Pre Match Notes

The Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current are the two teams at the top of the NWSL standings. Both teams are undefeated and have an identical record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and a 19 goal differential. Both the Pride and the Current have strong offensive sides, and it is likely we could see some back-and-forth, end-to-end, between both sides.

With the Current’s midfield and offense in mind, this is where the Pride are needing to have more control of the midfield. In the Pride’s match against Angel City, the Pride were allowing Angel City to control the midfield, and have more possession. For the most part, the Pride were able to handle Angel City’s pressure in the midfield, with the backline able to respond accordingly. Against the Current, the Pride will likely face that same pressure in the midfield, if not more. Due to that, there also need to be more urgency to recover possession early on, as well as quicker recoveries and transitions between the backline and midfield.

In regard to the Pride’s offense, the attack has been getting stronger. There’s great movement, pace and chemistry in the attack between Marta, Adriana, Barbra Banda, Summer Yates, Julie Doyle and Ally Watt. We’ve seen that chemistry in the Pride’s matches against Angel City and the Utah Royals. While the attack is likely to face some opposition from the Current defense, the Pride attack will still be able to make runs and create chances. Breaking through Kansas City’s defense may prove to be a challenge for the Pride, but as seen in their match against Angel City, Banda and Adriana are effective when it comes to getting around defenders, getting behind the backline, and scoring goals. Win, lose or draw, this is likely to be an exciting match between the two top teams in the NWSL right now.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Anna Moorhouse in the goal. For defenders Carrie Lawrence, Emily Sams, Kylie Strom, and Kerry Abello. In the midfield and attack: Summer Yates, Angelina, Marta, Adriana, Julie Doyle, and Barbra Banda.

This is another strong line up for the Pride. Most likely the team is going to be playing in a 4-4-2 with Adriana and Banda up top. We’re likely to see that same strong movement and connection in the midfield and attack, with Angelina, Marta, Yates, Banda, and Adriana, as well as plenty of chances being created for the attacking players. When it comes to the Pride’s defensive play, there needs to be good control in the midfield, as well as strong support in the backline. There needs to be more pace and urgency in regard to recoveries and transitions from the backline to the midfield.

First Half Notes

Orlando Pride 1-1.

Goal Scorers for the Pride: Banda (1).

Banda would connect with a through ball from Adriana and score.

Things were getting pretty intense in this first half. Kansas City appeared to be getting into the heads of the Pride players, especially Marta. That may explain why the Pride could be struggling getting forward. The Pride are definitely feeling the pressure now, and have been for the entirety of the first half. This is made even worse by the fact that the Pride are down to ten players, after Lawrence was sent off with a second yellow card in the 44th minute, due to a reckless tackle on Chawinga.

On the upside, as the first half winded down, it seemed like the Pride attack were still able to get forward and create some chances. The Pride can definitely get forward in the second half. The team still has Marta, Adriana, Banda, Yates, and Angelina (Doyle has been subbed out for Rafaelle), but the Pride still needs to be more cautious moving forward.

In regard to this half, the Pride were facing some challenges in the midfield. The Pride need to be quicker with their movement, touches and passes in the midfield; there’s too much stop-and-go. It got better as the half went on, but since the Pride are down to ten, controlling the midfield and keeping possession is going to be important for the Pride in the second half. Additionally, there needs to be more support in the defense given the situation. There needs to be more awareness in the backline, as well as quicker recoveries and transitions.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Orlando Pride Wins 1-2.

Goal Scorers for the Pride: Banda (1), Marta (PK).

Adriana would get fouled in the box by Kansas City’s Goalkeeper, Franch, and the Pride would be awarded a penalty kick. Marta would step up and convert the penalty making it 1-2 in favor of the Pride.

The announcer for this match called this game the Pride’s “biggest win of the season,” and that is definitely true. The players celebrated this win as if they had just won the NWSL Shield or Championship. That was how much this win meant to this team.

From start to finish, this was a tough match for the Pride. In the first half, the team would go down to ten players, but the Pride didn’t give up. The Pride showed great focus and dedication in this second half. After getting their second goal, the team put on a strong defending and goalkeeping clinic against Kansas City, and were able to hold off the Current attack (even with the ten minutes of additional time at the end). Overall, this was an amazing performance from the Pride. They fought hard all the way through, and came out victorious and undefeated in the end. An accomplishment in and of itself.