Credit Alexandra Corrie
By Luis Carlos Pineda
Orlando Pride earns a huge draw 1-1 against an average Racing Louisville (RL). The Pride certainly did not deserve to lose after recovering from a lackluster first half that had RL winning by one goal up. The Pride tapped in again into their resilience mode, overcoming adversity, taking a point from home, and remaining in a good place in the standings.
In the first half, It was all Louisville. The whole team was turning over the ball. There was a lack of communication between the backline and mid. It was not the 2021 version of the Pride we have come to enjoy seeing play since the beginning of the season. Of the many scoring chances RL had in the first half, they only capitalized on one. In the 21st minute, RL started a great counter in transition that left Pride’s defense stumbling. Ebony Salmon, took on 1v1 on Krieger and scored easily. The team was stunned, you can sense the frustration in their faces, and also you could see an Ashlyn Harris telling it like it is.
In the second half, it was all Orlando Pride. Contrary to the first half, the Pride tapped into that newfound resilience and diminished RL’s possession of the ball, and also created plenty of chances for themselves. Coach Skinner, made the right substitutions at the right time. Abi Kim, Chelsee Washington, Amy Turner, and Kylie Strom entered the match and reinvigorated the team. Ali Riley’s role in the backline was superb in the second half, she created chances down the wing and defended like a true lion. As well, huge kudos to Taylor Kornieck. As Coach Skinner said during the post-game conference, “Taylor is so important, she changes the dynamic of our team” Tonight Taylor’s presence down the pitch was vital for the pride to obtain this draw. Taylor was either helping out recovering a loose ball, starting a counter, or assisting her peers in creating chances. Superb job from the Pride striker. The Pride found the equalizing goal in extra time 90th + 4 mins when Ashlyn Harris cleared a ball from the midfield, that found Kornieck in the box where she headed it back to Sydney Leroux, who shot the quality ball into the back of the net. Exploria Stadium ERUPTED! The Black Swans that supported from minute one, went home with a smile on their face.
The Pride will face the Portland Thorns, July 18th.
#vamosorlando
#vamosorlando
Luis Carlos Pineda
luis.pineda@areasportsnetwork.us