Credit Alexandra Corrie
By Luis Carlos Pineda
Orlando Pride lost by 2-0 at home against the OL Reign. It was the first match post Marc Skinner and the team did not perform as expected. Orlando Pride’s captain Ashlyn Harris came up big for the team and had a phenomenal night. If it was not for Harris, the Pride could’ve lost by a higher margin of goals.
In the first half, OL Reign came on the onslaught to control the tempo and possession of the ball, while the Pride had clear chances with Jodie Taylor and her partnership with Sydney Leroux, but nothing went right for the Pride attacking wise. The ref disallowed 4 goals for the Orlando Pride, all due to offside. Eventually, as the Pride had upward momentum in the first half, they kept turning over the ball to the OL Reign. As the Pride turned over the ball unnecessarily, both Fishlock in the mid and King down the left wing, found a connection that was impossible to contain by Orlando’s backline. In the 10th minute, King using her speed cut through the Pride’s backline and found Fishlock that fired a shot between Harris and her left post. OL Reign drew first blood, 1-0. Orlando’s backline was not the same after the first goal, and this is where captain Ashlyn Harris came up big. Harris just in the first half recorded 5 key saves. The score at the end of the first half could’ve been disastrous if it was not for the Orlando Pride’s captain.
In the second half, OL Reign kept their attacking momentum through the feet of Tziarra King. In the 51st minute, Orlando turned over the ball, Le Sommer found King with a beautiful backheel pass and the OL winger put it away beautifully. 2-0 OL Reign. If things could not get any worse for the Pride, OL Reign was awarded a penalty kick after a bad tackle in the box by Orlando’s Amy Taylor. Fishlock stepped up to the spot and once again, Harris came up with the HUGE save making her 5th straight penalty save of the year.
Despite the loss and the tough week this Pride team had, it is a good year to be an Orlando fan. This group of players has given us the most successful season in the club’s history. Game after game, they’re changing the culture of the team and becoming a cornerstone for the City of Orlando. I am confident, they will reclaim their winning ways as their commitment to winning a championship for the City of Orlando and their fans is still intact. The Pride’s next match will be on Sunday, July 31st as they will travel to take on the North Carolina Courage.
#vamosorlando