Yates, who subbed on and scored her fifth of season, a game winner, against the Dash.
Again, Yates’ goal highlights how the Pride players continue to perform well, whether they start or come off the bench. Goals are not the only way Pride attackers have contributed from the bench either, though Julie Doyle did almost have the goal of the season on Sunday if not for the offside flag. Doyle was also critical to seeing out the win and clean sheet because she drove the ball into the opposition half and toward the corner flag repeatedly to kill time and disrupt the flow of the match. Watt performed much the same role after her introduction as well, ensuring that Gotham did not have as many chances to score towards the end of the match.
At the end of the day, these are the types of contributions that Orlando will need to keep winning and maintain their lead at the top of the table. This includes the way the defense doesn’t let the opposition breathe, no matter who is playing. It includes timely goals from the entire Pride roster and not just Banda. And, it includes players in each position remaining focused and doing what they have done to be in the position they are in today. That position is one where they finally have daylight between them and their rivals at the top.
While there are still eight matches to go, the Pride will know that if they can take care of business against the teams outside of the top four in the NWSL, such as this weekend’s against the Chicago Red Stars, the path for other teams to catch them will get much trickier.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Loan Amanda Allen to Lexington SC
The Pride have sent Canadian international forward Amanda Allen on loan to USL Super League side Lexington SC.
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The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has sent forward Amanda Allen on loan to USL Super League side Lexington SC. The loan is for the 2024-25 USL Super League season, which runs through May, and includes a right to recall.
“Amanda has shown her potential and maturity during her time here in Orlando and we’re happy to find an opportunity for her to get more minutes on the field,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Amanda has played an important role so far this season and we are happy to be able to give her the opportunity to compete in Lexington. We look forward to watching her play and will continue to support her from afar during this loan spell.”
The Mississauga, Ontario, native joined the Pride on April 3, 2023 on a three-year deal running through the 2025 season. She made her debut on May 6, 2023 against Racing Louisville FC, becoming the youngest player to play for the Pride at 18 years, two months, and 15 days old.
In her two years in Orlando, Allen has made 17 appearances with two starts while recording 293 minutes with one assist in all competitions. That includes 11 NWSL regular season appearances, three Challenge Cup appearances, and three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup appearances. Her assist came in this year’s season opener in a 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville when she found Summer Yates for the late equalizer.
Allen has spent time with the Canadian National Team and the youth squads. The 19-year-old forward is currently at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she started in the team’s first two group games.
What This Means for Orlando
The Pride have two primary forwards this season in Barbra Banda and Ally Watt, with the other forwards usually being left on the bench or out of the matchday squad. Even veteran and Argentina international Mariana Larroquette has found it hard to see the field. The club views Allen as part of the future of this team, but she was unlikely to see much more time this year in the regular season or postseason.
This loan gives the 19-year-old an opportunity to see first-team minutes at a high level, as the USL Super League is a first division league. The team was already heavy on forwards, resulting in the waiving of rookie Alex Kerr on Aug. 29. This move clears more space at the position while stating that Allen is part of the future of the team.
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