The Force is not strong with the Orlando Pride as they suffer a 1-2 defeat, at home, against the San Diego Wave on the Pride’s Star Wars Night.

Good line up. No changes from the starting eleven we saw against the Chicago Red Stars. That’s good, because it means we have consistent starters, which will help the Pride’s chemistry and rhythm on the field.

When it came to the Pride’s last match against the Chicago Red Stars, I loved the movement and quick touches in the midfield. It’s very reminiscent of how Brazil, and Spain’s Women’s National Teams like to play. I also loved the control in the midfield, along with the recoveries and quick transitions in the midfield and attack. When it came to the attack, there was great connection in the attack and in the box.

As for the Pride backline and defense, I’m looking forward to the defending partnership between Rafaelle and Emily Madril. I really liked what I saw in the match against the Red Stars. Not only did Rafaelle score in the match against the Red Stars (Arsenal fans say, watch out for her headers), she seems to be fitting in nicely with the Pride backline, and hopefully we continue to see that in that in this match against the Wave.

The challenge for the Pride is, will they be consistent? Will the midfield be able to replicate that control, movement, connection, and possession in this match against the Wave? Will the Pride attack be able to replicate that connection between the attacking players, and that connection in the box? Part of the reason why the Pride was so successful against the Chicago Red Stars is because, the Chicago defenders created too many gaps in their backline, which allowed the Pride to break through a lot easier.

When it comes to the San Diego Wave, I’m expecting the Wave backline to be tighter and harder to break down especially with defenders like, Westphal, Dalhkemper, Riehl, Pogarch, or Girma. No doubt, with Adriana coming down the Wave left wing, Doyle on the right, and Marta coming up centrally, the Pride attack should eventually find their way through. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Pride attack will break through the Wave backline. At the same time, I’m looking forward, and hoping to see more of that connection, movement, and control in the midfield.

Something else the Pride is needing to do, is be quicker with their touches and services in and around the box. I can imagine the Wave backline, isn’t going to want Adriana, Marta, or Doyle on the ball for long, so the sooner those players can get their touches, services, and crosses off, the better.

First Half Notes:

Pride 1-1.

First Half Goal Scorers:

San Diego Wave Dahlkemper (7′); Pride Adriana (44′)

It’s an all right first half. I’m happy and relieved the Pride were able to score before the half ended. Hopefully, Adriana’s goal will give the Pride more drive and momentum going into the second half. The Pride attack has been good in this match. Adriana, Marta, Doyle, and Abello have been causing a lot of problems for the San Diego backline. Bright has been too, but she’s been pretty quiet in this first half. I noticed Adriana switched wings halfway through the match, and honestly, she’s been causing havoc on both wings. I loved her footwork and movement in and around the box.

My only issues with the Pride attack, is they need to be quicker with their crosses and services, and they need to connect better in the box. The Wave has been quick at getting back there, and are crowding the box, which is making things difficult for the Pride. If the Pride wants to create more chances and services, they have to get them off before San Diego starts crowding the box.

When it comes to the Pride midfield, control and possession has been all right, but I want to see better recoveries in midfield.

As for the Pride backline, they’re doing all right, but they are needing to be better aware of those passes behind the Pride backline. It’s too easy for a San Diego player/players to slip behind the backline and make a run at towards the box. For the second half, I would probably put in Cluff for Villacorta, in order to have better control of the midfield, and then Larroquette for Bright, to see if she’ll be able to connect better with the attack in the box.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Final Score: Pride lose 1-2.

I was thinking the Pride could come back, even after San Diego got the second goal, but as the final few minutes and extra time winded down, the Pride attack just couldn’t connect.

Right off the bat, because this was bugging me after it happened the second time, but defending corner kicks and set pieces is something the Pride is needing to work on. Both of San Diego’s goals in this match came from corner kicks. The Pride throughout this match was able to fend off San Diego’s attack, but when it comes to defending corner kicks, it’s a different story.

The Pride’s midfield in this half was a lot better especially with Cluff coming in. There was more control and possession in the midfield. At the same time, recoveries in the midfield looked a lot better too. Something I didn’t mention in the first half is, the Pride is needing to do better when it comes to playing under pressure in the midfield. It was getting better as the match went on, but that is still something the Pride is needing to improve. It’s also something this team has struggled with a lot in the past.

As for the Pride attack, there was good connection between the attacking players, but the connection in the box wasn’t that great. There were moments where Adriana would get behind the San Diego backline and send in a cross, but there would be too many Wave players in the box, and Bright, Marta, Doyle, Abello or Larroquette couldn’t get a shot off. Again, I think in this match the Pride was needing to be quicker with their crosses and services, but at the same time there needed to be more support in the box.

An upside to this match was Adriana. Adriana, along with Marta, was great in this game. Adriana was causing a lot of problems for the San Diego backline on both, the left and right wings. Great footwork, very dangerous in the box, very patient with the ball, maybe a little too patient at times, but she was still doing very well. Even if the Pride came away with a loss in this one, I still enjoy watching Adriana come to life in these games. She is such a fun and great player to watch.

It’s a disappointing loss, especially after a big win against the Chicago Red Stars, but I had a feeling this was going to be a tough one for the Pride team. However, I’m sure the Pride and Seb Hines will learn from this match, and bounce back in the next one.