Pre-Match Notes: When it comes to this match against Racing Louisville, the Orlando Pride needs to stick to what they have been consistently good at: transitioning and counterattacking. In the Pride’s match against the North Carolina Courage, the Pride didn’t have much possession. The stats for that match were 67 percent possession in favor of the Courage, while the Pride only had 33 percent possession. The Pride was successful in that match because they were able to win back possession in the midfield, transition quickly, and launch their counterattack. If the Pride can keep that up in this match against Racing Louisville, then they could come away with a win.
The thing the Pride needs to focus on though is winning back possession in the midfield, or reclaiming possession quickly so that the midfield can move and launch their attack. No, the Pride doesn’t have to have complete and total possession in this match, but they need to have enough of it to make those transitions and counterattacks.
Line Up Notes:
Starting Eleven: We have Anna Moorhouse in the goal. For defenders, Haley McCutcheon, Rafaelle, Emily Madril, and Kylie Strom. In the midfield and attack: Celia, Jordyn Listro, Carrie Abello, Adriana, Messiah Bright, and Marta.
Good lineup. I’m a little surprised Mikayla Cluff isn’t starting in this match. She’s usually good when it comes to managing the midfield. I like that she can handle pressure in the midfield and act as a good holding midfielder, but at the same time, help with the attack. However, she could come on in the second half. I’m interested to see how Celia is going to do in the midfield. She usually plays as a defender, but I guess she’ll be able to provide support for the backline and also act as a holding midfielder, like Cluff.
Then up top, we have Adriana, Bright, and Marta. There’s great movement in the midfield and attack with Marta and Adriana, along with great goal-scoring potential with Bright. In addition to transitions and counterattacking, I would like to see a good connection between the midfield, attack, and attacking players, as well as good connection in the box. That connection in the attack will be essential for the Pride in this match.
First Half Notes:
Orlando Pride 2-1.
Overall, this is a really good performance from the Pride. Great touches, control, and movement in the midfield and attack. Great recoveries in the midfield and backline as well. I like the patience from the Pride, and I really like the pressure from the Pride in midfield. There’s great connection and chemistry between all the players on the field, and the support for one another has been really good. I noticed that when it comes to the Pride’s touches and passes, the Pride is very deliberate with them. I’m also impressed with how well the team is reading one another. It’s like the team knows where someone is at all times.
When it comes to the second half I would like to see the Pride get back in control and start managing the game more, in order to protect their lead. Besides that, the Pride are looking really good. Again, I would like to see the Pride win this match, but they have to manage the game more in the second half. This is where possession and control is going to be important for the Pride.
Second Half/Closing Notes:
Orlando Pride lose 3-2 to Racing Louisville.
This was a very disappointing loss for the Pride. A tough own goal off Moorhouse—which really came off Strom—sealed the Pride’s fate in this match. Despite having ten minutes of stoppage time, the Pride just couldn’t come back. However, it’s important to note that the Pride still played really well tonight. There was good control, movement, and connection between the midfield, attack, and attacking players. Great chemistry from the team as well. As the match started to wind down, the Pride were really fighting and playing with more urgency and pressure. I kind of wish we could’ve seen that earlier on, though. What went wrong for the Pride in the second half had to do with a lack of game management and control. I pointed out in the first half that control and possession are going to be essential for the Pride going into this second half in order for them to manage the game.
Even though this isn’t the outcome the Pride team wanted, they’ve come a long way since the start of the season. The whole team was great to watch. They supported each other really well when it came to the midfield, attack, and defense. They played with a lot of heart and energy and put up a good fight against Racing Louisville. It’s a frustrating and disappointing loss, but there’s no denying how hard this team has worked and fought this season.
ArmChair Sports 