Connect with us

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Draw Third Straight

The Pride claimed their third straight result with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars.

Published

6 months ago

on

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride (0-0-3, 3 points) tied their third straight game to start the 2024 NWSL season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars (2-0-1, 7 points). An Angelina corner kick was headed in by Taylor Malham for an own goal in the 21st minute and Mallory Swanson struck in the 64th minute to equalize. 

The Pride welcomed back a pair of regular starters for this game as Emily Sams returned from an illness and Kylie Strom from a red card suspension. Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Angel City FC last weekend in the home opener. In addition to Sams and Strom, Luana returned to the starting lineup in place of Haley McCutcheon, Celia, and Julie Doyle.

“I think they did great last week and I think it just shows too how versatile we are,” Sams said about the lineup changes. “And, you know, we have that depth. So good on us and good for the players that are stepping in and seamlessly filling those roles and doing well.”

The back four in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Brianna Martinez, Sams, Strom, and Kerry Abello. Morgan Gautrat and Luana were the defensive midfielders behind Adriana, Marta, and Angelina with Ally Watt alone up top for the second consecutive game.

The Pride dominated large portions of this game, possessing the ball for more time and creating many more chances than the opposition. However, they had problems breaking down the Red Stars’ low block and their lack of finishing was detrimental, keeping the visitors in the game. Rather than building a multi-goal lead, they kept a one-goal advantage until the Red Stars found an equalizer in the second half.

The visitors had the first decent attack in the third minute when Swanson won the ball on the left and dribbled towards the end line. Ally Schlegel, Abello, and Moorhouse arrived at the ball in the six-yard box at the same time, colliding together. While Schlegel and Abello got up, Moorhouse remained down holding the back of her head. However, the Pride goalkeeper passed the concussion test and was able to continue.

The Pride had their first good chance in the 14th minute when Marta’s shot from the top of the box was blocked. Luana quickly won it back and her deflected pass ended up with Angelina. The Brazilian shot from just outside of the box, but the attempt was over the crossbar.

In the 18th minute, Chicago was awarded a free kick when Martinez knocked Nadia Gomes down from behind. The set piece into the mixer bounced around before it was laid back for Cari Roccaro just outside the box. However, the midfielder sent the shot over the crossbar for a goal kick.

The Pride converted in the 21st minute when Malham knocked the ball out for a corner kick. Angelina sent the ball to the near post, where Alyssa Naeher, Malham, and Watt were converging. It looked as though Naeher was there to punch it away, but Malham got her head to it first. Unfortunately for the Red Stars left back, the ball went off the top of her head and in for an own goal, giving the Pride their first lead of the 2024 NWSL season.

“I think that’s what we want. We want to obviously take the game to the opponent,” Gautrat said about taking the lead for the first time this season. “And for us, I think we have a lot of new players that are starting to gel together even more and figuring out what we like and what we don’t like and how each other plays. And I think scoring goals in this league is the hardest thing to do. So for us, I feel like for us to go up was great and then to feel that I think is what we want every single game. But obviously heading into these next games, I feel like it’s hopefully going to just click for us to score more goals.”

It was also the third consecutive goal scored by the Pride from a set piece, a first in team history. In the season opener in Louisville, a late free kick was flicked on for Summer Yates, who put in the equalizer. Last weekend, an Angelina corner was converted by Marta, and it was Angelina’s set piece tonight that resulted in the record-setting goal.

The hosts almost doubled their lead three minutes later when Marta sent a dangerous ball into the Red Stars’ box. Sam Staab was the first to the cross and her clearance attempt was headed towards the goal, but went wide of the post.

In the 26th minute, Adriana found space to send an excellent cross into the Chicago box. The ball was aimed for Watt’s head and the forward was nearly able to redirect it on goal, but the ball was just over her head.

A minute later, Angelina laid the ball back for Marta just outside of the box. The Pride captain took a shot that went just over the crossbar. The Pride players appealed for a corner, claiming Naeher tipped it, but referee Anya Voigt awarded a goal kick.

Chicago had a great chance to equalize in the 30th minute when Schlegel got behind Strom. Sent through by Julia Bianchi, the forward had an open shot on goal, but sent the attempt straight to the chest of Moorhouse, enabling the Pride goalkeeper to make an easy stop.

The Pride were definitely the better team in the first half, with more possession (57.2%-42.8%), shots (9-5), corner kicks (6-0), crosses (11-3), and passing accuracy (85.1%-80.3%). However, each team only had one shot on target and an own goal was the difference in the first 45 minutes.

