I don't think it'll be that big a concern when preseason is done. Orlando are playing good teams in FSU, UF, USF, and FSU. Those schools ended the NCAA rankings at No. 2, No. 9, and No. 19 respectively. It's a little late but I did see the game against EFSC. Huge gulp in class, but I was impressed by the aggressiveness of the fullbacks. I can already tell they will be key on this team (especially with their limited number of quality wingers). Only concern was the noticeable drop in play after the starters left the field. We'll see which newcomers can make an impact.
Defense is still trickling in with Alleway and Catley finally on the way and Beranger just got in a few days ago.
I really need to get to my points faster (I know I ramble a bit too much), but someone backed out last minute and I had to step in with almost no prep time.
I am very happy that Kristen Edmonds and Jasmyne Spencer are on the final roster. I think the fans in Orlando will feel the same way.
Never put us in the same group for anything.... @alexmorgan13 @ORLPride #newkits #newrides #newseason pic.twitter.com/sjCDT9V9di— Kaylyn Kyle (@KaylynKyle) April 14, 2016 As part of her signing deal Morgan not only got a new car but also a Canadian chauffeur.
saw the Thorns/Orlando game on youtube. Sermanni has a talented team but that front line was a complete mishmash. Morgan & Spencer have both have their high points, but their's simply no chemistry between them, one's too fast, one's to slow to even try to keep up with. Especially on the road, he should of started the way quicker Hagen & Sanderson. Sermanni went with the more complex 4-2-3-1, but for that you need a strong midfield, and Kyle supposedly the AM looked more she was on he defensive. Morgan as lone striker, had not much to do as she waited for slower winger's(Specner & Edwards to move up) If anything, then make Morgan the AM put Spencer upfront/ The Pride are going to loose several games if their still experiementing
Why isn't Sarah Hagen up front with Morgan? Is she going to be a come off the bench player like she was last year in Kansas City? I sure hope they can find a fit for her up front.
I was baffled by the starting lineup not including Hagen and Sanderson. I figured they must've had some knock or something, but then both came in later in the game.
hagen and 'quicker' do not belong in the same sentence. give it time. spencer might have proven in practice that she's a better forward than hagen. she's definitely quicker. i trust sermanni to know the difference.
Having watched Spencer very closely the last couple seasons, and hearing reports that Hagen struggled in preseason, it's not surprising that Spencer got the nod over Hagen.
Spencer probably might beat Hagen in a foot race, but Hagen looked like the best fwd in the Bundesliga a few years back. She was a surprisngly good passer to go along with her excellent heading & shooting skills and speeding down the field.. Don't know why she's had a tough transition since returning to the states ? Spencer is an excellent dribbler, but got the feeling it's hard for her to connect with the playing styles of other players, she obviously couldn't connect with Morgan who was kept waiting for passes that never came(or at least had to wait to finally Catley showed). Spencer would look better on a 2nd tier type team where she would be the 'go to' player
speeding down the field is not a phrase I would use for hagen. neither in germany, nor at fckc. she can head the ball. but she has to get to it first. spencer has been better than i thought she would be both in ny and in australia. hagen seems headed to 2nd tier before spencer right now. but if sermanni does the switch & she (hagen) starts the next game and does well, I'll be a bit more encouraged.
I would say that Spencer is among the quickest forwards in the league -- quick not being a synonym for "fastest" -- although certainly not the most skilled. I was surprised also that Hagen didn't start. She looks to me a bit like Wambach, and should therefore fit well with Morgan. But, apparently not..... For long stretches I forgot that Morgan was even in the match. Either she and Spencer and others aren't connecting well or Morgan has not recovered her 2012 form.
Not yet, looking at what is available on Ticketmaster. I'd guess closer to to 20k. The lower bowl holds right at 25k, and I see at least 2,000 tickets available. And we can't see the General Admission section. Also the team is probably holding back some seats for last minute season ticket sales. Maybe they are expecting around 25k assuming what has been sold to this point. It does seem feasible to eclipse the Thorns attendance records.
Hal tweeted this the other day As of this morning, roughly 17,500 tickets sold for Orlando Pride vs Houston Dash (no doubt more sold by now).— Hal Kaiser (@Hal_Kaiser) April 19, 2016 Which is in line with @BigData guesstimate He said they are doin a strong media push and I won't be surprised if lots of walk ups if weather is nice
I was super excited when KC signed Hagen a few years back. But other than her first game in 2014 she really hasn't looked that great. She's skillful with the ball at her feet, but looks slow in person. Certainly not the player I expected that tore up the league in Germany. I'd even argue that Marlborough looked more mobile... And with KC's midfield she should have scored more, she had chances too and did not finish. KC looked to depend on her last year during the WWC and didn't deliver. That being said, I thought maybe she just never felt comfortable in KC and Orlando would be a fresh start. I was surprised she didn't start either. Hopefully TS can find a role that suits her strengths, and get her back to the player she was a few years back.