2016 Orlando Pride Preseason Roster Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Ashlyn Harris^, Julia Kantor** Defenders (9): Laura Alleway^, Monica Hickmann Alves^, Steph Catley^, Kristen Edmonds, Maddy Evans, Cami Levin, Toni Pressley, Jackie Simpson**, Samantha Witteman* Midfielders (8): Becky Edwards, Leah Fortune**, Kaylyn Kyle, Sierra Lelii**, Kim Reynolds**, Lianne Sanderson, Lauren Smith**, Dani Weatherholt* Forwards (8): Josée Bélanger^, Christina Burkenroad*, Jamia Fields, Sarah Hagen, Chelsea Leiva**, Alex Morgan^, Jasmyne Spencer, Allie Wisner** http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/03/14/orlando-pride-announce-inaugural-preseason-roster-1 2016 Orlando Pride Preseason Schedule Mar. 19 Eastern Florida State College EFSC 3:00 p.m. Reserve Mar. 22 University of Florida Closed Door Mar. 30 University of South Florida Closed Door Apr. 2 Florida State University Closed Door 2016 Orlando Pride Regular Season Schedule April 17, 2016 1 Portland Thorns FC v Orlando Pride [show]Portland, Oregon April 23, 2016 2 Orlando Pride v Houston Dash [show]Orlando, Florida May 1, 2016 3 Chicago Red Stars v Orlando Pride [show]Bridgeview, Illinois May 8, 2016 4 Orlando Pride v Seattle Reign FC [show]Orlando, Florida May 14, 2016 5 Orlando Pride v Western New York Flash [show]Orlando, Florida May 20, 2016 6 Houston Dash v Orlando Pride [show]Houston, Texas May 28, 2016 7 FC Kansas City v Orlando Pride [show]Kansas City, Missouri June 11, 2016 8 Western New York Flash v Orlando Pride [show]Rochester, New York June 18, 2016 9 Washington Spirit v Orlando Pride [show]Boyds, Maryland June 23, 2016 10 Orlando Pride v Houston Dash [show]Orlando, Florida June 26, 2016 11 Orlando Pride v Portland Thorns FC [show]Orlando, Florida July 10, 2016 12 Orlando Pride v Boston Breakers [show]Orlando, Florida July 16, 2016 13 Orlando Pride v Chicago Red Stars [show]Orlando, Florida July 23, 2016 14 Seattle Reign FC v Orlando Pride [show]Seattle, Washington July 31, 2016 15 Boston Breakers v Orlando Pride [show]Boston, Massachusetts August 26, 2016 16 Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit [show]Orlando, Florida September 3, 2016 17 Houston Dash v Orlando Pride [show]Houston, Texas September 7, 2016 18 Sky Blue FC v Orlando Pride [show]Piscataway, New Jersey September 10, 2016 19 Orlando Pride v Sky Blue FC [show]Orlando, Florida September 24, 2016 20 Orlando Pride v FC Kansas City [show]Orlando, Florida
Not knowing the NWSL that well, this seems to be a pretty solid top 12 or 13 players. Depth will obviously be an issue, especially with several players likely being called to international duty during the season. Seems to be lots of experienced talent on the offensive end, pretty thin on the defense.
Imagine my surprise and pleasure seeing the Orlando Pride sub-forum!! I saw that Tom Sermanni noted that Becky Edwards has shown leadership - this is going to be a great year for her, I think.
Well, ECSF.... probably not the toughest test you could've had. I wasn't able to watch; what are other people's impressions of the Pride after their first game?
I wasn't able to watch either. But they completely dismantled ECSF, so I doubt there was much to learn. Mostly it was an exercise in helping the team get used to each other before the bullets start flying for real.
Yeah, I figured as much - but my question then was to what extent did the Pride show cohesion today? Was it clear they were starting to gel, or was the scoreline more a bunch of individual performances, and maybe in spite of some noticeable gaffes?
You can say the first half went well. Check out all 7 goals! #PridePreseason pic.twitter.com/fHQK25iJkL— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) March 19, 2016 Here r the first half goals... Best seemed to be Morgan to Edmonds and the Morgan chip
I'm concerned by the lack of practice the defense and GK's got. EFSC simply wasn't good enough to provide much of a defensive test. I should've realized this would be a massacre.
Only the first of several preseason friendlies. Mostly the purpose was to help the players understand their roles and get used to their fellow players. UF and USF both have strong DI programs so they should provide more competition.
And considering they were only together for a week or less there wasnt much value to having a tougher opponent.
I dunno.... Washington, Chicago, and Houston always have pretty tough preseason schedules. I think there's value in being tested, at least a little bit, in your preseason games. Maybe not to the point of actually losing, but blowouts like this honestly don't help much IMO, gelling or not. I too worry about the lack of defensive practice a game like this produces.
The problem is the short preseason and no ability to bring players in before preseason. If it were me I wouldnt even want a scrimmage that first weekend. It's also a factor that this is a new team as opposed to one whose core played together last year.
We also got to see Captain Morgan. If that's permanent I think it's a good. While I dont know if she is captain material it might help her focus more on club which has been a criticism.
I don't think that's a problem at all. See: all of the other NWSL teams that played games this weekend against tougher opposition and still won.
To some degree, logistics must work against Orlando. I'm not sure who is playing whom, but Seattle vs Portland is less than 200 miles. Orlando to any other NWSL team must be in the 1000 mile neighborhood.
Hasn't been a problem with Houston. I think "travel" for any MLS-backed team would be a non-issue. Besides, you can still have better college/amateur/boys teams visit (or visit them). That's more or what I was referring to - Washington usually playing UVA or UNC, Chicago usually playing Notre Dame, Houston playing the Aces or the Dynamo boys. Orlando has that level on their preseason schedule, but I'm just saying EFSC probably shouldn't have been.
The Breakers will be in Florida for a week starting Mar 23. Would think these two teams would set something up.
http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/03/20/highlights-orlando-pride-8-efsc-0?autoplay=true Highlights
A bit different scenario, but the MLS club did not run over EFSC. Maybe OC expected a closer contest. The same should not occur against UF or USF.
It seems that Morgan has, indeed, been named Captain. I like it. I think she's ready and will benefit personally and professionally.
So far she is saying the right things and acting the right way. I think Amy Wambach has been grooming her for the role for the USWNT for some time. Her being captain on the club team will help her move into the role for the USWNT role.
More preseason highlights http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/03/23/highlights-orlando-pride-5-i-uf-1?autoplay=true
More competitive match against University of Florida. Christina Burkenroad gets a late brace for the Pride. The likely starting lineup seems to be shaking itself out also. Lineup Orlando Pride - Ashlyn Harris (Aubrey Bledsoe 61’); Kristen Edmonds (Sierra Lelii** 75’), Monica Hickmann Alves (Dani Weatherholt* 61’), Toni Pressley (Jackie Simpson** 61’); Cami Levin (Leah Fortune** 61’), Kaylyn Kyle (Maddy Evans 46’), Becky Edwards (Sam Witteman* 61’), Lianne Sanderson (Josée Bélanger 61’), Jasmyne Spencer (Jamia Fields 46’, Kim Reynolds 85’); Alex Morgan (Allie Wisner** 57’), Sarah Hagen (Christina Burkenroad* 61’) http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2...-earns-second-preseason-win-downs-florida-5-1