Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (8-10-1, 25 points) take on Angel City FC (6-6-7, 25 points). This is the second and final time the two teams will face off in 2023 and both are within reach of a playoff spot.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

Angel City was one of the NWSL’s two expansion teams entering the league in 2022. As a result, the Pride have only played tonight’s opponents three times. The Pride are 1-1-1 in the three games, all in NWSL regular-season play.

The most recent matchup between these two teams took place on April 2 at Exploria Stadium. Emily Madril took down Alyssa Thompson, giving the visitors a penalty. Former Pride forward Claire Emslie stepped up and converted to give her team a 1-0 lead. Messiah Bright responded just after halftime to make it 1-1, and the game appeared to be heading for a draw. But Katie Johnson scored the winner in the 10th minute of second-half injury time — the latest goal in NWSL history.

The first-ever game between the teams took place on May 8, 2022 in Los Angeles. In the third minute, Gunny Jonsdottir’s cross was tipped by Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic, but it went right to Sydney Leroux. The Pride striker fired right at Morgan Reid standing in front of goal. The ball bounced off the defender and went in to give the Pride an early lead. The Pride dominated the first 15 minutes, before Angel City took over. The hosts controlled the final hour, but the Pride held on for 87 minutes to claim their first win of the season.

The teams met again on Aug. 7 in Orlando. Former Pride defender Ali Riley opened the scoring with a wonderful strike from the left side. The Pride responded in the second half through Julie Doyle, three minutes after she entered the game to even the game at 1-1. The visitors took another lead when Cari Roccaro beat Viviana Villacorta to a corner kick, putting it past Erin McLeod. The Pride equalized for a second time in the 90th minute. Doyle and Nielsen raced for a Thais Reiss cross, with the defender reaching it first. But Nielsen’s attempted clearance went into her own net, allowing the Pride to claim a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Overview

This is a critical game for both teams, who sit just behind a playoff spot with three games remaining in the season. The Washington Spirit defeated the Kansas City Current Saturday night, moving them four points clear. But the North Carolina Courage drew OL Reign Sunday night, so the Seattle-based team sits in the sixth and final playoff spot, three points ahead of tonight’s competitors. A win by either team will pull them even on points for a postseason berth.

The Pride appeared to be experiencing a late-season tumble when they lost 2-1 to San Diego Wave FC at home and 1-0 to OL Reign in Seattle. But they rebounded well, defeating the Courage 2-1 two weeks ago at Exploria Stadium. That win, combined with some favorable results, enabled the Pride to climb back into the playoff race.

Tonight’s game was originally scheduled for Sept. 21, but it would’ve taken place during the international break, resulting in both teams losing key players. The Pride would’ve been without starting center back Rafaele and attackers Marta and Adriana. Instead, the game was rescheduled for tonight when both teams will have their international players back.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines lost a key player to injury during the two-week break. Villacorta suffered her second ACL tear since being drafted by the Pride in 2021 and will miss the remainder of the season.

Hines also has to make a decision when it comes to goalkeeper. Starter Anna Moorhouse was sent off in the third minute against OL Reign, replaced by Carly Nelson. The backup played well in Seattle and had another good game when Moorhouse was suspended against the Courage. Hines has to decide whether to go with the hot hand or go back to his starter.

Angel City comes into this game on an eight-game unbeaten run, including four wins and four draws. The team’s most recent game was a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Red Stars in Illinois on Sept. 17. Tonight’s hosts will undoubtedly be looking to climb back into the win column tonight on their home turf.

Most NWSL teams have been carried by one player offensively, but Angel City has had multiple contributors. Emslie, Johnson, and Thompson lead the team with three goals each, and all contributed to the team’s win in Orlando earlier this season. Jun Endo, Savannah McCaskill, and M.A. Vignola have a pair of goals each. In addition to leading the team in goals, Emslie has a team-leading four assists this season, equaled by Clarisse Le Bihan.

“We are excited. We are playing two teams (Angel City FC and Racing Louisville) who are also fighting to get into playoff position. Every game from now until the end is a big game,” Hines said about tonight’s contest. “We are in a really good position, and we all want the same outcome, which is to get three points away from home. It’s a difficult environment to go to. Angel City is on a really good run, but it should be a good game. It’s a good challenge for us. It’ll be a good environment and we are all excited for the upcoming game.”

Pride defender Carrie Lawrence (knee) is joined on the season-ending injury list by Villacorta (knee). Additionally, Kerry Abello (ankle) is listed on the availability report as questionable. Angel City is without Simone Charley (left Achilles), Merritt Mathias (left knee), and Christen Press (right knee). They’re joined on the availability list by starting goalkeeper Haracic (back), who’s listed as questionable.

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kylie Strom, Rafaelle, Emily Madril, Haley McCutcheon.

Defensive Midfielders: Jordyn Listro, Mikayla Cluff.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: Carly Nelson, Erika Tymrak, Celia, Messiah Bright, Mariana Larroquette, Kerry Abello, Megan Montefusco, Brianna Martinez, Summer Yates.

Angel City FC (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Angelina Anderson.

Defenders: M.A. Vignola, Paige Nielsen, Sarah Gorden, Megan Reid.

Defensive Midfielders: Dani Weatherholt, Amandine Henry.

Midfielders: Alyssa Thompson, Savannah McCaskill, Claire Emslie.

Forward: Clarisse Le Bihan.

Bench: Scarlett Camberos, Jun Endo, Madison Hammond, Brittany Isenhour, Katie Johnson, Sydney Leroux, Lily Nabet, Ali Riley, Jasmyne Spencer.

Referees

REF: Brandon Stevis.
AR1: Baboucarr Jallow.
AR2: Kendall McCardell.
4TH: Karen Callado.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: Tom Felice.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 10 p.m.

Venue: BMO Stadium — Los Angeles.

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).

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Enjoy the match. Go Pride!