Orlando Pride (8-9-6, 30 points) lost 3-1 to the Chicago Red Stars (8-4-10, 34 points) on Saturday at Orlando City Stadium.
“To be honest, I’m a little bit embarrassed by the performance tonight, if I’m being frank. Aspects of our game, fundamental aspects of our game that should be an automatic are not an automatic,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “That’s the thing now, I’ve got to apologize to the fans. As a coach, I put a team out there that on paper looks high quality but has actually performed very poor. That’s down to me. I apologize to them for how we’ve done, particularly tonight.”
Sermanni rolled out a starting XI with captain Ashlyn Harris in goal and Carson Pickett, Shelina Zadorsky, Ali Krieger and Kristen Edmonds on the back line. Camila, Dani Weatherholt and Alanna Kennedy started in the midfield, with Chioma Ubogagu, Alex Morgan and Marta up top. Rachel Hill replaced Edmonds in the 54th minute. Monca replaced Camila in the 64th. Christine Nairn replaced Pickett in the 71st minute.
Sam Kerr scored the opening goal in the 44th minute before finding Vanessa DiBernardo in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-0. Kerr scored again in the 59th minute.
The Pride pulled one back in the 65th minute when Marta lofted a cross into the box that Morgan headed inside the far post. It was Morgan’s fifth goal of the season and Marta’s fourth assist, tying Nairn for the team lead.
The match was delayed for roughly 45 minutes in the first half due to lightning in the area.
With the loss, Orlando Pride is eliminated from playoff contention.
Orlando will play its season finale on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Sky Blue FC. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET.
