Orlando Pride’s Dramatic Comeback: A Tale of Resilience and Determination
In a thrilling display of grit and determination, the defending National Women’s Soccer League champions, Orlando Pride, pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Angel City FC 3-2 on Friday. This victory was crucial for the Pride as it helped them avoid a second consecutive loss, a scenario that seemed likely at halftime.
The match began with Orlando trailing 2-0 at the break, a situation that would have demoralized many teams. However, the Pride showed why they are the reigning champions by turning the game on its head in the second half. Orlando forwards Marta and Barbra Banda scored within four minutes of each other, leveling the score. The game-winner came in dramatic fashion when Angel City defender M.A. Vignola inadvertently put the ball into her own net during stoppage time.
After the match, Marta expressed her relief and gratitude, saying, “Thank God there are 90 minutes,” during the Prime Sports broadcast. Her words encapsulated the spirit of the game, where every second counted.
Orlando’s recent form had been a cause for concern, especially after their 1-0 home loss to the Washington Spirit last week. This defeat marked the Pride’s first home loss in over 600 days, a rare occurrence for a team that started the 2024 season with a 23-game unbeaten streak, eventually clinching both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship.
Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Pride defender Carson Pickett stated, “We don’t lower our standards just because we had a loss. The best teams in this league and the best teams in the world find a way to win after a loss, and I think everyone looks at you a little more to see how you’re going to react to a loss. And I think that we did just that.”
Angel City FC had a promising start to the match, with rookie Riley Tiernan opening the scoring in the 9th minute. She managed to beat Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse at the near post. The visitors doubled their lead just before halftime, thanks to midfielder Katie Zelem, who capitalized on Orlando’s failure to clear the ball during a corner kick.
Pride defender Kerry Abello described the first half as “a weird funk,” highlighting the team’s struggles before their remarkable turnaround.
The game took a decisive turn around the hour mark, following a series of substitutions. Angel City midfielder Alanna Kennedy had to leave the field due to a swollen left eye after an unfortunate elbow to the face. Orlando seized the opportunity to make a triple substitution, bringing on usual starters Ally Watt and Haley McCutcheon, along with newcomer fullback Oihane Hernández, a 2023 World Cup winner with Spain.
Marta’s goal in the 72nd minute, assisted by Oihane, reignited Orlando’s hopes. Banda’s equalizer followed shortly after, a precise header that found the back of the net after hitting the post. The play was set up by Pickett, who had just entered the match and managed to keep the ball in play before delivering a perfect cross.
Marta praised the team’s mentality, saying, “What I like mostly is about the mentality. We know some games we can’t use everybody, but as soon as we need them, they step in and they give everything. This is the team. We do everything together. When we lose, we lose together and when we win, we win together. We need to keep doing it like that.”
The game-winner came in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, with Pickett and Watt playing pivotal roles. Pickett’s deep cross into the box was intended for Watt, but Vignola’s attempt to chest the ball away resulted in an own goal.
Angel City entered the match following a 4-0 home loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC last week. Despite their recent struggles, the Los Angeles side had started the season unbeaten through four games.
Interim coach Sam Laity of Angel City FC acknowledged the learning opportunity for his young team, stating, “This is a really, really good lesson for this young team. I think it’s hard to take. That wasn’t a game that we deserved to lose. We’ll take the positives from it, and we’ll learn a lot. But look, that’s why that team’s the champions, that’s why they won the Shield, that’s why he won the championship. We will learn from that.”
- Orlando Pride’s comeback victory was a testament to their resilience and championship mentality.
- Angel City FC showed promise but ultimately fell short against the reigning champions.
- The match highlighted the importance of depth and adaptability in a successful team.
Originally Written by: Jeff Kassouf
