LOS ANGELES (May 8, 2022) — Orlando Pride (1-1-0, 3 points) earned its first win of the season on Sunday evening, defeating 2022 expansion side Angel City FC (1-1-0, 3 points) 1-0 at Banc of California Stadium. The Pride were fueled by a third-minute goal from Sydney Leroux, the third-fastest goal in Orlando Pride history.
The goal marked Leroux’s first score of the season and the 17th across all competitions of her Orlando career. The Pride would go on to lock down the home side in front of 17,510 for the remaining 83 minutes of the match.
Erin McLeod picked up her 10th NWSL shutout, making three saves in the match, including a 90th-minute goal line stop on Tyler Lussi to preserve the victory. The victory marked the goalkeeper's first regular season shutout as a member of the Pride. Defender Toni Pressley played in her 100th regular season match on the night, her 66th appearance as a member of the Pride.
The victory also marked the first of Head Coach Amanda Cromwell’s professional career, earning the win in the city she called home for 13 years prior to joining the Pride.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell:
“The first win feels great. Starting the game like we did, scoring early, keeping the pressure on and almost getting another. We created corner kicks and were dangerous in the attack. I thought our midfield played great with new players in there, Megan [Montefusco] playing as a 6. Kayla [Cluff], Gunny [Jónsdóttir] in there, their ball winning and work rate was tremendous. Carrie [Lawrence] played a new position at center back, the whole back line…I could talk all day. Everyone had such an important role to fill and they stepped up in such a big way…[Coming in] we had this feeling of such positivity and knowing that it was going to be a tough game but we have what it takes.”
Scoring Recap:
3’ Sydney Leroux - ORL 1, LA 0
The Pride kicked things off early, after Gunny Jónsdóttir sent a ball toward goal that was deflected by Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic. However, the ball fell right to an awaiting Sydney Leroux, who slammed the ball home on the doorstep.
Match Notes:
- With her goal at the 2:08 mark, Sydney Leroux scored the third fastest goal in Club history, passing Jodie Taylor’s Oct. 16, 2021 score at Racing Louisville that crossed the line at 2:27.
- Leroux’s goal marked her first of the season and 17th across all competitions with the Pride.
- The shutout victory was the first regular season clean sheet for goalkeeper Erin McLeod as a member of the Pride.
- Defender Toni Pressley, the only Pride player remaining from the Club’s inaugural 2016 roster, played in her 100th regular season match on Sunday evening.
- Midfielder Gunny Jónsdóttir sported the captain’s armband on the night.
Next Match: The Pride return home on Saturday, May 14, hosting the Kansas City Current at Exploria Stadium in a 6:30 p.m. ET kick off.
