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Orlando Pride Dazzle, Score Goals Off the Dribble

Opponents should be wary when the Pride carry.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the best team in Orlando at dribbling the ball?

I am a huge basketball fan, and I watch as many Orlando Magic games as I can, but even as good as the Magic were this year, they cannot compare to the Orlando Pride. At no point in the rest of this article will I reference the Magic, but I do want to spend some time writing about magic — specifically, just how magical the Pride players have been with the ball at their feet thus far this season.

The Pride’s offensive game plan is clearly designed around getting the ball to the feet of their playmakers and allowing them to go to work attacking the goal, and as you will see in the rest of this article, they are doing so at a significantly higher and more successful rate than every other team in the NWSL.

Take a look at the chart below, which shows that the Pride are leading the league in progressive carries (defined by fbref.com as carries (dribbles) of at least 10 yards towards the goal while in the attacking half of the field) as a percentage of all carries.

That 6.4% value in the chart above translates to 19.7 progressive carries per game, which is 33% higher than the average of 14.7 per game for all of the other NWSL teams. There is a strong positive correlation (r = 0.71 on a scale of 0 to 1) between progressive carries and points earned this season, something you can see by noting that the two teams tied for first place in points (the Pride and the Kansas City Current) are also leading in progressive carry percentage, and three of the bottom four in points (the Houston Dash, San Diego Wave and Seattle Reign) are in the bottom three for progressive carry percentage.

Correlation does not imply causation, of course, but having players who can frequently dribble for 10 or more yards, weaving through defenders like traffic cones, means they have speed and excellent footwork — two skills that are critical in any good offense.

The 2024 Pride have several players with these qualities, as evidenced by their NWSL ranks in several key dribbling categories. Using data from fbref.com, there are 111 NWSL players who have played at least 500 minutes and attempted to take on a defender one on one while dribbling at least 10 times this season, and below is a list of all the Pride players who qualify and where they rank among those 111 players:

A few takeaways from this data:

  • Has anyone ever seen Barbra Banda and Superwoman in the same location at the same time? There are only so many superlatives I can use when writing about the Pride’s superstar striker, who in addition to the NWSL-leading stats above is also leading the NWSL in another decently important stat: goals. In fairness, she is tied for the league lead in goals with Temwa Chawinga of the Current. Perhaps I should mention though that Banda has scored her tally in 434 fewer minutes! I digress.
  • Marta is truly a wonder (woman), she is the third oldest player in all of NWSL and is still beating her defender 61% of the time and averaging more than two take-on wins per 90 minutes.
  • The list of NWSL players classified by fbref.com as defenders who have at least 10 carries into the 18 so far this season is: Kerry Abello. She is the list. She would also be the entire list if I lowered the number to at least eight, and only two NWSL defenders have more than five carries into the 18. You definitely have to watch out for Abello flying down the left side of the field, or if you find yourself in the hallways of Jewitt Orthopedic Institute, you clearly need to keep your eyes open as well. Vamos!

The last item I called out on that chart was the ranking of Pride players in carries into the 18, with the 18 of course being the penalty area — the most dangerous area on the field and the place where the vast majority of goals are scored (excluding own goals, the Pride have scored 28 goals this season and 25 came from inside the 18). There are four ways for a ball to enter the opposition’s 18-yard box: a carry, a pass, a shot, or via players on the other team playing it back into the 18 themselves. The primary ways are the first two, and the Pride are one of only two teams in all of NWSL who are carry dominant as opposed to pass dominant:

The Pride are sitting slightly above 60% (62.3% for the math nerds; I’m looking at you, man in the mirror) for what I will call their carry percentage, whereas the average for the rest of the NWSL is 41%. The 2023 Pride used a similar style, though to much lower effect in terms of how it led to goals, with a 61% carry percentage. Go back one year further though to 2022 and the Pride had a 41% carry percentage, but in 2022 Seb Hines did not become head coach until June and Marta was out for the season with an ACL tear. It seems likely to me that Hines and Giles Barnes changed the Pride’s attacking style once they took over leadership of the team and after they had their first full preseason with the squad going into the 2023 season.

It certainly helps to have one of the greatest offensive players of all time in Marta and perhaps the greatest current offensive player in Banda on the team, but as seen via the stats from the other players on the team, it is not just those two who are attacking successfully off the dribble. The Pride have five players who play starter minutes and average more than two progressive carries per 90 minutes, including a striker (Banda), three midfielders (Adriana, Julie Doyle and Marta) and a defender (Abello).

