Orlando Pride Fall to the Red Stars in Chicago

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (June 12, 2022) — Orlando Pride (2-4-2, 8 points) dropped a 1-0 decision to the Chicago Red Stars (4-1-3, 15 points) on Sunday evening, unable to find the answer to a 10th minute goal from the home side. 

The night served as the professional head coaching debut for Seb Hines, the team’s assistant, who was appointed as the Club’s interim coach this week. Midfielder Thais Reiss, a product of the University of North Florida, made her NWSL debut as a 82nd minute substitute after being signed by the Club on Saturday. 

Orlando Pride Assistant Coach Seb Hines:

“I feel like it’s come down to one moment of brilliance from a great player [Mallory Pugh]. That goal is worthy of winning any game and it’s very apparent she’s on form right now and she’s playing well. And it’s come down to the fine margins. We stuck to the game plan, we didn’t want to give anything up early in the game. With the way that Chicago play, they like to play through the lines so we kind of clogged the middle up and were really disciplined with our pressing to win the ball in transition with the speed of Abi Kim and Julie Doyle. So, the game plan was there, like I said it came to a moment of brilliance that defined the result.”

Scoring Recap:

10’ Mallory Pugh (Bianca St. Georges) - CHI 1, ORL 0

The home side got the lone goal of the match 10 minutes in, with Mallory Pugh taking a shot from outside the area that found the underside of the crossbar and dipped into the net. 

Match Notes:

• Seb Hines made his professional debut, serving as the interim head coach for the Pride on Sunday. 
• Entering the match as a substitute in the 82nd minute, midfielder Thais Reiss made her Orlando Pride and professional debut. 
• Forwards Abi Kim and Julie Doyle both made their second starts of the regular season on the night. 
• Toni Pressley sported the captain’s armband for the first time during the 2022 regular season.

Next Match: The Pride remain on the road for their third away game in a row, traveling to face Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, June 19 at Providence Park. The match will kickoff at 3 p.m. ET.