WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2022) - Orlando Pride (0-3-1, 1 point) suffered a 4-1 defeat on Sunday afternoon, falling to the defending NWSL Champion Washington Spirit at Audi Field. The Pride’s lone goal on the evening came off the foot of Gunny Jónsdóttir, who slid home a cross from Darian Jenkins.
The assist was the first in a Pride uniform for Jenkins, who joined the side ahead of the season, while Jónsdóttir picked up her second career goal across all competitions with Orlando.
Orlando will see a week off due to the international window, next returning to play on April 16, hosting the North Carolina Courage in the team’s final home game of the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell:
“We started well, I thought. We had a couple chances early, we had some momentum early and going into half. I thought it was going to be nil-nil and then the wheels came off the last five minutes of the half…Those were two very disappointing goals very quickly right before half that kind of changed the momentum. But we had some good moments in the second half…I’m proud of Gunny [Jónsdóttir] for getting the goal. She’s a really hard worker. Some good moments with certain players, with workrate and ability to affect the game. But, going forward, we have to be better in team defense and marking in the box.”
Scoring Recap:
43’ Ashley Sanchez (Trinity Rodman) - WAS 1, ORL 0
The home side opened the scoring just before the halftime break, with Trinity Rodman sending a ball into the box that found the feet of Ashley Sanchez for the game’s first goal.
45’ Andi Sullivan (Trinity Rodman) - WAS 2, ORL 0
The Spirit doubled things two minutes later with a similar play, this time a Rodman cross from the left side to Washington captain Andi Sullivan inside the box, who made it 2-0.
49’ Ashley Hatch (Cam Biegalski) - WAS 3, ORL 0
Ashley Hatch made it a three-goal game just into the second half, slotting in a left-sided cross from Cam Biegalski.
54’ Gunny Jónsdóttir (Darian Jenkins) - WAS 3, ORL 1
The Pride pulled one back in the second half, with Darian Jenkins sending a low cross in the box that found a sliding Gunny Jónsdóttir for the finish.
87’ Trinity Rodman (Kelley O’Hara) - WAS 4, ORL 1
After assisting on the game’s first two goals, Rodman got one of her own, heading in a late cross from Kelley O’Hara.
Match Notes:
- Gunny Jónsdóttir picked up her first goal of the season, scoring the side’s lone goal in the 54th minute of play. Jónsdóttir also sported the captain’s armband on the day.
- With the assist on Jónsdóttir’s goal, Darian Jenkins recorded her first point as a member of the Pride.
- Entering the match in the 61st minute as substitutes, defenders Celia and Kerry Abello made their Orlando Pride debuts in the game.
- Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made her second-consecutive start, picking up eight saves in the game.
Next Match: The Pride will have a week off from play due to international matches, next returning to Exploria Stadium on Saturday, April 16, hosting the North Carolina Courage in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Exploria Stadium.
