Pride shut out by North Carolina Courage
ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Orlando Pride (0-2-0, 0 points) fell to the defending National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champion North Carolina Courage (1-0-1, 4 points) on Wednesday night, by a 5-0 scoreline.
“They are direct, set piece, in-your-face, counter-attacking team. And they are very good at it, it’s nothing negative, that’s just what they’re good at," said Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner. "But you can’t give the goals away that we’ve given away and expect to get anything out of the game. Look at the times we’ve given the goals away. I’m pretty pleased on the ball with what the girls did. And there was some really good performances off the ball. But you’ve got to have the whole group doing it.”
After missing the season opening match due to illness, Australians Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond made their first starts of the season on Wednesday. Kennedy lined up at right center back while van Egmond started in the midfield.
Wednesday was the 24th birthday of forward Rachel Hill. Hill earned the start and played 81 minutes for the Pride. Teammate Bridget Callahan celebrated her 23rd birthday just a day before, on April 16.
With the start on Wednesday, Alex Morgan now sits at 49 all-time appearances for the Pride. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris earned her 97th NWSL appearance, across all competitions.
Orlando wraps up an eight day stretch that includes three games with a trip to Tacoma, Wash. to face Reign FC. Kickoff for the Pride’s first-ever match at Cheney Stadium is set for 10 p.m. ET.
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