Seven weeks of hard preseason training has led to this–the Orlando Pride begin a new era when they welcome the Washington Spirit to Exploria Stadium for the first game of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
“We’re really excited,” said Pride defender Courtney Petersen. “We’re buzzing to get back in Exploria and be in front of our fans and to feel that energy again with the Black Swans and have a real game.”
While the Pride did play in an open scrimmage against Kansas City two weeks ago, this Saturday’s game will be the first that counts in new Head Coach Amanda Cromwell’s time in charge.
Orlando’s group is a tough one, featuring the defending league champs in Washington along with perennial power North Carolina Courage and up-and-comers NJ/NY Gotham FC. But Cromwell sees an opportunity to learn what her team looks like in a competitive game situation.
“[We want to] figure out, tactically, are we moving in the right direction,” said Cromwell of her aims for the Challenge Cup. “What are different things we might throw at teams based on what the game’s asking of us? You can’t emulate that in a training session, even with the intrasquad it’s tough. But I think the scrimmages we’ve had have prepared us pretty well.”
The Pride return just 51% of their minutes from last season, according to a survey of league rosters done by American Soccer Analysis. Along with the change in personnel has come a new culture.
“I feel like in college it’s very light, not as much stress. I feel like they bring that type of energy [to] the professional side,” Petersen said of the new coaching staff. “It’s just fresh air that we needed and weights off our shoulders, to just perform like how Orlando Pride wants to be.”
“Communication has been key, especially in the last couple weeks, just setting expectations, getting to know each other, really,” said Cromwell when asked about how she’s helped instill a new vibe into the Pride. “I think they see with me, I’m a coach open to a lot of ideas. I have some philosophies on how I think we can play with this group, this team, with this talent, and put everybody in the best spots to succeed positionally, lineups, relationships on the field. But it really has been a lot of fun as well, just getting to know this team. The energy has been awesome and they work really hard for each other.”
With so much newness in the team, it will no doubt take some time for everything to click for Orlando in 2022. But there’s a genuine excitement through the team, an excitement that will finally manifest itself in competition this Saturday.
