Michael Parsons

FLORIDA TODAY

The Orlando Pride took the field for the first time Sunday night and looked like nothing like an expansion team with only a few weeks of training together.

While Portland walked off the field with the 2-1 win and three points, Pride coach Tom Sermanni was happy.

“We did better than I expected, to be honest,” Sermanni told reporters in Portland. “I was a bit apprehensive about tonight because I didn't know what to expect, and Portland did a fantastic job. Outside of Seattle, this was our most difficult away trip. They are a team that’s been together and they have a lot of international players, so when I judge the game overall, I think we had a fantastic effort and players can be really proud of what they did tonight.”

Early on in the match, it looked like the Pride may walk into Portland and steal a win as the speedy front line of Jasmyne Spencer, Alex Morgan and Kristen Edmonds put the Thorns on their heels early.

READ MORE: Pride players are full of surprises, writes columnist Mike Parsons

“We thought we could exploit them with our pace if we played three quick players up front, and I thought the three of them did terrifically,” Sermanni said. “Again, particularly when the game gets stretched out, they started to get into the second half, and I think it caused the defense a lot of problems.”

And just 12 minutes into the contest, the Orlando Pride grabbed their first lead as Steph Catley struck a free kick just outside the box past Portland goalkeeper Michelle Betos.

The Pride would hold the lead until the 25th minute when Tobin Heath found rookie Dagny Brynjarsdottir open in front of the net. Brynjarsdottir’s shot was just out of the reach of a diving Ashlyn Harris to tie the contest 1-1.

LOCAL CONNECTION: Read how Satellite Beach's Ashlyn Harris looks forward to her time in the net.

Portland then added the game-winner on a play from Heath’s to USWNT teammate Lindsey Horan, who beat Harris from eight-yards out.

The Pride had some chances to tie the game. Rookie Dani Weatherholt made her debut off the bench and just missed an equalizer in the 87th minute on a nice ball to the corner of the net by Lianne Sanderson, but Weatherholt could not reach it. Morgan also had a good look in the final 10 minutes against her former club, being set up on a well-paced through ball, but Betos was able to turn away the close-range shot.

Jasmyne Spencer working way into Orlando Pride lineup

“To be honest in the last 15 minutes or so I thought we were the team that was more likely to score, obviously very disappointed that we lost the game because I thought they deserved something,” Sermanni said.

But the captain saw a lot of positives from the team’s first game.

“I told the team I was proud of them because I was. I thought we really stepped up and fought really hard. I think we were unlucky in the end,” Morgan told reporters. “I told them to keep their heads up because we have a great game next weekend at home and hopefully we’re going to break the NWSL attendance record and we’ll have a ton of fans just like Portland had tonight. The result doesn’t really show what we talked about. I think, for the most part, we were happy with our play on the field, the result just didn’t show that.”

Tickets for Saturday's home opener when Carli Lloyd and the Houston Dash come to the Orlando Citrus Bowl for a 7:30 p.m. contest are on sale at orlando-pride.com

Coming home

The Orlando Pride open their home season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Carli Lloyd and the Houston Dash. Tickets to the game start at $20 for general admission.