Written By: Rafeal Morazzani
(Orlando, FL) Orlando Pride tied 1-1 in their second season opener against Utah Royals at the Orlando City Stadium. Royals midfielder Gunnhildur Jonsdottir and Pride forward scored for each of their teams.
The scoring opened just three minutes after the initial whistle from the referee. Royals midfielder Diane Matheson sent a cross inside the box looking for midfielder Jonsdottir who was able to one-touch into the back of the net. Despite Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris’ dive, the ball went through her left-side, which gave Utah the 1-0 lead.
Orlando Pride started creating more chances as the minutes went by. At the seventeenth minute, Orlando had their first chance from a corner kick. After the ball was cleared from Utah, Pride defender Ali Krieger shot from outside the box but the ball went slightly over the top bar.
Two minutes later, the game witnessed a polemic call from the referee. It all started when Orlando midfielder Dani Weatherholt drove the ball into the box and took the shot. The ball hit on a defender’s face, but the referee called a penalty. Even though the visitors complained, the referee had already made the call. Orlando Pride’s forward, Marta, was in charge of executing the penalty for the home team and equalizing the score. Utah’s captain and defender, Becky Sauerbrunn earned a yellow card after complaining about the referee’s decision.
In the 28th minute, Pride forward Alex Morgan dribbled her way into the box. After finding some space, she took the shot but Royal goalkeeper Abby Smith went down and grabbed the ball easily.
The last minute of the first half we witnessed how Alex Morgan collided with Smith during a battle for a long pass. The Pride player got the worse part and had to step off of the field; we are unsure if there is a serious injury or not. During the halftime, forward Chioma Ubogagu came on to replace Morgan.
Four minutes into the second half, Pride forward Sydney Leroux had a huge chance with a header thanks to a cross from Orlando defender Shelina Zardosky.
The second half did not witness any other clear chances. However, Orlando Pride was dominating the ropes of the game, while Utah Royals took a more defensive approach and waited for a counter-attack.
The match registered a total percentage of 54% of ball possession for Orlando Pride and 46% for Utah Royals. Pride had seven shots (three on target), while Utah had a total of seven shots (two on target).
Orlando Pride starting XI (4-3-3): [G] Ashlyn Harris; [D] Poliana, Ali Krieger, Shelina Zardosky, Carson Pickett; [M] Dani Weatherholt, Toni Pressley, Christine Nairn; [F] Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Marta.
Utah Royals starting XI (4-3-3): [G] Abby Smith; [D] Kelley O’Hara, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rebecca Moros; [M] Desiree Scott, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Katie Bowen; [F] Diana Matheson, Brittany Ratcliffe, Elise Thorsnes.
Orlando Pride will travel to the Maryland SoccerPlex to face Washington Spirit on March 31st, 2018 for their second game of the season. Meanwhile, Utah Royals will play at the BBVA Compass Stadium against Houston Dash next Friday, March 30, 2018.
The scoring opened just three minutes after the initial whistle from the referee. Royals midfielder Diane Matheson sent a cross inside the box looking for midfielder Jonsdottir who was able to one-touch into the back of the net. Despite Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris’ dive, the ball went through her left-side, which gave Utah the 1-0 lead.
Orlando Pride started creating more chances as the minutes went by. At the seventeenth minute, Orlando had their first chance from a corner kick. After the ball was cleared from Utah, Pride defender Ali Krieger shot from outside the box but the ball went slightly over the top bar.
Two minutes later, the game witnessed a polemic call from the referee. It all started when Orlando midfielder Dani Weatherholt drove the ball into the box and took the shot. The ball hit on a defender’s face, but the referee called a penalty. Even though the visitors complained, the referee had already made the call. Orlando Pride’s forward, Marta, was in charge of executing the penalty for the home team and equalizing the score. Utah’s captain and defender, Becky Sauerbrunn earned a yellow card after complaining about the referee’s decision.
In the 28th minute, Pride forward Alex Morgan dribbled her way into the box. After finding some space, she took the shot but Royal goalkeeper Abby Smith went down and grabbed the ball easily.
The last minute of the first half we witnessed how Alex Morgan collided with Smith during a battle for a long pass. The Pride player got the worse part and had to step off of the field; we are unsure if there is a serious injury or not. During the halftime, forward Chioma Ubogagu came on to replace Morgan.
Four minutes into the second half, Pride forward Sydney Leroux had a huge chance with a header thanks to a cross from Orlando defender Shelina Zardosky.
The second half did not witness any other clear chances. However, Orlando Pride was dominating the ropes of the game, while Utah Royals took a more defensive approach and waited for a counter-attack.
The match registered a total percentage of 54% of ball possession for Orlando Pride and 46% for Utah Royals. Pride had seven shots (three on target), while Utah had a total of seven shots (two on target).
Orlando Pride starting XI (4-3-3): [G] Ashlyn Harris; [D] Poliana, Ali Krieger, Shelina Zardosky, Carson Pickett; [M] Dani Weatherholt, Toni Pressley, Christine Nairn; [F] Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Marta.
Utah Royals starting XI (4-3-3): [G] Abby Smith; [D] Kelley O’Hara, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rebecca Moros; [M] Desiree Scott, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Katie Bowen; [F] Diana Matheson, Brittany Ratcliffe, Elise Thorsnes.
Orlando Pride will travel to the Maryland SoccerPlex to face Washington Spirit on March 31st, 2018 for their second game of the season. Meanwhile, Utah Royals will play at the BBVA Compass Stadium against Houston Dash next Friday, March 30, 2018.