Pride brace for tough rematch against Dash
The Orlando Pride were minutes away from shutting out the Houston Dash on Saturday, but they allowed two goals in the final minutes of a 4-2 victory.
For coach Tom Sermanni, that might not be a bad thing.
“I think probably, I hate to say this, but maybe a good thing that we coughed up two late goals in that game,” he said. “We certainly know that we can’t be going into this game with any complacency, going into this game saying, ‘Well, we’ve won five out of six against Houston, so we just need to walk on the field and win.’ This is going to be a very difficult game for us at the weekend.”
While the Pride turned in one of their strongest performances of the season in Houston last weekend, beating the Dash again when the teams play at Orlando City Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Saturday will not be easy.
The Dash (2-7-0, 6 points) may have the worst record in the league, but they also have a talented lineup that may be close to finding a way to win under a new coach.
“They are, on paper, such a good team, particularly from midfield forward. They’ve got so many weapons, players who have got skill and pace and ability to score goals,” Sermanni said. “You’re always concerned with the ability that they’ve got in their team and that one day they’re going to put the pieces together. Hopefully, it’s not this Saturday.”
While Houston is formidable, the Pride (3-3-3, 12 points) have the added advantage of playing in front of their home fans.
“There’s nothing like playing in front of our crowd,” Orlando forward Jasmyne Spencer said. “It’s special here, especially in the new stadium and just we always love it and we’re excited to be here.”
While Alex Morgan is still out because of a hamstring injury, the Pride officially added her to the roster Wednesday and waived forward Christina Burkenroad.
But Sermanni wanted to make sure Burkenroad, who has been with the team since its inaugural season, had a place to go.
“It’s really important that we look after players. That’s a No. 1 priority for me,” he said.
“Christina’s a great example who is an inaugural player with us, who’s given her heart and soul to the team and the club and the community. It would be remiss of me and us not to try and do our very best to … look after some things in her future.”
Burkenroad has already joined Norwegian side IK Grand Bodø of Toppserien, the top women’s league in Norway.
“She’s been over to Norway and she’s gone back there to sign a contract,” Sermanni said. “I’m sure she’ll do very well there.”
The Pride have been without two of their top players, Morgan and Ashlyn Harris, for much of the 2017 season. Harris was expected to miss eight weeks after a quad injury, but she may be returning earlier rather than later.
“She has come on probably quicker and farther than we anticipated at this stage,” Sermanni said. “She’s coming on in leaps and bounds and hopefully will be back at the earlier point in the cycle.”
He is wary, however, of Morgan rushing to return and re-injuring her hamstring.
“It’s an injury we need to be careful of,” Sermanni said.