Pride make early strides with Angel City on tap
Despite settling for a draw in the opener last weekend, the Orlando Pride showed progress.
It’s a small sample, of course, but a team known for losing games in the dying moments in 2023, Orlando knew it had to change that in ’24 and salvaged a draw by coming from behind at Racing Louisville.
Friday, the Pride (0-0-1) will have their home opener vs. Angel City FC (0-1-0) at Inter&Co Stadium (Prime, 8). They’ll encounter some familiar faces, including Sydney Leroux and Messiah Bright.
Bright surprisingly requested a trade to Angel City after being Orlando’s leading scorer last season. Leroux was dealt by the Pride in 2022.
“I feel like it is a common theme, even going back to Louisville there were familiar players that we know. With Angel City, there are a couple that we are aware of. They played on Sunday, have to travel across the country which is always difficult,” said Pride coach Seb Hines. “The emphasis is on us. We are at home in front of our own fans and it is really important we put a performance together that they are proud of.”
One key storyline is the return of Pride defender Carrie Lawrence, who tore her ACL before the start of 2023. With fellow defender Kylie Strom out because of a red card from the last match, Lawrence could see her first minutes in more than a year.
“It has been a long time. It is pretty emotional. I am just really happy I have these girls around me and have this support staff. They have been there through everything ,” Lawrence said. “I am excited to be back on the field and see my family and our fans in the stands. I am super excited.”
Orlando also will be without Simone Charley (Season-Ending Injury — right leg), Megan Montefusco (SEI — right heel), Viviana Villacorta (SEI — left knee) and Rafaelle (left foot).