Pride eager to resume training
ORLANDO PRIDE VS. PORTLAND THORNS, SEPT. 23, 3:30 P.M., LIFETIME
While dealing with Hurricane Irma was challenging for the Orlando Pride, it didn’t disrupt the team’s game schedule.
With an international break under way, the Pride will not play a game this weekend and could afford to take some time off from training during the storm.
“It was coming at a time when we kind of had the time to take a break anyway,” Pride defender
said. “So I think now that it’s over, we’ll be fully focused on the next game.”
With their next match still 10 days away, the Pride are now working on getting refocused after all of the distractions from the hurricane.
“I think this hurricane shook a few people up, so thankfully everyone did what they needed to do to feel safe, people left town and now everyone’s coming back in,” Pressley said. “I thought the intensity of the session was really good. So we’re just looking to build off that and continue that through this week and next week. I think we just need to stay focused and kind of forget the hurricane business.”
The Pride know that their final two regular-season games will be very important. Orlando came up just short of clinching a playoff spot last week against the Seattle Reign and will play its next match against the Portland Thorns, one of the best teams in the league.
“After the game, it was a bit frustrating, but we still got a point. We can’t really dwell on that right now,” Pressley said. “We have to really focus on this next Portland game and it’s a home game so that’s huge for us and … I think if we just go in focused and prepared, we’ll have no trouble beating them.” up in Melbourne. While several of her teammates left the area, she managed to stay pretty calm in her apartment when Hurricane Irma hit during the weekend.
She was even comfortable enough to go outside.
“I think I did everything that you’re not supposed to do in a hurricane,” she said. “I was going outside ’cause I had to walk my dog. It sucked because she was so afraid, she wouldn’t go to the bathroom, so I had to wake up [at] 2 a.m., 5 a.m.”
While the storm was routine for Pressley, it was memorable for forward
“I’m from California. There’s no hurricanes; I’d rather deal with an earthquake,” said Fields, who spent her first hurricane with Pressley. “It was very crazy, but we made it through.” Midfielder
who has missed the Pride’s past two games due to a calf strain, has not yet been able to rejoin the team after leaving Orlando ahead of the storm. Wednesday morning, she was still trying to get a flight back.
She was still going through rehabilitation before she left and there is still a chance she will play against Portland, with the team listing her as day-to-day.
The NWSL announced dates and kickoff times for playoff games, including the championship to be played at Orlando City Stadium on Oct. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
The Portland Thorns, who are the second seed, will play the third seed at home on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m.
The first-seed North Carolina Courage will play the fourth seed at home on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 3:30 p.m.
All the playoff games will air on Lifetime.