The NWSL Challenge Cup was a success for women’s football in the United States last season, so the NWSL decided to bring it back this season as an early season cup competition. Neither of these teams was involved in the competition last fall. Racing Louisville is starting their first season, while the Orlando Pride withdrew from the previous season’s edition of the Challenge Cup after a surge of COVID-19 cases.
The first round of the NWSL Challenge Cup is the first matches to take place in home markets, with supporters in the stands, in over a year. The teams have completed the longest pre-seasons in NWSL history and are coming into this competition in the hopes of getting off to a positive start. Racing Louisville is hoping to avoid the struggles common to new US soccer teams, while Orlando Pride hopes to put their defensive problems of the last two seasons behind them. Analysis shows that Orlando has averaged over two goals allowed per match, ranked as the worst defensive side in the NWSL.
Lineup
Five hundred thirty-six days after the NWSL announced an expansion to the area, Racing Louisville made their debut at home in the Challenge Cup. Christy Holly’s tactics for the first match was a 4-4-1-1, with team captain Michelle Betos starting at goalkeeper. The defensive line consisted of Erin Simon, Nealy Martin, Brooke Hendrix, and Emily Fox. Getting the start in the central midfield was Freja Olofsson, who joined the new NWSL side from KIF Orebro in Sweden, lined up beside Lauren Milliet. Hometown product Emina Ekic got the start on the right-wing, with 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato starting on the left-wing. CeCe Kizer was the primary striker, with vice-captain Savannah McCaskill playing a slightly deeper role.
After only playing five matches last season, in the NWSL Fall Series, Orlando Pride manager Marc Skinner had to deal with a changed roster and missing pieces with his first lineup of the season. Switching from the 4-3-3 that he used during the Fall Series, Skinner opted for a 4-2-3-1 in this match. Club captain Ashlyn Harris started in goal, with centre-backs Phoebe McClernon and Konya Plummer ahead of her. Two experienced internationals started at full-back, with New Zealander Ali Riley on the left side and American Ali Krieger on the right side.
Meggie Dougherty Howard slotted in at central defensive midfield with Jade Moore. Marisa Viggiano, Taylor Kornieck, and Marta played as the attacking midfielders, rotating positions throughout the match. Above them, Sydney Leroux fulfilled the lone striker role.
Keys to the match
This tactical analysis will show how Orlando Pride showed poor defensive structure, allowing the home side to pick them apart repeatedly. This analysis will also look at how Racing Louisville created numerous chances but struggle with poor finishing. Finally, we will look at the tactics that let Orlando back into the match to eventually take the lead before conceding a last-minute set-piece to leave the match at 2-2.
Horrific defending again for Orlando Pride
Chances were created early in this match and continued throughout the first 15 minutes. From the beginning of the match, it was easy to see why Orlando Pride has had such a dismal defensive record the past two seasons. There was very little communication between the defenders and no connection between the defensive and midfield line.
