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Orlando Pride stunned Angel City after a late equalizer draw at Exploria Stadium last night. The Pride are now unbeaten in their last five games dating back to July 3. This is the longest unbeaten streak of the season for Orlando. Julie Doyle is now the first Pride player to score in back-to-back games this season with second-half finishes against both Angel City and Kansas City. According to Kerry Abello, one of the best players on the field yesterday, this group of players have the mindset of “raising the level” whether is on practice or on the field.
In the first half, Orlando Pride came out swinging dominating Angel City by creating chances in attack and staying compact. In the 4th minute, Kerry Abello came close to score but her shot went completely wide. First 10 minutes in, and the Pride created the most chances in attack between both teams. Kerry Abello remained bothersome for Angel City’s defenders. Meggie Dougherty Howard controlled the tempo of the mid and was dangerous generating through balls for Orlando’s attacking third. Angel City attempted to cause some danger through the flanks. But Viviana Villacorta did a superb job marking and helping out Orlando Pride’s defenders. The Pride kept controlling the tempo of the game and the majority of chances in attack. At this point, Orlando should’ve been up at least 1-0. But unfortunately in the 40th minute. Angel City scored. Former Orlando Pride player Ali Riley, attempted a phenomenal shot from distance and stunned Erin McLeod. Riley’s shot was the only clear chance Angel City had in the first half. Undeservedly so, The Pride went to halftime down 1-0. Angel City took advantage of Ali Riley’s brilliant shot.
In the second half, Orlando Pride’s intensity dwindled down and Angel City’s momentum was reenergized due to Riley’s goal. The game continued to be back and forth. Both teams attacked off the counter play and defended well. The Pride had some set piece chances but they were not good. Kerry Abello on the left flank was very dangerous and most of ACFC’s backline had a tough time marking her. Abello attempted to cross the ball several times but could not find Jenkins to score the equalizer. In the 64th minute, the Pride leveled the scorecard. Exploria erupted. It was well deserved since they were the better team throughout the game. Julie Doyle scored a golazo skipping through an ACFC’s defender. Doyle made an immediate impact as a sub, it was her second goal in two consecutive games. Orlando Pride gained momentum after the goal, but Angel City remained very compact. In the 72th minute, and off a corner kick, Cari Roccaro stunned Exploria and scored the second goal of the night for Angel City. Orlando Pride’s backline failed to clear the ball and Roccaro was completely unmarked on the box and scored. In the 79th minute, Kerry Abello almost scored the equalizer from Orlando, unfortunately her shot went wide. As Angel City kept staying compact to maintain their advantage, the Pride started to turnover the ball. Thais Reiss subbed in for Orlando and totally revitalized their attack. From the get go, Reiss generated two plays that could’ve brought some danger to Angel City. In the 90th minute, Kerry Abello attempted another dangerous cross through the left flank and this time the ball went in. OWN GOAL for the Orlando Pride and it was leveled again 2-2. The Black Swans erupted and the game ended in 2-2 draw. Great display of resilience by this young Orlando Pride. Pride are unbeaten in 5 games. Coach Seb Hines and his staff, have started a winning culture with this group of players.
Acting Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines:
“Entertaining [game]. It is happening more often than not. I said it in the pregame that what you will find today are two teams that both wanted to win, needed to win, to get three points. We are obviously chasing Angel City and they are obviously chasing to get to the playoffs as well. I felt that we dominated the game in possession. Even out of possession I think we were in controlled spaces. They were patient in trying to pull us out of positions, but we are allowing the right people to have time and space on the ball. There were a few little adjustments we had to make at halftime. We had to increase the energy and shift across to keep those spaces tight and the players did that. The game is all down to goals. We created a lot of good opportunities to score, but we have to take them. When we do take them, we are going to be even more of a threat than we showed today.”
