The 2024 NWSL season has been a special one for the Orlando Pride. The team took a major step forward during the 2023 season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs after several years near the bottom of the standings. This year has been full of new team and league records as the Pride search for the first trophy in team history.

The Pride were already having a record-breaking season prior to the team’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dash Friday night. After drawing the first three games of the season, they went on an eight-game winning streak, setting a new NWSL record for consecutive wins. 

When added to the first three draws and the win over the Dash to end the 2023 season, the Pride extended their run to 10 games unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Bay FC on May 11. That broke a team record for consecutive results, previously held by the 2017 team that had a nine-game streak.

While the Pride had already set some records prior to Friday night’s game, several more were eclipsed with the most recent win. The most notable record was extending their unbeaten run to 18 games, setting a new NWSL regular-season high. They also set new Pride records with 41 points, 12 wins, and eight clean sheets.

With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Pride are close to breaking more league records, including consecutive home wins, most wins in a season, fewest losses in a season, and longest unbeaten run including the playoffs. Despite the success so far this year, the records aren’t what the team is focused on.

“I mean, records are great. It’s nice when you break them,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said following the team’s win in Houston. “But we want something at the end of it to show.”

That something Hines speaks of are trophies. The Pride are currently sitting atop the NWSL standings, four points ahead of the Washington Spirit and six points ahead of the Kansas City Current. As a result, they’re on pace to win the NWSL Shield, which is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season.

The NWSL Shield would be a terrific accomplishment and the first trophy in team history, but the Pride want to go further. The Pride have shown themselves to be the best team in the league and are focused on winning the NWSL championship as well.

The idea that the Pride would be in this position during the preseason was unthinkable. They were in the process of finishing their rebuild and missed out on the playoffs the year before. So what is it about this team that has allowed it to be so successful?

According to the staff and players, they have immense confidence because of their togetherness. The players and coaches demonstrate that they’re united in their quest to win. That focus has kept the Pride atop the NWSL standings and has provided the opportunities they have in front of them.

“We go into every game thinking we’re unbeatable and thinking we’re going to get a win,” Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse said Friday night. “We’re going to all work together. We’re going to all play for each other, play for Seb. We’re all on the same page and we’re all playing for the Pride badge. We’re taking pride in that.”

“I think you can see the effort. You can see the attitude of the players,” Hines added. “You know, their desire, again, a lot of hard work’s been put into their craft and what they’ve done this year. You can see the togetherness.”

As Hines said, while the team enjoys breaking records, that’s not the end goal. The Pride have yet to lose this season, but the Spirit and Current aren’t far behind. For this reason, the Pride have to continue focusing on the next game so their previous success doesn’t become their downfall.

“Honestly, we love the records. But we’re just looking for every next game,” midfielder Summer Yates said after the Houston win. “So this game’s done now and we have to look forward to the next one.”

The Pride are in territory few teams have seen in the history of the NWSL. They’re breaking multiple team and league records while remaining in first place in the standings. It’s put them in a great position to make the postseason for the first time since 2017 and only the second time in team history. But more than that, they’re in position to win trophies.

It can be easy to focus on the successes achieved so far this season, but doing so could be costly. The Spirit have been where the Pride hope to reach, winning the league title in 2021. The Pride feel their forward-thinking mentality will help them hold off their fellow title challengers.

The Orlando Pride (12-0-5, 41 points) returned to NWSL action tonight with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash (3-9-5, 14 points) in Houston, TX. Summer Yates’ 67th-minute goal was the only conversion, though Andressa hit the post for the Dash. The win sets a new NWSL regular-season record with 18 consecutive games unbeaten, a streak that started against Houston last year in the season finale.

Rafaelle’s injury while representing Brazil in the Summer Olympics caused a shift in the starting back line. Emily Sams moved from right back to the center back position she played last year. Despite Carson Pickett joining the squad recently, Cori Dyke got the start at right back. The rest of the lineup included the regular starters in their usual positions.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Sams, and Dyke. Angelina and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Julie Doyle, Marta, and Adriana, with Barbra Banda up top.

The Pride were the better team in the first half and probably should’ve had a multi-goal lead heading into halftime but were unable to beat Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell. The hosts came out of the break stronger, creating multiple chances early in the second half. However, a good ball forward, a defensive mistake, and a quality finish by Yates gave the Pride the winning goal. It took some luck to claim all three points, but the Pride will take them.

The Pride nearly had a disastrous start inside the first minute when a heavy touch by Sams enabled Yuki Nagasato to touch it over for Diana Ordonez in the box. Abello came inside to challenge the attacker, resulting in Ordonez going down. Referee Alexandra Billeter didn’t see a foul, allowing Moorhouse to cover the ball.

Billeter got a notification from the video assistant referee the next time the ball went out of play, resulting in a video review. After a lengthy review, Billeter determined that her initial call was correct and no penalty was given.

The Pride got their first decent chance in the seventh minute when Marta lifted the ball forward on the left for Doyle behind the Dash back line. The midfielder’s cross was to the back post where Banda and Adriana were making runs. The ball was just over the head of Banda and fell to Adriana’s feet. The Brazilian volleyed the ball towards goal, but sent it wide.

