The Pride will return home for just the third time this season on Saturday as they face off against the Boston Breakers. For the Pride, this match offers a critical opportunity to move up in the standings and to start building a momentum that could carry them forward this season.
The Boston Breakers are a young team with a lot of raw talent. But they haven’t found consistency this season, and the Pride will have an opportunity to take advantage of what has been a weak stretch for the Breakers. The most important thing for Pride is putting the best possible players on the pitch so that they are adequately prepared for the challenge.
“The biggest thing we have looked at this week is trying to get our team selection right for Boston. We feel that because of the situation that we’re in at the moment we desperately need to get a win,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “You need to be balanced here-- making sure you don’t go completely radical when things are going okay. But you still need to look at making change that can impact a result. And I think that’s been our focus this week-- focusing on what will be a team we can put out to win the game on Saturday.”
The Pride have the opportunity to overtake Boston in the rankings this weekend with a victory. But Sermanni and his crew aren’t focused on the significance of just this game. They are focused on developing strength and momentum that can carry them beyond this moment.
“It’s not just the significance of this game, it’s the significance of turning our season around and getting results,” Sermanni said. “What is important is that we pick up points and we start moving up the table and we start getting in contact with the teams in the top half.”
It helps that the Pride will be returning to Orlando City Stadium and to a home crowd. There is always extra motivation to perform well in front of your fans, but the supporters can also help lift the team.
“I think the big thing that gives us a huge advantage at home is our fans. The thing we would like to see if them coming out in force in the weekend and really getting behind the team and supporting the team,” Sermanni said. “That gives the team a huge boost. I think also playing at home you’re more comfortable. We have a fantastic stadium and the players love playing there. So, that should all work to our advantage.”
The Pride will host the Boston Breakers on Saturday, June 3rd at Orlando City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm.
