Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Sky Blue FC: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Get First Shutout Win in More Than a Year

The Orlando Pride returned home and beat Sky Blue FC 1-0 at Exploria Stadium in front of 9,415 fans. It was the third-largest crowd at a home Pride game and the largest since the 2017 home opener. Marisa Viggiano got her first professional goal in the first half, and Orlando (3-9-2, 11 points) was able to hold on for the rest of the game to get the win over Sky Blue (2-8-2, 8 points). It was the first time all season Orlando shut out the opposition and the first shutout win since June 23, 2018.
“You literally feel alive [in front of that crowd],” Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said. “There’s only some moments in life — like when my daughter was born — you feel alive, you break out of the norm of the monotonous day. When the energy of the crowd, it drives you on that extra bit. I don't think we’ve given them enough throughout the season to be cheerful about and come support us. I’m hopeful now that we've seen an increase in the attacking part of our game, then I think we will have that ability to draw that crowd in. I want these fans to be excited.”
Skinner made four changes from the loss to Portland last week. Ashlyn Harris replaced Haley Kopmeyer in net. On the back line, Ali Krieger slotted in at left back, Shelina Zadorsky and Toni Pressley partnered in the middle, and Erin Greening was at right back. Alanna Kennedy, Joanna Boyles, and Marisa Viggiano made up the middle three. The forward line of Chioma Ubogagu, Marta, and Rachel Hill remained unchanged.
Your Pride XI taking on Sky Blue FC tonight at Exploria Stadium.
📺 https://t.co/qzz652iTSv#ORLvNJ | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/CXztLkeFH7
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) July 20, 2019
It was a mostly uneventful first half. There were just a few moments that were threatening, and Harris was never really bothered. However, the game changed just before the half-hour mark.
In the 23rd minute, Ubogagu sent a ball down the left wing to Viggiano. The rookie dribbled down the line, cut inside, and took a shot from just inside the box. Her rocket went into the top corner, Viggiano got her first professional goal, and Orlando went up 1-0.
ROOKIE Marisa Viggiano with the LAZER for @ORLPride!!!#ORLvNJ pic.twitter.com/eprdYoAmdd
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 21, 2019
“Chi pulling out and into the midfield opened up that lane for me,” said Viggiano. “So I was able to get the ball, face forward, and just drive at the defenders. Honestly, it kind of just happened and I shot and it went in. It’s really, really cool.”
Ubogagu was the best player on the field for the majority of the game. She nearly found the back of the net at the half-hour mark. She made a great run, got behind the defense, and took a shot that went inches wide of the post. Julie James slid into her after she took the shot, and Ubogagu stayed down after the play. She got up with the help of the trainers and then was able to continue.
Fans thought that the Pride went up 2-0 in the 36th minute. Kennedy sent the ball into the back of the net, but Hill was called for a foul moments earlier. The stadium erupted, the supporters let the flares loose, but the goal did not stand.
The Pride out-shot Sky Blue 7-5 in the first half, but the New Jersey side had two shots on target compared to Orlando’s one. Possession was fairly even, with the Pride having 52% and there were no corners by either team. For the third time all season, the Pride took a 1-0 lead into the break.
“I’m so proud of the players,” said Skinner. “One of the things we’ve been asking them for awhile is a clean sheet. You’ve heard me say many times that we want a clean sheet because then you only have to score one goal. And that’s the difference.”
The second half was much of the same. There were not many chances in the game, and the few that were there were not put away.
Pressley almost doubled the Pride’s lead in the 49th minute. Ubogagu played a great cross into the box. Neither team could get a good control of it, and it bounced around. Pressley pounced on the opportunity and toe-poked the ball as she was falling down. It was heading towards goal, but Kailen Sheridan made an excellent reaction save to deny the chance.
Hill had two chances around the hour mark. First, Boyles played a great through ball. Hill was one-on-one with Sheridan but took too many touches and couldn’t even get off a shot. Minutes later, Marta played an even better through ball. Hill was again one-on-one with Sheridan, and the ‘keeper again got the better of Hill.
