ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Pride (5-7-6, 21 points) lost to the Portland Thorns FC (8-3-7, 28 points) 2-0 on Friday night at Exploria Stadium.
The clean sheet for the Thors is just evidence hoo how they dominated the match.
Orlando was playing short handed, with starting goalkeeper Emily McLeod and back up keeper Kaylee Collins were listed as out.
The Pride also announced that midfielder Viviana Villacorta has been placed on the season ending injury list after undergoing ankle surgery as well as Gunny Jonsdottir will not be available for the match.
Make no mistake about it, the Thorns are one of the NWSL’s strongest teams, and they showed it.
In the 31st minute, Portland, after continuing to threaten on Orlando’s box, managed to get a goal in when Megan Weaver crossed on in and Yazmeen Ryan wass able to finish in the 31st minute.
Later, in the 65th minute, Hina Sugita shot. grounder from outside of the box that managed to make it through the scrum in the box, hit the left post, and go in thee the second score of the match.
Orlando haas held up in goal by Anna Moorehouse, who managed to make 4 blocks. in her regular season debut in goal. Though Orlando made 10 sots, only one was on goal, compared to Portland’s 18 shots, with weight of them on goal.
Orlando’s Interim Head Coach Seb Hines was realistic about the result.
“Another tough one.” said Hines “Portland are a top side. Another test for us to see where we are at in terms of our progression. I felt we were a little off today. A little bit off of our passing. We won the ball, did really threaten in behind, we shared a theme which is what we encourage when pressing the football. We didn’t do our principles to the fullest. It is something that we will review.”
The Pride will travel to Lynn Family Stadium to take on Racing Louisville on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff for that match is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