In the 16th minute, the Pride had a great chance to take the lead when Adriana sent a great ball forward for Banda. The striker used her body to shield her defender and enter the box. While the Zambian international dribbled inside looking for space for a shot, Doyle caught up and was open to the right. However, Banda decided to take the attempt herself, sending the ball into the arms of Campbell.

Houston had its first chance of the game in the 18th minute when Angelina pushed Nagasato over. The set piece into the box was headed out by McCutcheon, but only to Nagasato at the top of the 18. The former Japanese international tried to get over the ball, but sent the volley over the goal.

Adriana sent Banda down the field in the 20th minute for the second time in the game. The striker was surrounded by three defenders without a teammate in sight as she entered the box. The Zambian used her speed to round the last defender and get a shot off, but Campbell was there to catch it at the near post.

Jane Campbell with a clutch stop on Barbra Banda ❌ pic.twitter.com/JA3w9jeRbK

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2024

Pressure by the Pride resulted in a turnover in the 37th minute. Banda won the ball from Sophie Schmidt in the Houston third before playing it towards the top of the box. Adriana initially looked as though she would take a one-touch shot but let it go for Marta at the top of the 18. The Pride captain took the attempt, but Tarciane was there to block it.

In the 42nd minute, Banda was fouled by Tarciane in the Houston third of the field. The free kick was headed out by Ordonez, but only to Banda in the box. The second touch by Banda was a shot right at Campbell.

Unable to catch the attempt, the block went to McCutcheon, who played it wide for Strom. The center back went down after contact from behind by Avery Patterson, but Billeter didn’t determine it was a foul. McCutcheon ended up with possession and got another shot off. This one was blocked as well, enabling the Dash to clear.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Banda made a strong run into the Houston box before laying the ball off for Adriana. The midfielder looked as though she would shoot, but played it to her right for Doyle instead. Doyle didn’t appear to be expecting the ball, which resulted in her shooting off balance. It was on target but didn’t cause any trouble for Campbell.

At halftime, the Pride had more possession (51%-49%), shots (13-4), and shots on target (4-0), and better passing accuracy (83%-79%). The Dash had more corner kicks (2-1) and crosses (8-5).

Both teams made a change at halftime. Yates entered the game for the Pride, replacing Doyle. Houston brought Michelle Alozie in for Ordonez after the latter didn’t have much impact on the game.

In the 48th minute, Alozie collided with Sams, resulting in the forward going down. The Houston medical staff called for a stretcher, but Alozie walked off under her own power. It looked like the hosts would make a substitution, but Alozie eventually decided she could continue.

Adriana made a strong run down the left and into the box in the 55th minute. The midfielder cut inside and then back out to lose her defender before sending a shot towards the back post. Unfortunately, the ball skipped just wide.

In the 58th minute, Patterson’s cross into the box was headed out by Sams. It went to Barbara Olivieri just outside the box and the midfielder volleyed it just wide of the near post.

The Pride were unable to get the short goal kick out of their end, giving the ball away. Elin Rubensson attempted a low cross that Sams couldn’t control, enabling Alozie to get a shot off. The Nigerian international was able to get over the ball, but sent the volley wide of the far post.

It was somewhat of a surprise that Dyke started the game over Pickett, but the veteran right back made her Pride return in the 61st minute, coming on for the rookie.

Despite defending for much of the second half, the Pride opened the scoring in the 67th minute when Angelina found Yates making a run down the left. Natalie Jacobs was in a good position to intercept the pass but missed the ball, enabling Yates to get free on goal. The second-year midfielder didn’t make any mistakes, curling the shot around Campbell to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

Summer Yates slips through Houston's backline for this goal 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ccMMAAXpiV

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2024

“So me and Ang, we made eye contact. We do it all the time for training, but she played an absolute beautiful ball in behind,” Yates said. “And I knew it was going to get through, just because she has that technical ability. Jane Campbell’s a great goalkeeper, so I had to take a breath before I took that shot. But yeah, it was a great ball by Ang and just overall, good buildup for that goal to happen.”

“Summer fully took her opportunity,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines added. “Great finish, great ball from Ang as well. Recognizing the spacing behind and the calmness to just put it away.”

The Pride nearly doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Marta made a pair of cuts to beat Schmidt and Paige Nielsen before firing on goal. The shot was on target, but Campbell did well to knock it over the crossbar.

Campbell’s save 👌
Marta’s footwork 🤌 pic.twitter.com/mAQjw3bsPt

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2024

The first cut left Schmidt laying on the ground and the midfielder required treatment before the game could continue. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina found the head of Banda and the striker put her attempt on frame, but Campbell was there to catch it.

The Pride nearly conceded in the 76th minute after Pickett gave the ball away in the back. Olivieri took possession and played Rubensson down the right. The midfielder’s cross was headed away by Sams, but it was a poor clearance attempt, not leaving the box. Patterson took possession and played a give-and-go with Andressa before finding Alozie on her left.  Moorhouse came off her line to cut down the angle and made a great stop to maintain her team’s one-goal lead.