.@Kailen_Sheridan says "Hill no" with a great save. #ORLvNJ pic.twitter.com/A1SwsMrema
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 21, 2019
That was Hill’s last moment of the match, and Claire Emslie subbed on for her, making her Pride debut after practicing for just two days with the team. The Scottish international was excited to finally get into her first match with the Pride.
“It was amazing,” said Emslie. “Even watching from the sidelines, just seeing the atmosphere. The crowd was incredible and the atmosphere was incredible. I think the girls, you can tell they’ve been working really hard. It was a good hustle first half and just excited to get on the pitch with the girls and excited to get a win.”
Emslie showed immediately why Skinner wanted her so badly. She used speed to get down the right wing, made a move to create space, and sent in a low cross to Marta. It was a rare moment as the Brazilian missed the golden opportunity and sent the ball wide.
69' | What a ball from Emslie to find Marta wide open in the box!
1-0 | #ORLvNJ pic.twitter.com/IysrkLtS5h
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) July 21, 2019
There were not many chances after that. At the end of the game, Orlando had a couple of corners but couldn’t do much with them. Sky Blue defended with everyone in the box, and the Pride struggled to get off shots. The best one came from Pickett at the penalty spot, but it sailed over the post. Van Egmond had a golden opportunity in stoppage time all alone in front of goal, but she missed the net.
For the first game this season, the Pride were on top of the majority of the stats. Orlando led in shots (21-10), shots on target (6-2), corners (7-1), and possession (52%). It was a mostly uneventful game though and Sky Blue did almost nothing offensively. Orlando was the better team and left at least three goals on the field.
“I think that was the first shutout in a year, so that was something that we were always aiming to do this season,” said Viggiano. “It’s been a really, really good ride with these girls. Every day in training sessions we’re giving it our all. It’s there, and we saw it tonight. It’s really exciting.”
The Pride are now off until Aug. 10, when the Houston Dash visit Exploria Stadium.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Pride look to get their first 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup win as they take on NJ/NY Gotham FC in New Jersey.

[Editor’s note: There is some question as to whether this match will take place tonight with wildfires wreaking havoc with the air quality in the area. The Pride and Gotham FC have been in contact with the NWSL, which is monitoring the situation.]
Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (0-1-1, 1 point) take on NJ/NY Gotham FC (1-0-1, 4 points) at Red Bull Arena in the NWSL Challenge Cup. This is the first of two Challenge Cup meetings between these two teams, with the second game in Orlando scheduled for June 28.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.
History
The Pride have faced Gotham FC 21 times since joining the NWSL in 2016. They’re 7-8-6 in all competitions and 4-2-4 away from home. In Challenge Cup games, the Pride are 0-2-1 in three games against Gotham and 0-0-1 up north.
This is the second time the two teams have met at Red Bull Arena this year. The first meeting came on May 14 in regular season play. The Pride were the better team and created more chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net and the game ended in a scoreless draw.
The Pride and Gotham met for the first time this season on April 15 at Exploria Stadium. The game looked to be headed for a draw, but Gotham struck twice in second-half injury time. Midge Purce converted a penalty 10 minutes into stoppage time for the latest goal in NWSL history. The attacker then assisted Lynn Williams seven minutes later, setting a new record as the Pride fell 2-0. The Professional Referee Organization stated publicly that the penalty given for a handball on Caitlin Cosme did not meet its standards for being clear and obvious enough for a review, but that won’t change the standings.
The two teams met four times last season, twice in the NWSL regular season and twice in the Challenge Cup. The first game was a Challenge Cup meeting on March 30 at Exploria Stadium. It looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw before Purce scored a late winner. The next meeting was April 23 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Gunny Jonsdottir gave the Pride the lead, but Toni Pressley got tangled up with Ifeoma Onumonu, resulting in a penalty. Anna Moorhouse guessed the right way, but Kristie Mewis put it into the bottom corner, evening the game just before the half. Neither team could find a winner and it ended 1-1.
