World Cup Heroes Return to Give Orlando Pride Winning Boost
Orlando’s women World Cup stars returned to action on Saturday and a determined performance earned a 1-0 victory over Sky Blue FC at Exploria Stadium. In front of 9,415 excited fans Rookie midfielder Marisa Viggiano (pictured below) scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute with a spectacular shot from just outside the penalty area for the first goal of her professional career.
The victory served as the first clean sheet of the season for the Pride and the first since June 23 last year at the Washington Spirit.
Prior to the match, the Club honored the nine players who represented Orlando in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Saturday’s match marking the on-field return of defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Forward Claire Emslie also made her NWSL debut.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner:
“I thought that I’m so proud of the players for, you know…one of the things we’ve been asking for a while is a clean sheet. You’ve heard me sit in this room many times and say that we’d like a clean sheet because then you only have to score one goal, and that’s the difference. I think we’ve created enough tonight to be well away, I wasn’t really nervous. I think we had control of the game, I thought players played particularly well, and what a way to win the game. What a wonderful goal from a fourth round draft pick [Marisa Viggiano], so it’s a wonderful story and a testament to the attitude of all the players that have been here while our internationals have been off doing their thing.”
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando Pride – GK Ashlyn Harris ©; D Ali Krieger, Toni Pressley, Shelina Zadorsky, Erin Greening; M Marisa Viggiano (Emily van Egmond 70’), Alanna Kennedy, Joanna Boyles, Chioma Ubogagu (Carson Pickett 82’); F Rachel Hill (Claire Emslie 64’), Marta
Substitutes Not Used: GK Haley Kopmeyer; D Camila; M Dani Weatherholt; F Abby Elinsky
Sky Blue FC – GK Kailen Sheridan ©; D Caprice Dydasco (Nahomi Kawasumi 75’), Gina Lewandowski, Estelle Johnson (Jennifer Hoy 46’), Erica Skroski; M Elizabeth Eddy (Amandine Pierre-Louis 72’), Sarah Killion, Julie James; F Raquel Rodriguez, Paige Monaghan, Imani Dorsey
Substitutes Not Used: GK Didi Haracic, Kaylan Marckese; M Nicole Baxter, Kenie Wright
Attendance: 9,415
