HOUSTON, Texas (June 3, 2022) - Orlando Pride (2-3-2, 8 points) fell for the first time on the road this campaign, dropping a 5-0 decision to the Houston Dash (3-1-2, 11 points) on Friday night at PNC Stadium.
The match served as the first of three on the road for the Pride in the month of June, set to return to the pitch on Sunday, June 12, taking on the Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium in a 6 p.m. ET kickoff.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell:
“This is a tough one to talk about because I thought we had good energy to start the game. It was a little bit methodical both ways, I think both teams were feeling each other out. When they scored, I don’t think our response was good enough. [We needed to] pick up the energy, pick up the level. Conceding multiple goals again in the first half puts you in a bind so we changed things up. I am always a coach that is going to go for it. I would rather lose 5-0 trying to get back and get some goals, than stay at 3-0 and stop trying. We changed formations, obviously we were pushing. I think we hit the post, had some chances, but nothing fell our way tonight. Everything they touched in the box was golden and it just feels pretty bad.”
Scoring Recap:
27’ Nichelle Prince - HOU 1, ORL 0
The home side took the lead with Nichelle Prince getting in behind the Pride defense down the right flank, able to control it just long enough to send her shot into the back of the net.
32’ Rachel Daly (María Sánchez) - HOU 2, ORL 0
Houston doubled its advantage shortly thanks to a lofted ball from María Sánchez finding the head of Rachel Daly in between a pair of Pride defenders, who was able to hit it home on the run for the finish.
39’ Nichelle Prince (Marisa Viggiano) - HOU 3, ORL 0
The Dash added another with Marisa Viggiano finding Prince down the left flank. The Canadian international was able to cut back inside before sending in a cross that took a deflection straight into the back of the net.
49’ Nichelle Prince - HOU 4, ORL 0
Prince secured the hat trick shortly after the break, jumping on a loose ball in the box on the left side and sending her shot towards the back post.
87’ Michelle Alozie (Shea Groom) - HOU 5, ORL 0
Michelle Alozie added another, catching the Pride on the counter attack and able to slot the ball across the line into the back of the net.
Match Notes:
- The loss served as the first for the Pride on the road this year, taking a 1-0 victory at Angel City on May 8 followed by a 2-1 win at North Carolina 10 days later.
- Kerry Abello tallied her second regular season start in the match and the first of which since the Pride’s 2022 opener on May 1.
- Head Coach Amanda Cromwell made three changes to her starting lineup from the Pride’s last match, with Abello, Toni Pressley and Jordyn Listro each getting the nod.
Next Match: The Pride remain on the road, next set to face the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, June 12 at SeatGeek Stadium in a 6 p.m. ET kickoff.