The teams opened the 2022 NWSL regular season against each other on May 1 in Orlando. After two close match-ups in the preseason, this one was all Gotham as goals by McCall Zerboni, Purce, and Mewis lifted the visitors to a 3-0 win. On Aug. 20, they played for the final time in 2022 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Celia and Ally Watt built the Pride a 2-0 lead. Mewis got one back for the hosts, but the Pride held on for a 2-1 win.
The Pride and Gotham also met four times in 2021, with the first coming in the Pride’s inaugural Challenge Cup campaign. On April 14, Paige Monaghan’s goal lifted Gotham to a 1-0 win. The first regular-season game that year came on June 20 in Orlando. The visitors took the lead through Caprice Dydasco, but Courtney Petersen equalized, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
On Aug. 29, the teams played at Red Bull Arena. Erika Tymrak’s long-range goal lifted the Pride to a 2-1 win. The teams played one final, high-scoring game on Oct. 9. It was a bad start for the Pride as Gaetane Thiney scored a brace and Purce made it 3-0 late. But the Pride came storming back with goals by Tymrak and Marta, falling just short in a 3-2 final.
The Pride and Gotham were in different groups for the 2020 Fall Series, so the last time they met prior to 2021 was in 2019, when the New Jersey-based club was still called Sky Blue FC. They first met that year on June 22 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. Chioma Ubogagu gave the Pride the lead from the penalty spot and Sarah Killion equalized. The difference was a Gina Lewandowski own goal as the Pride won 2-1. On July 20, they met at Exploria Stadium. Marisa Viggiano’s goal won it for the Pride, 1-0. The final game occurred on Sept. 29 in New Jersey. Shelina Zadorsky gave the Pride the lead, but Carli Lloyd equalized in a 1-1 draw.
The teams met three times in 2018, starting on June 16 in Orlando, when a Sydney Leroux brace led the Pride to a 3-2 win. They met again in Orlando on Aug. 5, with the Pride giving up a 1-0 after Marta’s opening goal. But Dani Weatherholt equalized in a 2-2 draw. The final meeting in 2018 came on Sept. 8 in New Jersey — the final game of the season. There was only one goal in this one as Lloyd won it for Sky Blue FC.
The 2017 season saw the Pride and Sky Blue meet three times. The first was May 27 in New Jersey, where the Pride lost 2-1. They met again in New Jersey on June 28 and the Pride won, 3-2. The final meeting was on Aug. 12 in Orlando and the Pride won by its largest margin in team history, beating Sky Blue, 5-0.
The 2016 season was the first time the two teams met, with the inaugural game coming on Sept. 7 in New Jersey. Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr swapped goals in a 1-1 draw. They met again three days later in Orlando, with Sky Blue winning, 2-1.
Overview
The Pride scored first in each of their first two Challenge Cup games this year. Ally Watt gave the Pride the lead at Exploria Stadium on April 19 against the North Carolina Courage in the 56th minute. It looked like they would hold on for three points, but Denise O’Sullivan scored nine minutes into second-half injury time to equalize. The second game was against the Washington Spirit at Audi Field and Tori Hansen gave the visitors the lead just 10 minutes into the game. But an onslaught of long-distance goals lifted the Spirit to a 4-2 win.
The Pride look to get their first Challenge Cup win of 2023 tonight in New Jersey. The squad will be heavily rotated, especially with the Portland Thorns coming to town on Sunday night. While the team will still look to bring home the three points, Pride Head Coach Seb Hines will use this game as an opportunity to get playing time for players.
