After a rough start, the Orlando Pride returned to the filed against the Portland Thorns at Orlando City Stadium last night. The Pride lost the Thorns 3-1 in from of a crowd of only 4,379 fans.
The Pride drew first blood on a header put in by Toni Presley off of a ballroom Carson Pickett in the11th minute. T
The rest of the game was all Portland’s. Dagny Brynjarsdottir scored in the 30th minute who jumped on the end of a rebound off a Celeste Boureille shot that deflected off the post.
Later, Portland benefitted from a foul by Rachel Hill just outside the box later in the first, in which Hill got a yellow card. the Thorns Andressinha had no problem punching it in for Portlands second score.
The Thorns continued the scoring in the second period with a score by Caitlin Foord, who got loose and buried a shot in the back of the net in the 57th minute.
The Pride have been not only getting used to yet another head coach, but they have issues with injuries to key players Sydney Leroux (Mat(, and Kristen Edmonds (knee), and Alanna Kennedy listed as questionable for the match (Quad).
Orlando is missing key players Ashlyn Harris (USA), Ali Krieger (USA), Alex Morgan (USA), Shelina Zadorsky (CAN) to international duty.
“I’m proud of what [the team] did tonight.” said Pride coach Marc Skinner “Could the quality could be better? Of course, it can always be better, the quality. But, their never say die attitude, they gave everything and I am very pleased with that and that shows the foundations of what we are trying to build for a better tomorrow.”
Portland is missing Adrianna Franch (USA), Tobin Heath (USA), Lindsey Horan (USA), Christine Sinclair (CAN), Emily Sonnett (USA)to international duty as well.
The Pride’s next match is May 25th in Utah against the Royals.
