Starless Orlando Pride fall vs. North Carolina Courage | June 1st, 2019

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Pride have now dropped their 5th straight match, and extend their winless streak to open the season to eight matches. The starless Pride fell to the defending NWSL champs, North Carolina Courage 3-0. Aside from heir draw vs. Seattle Reign back on April 21st, they’ve lost every single match this season, leaving them dead last in the standings.

You know the names, Ali Krieger, Sydney Leroux, Marta, Alex Morgan, none of which have seen playing time in at least the past two matches, and they have definitely been missed. Leroux hasn’t played at all this season because her body is a bit occupied growing a human, and Morgan and Krieger haven’t played since their April 27th showdown vs. the Utah Royals.

Be that as it may, the squad wasn’t doing much with their stars in the lineup at the beginning of the season. All this reeks of a team that likely needs to start from scratch. This last match is just another example of what’s wrong with the team.

Final. #ORLvNC pic.twitter.com/mFar8YskQM

— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 2, 2019

Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner:
“I think if you watch the game and see what the truth is in the matter, we’ve competed with the champions for 60 minutes and then the mistake and all of a sudden, they [we] have to attack from deep because they [North Carolina] can counterattack us because we need to go and get a goal. And if you open up against them, they’ve got the players that can just hurt you on the counterattack. I think that up until that point I was really proud of the girls and the effort they put in. It’s just always going to be a matter of quality and that’s the thing that has to improve. I’m pleased with them and what they give for the shirt, but there’s a quality issue, both boxes need work and that’s what we’re here to do.”

This match was the first time Head Coach Marc Skinner started the same starting 11 in consecutive matches this season, but the strategy wasn’t enough to stop Kristen Hamilton from recording a hat trick.

Not throwing away her shot (or second.. or third)!

That's a 🎩 trick for @khamilton17! pic.twitter.com/ruUjeJX3y2

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 2, 2019

NWSL is now in a two-week break for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Orlando’s next match will be against the Houston Dash on June 15th at BBVA Compass Stadium at 8:30 p.m. ET.

📸 By John Chapman

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