Camping World Stadium in Orlando was treated to a tight match Saturday between the Orlando Pride and the Western New York Flash. Physical and fast paced the game started strong with a dangerous run by Flash midfielder Samantha Mewis. Attacking up the right flank Mewis was able to break through the Pride back-line to send it to the center of the box, but it couldn’t make it past Orlando Keeper Ashlyn Harris. The Flash kept it coming with a Jessica McDonald throw-in, which made it into the box but was taken care of by a shaky Orlando back-line. Relentless, the Flash amped up the pressure with a corner sent near post in the 9th, cleared by Harris. Heading back to the corner, the Flash sent the second ball far post connecting with a player in the box who headed it just over the bar.
Orlando Captain Alex Morgan talks with the ref.
Orlando took it back the other way in the 12th with midfielder Jasmyne Spencer leading the charge. Maintaining possession Spencer sent it in where it eventually landed in front of Pride forward Alex Morgan who took a bouncing shot that was easily covered by Flash keeper Sabrina D’Angelo. Western New York continued to be a threat up front with Mewis and McDonald having numerous chances to put it past Harris. However, none could find the back of the net. The most promising run for WNY came in the 26th when Mewis shook several Pride players sending a perfect ball to the feet of forward Lynn Williams. With Harris beat, Williams shot on an open net to be denied by the crossbar.
Known for physical play, this game was full of tough challenges. Flash defensive mid Elizabeth Eddy came in hard on Pride forward Sarah Hagan in the 29th. However, the first yellow of the night went to Pride midfielder Kristen Edmonds for a jersey hook in the 32nd. In another strong show, Mewis sent a perfect ball in to McDonald who was blocked by Pride defender Laura Alleway.
The Flash back-line was solid, with Abby Dahlkemper and Abby Erceg shutting down the Pride defense and diffusing the attacks as they came in. With a late surge in the 45th the Pride almost put it past D’Angelo, the ball only narrowly cleared by the Flash defense.
The second half saw a momentum shift with the Pride taking control early. D’Angelo was forced off her line in the 46th to prevent a charging Morgan from connecting with a long ball. Heading back the other way Mewis dished out a hard hit on Alleway who ricocheted between Mewis and one her fellow defenders. The calm Flash of the first half were now scattered and scrambling to keep pace.
Flash forward Adriana Leon.
The Flash saw their first yellow card when a cheeky Abby Erceg stepped in front of Harris trying to kick away. A hard working Spencer made several runs on the Flash back-line, splitting the defense in the 55th and dribbling around several defenders before having her shot blocked by Erceg. The Pride continued their barrage with second half substitute Lianne Sanderson sending a long ball to Morgan who whipped in a shot that D’Angelo barely got a hand on.
Spencer took on the defense again in the 66th making it to the other end to be taken down by a hard challenge in the box; no penalty called. Mewis took it the other way forcing Harris off her line to make a big save. Between Sanderson and Spencer the Pride kept control of the game. Orlando finally broke through in the 79th with a perfectly placed ball from Edmonds to Morgan who chipped it over D’Angelo to find the back of the net.
Spencer made another a run on the defense in the 81st and was once again met with a hard challenge in the box with no penalty called. The Flash, in no way giving up, could not keep possession and the frustration boiled over. While the Flash back-line was staying organized their recent substitute Adriana Leon earned an obvious yellow taking out a Pride player with a hard hit in the back. The Flash then found themselves down a man in the 89th when Erceg came in hard on Sanderson. Earning her second yellow she was sent off the pitch. From there the Pride slowed the tempo and maintained control until the final whistle.
In an after game interview with Orlando’s Alex Morgan, she acknowledged that while they came up with the win the team is still trying to find their rhythm, “I think that we’re growing and we’re learning what works best with us.” With national team members leaving soon to train for the Olympics, finding what works may change very soon anyway.
The Orlando Pride are now 3-0-2 standing in fourth place overall while Western New York is now 2-0-3, currently eighth place in the league. The Pride head to Houston this Friday to face the Dash at BBVA Stadium. Coverage starts at 7:30 pm CT.
Game Stats:
Shots:
- Pride 11
- Flash 8
Shots on goal:
- Pride 5
- Flash 5
Saves:
- Pride 4
- Flash 4
Corners:
- Pride 4
- Flash 6
Offside:
- Pride 2
- Flash 1
Fouls:
- Pride 9
- Flash 11
Yellow/Red Cards:
- Pride 2/0 Edmonds 32′ Belanger 71′
- Flash 3/1 Erceg 50′ & 89′ Leon 88′
