Pre Match Notes

After falling 4-0 to league rivals, the Portland Thorns, the Seattle Reign are now set to face the Orlando Pride. This meeting with the Pride isn’t going to be an easy one for the Reign, as the Orlando Pride are currently undefeated with six wins and three draws, and are coming off of a win against Bay FC.

As mentioned in the match against the Portland Thorns, the biggest issues with the Reign are their midfield and attack, and their inability to follow through and score goals. There were moments in the match against the Thorns where the Reign showed they can connect and get their attack forward, however, if the Reign cannot score goals, it’s going to hurt them the most. This was especially clear against Portland, where they had multiple chances to score in the second half.

In this match against the Pride, the Reign has to control the midfield, and maintain possession as much as possible. It’s a must in this match, since the Pride tends to rule the midfield when it comes to control, possession, movement and recoveries. This will be even more difficult for the Reign if the Pride are playing in a 4-4-2, with Adriana, Marta, Summer Yates, or Julie Doyle. Even against a team that is dominant in possession, the Pride are very good at keeping possession, and forcing a team to play their game. Truth be told, if the Reign cannot keep possession or maintain control, it is likely they will lose that midfield battle to the Pride.

Defensively, both the Reign and the Pride have very strong backlines. Additionally, both goalkeepers for the Reign and the Pride, Laurel Ivory and Anna Moorhouse, have been solid in goal. This match could make for a very interesting “battle of defenses,” since the Reign, for multiple seasons, was known to have the best defense in the league, and was able to hold the Kansas City Current to a 0-0 draw. However, since the arrival of Barbra Banda to the Pride attack, in addition to Adriana and Ally Watt’s quick movement up the field, and Carrie Abello’s services, it’s going to be interesting to see how, or if the Reign will be able to handle the Pride attack.

The Reign attack is likely to face some challenge when it comes to the Pride’s defense. The Pride are usually good at recovering possession near their defensive third, and with Marta and Adriana in the midfield, both of these players are able to launch a swift counterattack soon after. How affective the Reign attack will be in this match will depend on whether the Reign will be able to keep possession, and get their attack forward. While the match appears to be more favored to the Pride, the Reign, as fans like to say, has the chance to do something really funny.

Line Up Notes

Seattle Reign

Starting Eleven: We have Laurel Ivory in the goal. For defenders Alana Cook, Lu Barnes, Phoebe McClernon, and Sofia Huerta. For midfielders Angharad James-Turner, Jess Fishlock, Ji So-yun, and Olivia Van Der Jagt. For forwards Tziarra King and Bethany Balcer.

The Reign could be playing in either a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. Cook returns to the starting eleven after coming back from an illness. The challenge for Cook and the Reign backline is going to involve preventing and shutting down the Pride’s attack as soon as possible. There needs to be good awareness in the backline, especially when it comes to handling players like Banda, Marta, and Adriana.

Another challenge for the Reign will involve their midfield and attack. Will the Reign be able to get their attack forward in this match? The answer, once again, goes back to the Reign’s midfield, in addition to the team’s ability to maintain control and possession. If they cannot do that, then this match is going to be a struggle for the Reign.

Orlando Pride

Starting Eleven: We have Anna Moorhouse in the goal. For defenders Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom, and Carrie Abello. For midfielders Haley McCutcheon, Ally Lemos, Summer Yates, and Marta. For forwards Barbra Banda and Adriana.

Interesting line up for the Pride. Most likely the Pride are still playing in a 4-4-2, in order to maximize that control and flexibility in the midfield. I would have thought, Adriana would drop back to the midfield with Marta, and Ally Watt would be up top with Banda. Still, this is a very strong midfield and attack for the Pride. We’ll still see that good control, movement, and possession in the midfield with Marta and Yates. It’s also great to see Lemos starting, and it will be interesting to see how she does in this match.

First Half Notes

Seattle Reign 1-2.

Goal Scorers for the Orlando Pride: Sams (1), Banda (1).

Marta’s cross would find Yates. A Reign defender would tap it away, but Sams would collect and score from outside the box. Adriana’s cross would get a touch from Ivory, but Banda would ultimately find the back of the net.

Goal scorers for the Seattle Reign: James-Turner (1).

Ji’s cross in extra time would find James-Turner, who would score from outside the box.

Despite the Pride being able to grab two goals in the first twenty minutes, the Reign were able to grow into this first half. The Reign midfield and attack were getting forward, and we’re starting to see better control in the midfield from the Reign. It’s almost surprising to see the Pride unable to control, and move in the midfield like they usually do. The Reign were doing a great job applying pressure to the Pride in the midfield, and their efforts to control the midfield are paying off.

The main issue for the Reign now, is their connection in the attacking third. Even though the Reign were getting forward and creating chances, there needs to be more support in the box. Since the Pride have been slow to defend their wings, the Reign has a chance to create more services from the wings. However, they need to be quicker and more precise with their crosses and services.

When it comes to the Pride, they are facing more pressure in the midfield. The Reign hasn’t been allowing the Pride to keep possession for long. If the Pride wants to maintain their lead and momentum, they need to get back in control of the midfield, and start getting their attack forward. At times, the Pride appears to be too lax in the midfield, with how easily they give up possession. They need to be more cautious, but at the same time, more aggressive going into this second half.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Lose 2-3.

Goal Scorers for the Seattle Reign: James-Turner (1), Balcer (1).

Balcer would chase down a long pass and tie things up at 2-2 in the 48th minute.

Goal Scorers for the Orlando Pride: Sams (1), Banda (2).

After her second goal was overturned in the first half, Banda would finally get her second after connecting with Marta’s service from a corner kick. The Pride would go on to win 2-3.

Cook would get a yellow card after a reckless foul on Banda. Cook would go on to foul Banda again, but would only receive a warning from the referee. After Cook walked away, Balcer would confront the referee, resulting in a second yellow card, and Balcer being sent off, leaving the Reign down to ten players.

It was disappointing to see Balcer getting sent off, especially when it appeared as though the Reign had a chance of coming back in this second half. There was good pressure, control and movement from the Reign in the midfield. The attack was getting forward, however, connecting in the box is still an area this team needs to work on. So far, this performance from the Reign showed some promise, some hope for this team moving forward.

Despite the scoreline, despite the loss, you cannot say the Reign didn’t fight, or try in this match. There are still things the Reign needs to work on; however, they’re getting there and showing some signs of improvement. Hopefully, the Reign will start winning games again.

When it comes to the Pride, they were able to hold off the Reign’s attack for the most part; however, there needs to be better control in the midfield. It was surprising to see the Pride’s control slipping in both of these halves. Even when the Reign were down to ten players, the Pride couldn’t maintain possession, and were allowing the Reign to come at them. The Pride needs to regain control of the midfield, and respond better to that added pressure in the midfield and backline. Recoveries and transitions out of their defensive third, have to be quicker. On the plus side, the Pride attack is still very dangerous, and proved to be threatening to the Reign backline, with Banda able to find gaps in the Reign defense.

Overall, this was an entertaining match, where the Orlando Pride would ultimately remain undefeated, and move to the top of the table with 24 points.