Hines made a halftime substitution and it wasn’t a surprising one. Martinez had a difficult first half and was replaced by regular starting right back McCutcheon.

Chicago had more attacking chances to start the second half, keeping the ball in the Pride half. However, the Red Stars were unable to create any good opportunities from their possession. The first shot for the visitors came in the 56th minute, when the ball ended up with Bike just outside of the box, but the midfielder’s shot was soft and right into the arms of Moorhouse.

On the other end, Marta collected the ball at the top of the Red Stars’ box and attempted to double the Pride lead by curling the ball around Naeher and inside the far post. However, she couldn’t get around the ball enough, sending it wide.

Little happened in the early minutes of the second half, but Chicago found its equalizer in the 64th minute. The play started deep in the Red Stars’ half as the visitors carefully worked the ball up the right. A crucial missed tackle by Sams near the Pride box opened space for Bike to find Swanson entering the 18. The USWNT attacker controlled the ball and quickly shot for the far post, getting the ball around Moorhouse and inside the far post to even the game at 1-1.

“I think maybe it was just the way they came out. I think a 1-0 lead is fragile,” Sams said about Chicago’s attack early in the second half. “So I think, as I said, we’ve just got to come out and protect that as best we can. I think we knew they were going to press a little bit harder. So I think the 1-0 lead, we’ve got to protect that and so I think we just got to figure out how to come out faster and harder.”

Hines made his second substitution shortly after the goal, replacing Watt with Doyle.

In the 71st minute, Luana was booked for taking down halftime substitute Jameese Joseph. That was the last action by the defensive midfielder as she was immediately replaced by Yates.

The Pride had a quick succession of shots in the 76th minute when Marta sent Yates through. Her shot to the near post was blocked by Naeher, but only to Doyle in front of goal. Natalia Kuikka blocked that shot, which went directly behind Doyle to Adriana. The Brazilian’s first touch was another shot, but Kuikka did well to get up and block the third attempt, keeping the score at 1-1.

A minute later, Marta sent a long ball for Yates, who had gotten behind Kuikka. The defender lowered her shoulder into the second-year midfielder and Yates went down. Voigt allowed play to continue and the video assistant referee took a look at it when the ball next went out of play. After a lengthy review, Voigt was called to the monitor to check on a possible red card on Kuikka for denial of a goal scoring opportunity. As if the stoppage of play wasn’t long enough, Voigt was at the monitor for an unusually long amount of time reviewing the play. When it was all said and done, the referee determined that it wasn’t a red card.

“I think it’s, especially with VAR, sometimes it’s an emotional roller coaster, because what we see on the field and then obviously the referee has to make a decision and it was a longer stoppage of play, which sometimes people get cold but you have to stay focused,” Gautrat said about the extended review. “And obviously this one didn’t go our way unfortunately, but for us it was just whenever the call that was made, we have to focus and we have to push through.”

Play continued with a Red Stars throw in and they immediately created a chance. After the initial throw by Staab was blocked, she sent a cross into the box that found the head of Ally Cook. The header was towards goal, but over the crossbar.

Largely due to the extended review, Voigt added 10 minutes to the second half. Halfway through stoppage time, the Pride had a chance when Stabb fouled Adriana, resulting in a booking. Angelina took the set piece, which found the head of Adriana near the six-yard box, but the attempt was into the arms of Naeher.

Just before the set piece, Hines made his final change of the game, bringing Amanda Allen on for Gautrat.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Marta was fouled by Sarah Griffith just outside of the box. Angelina lifted the free kick and Doyle put it on goal, but Naeher was there to make the stop. That was the final attempt by either team as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

At full time, the Pride led most statistical categories. They had more possession (59.2%-40.8%), shots (21-9), corners (6-2), crosses (19-16), and passing accuracy (85.6%-79,4%). Meanwhile, both teams put three shots on target.

“I felt that we controlled the majority of the game. I thought we got into some really good areas. I think the last part of that is to get more shots on frame and make the goalkeeper work a little bit harder,” Hines said about the performance. “But overall, I was pleased with the attitude, the desire to go and try and win the game. Chicago were coming into this game top of the table, two games and six points. So we knew that was going to be a difficult game. We knew that they were going to be stubborn and trying to have us break them down. But, you know, it’s defined by fine margins and we continue to grow and, you know, we’re still unbeaten. So you take the positives and we move forward and look forward to the next game.”

