Marta discusses her shot (photo by Mercedes Cabrera)
do, F.L- After being on an international break for the 2018 Tournament of Nations, the NWSL resumed play for Week 19 with the Orlando Pride invited Sky Blue FC to the pitch. This match covered many opportunities and roused some controversy, from player and spectator alike, on key calls that were made.
The match started off slow since neither team was able to score within the first half. Coming back after half, with the pressure on to see who would score first, the Pride took the lead.
On a throw-in from the Pride in the 51st minute, midfielder Dani Weatherholt made her way around Sky Blue’s defense and took the shot with her right foot, but hit the crossbar. While goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan came out to make a save, forward Marta finished the play and put the ball at the back of the net to put Orlando ahead 1-0.
Two minutes later, Sky Blue came back and forward Shea Groom passed the ball to fellow teammate Imani Dorsey before the Pride’s back-line could break up the play. Dorsey collected the ball and her right-footed goal left Pride keeper Ashlyn Harris with her hand in the air to question the play.
Now that the score was tied, the pressure to remain on top increased by every minute that passed. Forward Carli Lloyd, who subbed in for Madison Tiernan, crossed the ball wide from the left side of the field to Savannah McCaskill, who headed the ball towards the goal and Groom finished with a solid header to the back of the net.
Although Groom’s goal had just marked her as the first player to score on every team in the league, she was down on the field covering her head in agony. She came off the pitch as she gave Sky Blue their first advancement of the season with her header. McKenzie Meehan was substituted in for her in the 62nd minute.
A throw in was made for New Jersey and Meehan headed the ball to Lloyd, who made her way towards the goal and had a breakaway past the entire back-line of the Pride and confidently shot the ball to the goal. While many expected her shot to go in as she put in the work, her shot was deflected by the fingertips of Harris.
To put in all that they had, Sky Blue substituted Katie Johnson for Raquel Rodriguez and Orlando brought in forward Alex Morgan and defender Camila, who worked together within their first possession. Morgan controlled the ball and made a give and go pass with Camila to come in to finish off the play, but was brought down by Meehan.
Weatherholt gained control of the ball and fought through, but was met by Sheridan who slid to the ground to make the initial save. However, Weatherholt jumped over the fallen goalkeeper and headed the ball into the net to score the equalizer.
The Pride were determined to end the game with a win and Marta passed the ball up to Morgan and her opportunity for a goal was brought to an end as Sheridan made contact with her hand on the ball.
Seven minutes of stoppage time was added, which brought a lot heat for both sides. Marta took the corner kick and in the rebound four players consistently headed the ball. Pride midfielder Emily van Egmond made the fourth header in the direction of the goal and in the midst of the play Lloyd unintentionally touched the ball with her arm that blocked the shot and immediately was issued a red card and was asked to exit the field.
Marta took the penalty kick and in return Sheridan made the save to the low ball on the net and the score remained 2-2. Sky Blue has yet to celebrate a victory this season while the Pride sit at third place.
On Saturday, August 11th, the Pride will host the Portland Thorns at 7:30 p.m. ET.
SCORING SUMMARY:
ORL-Marta, 51’
NJ-Imani Dorsey (Assisted by : Shea Groom), 53’
NJ-Shea Groom (Assisted by: Savannah McCaskill), 59’
ORL-Dani Weatherholt, 73’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
ORL-Kristen Edmonds, yellow card, 32’
ORL-Camila, yellow card, 78’
ORL-Alanna Kennedy, yellow card, 90 + 3’
NJ-Carli Lloyd, red card, 90 +6’
ORLANDO PRIDE: #24-Ashlyn Harris, #3-Toni Pressley, #14-Alanna Kennedy, #11-Ali Krieger, #6-Chioma Ubogagu, #7-Christine Nairn, #17-Dani Weatherholt, #5-Emily Van Egmond, #12-Kristen Edmonds, #10-Marta Vieria Da Silva, #15-Rachel Hill
SKY BLUE FC: #1-Kailen Sheridan, #9-Amanda Frisbie, #8-Erica Skroski, #22-Mandy Freeman, #31-Christina Gibbons, #28-Imani Dorsey, #11-Raquel Rodriguez, #16-Sarah Killion, #73-Madison Tiernan, #6-Shea Groom, #21-Savannah McCaskill
TOTAL SHOTS: ORL 21-9 NJ
SHOTS ON GOAL: ORL 8-6 NJ
FOULS: ORL 12-9 NJ
OFFSIDES: ORL 3-2 NJ
CORNER KICKS: ORL 12-1 NJ
SAVES: ORL 4-6 NJ
Orlando Pride
