ORLANDO, FLK – The Orlando Pride took to the Exploria Stadium gras on Wednesday night to face off against NJ/NY Gotham.
Gotham, comes in with Orlando’s former defensive tandem on Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, while the Pride work with a new, revamped lineup, minus Marta, who is injured.
Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made her Pride and NWSL debut on Wednesday, her 27th birthday, and Defender Kylie Strom and forward Erika Tymrak earned their first starts of the 2022 season on Wednesday.
The two teams felt each out early in the match, with both sides pushing without much punch.
Orlando had couple of good chances during thematic when Forward Sydney Leroux created a breakaway late in the first half and the Pride had two shots ring off the woodwork against Gotham, with Meggie Dougherty Howard hitting low off the post and Angharad James striking off the crossbar.
In the 87th minute, Margaret Pruse received a forward pass from Ellie Jean. Purce took the ball through the middle of the Pride defense and knocked the ball past a charging Anna Moorhouse for the match’s only score.
“I thought it was actually one of our best games, probably the best game so far as far as a 90-minute period.” Said Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell “I think we’ve had moments that were very good in other games and halves. I thought we had a lot of the ball and were very creative going forward, unlucky not to score in this game. I was really proud of the team.”
The match also was the fir first return of former faces of the team. Aly Krieger and Ashlyn Harris. Unfortunately, Harris’ prowess at goal was there for the other side as the made clutch saves against the Pride, keeping them scoreless.
Orlando hits the road for its second away match of the Challenge Cup, traveling to face the Washington Spirit for the second time in group play on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET at Audi Field.