The main takeaway from the game was the missed chances by the Pride. Chicago deployed a low block, staying behind the ball and forcing the Pride to take low-percentage shots. As a result, the Pride only put three of their 21 shots on target, enabling the Red Stars to stay in the game.

“They have to reward themselves by putting the ball in the goal or getting the shots off,” Hines said about how to approach such a situation. “We get into really good areas. And it’s hard, you know, it’s really hard to break down a low block when they’ve got so many bodies behind the ball. It’s you almost asking for perfection at times and so we just keep continuing that message.”

While this game will be seen as two points lost, th Pride have now claimed points in all three games this season. They’ve also had all-around better performances week to week. As Hines said, the goal now is to figure out how to put teams away when they dominate possession and chances to take maximum points.

The Pride will have an extended break before they take the field again on April 12 in Utah. Their next home game will be the following weekend against the San Diego Wave.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Final Score 0-0 as Pride Remain Unbeaten in 2024

The Pride played to a scoreless draw with the Kansas City Current, ending their win streak but extending their unbeaten run.

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 13, 2024

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride (14-0-6, 48 points) saw their six-game winning streak come to an end, but extended their unbeaten run tonight with a scoreless draw against the Kansas City Current (11-3-6, 39 points) at Inter&Co Stadium.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed the same lineup as the previous two games, wins over NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Chicago Red Stars. It’s the first time Hines has used the same lineup in three consecutive games since a three-game stretch last year from April 29 to May 14. Anna Moorhouse started in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind Summer Yates, Marta, and Adriana with Barbra Banda up top.

The Current are a good transition team and put most of their players behind the ball looking for the counterattack. This strategy made them hard to break down, so quality chances for the Pride were hard to come by. Despite finding Kansas City hard to break down, the Pride were able to create several decent looks. The Current also found opportunities on counterattacks, and nearly scored before halftime, but the Pride were able to come away with a clean sheet.

“It’s incredibly tough,” Hines said about the Current playing behind the ball. “Kansas are a great team. They’ve got a lot of players who could really hurt you in transition, and obviously we were mindful of that. We probably weren’t as brave as we usually are in the middle to attacking third. But I thought, again, we created enough opportunities to try to win it. I think, you know, Kansas’ game plan was trying almost a smash-and-grab kind of game plan. Try to be defensively solid and hit us on the counterattack. There was probably one or two moments where we lacked a little bit of concentration, but nothing resulted in a goal, which was pleasing.”

The Pride got off to an attacking start, getting into the Kansas City box inside the first minute. Banda’s cross was blocked but not cleared. Adriana took possession, playing it back to Yates, who found McCutcheon at the top of the box. The midfielder took the game’s first shot, but Debinha got in front to block it.

The Current got their first chance of the game in the 12th minute when Debinha played Ellie Wheeler wide on the right. Hailie Mace was making a run with space towards the back post where Wheeler sent the cross. The Kansas City defender attempted to volley the ball on target but missed wide.

Marta took the game’s first shot on target in the 17th minute. Receiving the ball while pushing forward, the Pride captain shot from distance between a pair of defenders. It was a solid strike but too close to Current goalkeeper Almuth Schult, who made the easy stop.

A minute later, Banda got her first attempt at goal. Shielding Vanessa DiBernardo, the striker was aiming for the near post but missed wide.

On the other end, DiBernardo got a shot for herself, Kansas City’s first attempt on target. The midfielder’s shot from outside the box was curving away from Moorhouse and towards the far post, but the Pride goalkeeper was able to dive to her right and push the ball away.

The Current created an attack in the 23rd minute when Debhina received a pass, spun her defender, and played Temwa Chawinga forward. The league’s top goal scorer quickly found Nichelle Prince to her right, and the Canadian took Sams into the box. However, the Pride center back did well to stay in front of the attacker, blocking the eventual shot.

The visitors nearly had a dangerous chance in the 27th minute when Sams knocked the ball off of Prince’s foot, but the forward got a fortunate bounce. Chawinga was making a run to the top of the six and Prince played the ball in for her. However, Strom got to it first, clearing the ball away to end the threat.

The Pride went the other way and Adriana put the Pride’s second shot on target in the 28th minute. Receiving a pass forward from Marta, the midfielder had Banda making a run into the box. It looked like she would play her teammate through, but took a long-distance shot instead. It was on target, but didn’t cause any trouble for Schult.

