SANFORD, Fla. -- Consider last weekend's Orlando Pride match a trip in the road.
After a week off from playing and training, the Pride came back to action against Gotham FC in the UKG Challenge Cup and fell 3-1 at Exploria Stadium to the visitors from New Jersey. It was a moment that came back as another learning lesson for a young team still finding their way in the season.
For head coach Seb Hines, the level of play from his team was disappointing solely due to the fact that he expects more from his players. The high level of expectation has helped in the growth and development of the Pride throughout the season, paving the way for many of the results the team has been able to earn. Through that mindset, the players themselves hold themselves to a higher standard of play.
"They know that we dropped that standard in the last game," he said this week at Orlando Health Training Ground at Sylvan Park. "So we need to get back to what we do best. Being threatening in the attack, end product, blocking shots, that kind of thing. So come Saturday's game we'll be more ready for what North Carolina can bring."
The Pride and Courage have met twice this year, with Orlando managing a 1-1 draw earlier in the Challenge Cup at Exploria Stadium. Only a few minutes away from victory, a late equalizer from Denise O'Sullivan spoiled the party for the home side. The other matchup during the regular season finished 3-0 to the Courage out in North Carolina.
“In the last game [against North Carolina Courage], I think we gave them too much respect," Hines said. "We’re going to need to be fully committed to blocking shots. In their last game, they scored a lot of goals outside the box and that's a scenario that we need to improve on in this game. They possess the ball well and they look to combine and use everyone and put defenders in difficult spots.
"We need to be fully committed to the press, but we need to stick to our identity and also be good in possession. It should be an exciting game. It’s two teams that want to play and want to possess the ball with an objective to score.”
Kickoff for the Challenge Cup match is set for 7:30 tonight, with streaming available on Paramount+.
