2023 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Mariana Larroquette

The Orlando Pride signed forward Mariana Larroquette on July 6. The 30-year-old competed at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Argentina, so she didn’t join the Pride until after the competition. With Julie Doyle flourishing on the left side of the midfield, Larroquette became one of the team’s three strikers, alongside Messiah Bright and Ally Watt. It also saw her return to the NWSL for the first time since 2021, when she played with Kansas City.

Let’s take a look at how Larroquette did in her first few months with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

Larroquette made five appearances this year, all second-half substitutions, and was on the field for a total of 85 minutes. She joined the team after the conclusion of the NWSL Challenge Cup, so all of her appearances came in regular-season play. The Argentine international completed 17 of 25 passes (68%), her lone long pass, and a key pass, but did not register an assist. The striker got off to a great start, scoring four minutes into her debut, but that was her only goal. She had two other off-target shots, both coming from inside the box. Additionally, she won one of three tackles (33.3%), 11 of 18 duels (61.1%), and one of four aerial duels (25%). She won six free kicks for her side and conceded three fouls. She was not booked.

Best Game

As Pride Head Coach Seb Hines always says, “Strikers are judged on goals,” so Larroquette’s best game has to be the one in which she scored. Arguably the Pride’s best game of the season was on Aug. 20 against the Chicago Red Stars at Exploria Stadium, and Larroquette came on in the 60th minute for Bright with the team already leading 3-0. Just four minutes after entering, she received the ball from Mikayla Cluff on the left, cut inside to lose her defender, and placed her shot into the corner to make it 4-0.

This was the most active Larroquette was in any game this year, completing six of seven pass attempts. She won three fouls and didn’t concede any. Despite doing little else than her goal, it was the biggest impact she had on a Pride game this season.

2023 Final Grade

Larroquette’s 85 total minutes in five appearances falls well short of the required 360 minutes to qualify for a grade from The Mane Land staff. As a result, she’s given an incomplete for the 2023 NWSL season.

2024 Outlook

Larroquette’s contract runs through the 2025 NWSL season. She didn’t play much this year, but that’s largely because of how late she joined the team. Pride fans can expect to see her much more in 2024. She’ll likely play behind starter Bright, competing for time with Watt. However, Hines has also played Watt on the wing to utilize her speed, and Bright has said she enjoys playing with Watt and Doyle alongside. In this situation, Larroquette would be the first striker off the bench.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Kaylie Collins (10/23/23)
• Amanda Allen (10/24/23)
• Celia (10/25/23)
• Brianna Martinez (10/26/23)
• Thais Reiss (10/29/23)