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

The Orlando Pride (2-0-3, 9 points) look to extend their two-game winning streak and five-game unbeaten run as they face the Washington Spirit (4-1-0, 12 points) at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. This is the first of two regular-season games the Pride and Spirit will play, with the return game in Orlando scheduled for Oct. 6.

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

History

The Pride and Spirit have faced off 23 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a record of 7-9-7 in all competitions against Washington. This includes a 6-6-6 record in NWSL play and a 2-6-2 record in Washington.

The last time these teams met in 2023 came on Aug. 4 in Orlando in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The game appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw until the eighth minute of second-half injury time, when Mariana Speckmaier scored to give the hosts a 1-0 win. 

The teams met three other times last season, facing each other on May 10 at Audi Field in the NWSL Challenge Cup, and on May 20 at Exploria Stadium and July 1 at Audi Field in regular-season play. The May 10 meeting saw the Pride dominate the Spirit away from home. Julie Doyle got the Pride off to a great start, scoring a brace inside 16 minutes. A Tara McKeown own goal in the second half secured the 3-0 Orlando win.

The meeting prior to the July game capped off the Pride’s four-game unbeaten run in May. Marta converted a penalty to give Orlando the lead, but Sam Staab equalized five minutes later. Kylie Strom’s goal gave the Pride the surprising 2-1 win over one of the top teams in the league.

The teams were heavily rotated in their Challenge Cup game 10 days prior. However, the Pride got off to a great start when Tori Hansen scored early on a backheel. But the hosts took over late in the first half with long-distance goals by Lena Silano, Staab, and Marissa Sheva. Ally Watt got one back early in the second half, but Ashley Sanchez put it away in second-half injury time, resulting in a 4-2 loss for the Pride.

The teams met on July 17, 2022 at Audi Field. The Spirit dominated the game statistically, with more possession, shots, and shots on target, but they couldn’t find the back of the net, resulting in a scoreless draw.

The previous game was on May 27, 2022 at Exploria Stadium. Trinity Rodman gave the Spirit the lead early and Ashley Hatch doubled the lead after halftime. As the game entered second-half stoppage time, it appeared as though the Pride would fall for the second straight time, but a pair of late goals by Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins stunned Washington with a 2-2 draw.

Prior to the draw in May, the Pride and Spirit played two games in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The first was on March 19 in Orlando. The Pride had less possession and fewer shots, but a strong defensive effort allowed them to come away with a scoreless draw. The second Challenge Cup meeting came on April 3 at Audi Field. Gunny Jonsdottir scored the team’s first goal in four games. However, the Spirit already had a 3-0 lead. Rodman scored a late goal to put the game away as the Pride fell 4-1.

The two teams played four times during 2021. The first was on April 21 in the Challenge Cup. Sydney Leroux’s goal was the only scoring as the Pride won 1-0. Just two games later, the Pride opened their regular season by hosting the Spirit on May 16. Hatch gave Washington the lead, but Alex Morgan equalized to claim a 1-1 draw. The second regular-season meeting that year was on June 6 in Washington. Hatch opened the scoring, but Taylor Kornieck equalized minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The final meeting of 2021 came Aug. 22 at Audi Field. Marta gave the Pride the lead, but Hatch equalized just two minutes later. It looked like it would be a third straight 1-1 draw but Sanchez won it for Washington late.

Due to the pandemic, the Pride and Spirit didn’t play in 2020 but faced off three times in 2019. The first was on July 6 in Orlando. Marta scored a brace in the second half, leading the Pride to a 4-3 win. They played again on Aug. 24 in Washington. Crystal Thomas gave the hosts the lead and Marta equalized. But Hatch’s goal lifted the Spirit to a 2-1 win. The final game was supposed to be the following weekend, but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Instead, the game was played Oct. 9 in Orlando. The Spirit dominated the rubber match, beating the Pride 3-0.

The first of two meetings in 2018 was on March 31 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Hatch scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-0 win for the Spirit. The Pride got their revenge in the second game in the same location. Alanna Kennedy’s goal was the difference as the Pride won 1-0. The final meeting that year was on July 7 in Orlando. Hatch gave the Spirit the lead, but Leroux scored just before halftime and Marta’s goal gave Orlando the 2-1 win.