Similar to the Pride, Gotham used arguably its best lineup in the first Challenge Cup game against the Spirit. Lynn Williams’ 56th-minute goal was the difference in a 1-0 result. Gotham heavily rotated its lineup for the second game on May 3, a 1-1 draw with the Courage. It conceded just three minutes into the game, but went for the win by bringing on Kristie Mewis, Ali Krieger, and Williams at halftime. Williams equalized late and Gotham took a point from the game.
Gotham’s plan tonight will likely be similar to its second game. The Pride will need to get a good start to the game, because Hines has shown little interest in bringing regular starters into Challenge Cup games. If the Pride want to get three points, they’ll need to score before Gotham’s attacking starters come on.
“Obviously, (Gotham is) looking to win a game the same as us. Playing them a couple of times, they may change shape, they may change formation depending on the personnel they have, but we have to focus on ourselves,” Hines said about tonight’s opponent. “We’re looking to bounce back from this weekend and get three points and keep getting momentum and getting that ball rolling again. Momentum is such a key factor in a season so getting a win against Jersey will be great for the squad and the players.”
The Pride will play this game without Carrie Lawrence (knee) and Erika Tymrak (ankle). Kaylie Collins (hand) and Amanda Allen (lower leg) are listed as questionable. Gotham will be without Imani Dorsey (excused absence), Sabrina Flores (foot), Kelley O’Hara (ankle), Midge Purce (hip), and Taryn Torres (knee).
Projected Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Carly Nelson.
Defenders: Celia, Tori Hansen, Caitlin Cosme, Brianna Martinez.
Defensive Midfielders: Jordyn Listro, Kerry Abello.
Midfielders: Haley Bugeja, Thais Reiss, Summer Yates.
Forwards: Julie Doyle.
NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Michelle Betos.
Defenders: Jenna Nighswonger, Ellie Jean, Mandy Freeman, Bruninha.
Midfielders: McCall Zerboni, Nealy Martin, Sinead Farrelly.
Forwards: Svana Ros Gudmundsdottir, Delanie Sheehan, Ifeoma Onumonu.
Referees
REF: Greg Dopka.
AR1: Stephen Milhoan.
AR2: Jessica Carnevale.
4TH: Sergii Boiko.
VAR: Daniel Radford.
AVAR: Emma Richards.
How to Watch
Match Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Red Bull Arena — Harrison, NJ.
TV: CBS Sports Network.
Streaming: NWSLsoccer.com (International).
Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).
Enjoy the match. Go Pride!
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 2-0 as Pride Drop Second Straight
The Houston press was too much for the Pride as they drop their second straight game.

The Orlando Pride (3-6-1, 10 points) fell for the second consecutive game, losing to the Houston Dash (4-3-3, 15 points) 2-0 in Texas. Sophie Hirst gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute and Michelle Alozie doubled the advantage shortly before halftime. They held onto that lead for the entire second half, sending the Pride home with an 0-2-0 road trip.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made one change to the team that fell 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars last weekend. Regular starter Viviana Villacorta returned to the lineup after a game off, replacing Marta. The back four in front of Anna Moorhouse remained the same, with Kylie Strom, Emily Madril, Megan Montefusco, and Haley McCutcheon. Villacorta joined Mikalya Cluff, Adriana, Erika Tymrak, and Kerry Abello in the midfield, and Messiah Bright started up top.
Coming off a game where the Pride dominated and just couldn’t find the back of the net, they were never really in this one. The Houston press created headaches in the first half with the Pride giving up the ball up in their own third on multiple occasions. They also couldn’t create much offensively, failing to challenge Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell.
The Pride got off to a poor start, conceding in the sixth minute. The hosts got a corner kick when Madril cleared the ball out of play and a second when Abello blocked the first corner out. The ensuing set piece was into the arms of Moorhouse, but the goalkeeper spilled it right in front of goal. Hirst was the first player to the ball, flicking it with the outside of her foot past Moorhouse and in to give the Dash an early 1-0 lead.
They nearly doubled their advantage in the ninth minute when Sophie Schmidt sent Diana Ordonez behind the Pride back line. It was a foot race between Ordonez and Moorhouse to the ball, with the Pride goalkeeper reaching it just before the attacker outside of the box.
