3 things we learned from the Orlando Pride’s 3-1 win over Kansas City
The Orlando Pride extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches on Wednesday afternoon with a dominant 3-1 win over Kansas City. Here are three things we learned from the game:
Rotation pays off
This match is the first time coach Marc Skinner attempted full-squad rotation. In the midst of a three-game week and with the Olympics looming, the roster’s performance gave an insightful look into how this team will play and perform without its stars next month.
Against Kansas City, Skinner pulled all three of his Olympic field players — Alex Morgan, Ali Riley and Marta — off the pitch for the first half. Keeper Erin McLeod was the only player called up to an Olympic roster who started the match, giving starter Ashlyn Harris a valuable rest. Rookie Taylor Kornieck — who’s become a guaranteed starter this season — also sat out for the first half.
Rookies Abi Kim and Chelsee Washington started in place of Morgan and Marta, while Meggie Dougherty Howard took Kornieck’s spot and Gunny Jónsdóttir moved into the backline to make room for midfielder Erika Tymrak.
Despite rotating out four of the 10 starting field players, the Pride still played the same style that’s made the team successful throughout the season.
It wasn’t a perfectly cohesive rotation. Washington and Kim were still building connections with ,
The group launched into higher gear once Marta and Kornieck took the pitch in the second half, helping the Pride to mount a full comeback victory over Kansas City. But the initial success of this rotated group bodes well for Orlando as they prepare to lose their three stars next month.
Young players continue growth
A key to the Pride’s ability to rotate is the team’s focus on developing young players.
Three rookies — Kornieck, Phoebe McClernon and Courtney Petersen — have become reliable starters for the Pride. Rookies Abi Kim and Chelsee Washington also earned starts in the Kansas City win, and Washington assisted the first of Leroux’s goals.
When rookies entered matches in the past, it forced the Pride to make concessions in their system due to a lack of physical and tactical ability in the younger core of the team.
This season, that isn’t an issue. Although a lack of experience is often still evident, players like Kim and Washington can cycle into the team more fluidly.
Skinner said the most important growth in this area is the ability and hunger of his rookies to assess and improve from mistakes. The coach said Wednesday’s match was a growth opportunity for both Kim and Washington, who will feature more heavily in July during the Olympics.
“They’ve both started now and I think it’s important that they get that recognition,” Skinner said. Now, there’s lots of learning, things for them to go through. We’ll get the video and digest it after this Houston game and then make sure they progress and learn from that.”
Leroux powers offense
Sydney Leroux waited two years to finally make her comeback. With Morgan at home and Marta partially sidelined on Wednesday, the striker showcased her ability to carry the Pride offense when needed.
With her pair of game-winning goals, Leroux accelerated to tie Morgan in leading the Pride and the NWSL in scoring with four goals apiece.
Leroux is arguably the most important attacking player for the Pride this season. As a non-national team player, she won’t be called up to international duty, placing her in the position of providing consistency for the team’s offense.
The striker is rated by her teammates and coaches as one of the best attacking threats in the league. And after two years away from competition, Leroux brings a different edge to this season, which could power the Pride through the remaining two thirds of the regular season.
Providing her with necessary support from a variety of players — including rookies like Washington — bodes well for a Pride team eager to score often this year.
“Since I got here, she has been hungry for the goals,” Jónsdóttir said. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that she’s getting the goals now, because she worked so hard at training. She wants to go after it and I love that about her. It doesn’t surprise me, because she is a force on the field.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Julia Poe at jpoe@orlandosentinel.com.
