The Orlando Pride return to the field Saturday for the first time in nearly two weeks after the conclusion of the international break. The U.S. National Team, among the others around the world, was doing its last prep before August’s Olympics.
It is now something of a two-month race for the next phase of the season before the NWSL takes another break for the Olympics.
The Pride emerged from the first third of the season in fourth place with a 4-3-0 record. That perhaps hides some of the issues. The Pride have not lost at home but have just one home win. It has been an uneven season so far for the team.
The break perhaps gave the team some time to refresh and refocus. The Pride will play their next two games on the road before four straight at home. The team closes out this segment with two games on the road before the Olympics begin.
This is undoubtedly an opportunity to pick up some momentum and confidence for the rest of the season. Certainly the Pride have to bank some home points to stay in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot.
Returning from the international break is key for the team. And so that will start tonight at 7 p.m. against the Western New York Flash.
Coach Tom Sermanni told Alicia Del Gallo of the Orlando Sentinel earlier in the week the team had a productive week of training and everyone seems to be in good spirits heading into the game. There is a growing confidence about this team too.
There are certainly still expansion hiccups to fight through. The team will continue to learn and grow together. It is clear that process is still ongoing for the team.
It has been a while since they have shared the field together. That makes tonight’s game all the more interesting.
Orlando City prepares to reconvene
The MLS’s own international break is getting set to end with group play in Copa America Centenario nearing its end.
Orlando City will be back in action this Wednesday in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup against the Jacksonville Armada. The MLS season picks back up Saturday against the San Jose Earthquake.
The Lions have their own questions to answer after their uneven start to the season. They are unbeaten at home in seven games, but have only two wins. Those are a lot of points left on the board for the team.
Many players appeared to take a mini-vacation with the time off they had. It will soon be time to get back to work. It is still unclear if Kaka will be available for Saturday’s game, or even Wednesday’s game.
Orlando City will have to begin coming together again and push forward to climb the standings, improving its place among the Eastern Conference.
UCF players drafted in MLB Draft
The MLB Draft entered its third day Saturday. While UCF had a disappointing end to the season in 2016, it is still seeing a few of its players get drafted in the very long and deep MLB Draft.
Matt Dioro was picked with the 495th pick of the draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew Deramo was taken with the 882nd pick by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Congrats to @Maattydee for being selected by the Pirates.#ChargeOn I#BuiltByUCF https://t.co/okorLDwxez
— UCF Baseball (@UCF_Baseball) June 11, 2016
Congrats to @AndrewDeramo18 for being selected by the Blue Jays#BuiltByUCF I #ChargeOn https://t.co/iaEzAdYI9Z
— UCF Baseball (@UCF_Baseball) June 11, 2016
Diorio struggled with injuries throughout the season last year, but still managed to hit .279 and 22 RBIs in 36 games. Deramo made 18 appearances, 14 in relief, last year nad had a 4.72 ERA in 40 innings pitched.
Both had their moments throughout their careers and have earned a look in the minor leagues. Getting drafted so late, obviously, it will take a lot of work and development to climb all the way to the majors.
Their contributions and leadership to the team were important however. They were solid and consistent options even through the team’s difficulties this year.
There may be a few other UCF players picked as the draft continues.
