Pride drop NWSL home opener to Angel City
Katie Johnson scored the winner in the 100th minute as the Orlando Pride (0-0-2, 0 points) suffered a 2-1 defeat in their NWSL home opener against Angel City FC (1-0-1, 3 points) on Sunday in front of 7,137 fans.
Angel City had scored first after a foul by Pride defender Emily Madril on forward Alyssa Thompson earned a penalty, and Claire Emslie calmly placed her shot to Pride keeper Anna Moorhouse’s left in the 39th minute.
Pride forward Julie Doyle had taken a hard foul in the 19th minute from Angel City defender Paige Nielsen, which knocked Doyle out of the game. Nielsen was given a yellow card and Pride rookie Messiah Bright came on to replace Doyle.
The Pride had several good-looking attacking moves as the first half progressed. A shot by Kylie Strom in the 26th minute went off the crossbar and another from Adriana in the 4th minute of first-half stoppage time hit the post, but they were unable to score.
Orlando’s chances at getting something out of the game were resurrected when Bright made her way through two Angel City defenders to score in the 51st minute for her first career goal in just her second professional game.
“I didn’t get the opportunity to score last game, so just being able to score here at home in front of an awesome crowd — It’s always good to amp up and just get me ready for the next game to prepare, ” Bright said.
An unfortunate handball call on Pride captain Haley McCutcheon gave Angel City a penalty chance in the 89th minute but Moorhouse made the save.
Orlando’s next match is on April 15 against Gotham FC at Exploria Stadium and will air on Paramount+.
