Getting Back to Business With Orlando Pride

We’re only a little over a week away from the Orlando Pride’s first match back from the NWSL summer break. The Pride will travel across the country to take on Angel City at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. We will have a preview of that match next week. For now, I want to focus on the bigger picture and what I want to see from the Pride as the team returns to NWSL play.

Banda is Back (For a Bit)

Barbra Banda will be with the club at least until players leave for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which begins July 26. Since it is inevitable that Banda will be called up by Zambia for the competition, that still leaves at least the first two matches back if not three matches before her departure. Banda will be motivated to pad her goal total before heading out.

Banda currently leads the NWSL Golden Boot race with 11 goals. Her closest competition is Temwa Chawinga and Ashley Sanchez, who have seven goals each. Chawinga will also participate in WAFCON with Malawi, meaning Sanchez is the only one of the two who can close the gap while Banda is away. Of course, if Banda were to bag a hat trick or a brace in each of the matches before departing, it might not be close enough to worry about Sanchez.

Find More Offense

As far as I know, there should be no reason why Banda, Marta, and Jacquie Ovalle cannot be on the pitch at the same time. It’s not something we’ve seen due to various absences, and I’m very much looking forward to it happening. As I mentioned above, I know it will be for a limited time because of Banda’s international duty, but I’ll take what I can get.

That makes it all the more important for Marta and Ovalle to develop chemistry for when Banda is away. Of course, in some ways they have similar skill sets and could really use a speedy target striker to feed. The Pride don’t have a like for like to replace Banda — not that any team does — but they will need some sort of solution.

I’ll keep asking for 2024 Julie Doyle and Summer Yates to show up until they finally show up. Perhaps some newer players like Solai Washington, Nicole Payne, Simone Jackson, or Seven Castain can take advantage of the opportunity. Most likely, Seb Hines spreads things around like he did when Banda was injured last season. The team needs to score goals unless the defense can return to 2024 form as well. Speaking of that…

Team Defense Must Improve

I’ve already mentioned my wanting the Pride to play with a chip on their shoulder, and Sean Rollins wrote about how Hines can use the break to shore up the back line. Improving the defense starts on the back line, but it doesn’t end there. In 2024, the Pride defended as a team and they must return to that type of play.

I was inspired by the USMNT’s pressing against Paraguay and Australia. I’m in no way saying that I want or expect the Pride to play Mauricio Pochettino’s system, but I want to see more aggressive play in the midfield to win the ball back after they give it away. Ideally, the Pride will quit giving the ball away in their own half, but I’m realistic enough to ask for baby steps.

Winning the ball back quickly is not just the job of the back line or the defensive midfield. I need everyone tracking back to help out. The Pride have allowed 17 goals so far, which is tied for the most with the Kansas City Current among teams above the playoff line. Given the Pride will be without Banda for a while, shoring up the defense is extremely important.

What are you looking to see from the Pride as the NWSL season returns? Let us know in the comments.