Pride Ready To Build Off An Encouraging Start

The Orlando Pride are set to embark on the road for the first time in the Amanda Cromwell era, taking on the North Carolina Courage in NWSL Challenge Cup group stage action this Saturday (7 p.m. ET, Paramount+). 

The Pride picked up a strong result against the Washington Spirit in their home opener, leaving with a well-deserved point and taking it to the defending league champs for large stretches of the game. Cromwell was generally pleased when going over the tape this week in preparation for the trip to Cary.

“The first 15 minutes, we definitely dodged some bullets. We had to find our way a little bit,” Cromwell said speaking to reporters on Thursday. “Sometimes it’s playing the territory game, realizing when a team will come out fast and furious, maybe pressing a little higher, and we just need to…be a little bit more direct. 

“But once we got a hold of the ball and started creating our own chances, we saw a shift in momentum at times. In both halves we built and were the better team at the end of both halves.”

Orlando picked up a clean sheet in the game while featuring four new starters in defensive positions, with goalkeeper Erin McLeod, center back Megan Montefusco, right back Carrie Lawrence, and defensive midfielder Angharad James all coming into the XI.

“One of the things [Cromwell] always says is ‘let’s get a clean sheet,’” said Lawrence. “If you don’t get scored on, that’s the most important thing. It’s been a main focus of ours so far, so hopefully it continues.”

On the attacking end, the Pride created multiple chances but couldn’t put one away. They’ll have to be tighter in their finishing against a Courage team that’s coming off a 2-0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC in their opener.

“I looked at the stats [from last week], we had 11 shots and only two were on goal,” said Cromwell. “In the end, you need to make the keeper make saves. Were we dangerous enough to get one? Yeah, but we can be a lot more dangerous.”

Cromwell says she has altered the Pride’s training schedule for the week, not only for the road game but with an eye on next Wednesday’s home tilt against Gotham, which will be played on short rest. The team had an extra day off this week and focused on film and tactical training ahead of travel to North Carolina on Friday.