Sports

Orlando Pride fall 2-0 to OL Reign on a tough week

Ashlyn Harris blocks an attempt as the Orlando Pride face OL Reign on Saturday July 24th at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.{ Photo: Marty Jean-Louis}

ORLANDO – The Orlando Pride (4-3-4) battled the OL Reign (3-6-1 ) to a score Saturday night at Exploria stadium.

This has been a week of sudden changes of staff and a major change in the offices, putting the young players on this squad in a tough situation to play in.

The Reign opened the scoring when a pass be Ali Krieger was picked off by Tziarra King while Jess Fislock was able to spin off a defender. Fishlock took the ball and scored.

Ashlyn Harris of the Orlando Pride battles Tziarra King of OL Reign on Saturday July 24th at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. {Photo: Marty Jean-Louis}

This is the 6th game out of the past 9 that the Reign have scored within the first 15 minutes of their matches.

The name of the game for Orlando tonight has been turnovers. They’ve been all over the place, especially on the defensive end. Errant, slack passes back to Harris that were intercepted or quickly covered, giveaway passes where the timing is off or were off target.

Luckily for the Pride, Harris is in the back and is a solid goal keeper. She grabbed her 5th penalty save of the season.

Orlando managed 7 shots compared the the Reign’s 18, and zero shots on goal compared to the Reign’s 12. Most of the other stats were even, but the difference in play was evident.

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, I’m not gonna lie. We haven’t been told much.” Said newcomer Jodie Taylor, who put in a nice showing on Saturday. “I will say that the girls on the team responded well and tried to focus on the work.”

The players on this team deserve a lot of credit for rising though a storm and putting up a fight on Saturday.

It was a difficult night for the Pride as their Manager Marc Skinner announced that he is leaving the club to coach Manchester United’s woman’s team and he would not be continuing to coach the season from this point.

“These kids did not serve what they were handed this week” Said a frustrated Harris after the game. “I am proud it’s group. They fought through to the end. I am proud of how they reacted to this week and the past few weeks.”

“I am looking forward to doming in with new energy and new guidance and perspective. We’ve had a few bumps in the road but are still committed to getting points and making it to the playoffs.” She continued “What’s done is done, and we’re going to move on. We still have the same goals as a team.”

The sale of both the Orlando Pride and Orlando City franchises to the Wilf family was finalized this week as well, and many key players of the team are absent from the team because of the Tokyo Olympics. There has been a lot going on

“I trust the new owners. They know how to run a team, and when we get started on Monday, I’m looking for a breath of fresh air.”

The Pride travel to North Carolina to face the Courage on July 31st at 7pm

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