A minute later, the Pride had their first good chance of the game. Adriana was sent down the right and towards the end line. She reached the ball before it went out of play, sending it to the penalty spot where Bright was waiting. The striker had her back to the goal, but did well to turn and get off a first-touch shot. Unfortunately, she got under the ball and sent it over the target.
The Dash had a great chance in the 17th minute when Madril gave the ball away to the pressuring Alozie. The forward had Ordonez wide open in the middle of the box, but decided to take it herself. Montefusco did well to close down the attacker, deflecting the shot into the hands of Moorhouse.
The Pride almost had a chance in the 20th minute when Montefusco made a good run into the midfield, breaking the Houston press. She found Tymrak in the center circle, who played it forward for Adriana. However, the Brazilian lost the ball at the top of the box before she could get a shot off.
The Dash appeared to have a great opportunity in the 28th minute when Villacorta gave the ball up in her own third to Joelle Anderson. The midfielder played to Maria Sanchez on the left, who continued it forward to Ordonez. Moorhouse did well to come out and challenge the forward, but the flag went up for offside anyway.
In the 39th minute, Abello was sent down the left by Tymrak. Her deflected cross was punched away by Campbell, but went right to Adriana. The Brazilian flicked it over for Bright, who played it right back to Adriana, but her shot was blocked. Abello ended up with the ball again and beat her defender to find enough space for a shot, but it was deflected into the side of the net.
The second Pride corner of that attack went all the way through for a throw in and the Dash took advantage. Anderson sent a long, low ball forward for Alozie making a run behind the Pride defense. Madril got her foot to it, but not enough to keep it from finding the forward. Strom caught up to her in the box, but Alozie cut back for space and sent it past Moorhouse to give Houston a commanding 2-0 lead.
The hosts had one last first-half opportunity in the 43rd minute when Alozie found Ordonez at the top of the box. The Mexican international was between the two Pride center backs and found enough space to take a shot, but Moorhouse did well to get down and make the stop, keeping the halftime deficit at two goals.
The Pride had more first-half possession (57.2%-42.8%), corners (6-4), crosses (16-10), and passing accuracy (71.8%-67.4%), but the Dash had more shots (6-4) and shots on target (3-0). Most importantly, the hosts had a two-goal lead.
“I told them at halftime that we need to be better on the ball. We were a little bit sloppy, a little bit lackadaisical in our passing details,” Hines said about his halftime speech. “I like to control the game. I don’t mind teams pressing us, because the more they press, the more they commit, the more space that they leave. So, we have to clean that up.”
Hines made one halftime change trying to get his team back into the game, bringing on Marta for Villacorta. The change saw Adriana move outside to her usual position and Abello back alongside Cluff. It was Marta’s 82nd NWSL regular-season appearance with the Pride, passing Ashlyn Harris and Toni Pressley for the most in team history.
The Dash had a chance for their third goal less than a minute into the second half when Ordonez found Anderson in the box. The attacker turned to shoot on goal, but didn’t get much on the attempt and Moorhouse made a relatively easy save.
The Pride should’ve gotten a goal back in the 48th minute when Caprice Dydasco fouled Abello. Adriana’s free kick found the head of Strom wide open and just a few feet in front of goal at the near post. But her header somehow went wide, squandering a golden opportunity to get back into the game.
After making an attacking change at halftime, Hines made a like-for-like substitution in the 57th minute as Julie Doyle came on for Bright.
In the 62nd minute, Sanchez sent Marisa Viggiano towards the end line on the left. Viggiano got a cross off into the box and found the head of Ordonez, who tried to send it towards the far post. But she couldn’t get enough of it and Moorhouse easily collected it.
Montefusco fouled Schmidt in the 64th minute, creating another good chance for the hosts. It looked like Moorhouse had Sanchez’s ball, but she didn’t come out as aggressively as she should’ve, only sending it to the top of the box. It ended up with Hirst at the penalty spot, but her shot was right at Moorhouse.