Chawinga had a chance in the 31st minute after taking possession just inside the Pride half of the field. The striker dribbled to the top of the box and took a touch inside to lose Dyke. She had just enough space to get a shot off and put it on target, but the low attempt was easily collected by Moorhouse.

The Current got a breakaway in the 40th minute when Prince tried to play the ball over the back line. It fell for Sams, who misplayed it, enabling Chawinga to get in on goal. As Chawinga dribbled around Moorhouse, Dyke retreated to the goal line. Chawinga let the ball get a little too far in front of her, missing wide of the near post.

The Pride players felt they should’ve had a goal in the 43rd minute when Strom’s cross into the box was too close to Schult. While her teammates couldn’t reach it, the ball sailed to the goal line. Schult caught the ball right in front as Banda and Yates threw their arms up, claiming the ball crossed the line. However, it was clearly still in play.

In the 45th minute, Banda found Adriana to her right. The midfielder looked to take Mace into the box one-on-one, but shot from distance instead. The ensuing corner kick was played short and ruled to be offside on the return pass, the last action of the half as the referee blew for the break with no stoppage time.

While the Pride had more possession (53%-47%), corner kicks (4-0), crosses (12-3), and slightly better passing accuracy (86%-85%), the Current recorded two more shots (7-5) and both teams put two chances on target.

“We just needed to stay locked in,” Dyke said about the halftime message. “With the way they were sitting off, we know that they were just waiting for their moment to pick us off and go. So, just going into the second half, being super disciplined. But also, we wanted a goal. We wanted those three points. So to still go at them and bring that high energy in the second half.”

It looked like the Current had a great chance to open the scoring in the 46th minute when Debinha played Prince behind the back line. The forward shot for the far post and Moorhouse just got a touch on it and tipped it wide. However, the flag went up as Prince was well offside when the ball was played through.

Banda nearly gave the Pride the lead in the 52nd minute when she won the ball from Lo’eau LaBonta, tapped the ball around Alana Cook, and fired on target. It took an excellent save from Schult to tip the ball over the crossbar and keep the game scoreless.

The ensuing corner kick was cleared away to Dyke, who played it back outside for Marta. McCutcheon met the Brazilian’s second cross but sent her header wide of the near post.

In the 56th minute, LaBonta lifted a pass just over the foot of McCutcheon to Chawinga near the top of the box. The striker took a touch inside to get space from Dyke and shot on goal. The shot was heading inside the near post, but Moorhouse tipped it wide. The ensuing corner kick was cleared and the game remained scoreless.

Hines made his first change of the game in the 60th minute. It was a somewhat surprising one as Yates and Julie Doyle tend to replace each other around the hour mark. However, this time it was Evelina Duljan coming on for Yates.

Bia Zaneratto, who came on when the Pride made their substitution, played the ball forward for Chawinga in the 64th minute. The striker got behind Dyke and sent a low shot for the far post. Moorhouse was unable to get down to get a piece of it, but the ball rolled wide of the target anyway.

During the buildup, Angelina went down and required medical attention. It was a scary moment for the Pride as the midfielder suffered an injury earlier this year. Fortunately, she was able to get up on her own and continue.

The crowd buzzed with excitement in the 67th minute when Duljan played Banda into the opposing third of the field. However, the striker was the only player in purple near the ball while the Current had several defenders back. The Zambian sent a weak ball towards goal that rolled wide without causing any problems for Schult or the Kansas City defense.

The Pride had a great opportunity in the 71st minute when Wheeler went over Duljan, giving the Pride a free kick just outside of the box. Angelina tapped the ball so Marta could shoot, but the Pride captain didn’t get much on it and the Current were able to clear.

Shortly after the set piece, Hines made his second change of the night as Morgan Gautrat, fresh off her new contract, came on for Angelina.

Marta showed her skill in the 80th minute with a stepover that left DiBernardo injured on the ground. The veteran took a long-distance shot for the far post, but Schulte dove and knocked it wide.

The Current cleared, but the Pride quickly regained possession. Receiving the ball from Banda outside the box, Marta took another shot from distance, forcing Schult into another diving save. This time the goalkeeper was able to hold onto the ball.

Desiree Scott upended Strom in the 85th minute, causing the center back to flip and land on her back. Strom required some medical attention after the hard fall, but she was eventually able to continue. In the meantime, the Pride were awarded a free kick.

