Orlando Pride Show Importance of Aerial Duels
The Orlando Pride will need to win the aerial battles that matter most moving forward.
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Aerial duels are one of the most important aspects of soccer. Every game sees its fair share of 50/50 balls and the winner of those balls usually ends up on top. During the Orlando Pride’s 2-2 draw Saturday night against Racing Louisville FC, they showed that they can win aerial duels but need to do it when it counts.
The Pride came into the first game of the season with questions to be answered. Previous starters Shelina Zadorsky and Alanna Kennedy departed the club after last season, both joining Tottenham Hotspur of England’s Women’s Super League. While some might have expected experienced center backs to start such as Ally Haran and Toni Pressley, Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner went with the young pairing of Konya Plummer and Phoebe McClernon.
Lion Links: 4/12/21
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Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers! We were able to enjoy some soccer over the weekend due to a pair of draws from the Orlando Pride and the United States Women’s National Team. Not only that, but there’s more soccer this week with the USWNT taking on France tomorrow, the Pride hosting NJ/NY Gotham FC on Wednesday, and Orlando City hosting Atlanta United Saturday afternoon. But for now, let’s get to the links!
Orlando Pride Players Shine in Their Debuts
The youngsters have already started contributing in Orlando, with the Pride’s two goals against Racing Louisville FC coming from Taylor Kornieck and Abi Kim. Kornieck impressed with her size and used it to perfection on her goal, scoring with a header. Kim had a rocket of a shot that gave Orlando a temporary lead. Of course, giving up the late equalizer brings up bad memories for both players and supporters alike. Ali Riley and M
USWNT set for pre-Olympics friendly with 5th-ranked Sweden on April 10
Colorado’s Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith available, Mallory Pugh running out of time to return, and Jaelin Howell returns to FSU.
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Photo by Jeremy Reper/ISI Photos/Getty Images
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will face off against top-ranked Sweden in Stockholm’s Friends Arena on Saturday, April 10 at 11 a.m. MT. It will the team’s first match on foreign turf this calendar year. In FIFA’s most current ranking of women’s national teams, Sweden is in 5th place.
The U.S. is coming off of their fourth SheBelieves Cup title, which they won with relative ease in Orlando just two months ago. The Stars and Stripes are the first back-to-back champions in the tournament’s six-year history and the first team to not allow a single goal over the course of the competition.
Kristine Lilly holds the record in both the women and men s game with 354 caps, the last of which came in 2010.
Christie Pierce then follows in second having accrued 311 appearances between 1997 and 2015.
Lloyd also ranks sixth in all-time international goals scored with 124 to date.
In men s football, Egypt idol Ahmed Hassan holds the record for most caps with 184 for the north African country.
That mark looks set to fall at some point in the coming months, though, as three active players - Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait (181), Oman s Ahmed Mubarak and Spain star
Sergio Ramos (both on 180) - follow in close pursuit.
USWNT legend Lloyd earns landmark 300th cap against Sweden goal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from goal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.