Immediately after that chance, the Pride made two more changes, bringing on Celia and Ally Watt for Tymrak and Cluff.
It didn’t take long for Watt to get involved as she was sent behind the Dash defense in the 68th minute. The striker’s shot was right to Campbell, but the ball slipped under her arm and rolled towards the goal. The roll was slow enough for Campbell to jump on the ball before it reached the goal line.
In the 71st minute, Adriana made a good run to the top of the Houston box, drawing the defenders and finding Watt wide open on the right. The forward took her second shot of the game, but Campbell made a good stop, pushing it away and the Dash cleared the danger.
Two minutes later, Adriana found Strom on the left and the left back sent a good ball into the box, finding the head of Marta. The Brazilian headed the ball towards the far post, but missed wide.
In the 76th minute, the Pride had a chance when the Dash had trouble clearing the ball out of their box. They briefly got it out, but McCutcheon sent it right back in. Dydasco was the first player to the ball, but her clearance attempt went behind her and into the path of Doyle for a header on goal. It was a strong header, but too close to Campbell.
The Pride made their final change in the 79th minute, when Summer Yates entered the game for Abello.
The Dash seemed fine holding onto their two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes and neither team was able to create solid opportunities. Marta took a shot in the 80th minute, and second-half substitute Ebony Salmon found space for a shot in the 86th minute, but both were right at the goalkeepers.
The Pride had a good chance in the 88th minute when Adriana made a strong run into the box and sent it to Doyle near the penalty spot. The striker slipped as she attempted to shoot, but still put the ball on target. However, Campbell did well to block it away, keeping the deficit at two goals.
As the game entered injury time, the fourth official showed eight minutes, a welcome sight for the Pride. It was mostly due to an injury to Natalie Jacobs, who had to go through a concussion test late in the half before she could be removed from the field and the game could continue.
Despite the eight minutes, the Pride weren’t able to create any good chances. McCutcheon played Celia through four minutes into stoppage time, but it was too far and went out for a goal kick. In the final minute, Adriana attempted a shot from long distance, but it wasn’t any trouble for Campbell, and the Dash held on for a 2-0 win.
Statistically, the game was quite close. The Pride had more possession (55.4%-44.6%), corners (8-4), crosses (27-16), and passing accuracy (69.5%-62.1%). Both teams had 13 shots and Houston put more on target (7-6). But the Pride shots didn’t cause Campbell much trouble, with the team failing to score for the second consecutive game and the third time in four games.
“Today we weren’t the better team, Houston was the better team,” Hines said after the game. “They made it difficult for us, they pressed us really hard, and we looked like we weren’t prepared for that. And that’s the most disappointing thing. You know, we want to play the way that we want to play. We have to dictate the game. We have to control the tempo of the game, and we didn’t do that. And even though we didn’t do the fundamentals, the basics right, we still created chances to score. We’ve gone two games now without scoring and that has to change.”
“It’s not one person’s fault tonight,” Montefusco added. “It was a collective. You know, we can’t point fingers at anybody. We’re a group, we’re a team, and we’ve got to lift each other. We’ve shown what we can do and we have to lean into that. We have to find a way. These games on the road are tough and we know that. And I think going forward, we’re just gonna stick together as a group.”
The Pride will stay on road for the Challenge Cup, taking on NJ/NY Gotham FC Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena. Then they’ll return home for regular-season action, welcoming the league-leading Portland Thorns to Exploria Stadium.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Pride end their two-game road trip in Texas as they take on the Houston Dash.

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (3-5-1, 10 points) take on the Houston Dash (3-3-3, 12 points) tonight in Texas (8:30 p.m., Paramount+). This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season, with the second scheduled for Oct. 15 in Orlando.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.
