Orlando Pride at Chicago Stars: Three Keys to Victory

I’ve wanted to do a Three Keys column for the Orlando Pride much like I do for Orlando City this season, but time constraints have made that not possible until this week. The Pride are traveling to the Illinois to play Chicago Stars FC in the first away match of the season. The club is also looking for the first victory of the season. What must the Pride do to earn all three points against the Stars tonight?

Tighten Up

The Pride are dealing with center back issues following the departure of Emily Sams and Rafaelle not being available last match. I think Hailie Mace was brought in to be the other center back with Rafaelle, and she’s been serviceable but has also been burned by the opposition on some keys plays. Whichever players Seb Hines decides to put there based on availability will need to do a better job at keeping the back line organized.

I’m certain that Mace will be on the field, most likely with Hannah Anderson. However, if Rafaelle is available, she needs to be out there, even if only in a limited capacity. Oihane and Cori Dyke have done pretty good at fullback, and the Pride are much deeper at those positions. If the back line as a whole can tighten up the defense — and stop the lapses that have allowed the opposition’s goals so far this season — getting three points will be much easier.

Put on a Clinic

The Orlando Pride lead the league in chances created and shots on target, yet there are only two goals from Barbra Banda to show for all of that. I promise you this is not a big deal only two matches in. Theoretically, Banda is working her way back from a season-ending injury and already has two goals. She will become more clinical in her finishing. Her teammates Jacquie Ovalle and Summer Yates should also round into form. We still haven’t seen Marta and we know what she brings to the offense.

Given all of that, if the Pride continue to create the number of chances they have to this point, the goals will come. I think that happens in this match. I think the Pride will put in multiple goals for the first time this season, and I think it won’t be just Banda doing the scoring — though I’m happy for her to get a brace or a hat trick if she is so inclined. It won’t be easy given Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher is a top-tier keeper.

Mental Fortitude

Despite there being new faces for the Pride, this team has shown good mental strength when going down a goal. I’d like for the team to not have to deal with that again this week, but if it happens, I’m not too worried. Hines has a way of getting his players ready to deal with adversity.

What I want to see this time is how the team deals with success. I want to see what the Pride do when up a goal. My hope is that they are ruthless in continuing to score enough goals to bury any hope Chicago might have to come back. With the potential lethality of this attack, having that relentless drive to score will return dividends as the season progresses.

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