Trust the process.
It's a saying that so many teams in sports use these days when they talk about their future and the potential of their team.
For the Orlando Pride, that process started in June 2022, when Seb Hines took over as interim Head Coach. Since then, the culture of the team has been built slowly, meticulously and strategically, making sure each player that the team brought in fit the bill with their ability on the pitch and attitude off it. Vice President of Soccer Operations General Manager Haley Carter has played an equally important role, working with those same principles to help build a Pride roster that not only sits in first in the NWSL standings, but also just broke the league record for most consecutive wins (8) in a row.
Each and every player in this Orlando team deserves their flowers, working through early-season injuries, late-game comebacks and gutsy wins on the road. Through it all, the team has stuck together and continued an unbeaten run that still continues on into June.
Standing Tall in Goal
Anna Moorhouse has been the self-proclaimed "tree to her cuties" for the backline. Currently leading the league in clean sheets and third in goals conceded, the English shot-stopper has helped make the Pride defense one of the toughest to break down this season.
It hasn't just been her shot-stopping ability that has been impactful, it's her ability to coordinate and manage the defense in front of her. As the "tree" she helps the defenders and even midfielders in front of her stay rooted in their communication, making sure everyone is on the same page as they build out of the back. With the way the Pride like to play, her position is one of the most influential in terms of building into the attack, whether it's simple passes into the defensive line or a boot downfield. Each decision she makes plays a part in how the Pride decide to attack, and thus far, with the fourth most goals in the league this season, it seems to be working well.
Whole-Team Defense
The consistency within inconsistency has been the key for this Pride backline this season. There were five different lineups in the first 10 games in the defense, whether due to injuries or suspensions. Despite that, the team handled the adversity exceptionally, maintaining a strong line defensively and shutting down some of the most potent attackers in NWSL. While their defensive numbers don't necessarily jump off the screen at you, it's hard to argue just how impactful the individuals have been.
Take Emily Sams for instance; she started the season playing her usual position at centerback, but has since shifted the last few matches to an outside fullback and has thrived in that role. Getting involved in the attack while also being fourth in the league in tackles won in the defensive third goes to show just how versatile she has been for this team. Don't forget the absolute screamer she scored against the Seattle Reign for her first goal with the Pride.
Kylie Strom, who played all last year as left back and thrived there, having a career year in 2023, is another standout so far this season. Much like Sams, she's shifted inside to play alongside Rafaelle at centerback, and she continues to be a massive presence in defense and offense, often being the initiator of plays down the other end of the pitch. In Strom's stead, Kerry Abello has locked down the left-back role, leading the team in tackles and sitting 12th in all of the NWSL in that stat.
While the defense is the last line before goal, the Pride's approach of "whole-team defense" has been the biggest catalyst for their opponents' offensive struggles. As long as they continue that approach, the teams they come up against will continue to struggle.
Stabilizing Force in the Midfield
Much like the defense, the midfield has suffered its slew of injuries. After starting the season with Luana and Angelina locking down the defensive midfield, both ended up on the sidelines with Morgan Gautrat and Haley McCutcheon stepping up in their stead. Both of the former USWNT players have been stabilizing forces for the Pride, something they lacked much of last year. They're not overly flashy, and they don't stand out on the score sheet in games all that much, but they're calm, composed and cognizant of their surroundings, helping connect the defense into the offense. Rookie Ally Lemos has also shown moments For Hines' system, that piece is integral for the team playing well.
In the attacking midfield, Summer Yates has come into her own this season. Sitting in the top-three percent in shot-creating actions for the league, Yates has become an every-game starter after playing sparingly in her rookie year last year. Her ability and strength on the ball and her ability to take players on 1v1 have helped open up the offense, while her set-piece abilities have opened up additional goal-scoring chances.
Then of course there's Marta, who looks a resurgent player from last season. In 2023, coming off a full season missed the year prior, the GOAT has been everywhere for the Pride in the eight games she has played. Her game-tying goal against Angel City FC and game-winning goal over Utah Royals FC have showcased that she is still a class above everyone else, even at 38 years old.
Now adding in the newest acquisition of Zambian Grace Chanda into the mix, the Pride's spine has become even stronger as they head into the rest of the season.
A Zambian Spark in the Attack
Barbra Banda. What more needs to be said?
The Zambian international has come into this Orlando squad and absolutely transformed its attack. Banda currently leads the NWSL in goals scored, even though she's played three fewer games than the other leader, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith. She ranks in the top-one percentile in non-penalty goals, total shots, assists, shot-creating actions and progressive carries, while also in the top-five percentile in just about every other offensive category. Since she has begun starting games, she has been involved in every single goal the Pride have scored except one (the Emily Sams banger against Seattle Reign FC). Whether it's a goal, assist, drawn penalty or deflected shot, Banda has been a part of it all.
Her joining the Pride has helped unlock a lot of the forward line alongside her. Ally Watt's goal and assist against the North Carolina Courage came in tandem with Banda's goal and assist that game, the two playing well off each other with their speed and vision on counterattacks. Julie Doyle also benefitted in that match, scoring off a shot by Banda that was saved. Amanda Allen has also made a step up this season, with the 19-year-old notching her first assist in the first game this year. With all the attention that Banda is getting, all the other forwards will have chances aplenty.
Let's also not forget last year's leader in goals for the Pride: Adriana. Her and Banda began their partnership late after the Brazilian missed a few games with injury, but her assist to Barbra in the Seattle match shows how their understanding on the pitch has grown in a short amount of time.
Having all of those options in the forward line is an embarrassment of riches that this Pride team has not had in recent years, but now that they do, it's hard to argue against them being the team to beat in the NWSL this year.
