ORLANDO, Fla. (July 24, 2021) - Orlando Pride (4-4-4, 16 points) fell by a score of 2-0 on Saturday night to OL Reign (4-6-1, 13 points) at Exploria Stadium in the Tacoma-based side’s first visit to downtown Orlando since 2019.
Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris tallied a season-high 10 saves in the match, including her fifth denial from the penalty spot in all competitions this season and her second in as many contests. Harris saved an attempt from Reign midfielder Jessica Fishlock to keep the visitors’ lead at two in the 62nd minute.
Forward Jodie Taylor made her Orlando Pride debut on Saturday night, starting the match up top for the side. Taylor logged 63 minutes of play, nearly earning an assist in the 38th minute after teammate Sydney Leroux put the ball in the back of the net, but was eventually ruled offside.
Pride Assistant Coach Carl Green served at the helm for the match after the resignation of former head coach Marc Skinner was announced earlier this week. Green will also depart the Club following tonight’s match, with Saturday serving as his last fixture in Orlando. The Pride return to action next Saturday night, traveling to face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Orlando Pride Assistant Coach Carl Green:
“Obviously it’s always difficult to leave a Club, so I’m feeling pretty sad and a little bit emotional after the game, but I’m just really proud of the players and their attitude and spirit in that game. They had a lot go against them, so I’m leaving with a feeling of pride...I think what they’ve showed is togetherness as a group of players...You look at the end of that game and how hard they worked for each other and the spirit they showed, I think it will bode so well for the team going forward for the rest of the season and I think that’s something that the players have done really well. The togetherness they have, you could see that on the field toward the end of the game, in particular. I think they really tried to get back into the game.”
Scoring Recap:
10’ Jessica Fishlock (Tziarra King) - RGN 1, ORL 0
The Reign got on the board first with Tziarra King winning the ball on the left flank before threading a ball through to Jessica Fishlock, who made a quick turn before sending the ball into the back of the net.
51’ Tziarra King (Eugénie Le Sommer) - RGN 2, ORL 0
The visitors doubled the advantage just after halftime, with the Reign winning the ball in the Pride defensive third and Eugénie Le Sommer finding Tziarra King with the backheel. King then dribbled into the box before curling a shot into the lower right corner of the goal.
Match Notes:
- Ashlyn Harris came up with yet another stop from the penalty spot in the match, denying Jessica Fishlock from the spot in the 62nd minute for her fifth-consecutive penalty save in all competitions this year.
- Sydney Leroux looked to have leveled the two sides in the 38th minute off a long ball from Jodie Taylor, but was ruled offside on the finish.
- Jodie Taylor made her first appearance as a member of the Pride, starting up top for the side and logging 63 minutes of play.
- Assistant Coach Carl Green served at the helm for the Pride on Saturday night following former head coach Marc Skinner’s resignation on Friday. Green will also depart the Club, as Saturday night served as his last match in Orlando.
Next Match: The Pride head out on the road to face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 31 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
RGN - Jessica Fishlock (Tziarra King) 10’
RGN - Tziarra King (Eugénie Le Sommer) 51’
Misconduct Summary:
RGN - Sam Hiatt (Yellow Card) 15’
RGN - Alana Cook (Yellow Card) 35’
ORL - Amy Turner (Yellow Card) 59’
ORL - Marisa Viggiano (Yellow Card) 68’
ORL - Sydney Leroux (Yellow Card) 88’
RGN - Kristen McNabb (Yellow Card) 89’
RGN - Lauren Barnes (Yellow Card) 90+1’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando Pride - GK Ashlyn Harris ©; D Kylie Strom (Abi Kim 79’), Amy Turner, Phoebe McClernon (Crystal Thomas 64’), Ali Krieger; M Courtney Petersen, Gunny Jónsdóttir, Marisa Viggiano (Erika Tymrak 86’); F Sydney Leroux, Jodie Taylor (Meggie Dougherty Howard 63’), Taylor Kornieck (Konya Plummer 87’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brittany Wilson; D Ally Haran, Toni Pressley; M Chelsee Washington
OL Reign - GK Sarah Bouhaddi; D Lauren Barnes, Sam Hiatt, Alana Cook, Madison Hammond; M Dani Weatherholt, Jessica Fishlock (Shirley Cruz 64’), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Kristen McNabb 87’); F Tziarra King (Bethany Balcer 64’), Eugénie Le Sommer (Celia 86’), Sofia Huerta (Jimena López Fuentes 90+2’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Ella Dederick; D Amber Brooks, Machaela George; M Kelcie Hedge
Details of the Game:
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: July 24, 2021
Attendance: 4,180
Stats Summary: ORL / RGN
Possession: 50.8% / 49.2%
Shots: 7 / 18
Shots on Goal: 0 / 12
Saves: 10 / 0
Corner Kicks: 2 / 2
Fouls: 16 / 9
Offside: 2 / 2
Officials:
REF: John Matto
AR1: Alicia Messer
AR2: Casie Anderson
4TH: Anya Voigt
Heineken Star of the Match: Ashlyn Harris
