Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread for this afternoon’s match-up between the Orlando Pride (5-6-5, 20 points) and the Washington Spirit (4-8-3, 15 points). This is the third and final of three scheduled meetings between the teams this season, with the teams having drawn in both previous match-ups.

Orlando is 0-2-2 against the Spirit, having earned its first points in the series earlier this year. The first meeting between the teams this season came in Week 2, with the Pride and Spirit drawing 1-1 at Orlando City Stadium on April 22. Rookie Danica Evans scored a dramatic 87th-minute equalizer after Line Sigvardsen-Jensen had put the visitors ahead around the hour mark. Meeting two came at the Maryland SoccerPlex, where a late penalty lifted the Spirit to a 2-2 draw after Marta had put the Pride ahead with a brace. Mallory Pugh scored both of Washington’s goals.

Washington swept the season series a year ago, winning 2-0 at home and 2-1 in Orlando. Sarah Hagen scored the only goal for the Pride in the inaugural season series, off an assist from Cami Levin. Neither player is still with Orlando. Estafania Banini and Francisca Ordega provided the offense in that first meeting — the Pride’s first match after the Pulse nightclub shootings. Cheyna Williams and Christine Nairn did the damage for Washington in the 2-1 game at Camping World Stadium.

The Spirit are coming off a surprising 4-1 drubbing of a shorthanded Sky Blue FC — missing Sam Kerr and Kelley O’Hara — on Saturday, erasing a Maya Hayes goal with four unanswered scores. Four different players scored for Washington. Orlando drew 1-1 with the Chicago Red Stars Saturday night but hit the post numerous times as the ball just didn’t want to go in. Alex Morgan scored her sixth career goal for Orlando but Sofia Huerta equalized in the second half. The Pride are in sixth place in the NWSL standings, just four points behind the final playoff spot.

Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris (quad) is still listed as out, although she may be available by Saturday against Sky Blue. Rachel Hill is out with an ankle sprain she sustained against Chicago on Saturday. For the Spirit, Estefania Banini (right hamstring strain) is doubtful. Joanna Lohman (ACL), Francisca Ordega (knee), Line Sigvardsen Jensen (ACL), Yanara Aedo (torn meniscus), and Kelsey Wys (ACL) are out. 

“Again, the problem that most teams present us is that they keep very disciplined defensively and they look to hit us on transition and I’m sure [Washington will] come with that game plan on Tuesday night,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said.  “There are a couple key things [for us to win]. We need to try and finish off the chances we create, particularly when we are on top of games and playing well so we give ourselves a little bit of a gap if we can. And the second thing is that we need to, for 90 minutes, put a consistent defensive effort together.”

Official Lineups:

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Bledsoe.

Defenders: Steph Catley, Monica, Ali Krieger, Kristen Edmonds.

Defensive Midfielders: Alanna Kennedy, Maddy Evans.

Attacking Midfielders: Camila, Marta, Chioma Ubogagu.

Forward: Alex Morgan.

Bench: Caroline Stanley, Toni Pressley, Danica Evans, Nickolette Driesse, Jamia Fields. Dani Weatherholt. Jasmyne Spencer.

Washington Spirit (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Stephanie Labbe.

Defenders: Caprice Dydasco, Kassey Kallman, Whitney Church, Estelle Johnson.

Midfielders: Havana Solaun, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Tori Huster, Cheyna Williams.

Forwards: Arielle Ship, Mallory Pugh.

Bench: Estefania Banini, Cali Farquharson, Lindsay Agnew, Kristie Mewis, Alyssa Kleiner, Didi Haracic, Shelina Zadorsky.

Referees

Ref: Christina Unkel.

AR1: Amanda Ross.

AR2: Trent Vanhaitsma.

4th: Francesco Terranova.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Orlando City Stadium — Orlando, FL.

TV: None.

Streaming: go90.com, go90 iOS and Android app (in the U.S.), NWSLSoccer.com or the NWSL app (outside the U.S.).

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand, as well as the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

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