Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 4-2 as Marta’s Brace Helps Earn Road Win
The Orlando Pride (3-3-3, 12 points) made it two consecutive wins on Saturday night as they defeated the Houston Dash (2-7-0. 6 points), 4-2, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
It was the most goals the Pride have scored thus far this season in a single match and the team’s first road victory. Marta led the way for the away side with two goals and an assist.
The Pride were the first to get on the board as Camila scored one of the goals of the season in the National Women’s Soccer League. The Brazilian blasted a shot from well outside the box into the top right corner.
17' Camila with the right-footed 🚀 from WAY outside the box to the top right corner, gives the @ORLPride the 1-0 lead. #HOUvORL pic.twitter.com/CTvdgHKJXg
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
Just two minutes later, the Dash were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Carli Lloyd took the shot and blasted it right at Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.
Lloyd would have another golden opportunity to score in the 21st minute, as she volleyed a powerful left-footed shot towards goal. Bledsoe made a terrific save and moved it down the field promptly. On the counterattack, Marta cut to the outside and maneuvered into the box where she dispatched a low driven shot to make it 2-0.
22' "No fatigue from the Brazilians." Marta scores her fourth goal of the season, putting the @ORLPride up 2-0. #HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/NbSXIyW0MN
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
The Pride were fortunate not to give up a goal before halftime. Ali Kreiger had some miscommunication with Bledsoe that almost gifted the Dash a goal and a way back into the match.
Marta completed her brace in the 57th minute as Jasmyne Spencer provided a beautiful through ball to make it 3-1.
57' Marta scores her second of the game and fifth of the season. "No jet lag for Marta." #HOUvORL 0-3 pic.twitter.com/o8MI0Nujpi
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
Alanna Kennedy scored her first goal in a Pride jersey to get on the score sheet later in the second half. Marta sent a perfectly placed corner kick into the box that was headed home by the Australian.
68' @AlannaKennedy scores her first goal of the season off a header from VERY close range to put the @ORLPride up 4-0. #HOUvORL pic.twitter.com/E7fGeTINHR
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
The Dash pressed on in search of a way back into the match. In the 89th minute, they would finally get one past Bledsoe and the Pride defense. Poliana was the goalscorer as she headed home a free kick that was floated into the box.
A second goal came in the final minute of stoppage time for the Houston Dash. Nichelle Prince slotted one home for her first career professional goal.
Despite the two late goals from the Dash, the Pride were deadly with their finishing and Bledsoe had a terrific outing in net. It was one of the best performances of the season for the Pride and definitely one they can build off of heading into a reverse fixture against the Dash at home next Saturday.