Orlando Pride at San Diego Wave: Three Keys to Victory

The Orlando Pride are back in action Friday night against the San Diego Wave at Snapdragon Stadium. The Pride are riding an 11-match unbeaten streak in 2024, a 12-game unbeaten run dating back to last season, and an NWSL-record eight-match winning streak heading into this bout. San Diego has struggled a bit this season but is still packed with quality players.

How can the Orlando Pride keep the winning streak going while on the road in California?

Continue Defensive Solidity

The Pride’s defense has been good this year as evidenced by the club’s record. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. The Pride have given up three goals in their last two matches. While those matches were against the Portland Thorns and the Seattle Reign, I know Seb Hines believes this defense can do better.

Former Pride players have a bad habit of scoring goals against Orlando when they play them, and San Diego has Alex Morgan and Emily van Egmond. Stopping Morgan (especially) from hurting the Pride, along with other top attacking players like Jaedyn Shaw, will be crucial if the Pride are to secure all three points.

Score More

I know that it sounds a little nuts asking this team to score more goals, but the reality is that in the last four matches the Pride have only won by one goal each time. There have been multiple goals in the last two matches, but it would be nice to win by more than just one goal. Additionally, it doesn’t need to all be on Barbra Banda. Adriana and Marta continue to find their form thanks to their matches with Brazil. Summer Yates is due for another goal contribution. Of course, if Banda would like to get her first hat trick for the Pride in San Diego, I won’t argue.

Tackle the Intangibles

This is going to be a late match since it is on the West Coast. Those of us in the east who stay up to watch it will be up pretty late. That means that the Pride players will also mentally and physically be on East Coast time. Making the adjustment in mind and body will be an important challenge for the players, especially the international stars returning from national team duty who have extra travel and a couple of recent games on their legs.

The other mental aspect is the pressure to keep the winning streak going. The longer a streak, the more it can weigh on a player, which can make them press too hard to get a result. Keeping perspective is important. Let me be clear that I think this club has the mental fortitude to deal with these issues, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important.

That is what I will be looking for Friday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!