The 2017 season was the first time the teams played three times in a year. Their April 22 meeting was the Pride’s first home game that year. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen gave the visitors the lead, but Danica Evans answered as the teams drew 1-1. They met for the second time that year in Maryland on July 8 when Marta and Mallory Pugh both scored braces in a 2-2 draw. The final game in 2018 was on Aug. 8 in Orlando. Marta, Camila, and Morgan all scored as the Pride ran away with a 3-0 win.

The Spirit swept the first two meetings in 2016, winning 2-0 in Maryland and 2-1 in Orlando.

Match Overview

The Pride entered the 2024 NWSL season looking to improve on a 2023 campaign that saw the team barely miss out on the playoffs. So far, this year’s start has been better than last year’s as the Pride drew their first three games. The 1-0 win in Utah extended their unbeaten run and Summer Yates’ first-half goal against San Diego Wave FC was enough for the Pride to claim back-to-back wins.

The early season was challenging for the Pride as they suffered injuries, suspensions, and international absences. However, they overcame those challenges, getting off to the second-best start through five games in team history and the best since 2021.

Last weekend’s win over San Diego saw second-half entrances of center back Rafaelle, who missed the first four games with a fractured left foot, and striker Barbra Banda, who missed the start of the season while on international duty with Zambia. The absence of Rafaelle resulted in left back Strom partnering Emily Sams at center back, a position she was playing for the first time as a professional. Despite the makeshift back line, which also included midfielder Kerry Abello, the Pride have claimed back-to-back shutouts and haven’t conceded multiple goals since their 2-2 draw in Louisville in the season opener.

The Spirit have gotten off to an excellent start to the 2024 NWSL season. Their nine goals scored is tied for fourth in the league, but their strength has been defensively. They’ve only conceded four goals this year, tied with three other teams — including the Pride — for the fewest goals conceded. After losing their first game of the year to the Seattle Reign, the Spirit have won four straight.

The Spirit’s back line consists of Casey Krueger, Annaig Butel, Gabrielle Carle, and Hal Hershfelt in front of former Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, and it is among the best in the league. Butel missed the season opener, the team’s only loss, but the Spirit have a 100% record with the defensive unit.

Offensively, the Spirit are led by Croix Bethune with three goals and Hershfelt with two. Andi Sullivan, Ouleymata Sarr, Brittany Ratcliffe, and Hatch have each added a goal this year. USWNT regulars Krueger and Rodman have been the primary providers for the Spirit with two assists each.

The Spirit have one of the most frightening attacks that has largely been together for multiple seasons. McKeown, Hatch, and Rodman have been the members of the offensive core since 2021. Sanchez was the fourth member of the attack, but joined the North Carolina Courage this past off-season and was replaced by Sarr.

“It’s a tough game, Washington. Unbeaten in their last four with four wins. It’s a tough environment to go to, but we’re prepared,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s opponent. “Every game has different challenges. We know the threat that Washington has with the personnel that they have in that front line. But we have some dangerous players ourselves. It will be a good challenge for all of us and hopefully an entertaining game.”

While the Pride had been getting healthy, they have a long injury list for tonight’s game. Simone Charley (right leg), Luana (excused absence), Marta (lower leg), Megan Montefusco (right heel), and Viviana Villacorta (left knee) are listed as out. Morgan Gautrat (lower leg) and Adriana (leg) are questionable.

Only three players are missing for the Spirit tonight, including Civana Kuhlmann (knee), Makenna Morris (hip), and Courtney Brown (thigh).

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Brianna Martinez.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Haley McCutcheon.

Midfielders: Juile Doyle, Summer Yates, Kerry Abello.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Ally Lemos, Amanda Allen, Evelina Duljan, Mariana Larroquette, Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Ally Watt, Cori Dyke.

Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Kingsbury.

Defenders: Casey Krueger, Annaig Butel, Gabrielle Carle, Hal Hershfelt.

Defensive Midfielders: Andi Sullivan, Croix Bethune.

Midfielders: Tara McKeown, Trinity Rodman, Paige Metayer.

Forward: Ouleymata Sarr.

Bench: Nicole Barnhart, Lyza Bosselman, Ashley Hatch, Anna Heilferty, Brittany Ratcliffe, Chloe Ricketts, Lena Silano, Heather Stainbrook, Kate Wiesner.

Referees

REF: Rebecca Pagan.
AR1: Zach McWhorter.
AR2: Austin Holt.
4TH: Gary Gutierrez.
VAR: Adorae Monroy.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Audi Field — Washington, D.C.

TV: Bally Sports Sun.

Streaming: NWSL+.

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

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Enjoy the match .Go Pride!