Orlando Pride at Chicago Stars: Three Keys to Victory

The Orlando Pride are coming off a 3-0 victory over Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Now, the club heads to the Windy City to take on Ludmila and the Chicago Stars. Time is running short in the NWSL regular season, and Orlando needs to start getting results. What must the Pride do to earn all three points on the road Sunday afternoon in Chicago?

Remember Who You Are

The Pride scored three goals against Alajuelense in Tuesday’s Concacaf W Champions Cup game. This team had not scored a goal in the run of play in about a month, but the dam burst open after Julie Doyle’s opening goal Tuesday night. Sometimes you just need to start the tiny snowball rolling down the hill to start an avalanche. The Pride need to translate that goal scoring into the NWSL regular season.

The Alajuelense match saw defenders taking shots time and again. Now, it’s the attacking players’ turn to do so. Marta will be back in this match, and she is due for a goal. Summer Yates has struggled, but perhaps her cheeky back heel assist on Simone Jackson’s goal woke her up. I’m hopeful that the Concacaf match shook off the offensive cobwebs so that the goals can keep coming. It won’t be easy, as the Fire have a good goalkeeper in Alyssa Naeher, but she can certainly be beat.

Expand the Minutes

The Pride coaches and technical staff are very cautious in managing the minutes of those returning from injury. I can understand that, but sometimes an overabundance of caution can cost points. Obviously, I want these players for the long term, and I respect the decisions of the staff, but I also think these players can help win a match.

Perhaps Luana could get a start — she looked excellent in her return against Alajuelense — even if she only goes for 50 minutes, rather than coming on for 30 minutes in the second half. Dare I ask for a full game from Rafaelle? I would like to see more of Simone Charley since we’re looking for more attackers. There’s only so much time left in the season, so please let them play.

Stop Ludmila

I joked on SkoPurp Soccer that there was only one key to victory and that I would just repeat it three times. I didn’t end up doing that, but there is still one key that is more key than the other keys —stop Ludmila. There is nothing the Pride can do to help get a result more than keeping the Stars striker in check. This is a player that is the most in form of any in the league and can change matches all by herself.

The job is no different than when other teams focus on Barbra Banda. In 2024, no other team did a better job at defending as a team than the Pride. While the focus will be on the defensive midfield, the back line, and Anna Moorhouse, every player needs to do their part. Seb Hines will hopefully start Rafaelle and Emily Sams at center back. This duo must be focused.

That is what I will be looking for Sunday afternoon. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!