Marta sent the set piece into the box where McCutcheon beat Michelle Cooper to the ball. She tried to flick the header to the far post and it got past a diving Schult, but the ball bounced just wide.

The Current went the other way and created a chance of their own. Chawinga dribbled forward and played a give-and-go with Zaneratto. She had space for a shot but was too far in front of the ball and fell over while attempting to shoot, sending her shot wide.

The fourth official showed eight minutes of stoppage time and that was enough for the Pride to create a pair of chances. In the sixth minute, Banda dribbled into the opposing third and found Adriana to her right. She laid it off for the midfielder, who shot but sent the attempt over the crossbar.

Duljan tried to create something in the eighth minute with some fancy dribbling, getting past two defenders. Cook blocked the shot, sending it straight to McCutcheon for a second attempt that went wide. That was the final chance for either team as the game ended scoreless.

At full time, the Pride had more possession (52.1%-47.9%), shots (15-12), shots on target (5-3), crosses (18-6), and corner kicks (8-2), and better passing accuracy (88.3%-84.4%). However, despite their statistical advantages, they weren’t able to find a winning goal.

“I think every game, especially at home, we want to walk away with three points. Kansas were a tough nut to crack at times. You know, they got a lot of bodies behind the ball. Very difficult for us to try and create anything,” Hines said about the game. “But I also think there was quite some good opportunities to score as well. I thought their keeper was phenomenal. I thought she was busy enough to try and keep them in the game. But yeah, we’ll take the positive. Another clean sheet, another great defensive display, and we move on. We move forward.”

The clean sheet by Moorhouse is her 11th of the year, tying a league record held by AD Franch and Casey Murphy. It’s her 17th clean sheet as a member of the Pride, extending her team record.

The Pride have now claimed clean sheets in six of their last seven games and four straight. The last time they conceded was to Chawinga on July 6 in the Pride’s 2-1 win in Kansas City. The four straight shutouts breaks a Pride team record and leaves them one short of the league record.

“I think it’s just the heart of this team,” Dyke said about the team’s recent defensive success. “Like everyone is just willing to work so hard for each other. And I think that’s what drives us.”

“I think the stats speak for themselves. You know, I think oftentimes the defense are the unsung heroes, but we take a lot of pride in that,” Abello added. “And, like I said, the clean sheets speak for themselves. And at the end of the day, that’s what’s winning us games and that’s what’s putting us at the top of the table. Yes, we’re dangerous in the attack and yes, we’re putting goals on teams, but being number one in goals conceded, or fewest goals conceded, I think that’s the difference for us so gotta hand it to the back line.”

While the draw ends the Pride’s six-game win streak, it extends their unbeaten run to 20 games this season and 21 games dating back to last year. If you include the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, the Pride have now gone 24 games unbeaten in all competitions.

The Pride remain in first place, extending their lead over the second-place Washington Spirit to seven points. However, the Spirit play the Houston Dash Sunday with a chance to get within four points.

As for the Pride, they’ll head back out on the road, taking on Bay FC on Friday, Sept. 20 in San Jose, CA.

Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

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

The Pride return home for a battle against the Kansas City Current.

Published

14 hours ago

on

September 13, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (14-0-5, 47 points) welcome the Kansas City Current (11-3-5, 38 points) to Orlando in a matchup between two of the best teams in the NWSL. This is the second and final time the two teams will face off in the 2024 NWSL regular season.

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

History

The Current joined the NWSL in 2021 after the team’s ownership group bought the Utah Royals and relocated the club to Kansas City. It’s the second NWSL team in the city — FC Kansas City played there from 2013 to 2017 before moving to Utah — and the team was known as NWSL Kansas City for its inaugural season.

The Pride and Current have played seven games against each other, all in the regular season. Orlando has a 3-2-2 record in the series and are 1-1-1 at home.

The two teams last met on July 6 in Kansas City. Barbra Banda gave the Pride the lead, but the hosts responded two minutes later through Temwa Chawinga. Despite a second yellow card for Carrie Lawrence dropping the Pride to 10 players just before halftime, Marta converted a second-half penalty, lifting her team to a 2-1 win.

The first time the teams met in 2023 was on April 23 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. It was scoreless after an hour before the Current got a quick flurry of goals by Debinha and CeCe Kizer, lifting Kansas City to a 2-0 win. On June 23, 2023 in Orlando, the visitors took the lead through Debinha, and Kizer doubled the advantage just before halftime. Marta converted a penalty to pull one back, but the Pride fell 2-1.