As mentioned previously, the team averages 33% more progressive carries per 90 minutes than the league average, which puts defenders under incredible strain as they are seeing players come at them from all locations on the field with a head of steam and who are generally quite successful when they get into 1-v-1 take-on situations (the Pride as a team have a 47.2% take-on win percentage, second in the NWSL).

This Pride team has been relentless this season with how it attacks in all phases of the game. They start from the opening kickoff and never stop until the final whistle. They have scored 12 goals in the first 30 minutes, 10 goals in the middle 30 minutes, and eight goals in the final 30 minutes, leaving you no choice but to never take your eyes off this team, because at any moment you might be one play away from watching some Orlando magic.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Three Keys to Victory

What do the Pride need to do to secure a win over the Washington Spirit?

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have already qualified for the playoffs. The club is undefeated in 22 straight matches this season — 23 straight matches going back to last season’s final game — and is breaking record after record while doing it. A match against the second-place Washington Spirit is looming Sunday. If the Pride can pull out a victory, they will win the Supporters’ Shield and be one step closer to an undefeated regular season.

What do the Pride need to do to get all three points Sunday against the Spirit?

Reignite Banda

Barbra Banda’s first appearance for the Pride came back in April against the San Diego Wave. She played 29 minutes off the bench and had some chances. She got her first goal for the Pride against the Spirit in the very next match. She then went on a goal-scoring tear with 12 goals in the next 11 matches before the Olympic break. She also added five assists in that same time period. Overall, she took 46 shots, putting 31 on target (67.4%), and scored 12 goals (38.7%).

After she returned from the break, she hasn’t been able to find the same form. In the last six matches she has 32 shots, with 14 on target (43.8%), and has scored one goal (7%). Banda also only has one assist in those six matches. I’m certain that plenty of you are worried about those numbers, but don’t press the panic button just yet. Teams are often double- and triple-teaming her when she is in the attack. Players also go through spurts, and Banda is no different.

There’s no better time for her to start scoring consistently than against the Spirit. Doing so started her career with the Pride, and big-time players step up in big-time matches. We can see from the numbers that she is getting chances. She just needs to be a bit more clinical, and the goals will come.

Close the Hatch (and Company)

The Washington Spirit have scored 44 goals so far this season, which is good enough for second most behind the Kansas City Current, and it’s four more than the Pride have scored. Most of those goals have come from three players — Trinity Rodman (8), Ouleymata Sarr (8), and Ashley Hatch (5). Of course, Rodman recently missed time due to back spasms, so her availability is unknown for the upcoming match, while Sarr has missed missed time with a lumbar injury.

That means the Pride defense will still need to deal with Hatch and the rest of the Spirit attack. The Pride have the best defense in the NWSL, allowing only 13 goals all season. Until Saturday, Orlando hadn’t allowed a goal in a record-tying five consecutive matches. Additionally, the Pride have not allowed a goal after the 75th minute all season. Compare that to last season, and you’ll get an idea of how good Orlando has been.

It’s the proverbial unstoppable force meeting an immovable object on Sunday. Stopping the Spirit from scoring is not an easy task. If the Pride can find a way to shut down their opponents then a trophy awaits.

Have Fun

After the 6-0 romping of the Utah Royals way back in June, Marta said in an interview, “Nobody’s allowed to come here and have fun besides us.” Since that match, the Pride are 2-0-1 at Inter&Co Stadium in NWSL play and have allowed only one goal. On the season, Orlando is 8-0-3 at home. So, why is having fun so important?

The Pride are chasing history this season. As I mentioned above, records keep falling or getting extended. Every team brings its “A” game against the Pride. The possibility of an undefeated season is so close you can taste it. All of that creates pressure on the club chasing those records and that undefeated season. If the Pride can deal with that pressure by “having fun,” it will be easier to achieve their objectives.


That is what I will be looking for Sunday night while sitting in the stands. If you see me, please say hello. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando Pride Scenarios for the Shield, Playoff Matchups, and Broken Records

With just four matches left to play, the Pride are on the verge of some monumental accomplishments.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride are in a great position with just four games remaining in the NWSL regular season. After remaining undefeated through the first 22 games, they have established a seven-point lead at the top of the table. With a matchup against the second-place Washington Spirit looming, the Pride could win the NWSL Shield as soon as this weekend — at Inter&Co Stadium no less. There is everything to play for in the coming weeks, so how do the scenarios play out for the shield, potential playoff opponents, and several NWSL regular-season records that may still be broken?

The Shield Race

The NWSL shield is the trophy awarded to the club that finishes the regular season with the highest point total, and though the Orlando Pride are clear favorites, there is still work to be done to clinch the award. Shown below are the four teams that remain in the shield race and the “magic number” needed for the Pride to finish above them, with more explanation below the table.