History
The Pride and Dash have played 18 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a 6-8-2 record against the Dash in regular-season play and a 2-5-1 record in regular-season games in Houston. Additionally, the teams played two Fall Series games in 2020, both of which were won by the Dash.
The most recent matchup between the two teams was on July 8, 2022 in Orlando. Ally Prisock’s own goal was the only scoring as the Pride took the 1-0 win, the second result in a seven-game unbeaten run. They previously played on June 3 in Houston. The hosts were led by a Nichelle Prince hat trick, while Rachel Daly and Michelle Alozie added goals in a 5-0 Dash win. It was the last game the Pride played before Head Coach Amanda Cromwell was placed on administrative leave.
The Pride and Dash played twice during the 2021 season. The first game was on June 26 in Houston. Maria Sanchez and Veronica Latsko gave the hosts a 2-0 lead. Gunny Jonsdottir got one back, but it wasn’t enough as the Dash won 2-1. The second meeting came on Sept. 5 at Exploria Stadium. The Dash took an early lead through Daly. However, Taylor Kornieck equalized late, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The 2020 NWSL season was canceled due to COVID but these two teams were matched up in the Fall Series. On Sept. 26, 2020 in Houston, Prince put the Dash ahead, but Marisa Viggiano responded just before halftime. Sophie Schmidt gave the hosts another lead and Shea Groom put the game away as Houston took a 3-1 win. The two teams played again on Oct. 9 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee — the only time the Pride have played at the venue. Groom opened the scoring early and Latsko soon made it 2-0. Sydney Leroux got one back for the hosts, but Houston held on for a 2-1 win.
The Pride and Dash played three times in 2019, with the Pride going 0-2-1. During the first game in Houston on May 5, the Pride only recorded one shot on target. However, Houston only got one goal through Kealia Ohai in a 1-0 win. The second game on June 15 was also in Houston. Joanna Boyles scored her first professional goal to give the Pride the lead, but the Dash scored twice to take the advantage. A Danica Evans conversion allowed the Pride to escape the Oven with a 2-2 draw.
The third and final meeting in 2019 occurred on Aug. 10 in Orlando. The Pride ended the game with nine players as Julie King was sent off in the 61st minute, and Marta was sent off in the 85th minute. However, the Dash were only able to convert once — a late penalty by Daly — and won 1-0.
The teams played three times during the 2018 season. The first game was on April 22 in Orlando. Chioma Ubogagu scored the lone goal, leading the Pride to a 1-0 win. They met again in Orlando on June 27. Alex Morgan opened the scoring and the Pride held that lead at the break. But the second half was all Houston, as Ohai and Sofia Huerta scored, resulting in a 2-1 Houston win. The final meeting that season was on July 11 in Houston, where Daly’s brace led the Dash to a 3-1 win.
The Pride and Dash played twice during the 2017 season and the visiting team won both games. The first was on June 17 in Houston. Camila and Alanna Kennedy added to a Marta brace as the Pride took a commanding 4-0 lead. The Dash tried to come back with goals by Poliana and Prince, but the Pride took home a 4-2 win. A week later in Orlando, Carli Lloyd and Daly scored in a 2-0 Houston win.
The teams met four times during the 2016 season — the Pride’s first in existence. The first meeting was the Pride’s first-ever regular-season home game on April 23. An Andressa own goal gave the Pride the lead just after the half before Lianne Sanderson and Morgan made it 3-0 for the hosts. Andressa scored one for her own team, but that was it for Houston as the Pride won 3-1 in front of a then-NWSL record 23,403 fans.
The second meeting was in Houston on May 20. Kristen Edmonds scored the only goal in the 81st minute as the Pride won 1-0. The third meeting that year came on June 23 in Orlando. Jasmyne Spencer broke the scoreless deadlock in second-half injury time as the Pride won 1-0. The fourth and final meeting came on Sept. 3 in Houston. The Dash took a 3-0 lead with goals by Janine Beckie, Poliana, and Ohai. Morgan and Edmonds got the Pride back into the game, but Ohai put it away with her second in a 4-2 Dash win.