Their first meeting in 2022 came on July 31 in Kansas City while the Pride were in the middle of their seven-game unbeaten run. The Pride opened the scoring when Erika Tymrak found the head of Celia and doubled the lead just after halftime through Julie Doyle. The Current stormed back with goals by Elyse Bennett and Kizer, pulling out a 2-2 draw.

The first meeting in 2022 was on May 14 at Exploria Stadium. The Pride took the lead early in the second half on a Gunny Jonsdottir goal. Bennett scored late in the second half, and the visitors appeared to win the game a minute into injury time through Kristen Hamilton. However, Kylie Strom was pulled down in the box five minutes later, resulting in a penalty. With Marta injured, the only player willing to step up to take the penalty was center back Toni Pressley, who drilled the ball into the roof of the net, pulling out a 2-2 draw.

The teams played twice during the 2021 NWSL season, with the first game occurring May 30 at Exploria Stadium. Courtney Petersen found Alex Morgan just outside the six-yard box and the striker headed in the game’s lone goal as the Pride won 1-0.

The Pride and Current met again on June 23 at Legends Field in Kansas City. The Pride had a weakened squad as then-coach Marc Skinner left some key players at home, preparing to lose them to the Olympics. It looked to be costly when Mariana Larroquette gave the hosts the lead late in first-half injury time. But the Pride responded well. Two minutes after Larroquette’s goal, Sydney Leroux’s shot took a deflection off a defender and went in to make it 1-1. Shortly after halftime, Leroux scored on a great individual effort from just outside the box. Marta then scored the goal of the game, beating Kansas City goalkeeper Abby Smith from the top of the center circle, lifting the Pride to a 3-1 win.

Overview

The first meeting this year between the Pride and Current was a matchup of the only two undefeated teams in the NWSL. Since then, the teams have gone in different directions. The Pride won the next three games, extending their winning streak to six and their unbeaten run to a league-record 20 games.

The growth of the Pride was seen in their most recent contest against the Chicago Red Stars away from home. Last year, the team couldn’t find the back of the net despite dominating play for 90 minutes. The Red Stars scored on a counterattack, pulling out a 1-0 win. The Pride learned from those mistakes Sunday night when Marta gave the visitors the lead in the 37th minute. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines addressed last year’s game prior to the start and they were able to keep Chicago off the score sheet, winning 1-0.

The most impressive part of the Pride’s season has been their defense. The back line has seen multiple changes, including an Olympic injury to center back Rafaelle, causing Emly Sams to move inside and rookie Cori Dyke starting the last three games at right back. However, the teamwide defending has kept their opponents from scoring, resulting in the Pride conceding the fewest goals in the league.

The last meeting between the Pride and Current was the last game before the Olympic break. The Current had extended their unbeaten run to 17 games, a new league regular-season record. The Pride’s win in Kansas City matched that feat and they surpassed it the following game.

The Current have struggled since the Olympics ended, losing their first two games — 4-1 to the Washington Spirit and 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage. They returned home on Sept. 7, where they beat the last-place Utah Royals 1-0. 

Despite their recent struggles, the Current are still in third place and contenders for the NWSL Shield, sitting three points behind the Spirit and nine points behind the Pride. They’ve had the most potent attack this season, scoring a league-high 43 goals. The biggest offensive threat has been Chawinga, who leads the league in goals this year with 15 in 19 games. She’s three ahead of second-place Banda, who has scored 12 goals in 15 games. The 15 goals scored by Chawinga is 10 ahead of Bia Zaneratto and Lo’eau LaBonta, who have five goals each.

In addition to scoring frequently, Chawinga has been the primary provider for the Current, tallying a team-high six assists, one ahead of Vanessa DiBernardo. Zaneratto has also been a significant factor in goal contributions, adding four assists to her five goals.

Stopping Chawinga will be the primary task for the Pride tonight. Their 12 goals conceded this year is the fewest in the league and they’re coming off a similar game where they had to shut down a player who posed the most significant threat. The Pride kept Chicago’s Mallory Swanson off the score sheet and the attacker only took two long-distance shots.