PositionTeamPointsMagic Number
1Orlando Pride54
2Washington Spirit476
3Gotham FC443
4KC Current432
Orlando’s magic numbers against the other shield contenders.

The magic number is used to measure what results are needed for the leading team (Orlando) to be mathematically guaranteed of finishing in first place. The magic number for each opposing team counts down until it reaches zero, at which point that team cannot match Orlando’s point total. Specifically, an Orlando win reduces the magic number by three points for each team in the table, and one point for a tie, because they have extended their lead by that many points. When a team below Orlando loses, it reduces that team’s magic number by three points because there are that many fewer points available to gain and catch Orlando. Therefore, when an opposing team ties, it creates a special case that reduces the magic number by two points, because they had the opportunity for three points but dropped two of them.

The example of the Kansas City Current from the table above helps to explain the magic number. As it stands today, the Pride could finish with 54 points, at worst, after four straight losses. Kansas City could finish with 55 points after four wins and claim the shield. If the Current drop two points, or Orlando gains two points, the magic number goes to zero and the Current cannot win the shield. The same math applies for Gotham, where the Pride only need one win (or one loss from Gotham) to make the magic number zero. This shows just how narrow of a path to the shield now remains for Gotham and Kansas City, so only the Spirit can offer a credible challenge.

Considering the Spirit, this weekend’s matchup looms extra large, because head-to-head matches count double in a title race. If the Pride defeat the Spirit, that would reduce the magic number by six, three for Orlando winning and three for Washington losing, and the shield race would be over. For the three remaining matches of the season, Head Coach Seb Hines would be able to rest the squad intelligently and enter the postseason in the best shape possible to play for the NWSL championship. But, don’t expect too much rest for key players, as there would still be the undefeated season to play for.

Even a tie on Sunday would serve Orlando well and reduce the magic number by three. Fans would love it if the club won the shield at home so they could be present for the celebrations, but if that doesn’t happen Sunday, collective stress levels would be better served by winning on the road at Portland or Gotham, rather than waiting until the final match of the season to clinch the trophy. It would also be possible for the Pride to win the shield by tying each remaining match of the season, meaning that the club cannot go undefeated in the regular season and somehow lose the shield.

A loss against the Spirit is where things would start to look a little more challenging for the Pride. After a hypothetical loss, Hines would have to refocus the squad in order to win two of the final three matches, assuming perfection from the Spirit. Unfortunately, Washington does not have any games against top-five opposition after playing the Pride, as the Spirit face Racing Louisville and the Chicago Red Stars at home and North Carolina Courage on the road. While the Spirit have been playing without several injured stars, notably Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune, they showed their quality and depth by beating Angel City FC away from home in their most recent outing. Fortunately for Orlando, the Pride also currently boast a goal differential eight goals better than the Spirit, so in the unlikely possibility that this tiebreaker matters in back-to-back seasons, the Pride should have the edge.


Playoff Matchups

Behind the excitement of the shield race is the importance of matchups when it comes to the NWSL playoffs. For simplicity’s sake, it is not unreasonable to assume a top-two finish for the Pride, considering the long odds of multiple teams finishing above them after the coming matches. A top-two finish is significant not only because it ensures the first round is played against opposition from middle clubs in the final NWSL table, but it also ensures home field advantage in the second round of the playoffs if the team advances. Despite these advantages, anything can happen in the NWSL playoffs, as Gotham showed last year by finishing in the final playoff spot and then winning three matches en route to being crowned NWSL champions.

Looking at the rest of the NWSL table (below) shows just how many teams Orlando could still face in the first round of the NWSL playoffs. Since Orlando can technically finish anywhere from first to fourth, and no teams have been eliminated from contention, the Pride could play any team in the league in the first round.

PositionTeamPoints
5North Carolina Courage35
6Chicago Red Stars29
7Portland Thorns28
8Bay FC28
9Racing Louisville25
10San Diego Wave22
11Angel City FC22
12Seattle Reign FC20
13Utah Royals FC18
14Houston Dash17
The race for the final playoff positions.

By using some common sense, however, we can whittle the number of potential opponents down to four probable candidates. Based on a top-two finish by Orlando, the Pride would face a team that finishes either seventh or eighth. Then, since only four matches remain and none of the teams in the middle of the pack are lighting the world on fire of late, it’s likely that a team within five points of these positions will end the season there.

