The Pride dismantled a strong Sky Blue FC team on Saturday night in what was Orlando’s most complete performance of the season. A five goal offensive explosion gave the fans at Orlando City Stadium plenty to cheer about, and the Pride defense -- highlighted by the return of team captain Ashlyn Harris -- was rock solid.
“I don’t recall any time where they broke us down and got behind us,” Harris said in her press conference after the match. “So that’s a credit to the backline. You know this is my first game back, they had a tough task and I was able to make sure they did their job and kept the ball off the back of the net. I was really proud of them and I think they did a great job.”
From kickoff to the final whistle Orlando was in control of the match. Harris only had to make three saves on the night -- part of that had to do with the Pride’s exceptional ball possession -- but her leadership and ability to organize the back line was the foundation for victory.
"I mean you kind of expect it from Ashlyn. You really don't expect anything different,” Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said after the match. “Ashlyn coming back is real important for us. I think what we saw tonight and the difference perhaps between a less experienced goalkeeper coming back is that she just was straight into the rhythm of the game, and that’s her experience that helps her do that as well as her ability,” he explained. “So I think we didn't have any doubt about her coming back tonight and I just think she showed why she is so good. Her organizational skills take a huge amount of pressure off of us."
Sermanni and the Pride players know what they have when Harris starts between the sticks. Her experience, leadership, and goalkeeping prowess brings a sense of security to the Pride defense.
“I am on them, barking at them all game and it’s probably super exhausting for them. But if I organize and do the small things in front of me we shouldn’t have any breakdowns,” Harris explained in her presser.
Eight goals in the last two matches at Orlando City Stadium have displayed the world class talent up top for the Pride, but questionable defense was still a talking point. After the convincing shutout tonight, the Pride are now firing on all cylinders. And just at the right time, too, with only six games remaining in the NWSL season and the prospect of Orlando reaching the postseason becoming increasingly likely.