Overview
The Pride are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars last weekend, breaking a four-game unbeaten run (3-0-1). Despite the result, the Pride dominated every statistical category except the final score, as they were unable to find the back of the net. The performance was another step forward for a young team that continues to develop and improve.
The Dash haven’t been much better than the Pride this season, sitting just two points ahead of their opponents. They started the season with a four-game unbeaten run (1-0-3), but only earned six points in those four games. They followed up that streak by losing three out of four, but beat the league-leading Portland Thorns, 2-1 on May 12. Two of those losses were against OL Reign and the San Diego Wave, two of the best teams in the league. They bounced back last weekend with a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Current at Children’s Mercy Park and will look to build on that tonight.
The Dash are led offensively by Mexican internationals Sanchez and Diana Ordonez, who both have two goals. While Sanchez has spent the last two seasons with the Dash, Ordonez was previously with the North Carolina Courage. Sanchez also leads the team in assists, with two.
Defensively, Jane Campbell is still the starting goalkeeper and has been since she was drafted in 2017. Natalie Jacobs, Katie Lind, and Prisock have all three have spent time at center back, but Allysha Chapman and Caprice Dydasco have been the regular outside backs.
The strength of the Dash has definitely been their defense this season. They’ve only scored seven goals, tied with the Pride for fewest in the NWSL this season, but they’ve only conceded nine, one more than the league-leading NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit. The Pride’s back line has been much better in recent games and has a chance for a third clean sheet, but Marta and Adriana will have to find ways to break down that back line and create chances for Messiah Bright.
“(The Dash) have been inconsistent this season,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said ahead of the match. “You know, they’ve won games, they’ve lost games, I know that coming off the back of a positive result, you go into that environment, it’s always difficult. But the players are hungry. They’re not too disappointed. They want this next game to come around quickly and that’s why we want them to be looking forward to it. It’ll be a tough physical game, but we’re more than ready for it.”
Carrie Lawrence (knee) is still the only Pride player out injured and Amanda Allen is on international duty with the Canadian U-20 team. Kaylie Collins (hand) and Jordyn Listro (thigh) are listed as questionable for tonight’s game.
The Dash have several players out, including Prince (calf), Ella Dederick (knee), Emily Curran (knee), Makame Gomera-Stevens (knee), Annika Schmidt (knee), Devon Kerr (excused absence), Prisock (thigh), and Groom (knee).
Official Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.
Defenders: Kylie Strom, Emily Madril, Megan Montefusco, Haley McCutcheon.
Defensive Midfielders: Mikayla Cluff, Viviana Villacorta.
Midfielders: Adriana, Kerry Abello, Erika Tymrak.
Forwards: Messiah Bright.
Bench: Carly Nelson, Celia, Caitlin Cosme, Tori Hansen, Brianna Martinez, Marta, Summer Yates, Julie Doyle, Ally Watt.
Houston Dash (3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Jane Campbell.
Defenders: Allysha Chapman, Natalie Jacobs, Katie Lind.
Midfielders: Maria Sanchez, Sophie Schmidt, Sophie Hirst, Caprice Dydasco.
Forwards: Diana Ordonez, Joelle Anderson, Michelle Alozie.
Bench: Emily Alvarado, Madelyn Desiano, Ryan Gareis, Courtney Petersen, Ebony Salmon, Havana Solaun, Cameron Tucker, Marisa Viggiano.
Referees
REF: Adam Kilpatrick.
AR1: Art Arustamyan.
AR2: Melissa Beck.
4TH: Emily Gomez.
VAR: Christopher Spivey.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.
How to Watch
Match Time: 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium — Houston, TX.
TV: None.
Streaming: Paramount+ (U.S.), NWSLsoccer.com (International).
Twitter: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @ManeLandSean and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).
Enjoy the match. Go Pride!
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