After dropping the season opener 2-1 to Seattle Reign FC, the Orlando Pride face another tough challenge against an expansion side that is fighting for its first win as an organization.
Orlando (0-1-0, 0 points) welcomes Denver Summit FC (0-1-0, 0 points) to Inter&Co Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m.
“They’ll want to come here and get off on the front foot, obviously, probably disappointed with the result last week against Bay FC. But yeah, they want to get off the mark. They want points on the board, and that’s what we fully expect, and that’s what we’re looking to do as well,” said Orlando head coach Seb Hines.
“We’re really disappointed with the result, not the performance. I thought the performance was great, but we need to get points on the board as well. So, I feel like it’ll be two teams who will be going out to get three points.”
Orlando coach Seb Hines coaches players during the Seattle Reign at Orlando Pride NWSL game in Orlando on Sunday. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Facing an expansion side can be difficult, since there is not much tape to look back on to prepare. Denver played much of its first match with only ten players, making it tough for Hines to evaluate just how good a team they are. Still, he knows his team is ready for the challenge and won’t make it easy for the visitors.
“Obviously, they’ll have set principles. There’ll be certain personnel as well that we’re aware of,” Hines added. “But yeah, I think there’s a lot of focus on ourselves. Can we build on what we did this past Sunday against Seattle? There was a lot of great moments. We just obviously didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
Pride delayed by rain, then defeated by Reign
Denver does feature two former Pride players in Ally Brazier and Carson Pickett. Hines acknowledged their contributions to the club, but his team is focused on making sure they don’t leave Orlando with a victory.
“They’re on different paths now and represent in Denver, and we know some of their tendencies and their qualities, what they possess,” continued Hines, “It’ll be probably a nice occasion for them to come back, and as long as they don’t go and get away with anything, that’s that’s going to be our priority.”
Next game
8 p.m. March 20 vs. Denver Summit