Pride Take Two Wins at the Weekend, Head Into Seventh Week of Preseason
Hannah Drosdick
With the NWSL Challenge Cup less than a month away, the Pride took to the pitch twice over the weekend for a pair of preseason tests against NCAA powerhouse Florida State University and St. Augustine-based Flagler College.
In the first test of the weekend, the Pride took the long trip up to Tallahassee, earning a 2-1 victory over the 2020 ACC Champion Seminoles behind goals from forwards Alex Morgan and Marta. The team created numerous chances throughout the match, with every player going the full 90 for the first time this preseason, apart from Morgan who also put in a full shift against Kansas City just shy of two weeks ago.
“FSU are a very, very good footballing team that likes to keep possession, but I don’t think they really hurt us with that possession,” Head Coach Marc Skinner following Saturday’s test. “With our qualities that we’ve got, we caused lots and lots of problems. Looking at us overall, lots to fix, but lots of positives from where we are in preseason.”
“We have many things we need to do better, but I felt like we found the connections today. We created so many chances,” Marta said after the match. “It’s a good feeling, a good win, but we have a lot to improve. We’re not there yet, but I’m going back to Orlando with a good feeling and I think we’re going to keep improving.”
After making the trip back to The City Beautiful that same evening, the team returned to the Orlando Pride Training Ground at Sylvan Lake Park on Sunday, with Skinner rolling out a completely revamped lineup to face Flagler.
The side posted the second victory of the weekend, taking a 4-0 win on the afternoon behind first half finishes from Taylor Kornieck and Ally Haran, along with a brace from Chelsee Washington in the second 45. Using the same formula from the side of the day prior, the Pride continued to control play through the midfield and created a number of chances against the Saints, making just one substitution throughout the 90 minutes.
“We have a really talented group here and a lot of depth,” newcomer Meggie Dougherty Howard said after Sunday’s match. “We’re getting better every week and learning from our games, so we have a lot of momentum going forward and going into these last few weeks of preseason.”
“I feel great after the game. It was a different challenge about physically getting the minutes in our legs and adapting to the opposition, a totally different challenge but equally as exciting,” Skinner said following the Sunday contest. “What always makes me happy is that they always play for Orlando Pride in terms of they play for the team. They’re focused on winning not for themselves, but to be winners for the team.
“What always makes me proud of them as well is the effort and energy they give. We talk about tactics, we talk about what we can exploit, but the energy to give is the basis. If you don’t have that, then the foundation is not right. The team has given literally everything, showing a desire to win a game of football. I’m always proud of my players regardless because they give everything for the team.”
The Pride continues their preseason slate on the road next weekend, traveling to take on the Washington Spirit in West Palm Beach on Saturday, March 20 before closing out match play before the Challenge Cup on April 3, hosting FSU in Orlando.
Following an April 10 opener on the road at Racing Louisville, the Pride will host two Challenge Cup matches at Exploria Stadium, both open to a reduced capacity, on April 14 and April 21. Tickets for those matches are available at the link here. Season ticket memberships and Pick 4 Plans for the regular season can also be purchased here or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
