Orlando 1 Louisville 0 Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy USA Today Sports Images
Louisville went out on Saturday night and proved to the rest of the NWSL that they simply aren't ready to win. That isn't to say that they won’t win and win soon, but I think we have to face facts that while this team is full of talent, they are definitely less than the sum of their parts at this point.
I typically attend post match interviews but I just didn't have the stomach for it after this match. I am tired of hearing the same things. There is a built in excuse for losing this match (missing DeMelo) but I have no appetite for that. Every dropped point comes with an explanation/excuse and frankly I've had enough of them. This team doesn't play well together in stretches that are long enough to produce good results. Until they show me, I won't expect anything different than I have seen to date.
Orlando were unfortunate not to score more in my opinion. The scoreline could have been much worse. If they had the killer instinct of a seasoned winner, this match could have been 3-0 or 4-0.
Kanu doesn't look right since her injury.
Some people are going to point to the players who are now returning return to squad and let that give them reason for hope. The current players aren't connected enough on the pitch to make me think that new players are going to help unless it's by pure individual brilliance.
For as good as Lund was once Louisville fell behind, she could have done more on the goal. She may be the best instinctual keeper in the league, but her decision making let her down for the second match in a row.
Louisville is too predictable and Orlando's fast counters were a problem all match. I could write a one-sentence scouting report on Louisville for every team in the league. “Drop back to midfield and counterattack down their defensive right side.” This team's setup and passing patterns are too predictable.
It's time to manage expectations. The players on this team appeared talented enough to turn things around, but they lack cohesion. They might figure it out but I think it's equally likely that they might not figure it out it time to threaten for a top 6 spot.