This list of expected first-round opponents then can be pared down to Chicago, Portland, Bay, and Racing, as it seems to be just too much ground for the others to make up. The Pride have had solid results against their potential playoff opponents, racking up five wins and two draws, with a match against Portland still upcoming. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Portland and Orlando met on a combined 13-match winning streak, but fortunes have diverged greatly since then and Portland has the league’s worst form and risks missing the playoffs altogether. As the Orlando Pride well know, every team in the league has their day, and the team is sure to take the matchup seriously, no matter who the opponent ends up being.


League Records in Reach

While wins and trophies are all that a roster and coaching staff should worry about, us fans often like to keep track of records set along the way. Due to Orlando’s elite play all season, many of the loftiest league records could be broken before the season ends. Several of these records could take all 26 matches to break, but some, like the points record of 57, set by the Courage in 2018, can be surpassed in the same number of matches that they were set.

NWSL RecordTotalYear and Team2024 Orlando Pride
Most Points572018 Courage54
Fewest Goals Conceded172018 Courage
2021 Thorns
13
Largest Goal Differential+362018 Courage+27
Most Clean Sheets132017 & 2018 Courage
2021 Thorns
12
Longest Win Streak(already broken)2024 Pride8
Longest Unbeaten Streak(already broken)2024 Pride22
NWSL regular-season records that the Pride could break/have broken in 2024.

After going undefeated for 22 matches so far this season, the Orlando Pride are favorites for the NWSL shield. Their additional reward for winning that trophy would be favorable matchups in the playoffs, including home field advantage for the quarterfinals and semifinals. Both of these would have been considered lofty goals at the start of the season, but now, everything is within reach, including some truly incredible records.

Based on the way they’ve carried themselves all year, the players are sure to give it their all and play some damn fine soccer in the final regular season matches. Sunday, they could have a trophy to show for it, and all of Inter&Co Stadium would be there to share in the celebrations. If Sunday isn’t their day, the Pride will have a few more chances for glory in the weeks that follow.

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Orlando Pride Sign Julie Doyle to New Contract

The Pride will keep Doyle in purple through the 2026 NWSL season.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has signed midfielder Julie Doyle to a new contract. The three-year deal will keep Doyle in purple through the 2026 NWSL season.

“Julie has been critical to the culture we are building here and our success on the pitch this season,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “She brings an important element to our attack, her speed posing problems for opponents whether she’s on the wing or in the middle of the field. She’s invested in herself, committed to her development and growth, and has consistently provided a positive presence whether starting or entering matches as a game changer. We’re excited Julie’s eager to remain in Orlando and look forward to helping her achieve the goals she’s set out for herself.”

The Pride selected Doyle with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft out of the University of Santa Clara, signing her to a one-year deal with a club option. She debuted on April 16, 2022, in the NWSL Challenge Cup, coming on in the 70th minute for Meggie Dougherty Howard in a 4-2 loss to the North Carolina Courage. The midfielder soon made herself a key part of the team, starting nine games in her rookie season. Her play earned her a new two-year deal on May 8, 2023.

The attacker has become a regular starter over the past two seasons. She’s made 24 appearances this year with 19 starts and recorded 1,393 minutes in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing an assist. In her nearly three years as a professional, Doyle has made 61 appearances with 43 starts, recorded 3,260 minutes, scored seven goals, and accumulated four assists.

“I couldn’t be happier to be staying in Orlando. This team is so special, and I feel blessed to be a part of what we are creating here,” Doyle said in the club’s press release. “I am extremely motivated to continue to contribute to the team’s success and bring a championship home to our amazing fans.”

Prior to being drafted by the Pride, Doyle was a key contributor to the Santa Clara Broncos, captaining the side and helping the team to its second national championship in 2020. She made 70 appearances during her collegiate career with 55 starts, scoring 16 goals and providing 14 assists. She was named to the All-West Regional First Team in 2020 and was a three-time All-WECC selection.

Doyle has also had an international career, representing the United States at the U-15, U-18, U-19, and U-20 levels. She was an alternate for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Australia.

What It Means for Orlando

Doyle has become a regular starter in the Pride attack since her arrival, usually starting on the left alongside Marta and Adriana. She’s one of the fastest players in the league, causing problems for opposing defenses. Originally a forward, Doyle has found a home in the midfield where she can use her speed to cause the most trouble.

It’s not surprising that the Pride would want to keep Doyle nor that the midfielder would want to stay in Orlando. She was drafted early in the team’s rebuild and quickly became a part of the team’s core. At 26 years old, her best years are likely ahead of her and she’ll continue to be a key contributor to the Pride as they work toward winning trophies.

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