“Competitive game. Both teams want to go after it,” Hines said about tonight’s game. “I think, for us, like you said, quick turnaround from the game on Sunday against Chicago to playing against Kansas, who are also trying to win the shield this season. So I expect a competitive game on Friday. We have to focus on ourselves. We’re obviously coming to our own place in front of our own fans, and we want to continue that momentum. For us, it’s another game. It’s the next game in the schedule, and we want to continue to keep winning and keep that separation from the pack that’s trying to chase us.”

The Pride are without seven players tonight due to injury, including Grace Chanda (thigh), Simone Charley (ankle), Mariana Larroquette (thigh), Luana (illness), Sofia Manner (concussion), Megan Montefusco (heel), and Rafaelle (foot). Additionally, Ally Lemos is with the U-20 USWNT at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Kansas City is without Alex Pfeiffer (knee), Gabrielle Robinson (knee), and Mallory Weber (knee) due to injury. Claire Hutton is on international duty with the U.S. U-20s and Michelle Cooper (ankle) is listed as questionable.

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Summer Yates, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Watt, Carrie Lawrence, Brianna Martinez, Julie Doyle, Carson Pickett, Evelina Duljan, Celia.

Kansas City Current (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Almuth Schult.

Defenders: Elizabeth Ball, Kayla Sharples, Alana Cook, Hailie Mace.

Midfielders: Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo, Lo’eau LaBonta.

Forwards: Ellie Wheeler, Temwa Chawinga, Nichelle Prince.

Bench: AD Franch, Bia Zaneratto, Desiree Scott, Stine Ballsager, Michelle Cooper, Izzy Rodriguez, Bayley Feist, Kristen Hamilton, Hildah Magaia.

Referees

REF: Alyssa Nichols.
AR1: Brian Marshall.
AR2: Ben Rigel.
4TH: Alejo Calume.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: Matthew Rodman.

How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Amazon Prime Video.

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

Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

Continue Reading

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Sign Midfielder Morgan Gautrat to New Contract

The Pride have signed defensive midfielder Morgan Gautrat through 2025 with a mutual option for 2026.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 12, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has signed midfielder Morgan Gautrat to a new contract. The deal runs through the 2025 NWSL season with a mutual option for 2026.

“Morgan has come in and proven to be a great addition to our club. She has quickly become someone that our younger players can look to for guidance and advice off the pitch, while also putting in strong, consistent performances on it,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Morgan knows how to win at the club and international level and has helped bring that knowledge and professionalism into our locker room. We are very excited to have Morgan with us for the future.”

The Pride acquired Gautrat in a trade with the Kansas City Current on Jan. 11. In exchange for the veteran defensive midfielder and $50,000 in allocation money, the Pride sent a 2024 international spot to the Current.

Gautrat has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season for the Pride (13 regular season and three NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup), with nine starts and recorded 711 minutes. She started alongside Angelina when Haley McCutcheon was at right back, but has split time with the Brazilian in recent weeks as both players have spent time on the injured list.

“I am so excited to be staying here with the Orlando Pride for the next couple of years. What we have here and the culture that is being created is something so special and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Gautrat said in the club’s press release. “Growing up playing here in Florida and now playing here professionally has only solidified that Orlando is home. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent this badge and will work as hard as I can to help the club achieve all of its goals.”

Gautrat was the first overall pick of the 2015 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash out of the University of Virginia. She went on to play for the Chicago Red Stars, French side Olympique Lyonnais, and the Current before joining the Pride.

Internationally, Gautrat represented the United States at the 2010 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The St. Simons Island, GA, native made her senior team debut on June 15, 2013, making 88 appearances for her country with eight goals and 11 assists. She was part of the 2015 and 2019 United States teams that won back-to-back World Cup titles.

What It Means for Orlando

The Pride spent the last couple of years in a full rebuild, replacing aging veterans with young players. They narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2023, spurring the feeling that they could compete this year. For this reason, they brought in several veterans to fill out the lineup, including Gautrat.

While Gautrat hasn’t been a regular starter for the Pride, the depth she provides the team has been valuable, especially when Angelina was injured. She’s currently behind Angelina and McCutcheon on the depth chart, but will slide into the starting role when either is injured, McCutcheon is needed on the back line, or when Angelina is away on international duty with Brazil.

The midfielder has had some trouble with injuries the past few years, contributing to her absence from the national team and her trade from Kansas City. Those problems have arisen at times this year when she suffered a lower leg injury and a concussion. However, she’s been healthy for most of the season and provides a veteran presence in a young locker room, making her a valuable part of the 2025 squad.

Continue Reading

Trending