For the second time this season, the Orlando Pride (4-3-4, 16 points) and Seattle Reign (5-2-3, 18 points) played to a stalemate.

No goals came of this matchup, however, as the 1-1 draw in Orlando in April, turned into a 0-0 draw in Seattle Sunday night.

Orlando went with a different formation than usual, starting Sydney Leroux alone up top in a 4-2-3-1. Haley Kopmeyer got her first start in an Orlando uniform against her old team, while former Reign players Carson Pickett and Christine Nairn saw playing time as well.

The Pride were missing Marta and Rachel Hill due to injury along with Ashlyn Harris and Alex Morgan due to international duty.

Throughout the game, there were only about four defined chances from both teams on goal, as with the Pride and Reign missing players in their lineup, most of the game was mostly a defensive battle.

The Pride’s lineup and new goalkeeper were tested early in the game, as Seattle’s high pressing up the field caused problems for Orlando’s back line. Kopmeyer was truly tested in the 18th minute after a Naho Kawasumi shot forced the keeper to make a jumping save away from goal.

For the Pride, their best chance of the match came early in the 21st minute off a set piece. Carson Pickett delivered a ball into the box, Alanna Kennedy headed the initial ball off the crossbar, but the ensuing ball fell to Sydney Leroux to head into goal, but her header missed the mark by inches. Reign goalkeeper Lydia Williams was on the ground on the other side of the goal, but Leroux was unable to capitalize.

Those were the biggest chances in the first half for either team. The second half started with another strike from Kawasumi, who forced a diving save from Kopmeyer in the 51st minute. On the other end in the 74th minute, a throw in from the Pride was crossed into the box by Leroux, finding Emily van Egmond within feet of goal. Her strike off the bouncing ball was saved by fellow Aussie Lydia Williams as the Reign keeper knocked the shot away from her penalty area.

Both teams went back and forth with half chances, but nothing really came from them as the game ended scoreless. The Reign and Pride remain second and third in the NWSL standings respectively as both teams will now have a week off before resuming league play.

Here’s how the Pride lined up: 

Orlando Pride XI: Haley Kopmeyer; Poliana, Monica, Shelina Zadorsky, Carson Pickett; Dani Weatherholt (Christine Nairn 76’), Emily van Egmond, Alanna Kennedy ©; Kristen Edmonds, Sydney Leroux, Chioma Ubogagu (Danica Evans 76’)

Substitutes Not Used: Sarah Shimer; Lotta Okvist, Toni Pressley; Abby Elinsky

(Photo Courtesy of JaneG. Photography / Seattle Reign) 

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