Orlando Pride successfully finish with back-five formation | OneFootball

Orlando Pride could play any game they wanted against NJ/NY Gotham FC. So they finished with a back-five formation, sealing the win.

NJ/NY Gotham FC should have looked stronger against the Orlando Pride. It was a home game for Gotham. The club has a strong history vs. Orlando – 10-8-7 before their latest meeting. FC and the Portland Thorns both defeated the Pride in 2024.

Gotham forward Cece Kizer has scored five goals against the Pride in nine matches across all competitions. That’s her most for any opponent.

Yet, the Pride immediately put Gotham FC on the ropes at the beginning of the match. They kept them there. In the home club’s confusion, the first goal was an Own Goal. Then, Marta scored the second and final goal of the match on a penalty kick.

Pride players were now confident in their win against confused and frustrated opponents. But they remembered that Gotham FC had lost only one of their last 18 home matches, dating back to April 2024. They hadn’t lost to the Orlando Pride at Sports Illustrated Stadium since Aug. 29, 2021. So, the team elected to protect their win and their clean sheet at all costs.

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (1) makes a save against Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown (9) in the 2024 NWSL Championship match at CPKC Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The answer in the 88th minute was to bring in defender Zara Chavoshi for her NWSL debut. The home team was mounting a desperate drive to score any way they might. Shocked and bewildered supporters in the stands gave up cheering their team on and repeatedly shouted verbal abuse at the visitors.

It was a nerve-wracking environment for the Pride. But the five defenders focused on their goal and blocked out any distracting noise.

Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse said most of the club’s 47 clearances came during those final attacks. The Pride defensive scheme forced Gotham to take shots at a distance. While they had to complete many clearances, Moorhouse only had to make four saves.

The Orlando Pride brainstormed during the off-season on what they could achieve after winning the 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship. The result was to be able to play any game they wanted against opponents in 2025.