Pre Match Notes

After coming off of a 1-0 win against Racing Louisville, the Orlando Pride are set to face Bay FC, who are coming off of a loss to the Chicago Red Stars. Since the season started the Pride have been undefeated in all eight of regular season matches. With Zambian forward, Barbra Banda at the helm, the Pride are hoping to grab more goals, and more wins.

The biggest game changer for the Pride has to be the arrival of Barbra Banda. Banda, in the Pride’s last three matches, has been dangerous in the Pride attack, creating many goalscoring opportunities for her teammates, as well as scoring goals herself. Her ability to make runs, as well as getting around and outpacing defenders, has been advantageous for the Pride attack. The connection between Banda and Watt has been great as well.

Another player Banda could connect well with is Adriana. While Adriana has just comeback from injury, an attacking partnership between Adriana and Banda could also be something to look out for. Both of these players are quick on their feet, can get around defenders, breakthrough defenses, and create many chances for the attack as well as themselves. An attacking line consisting of Banda, Watt, and Adriana has the potential to cause a lot of problems for opposing teams, in this case, Bay FC.

While the Pride attack should do well in this match, the Pride backline and defense may face some challenge from Bay FC. Despite coming off of losses in their last four games, Bay FC still has the ability to score (1.62 goals per match) and will do so if given the chance. The Pride needs to lockdown their defense, and watch out for long passes behind the backline. Despite a few errors here and there, the Pride’s defending has been solid overall. In their recent matches, the Pride has been playing in a 4-4-2, which allows for better support in the defense, as well as better control and movement in the midfield.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven:

We have Anna Moorhouse in the goal. For defenders Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom, and Kerry Abello. In the midfield and attack: Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat, Summer Yates, Adriana, Barbra Banda, and Julie Doyle.

Substitutes: McKinley Crone, Ally Watt, Marta, Ally Lemos, Mariana Larroquette, Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Brianna Martinez, Cori Dyke.

Marta is back from injury and is available off the bench. Interestingly enough, Ally Watt is also going to be available off the bench as well. It appears as though the Pride are playing in a 4-4-2, with Banda, and either Yates or Adriana, up top. Originally, I figured Watt would start again with Banda, since that has been a strong attacking partnership in the Pride’s last two matches; however, with Watt on the bench, this allows us to see how well Adriana, Yates, and Doyle will connect with Banda, and each other. As mentioned previously, Banda’s connection with Adriana is something to watch out for. Banda and Adriana’s chemistry could take some time to develop, but it will be worth it in the end.

First Half Notes

Orlando Pride 1-0.

Goal Scorers for the Pride: Adriana (PK).

Banda would get tripped inside the Bay FC penalty area, and would go down in the box. The referee instantly points to the spot, awarding a penalty kick to the Pride. Adriana would step up and convert the penalty.

Overall, this was a good first half for the Pride. It was a bit of a slow start for the Pride early on, but the team started to get more settled as the first half progressed. There was good control, movement, and possession in the midfield, as well as good connection in the attack. Banda and Adriana have been doing well getting past defenders and breaking through Bay FC’s defense. The Pride created many good chances from open play, in addition to receiving multiple corner kicks; however, the Pride were unable to put away their chances. Going into the second half, the Pride needs to maintain control, connect better in the box, and finish their chances.

When it comes to the backline and defense, there were a few moments where Bay FC was able to get on the ball, but for the most part, the Pride did well keeping possession. The Pride was successful at cutting off Bay FC’s attack in the midfield. Going into the second half, the Pride is still needing to watch out for Bay FC’s transitions and counterattacks, as well as their passes behind the backline. It’s noticeable that Bay FC likes long passes. They have players who can get on the end of them, and outrun defenders. In regard to this half, the Pride backline did well to prevent those passes and recover possession.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Orlando Pride Wins 1-0.

Goal Scorers for the Pride: Adriana (PK).

The Pride faced more pressure from Bay FC in this second half. Nevertheless, the Pride was still able to maintain control and get their attack forward. The team created a few good chances, but most of their attempts and shots would be saved by Bay FC’s goalkeeper, or recovered by the defense. Could the Pride have scored more goals in this match as a whole? Yes. Especially in the first half. For the most part, this was still a solid performance, and a good win for the Pride.

The backline and midfield did well when it came to responding to Bay FC’s attack, in addition to recovering possession. While Bay FC did have a handful of threatening and dangerous moments in this match as a whole, there was a sense that it wasn’t anything this Pride team couldn’t handle.