After missing playoffs in 2019, Pride hope Skinner brings better results
By Jordan Small
The Orlando Pride have a good lineup and a new coach in 2019. Will they be able to return to the top four this season?
Despite having two of the biggest names in women’s soccer and a number of other national team players, the Orlando Pride have yet to live up to expectations. Last season, they finished in seventh place before firing head coach Tom Sermanni in the offseason. This season, with Marc Skinner as the new head coach, the Pride are looking to get back into the top four after missing out in 2018.
Both Ashlyn Harris and Haley Kopmeyer return for the Pride in goal. This is a big win for the Pride as they look to improve upon their 1.5 goals allowed per season. Kopmeyer will have to step up for the Pride at the beginning of the season as Harris will be gone with the U.S. team. This will not be the first time Kopmeyer has been thrust into the starting role. In 2015, she stepped in for Hope Solo when Solo was with the U.S.
Defense has always been a weak point for the Pride and they have just seven defenders currently on the roster. It could really be a problem come May and June as two to three defenders could be gone, depending on if Ali Krieger actually stays with the national team. After two years away from the national team, Krieger was called up for the April friendlies to add veteran leadership to the U.S. backline. It will be interesting to see if this is just a temporary fix or if Krieger can make an outside play at the World Cup roster.
It will be interesting to see how the midfield shapes up for Orlando. They’re returning just three players from last season and have two draft picks along with a handful of non-roster invitees. Kristin Edmonds spent last season bouncing around different positions for the Pride, but there is a good chance she’ll have to find her home in the midfield this season.
The best player on every team at the World Cup. dark. Next
On the front line, they should be in a good spot when they’re at full strength. Having both Marta and Alex Morgan on the same team is incredible. Morgan is in top form right now for her country so those around the Pride will hope that she continues that form for her club as well. Danica Evans and Rachel Hill will get more minutes for the Pride as there will be four players gone from upfront.
The Pride are going to be heavily impacted by the World Cup as they’ll be down eight or nine players for much of the first half of the season. If they can stay close to the top four, they’ll have a good chance in the second half of the season. They won’t be in the top two, but they should finish in the middle of the table and ahead of where they finished last season.