Billeter used the stoppage to send the teams to the sideline for the second-half hydration break. During the stoppage, Hines made his third change, replacing Angelina with Ally Watt.

The game restarted with a goal kick and it was immediately won by Houston. The ball ended up with Olivieri who made some moves to weave through the defenders before shooting from outside the box. However, the attempt was well off target, not causing any concern for Moorhouse.

In the 82nd minute, Adriana made a long run to the top of the Houston box. Rather than trying to find a higher-percentage shot, the midfielder took a long attempt for the top far corner. She was unable to get over the ball and it sailed high and wide.

The Dash should’ve equalized in the 86th minute when former Pride defender Courtney Petersen sent a beautiful cross into the box that found the head of Andressa. Left open, it should’ve been an easy finish for the Brazilian, but she hit the post.

Oh how we’ve missed you, NWSL After Dark pic.twitter.com/bCzOfrziLU

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2024

Hines made his final two changes in the 88th minute and they were defensive ones as the Pride looked to see out the win. Morgan Gautrat and Evelina Duljan entered the game for Marta and Adriana.

The fourth official showed 11 minutes of second-half stoppage time, but the Dash were unable to create anything in the closing minutes. The closest they came was in the seventh minute when Alozie made a long run down the left and into the Pride third of the field. But Gautrat was able to catch up and win the ball back before the Nigerian could create a chance at goal.

The Pride ended the game with more possession (54%-46%), shots (21-9), shots on target (8-1), and corner kicks (6-2) and better passing accuracy (80%-78%). Meanwhile, Houston ended the game with more crosses (15-13).

“Obviously, pleased with the win. Pleased with the three points,” Hines said. “We continue our momentum from the last away game against Kansas. I think, overall, pleased with the result. I think we can play a lot better. I think the performance wasn’t quite there, but one thing with this team is their attitude, their mentality, even towards the end, their calmness to keep the ball, run down the clock, was great. Keep the clean sheet away from home and then, you know, we got the goal that we much needed. We rode our luck as well with them hitting the post and not going in, but sometimes you need that. Sometimes you need a bit of luck on your side. So overall, pleased with the result, but a lot to build on moving forward.”

The Pride snapped the Kansas City Current’s 17-game unbeaten run in the last game before the Olympic break, tying their record. The win tonight is the team’s 18th consecutive NWSL regular-season game unbeaten, setting a new league record.

Tonight’s win also snaps a run of negative results against the Dash in Houston. It’s their first win in the city since June 17, 2017 (eight games) and their first point in the city since June 15, 2019 (five games).

This is the 12th win for the Pride during the 2024 NWSL season, a new club record. The team’s previous highest win total of 11 was set in 2017, the last time the Pride qualified for the NWSL playoffs.

“Records are great. It’s nice when you break them, but we want something at the end of it to show,” Hines said. “I think you can see the effort. You can see the attitude of the players. You know, their desire, again, a lot of hard work’s been put into their craft and what they’ve done this year. You can see their togetherness. Players coming off the bench and making a difference. You know, Summer coming off the bench and scoring the winning goal. Really, really pleased for her as well. And so again, everyone has to contribute. Everyone has to play a part in it. And we just want to continue to keep winning and staying undefeated throughout the season.”

The clean sheet is Moorhouse’s eighth of the 2024 NWSL season, topping her total of seven last year. As a result, she extended her club record for clean sheets in a single season. Additionally, she ties Ashlyn Harris for most all-time regular-season clean sheets for a Pride goalkeeper.

“It sounds pretty good. I’ve been here for three years. I’ve only played for two years. So it’s pretty incredible that I’ve broken both of those records,” Moorhouse said. “That’s something that I’m proud of. And yeah, I don’t think I can take all the credit for it to be honest. It’s definitely a team game. I have a great 10 players in front of me. I can’t even say back line because we defend so well as a team. So yeah, I think the plaudits have to go to them really. I have a great, great team in front of me, and I definitely couldn’t do it without them.”

The Pride now sit on 41 points and remain atop the NWSL standings. They’re six points ahead of the Current, though the Current have a game in hand and play in Washington on Sunday.

---

The Pride return home next Sunday for their first home league game since June 21 when they welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC to Inter&Co Stadium.

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (11-0-5, 38 points) return to NWSL action, hitting the road to take on the Houston Dash (3-8-5, 14 points). This is the first of two times the Pride and Dash will meet this season, with the game in Orlando scheduled for Sept. 28.

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

History

The Pride and Dash have played 20 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a 7-9-2 record against the Dash in regular-season play and a 2-5-1 regular-season record 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 Oct. 15, 2023 in Orlando. While the Pride were the better team, the game was scoreless heading into the late stages. However, an 87th-minute penalty conversion by Marta gave the Pride the 1-0 win. The previous game was on June 3 in Houston. The Pride had trouble playing the ball out of the back and were hit on the counterattack, leading to a difficult night. Sophie Hirst gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute and Michelle Alozie doubled the advantage just before halftime. Despite having more possession and shots, the Pride fell 2-0.

The first meeting in 2022 was on June 3 in Houston. The hosts were led by a Nichelle Prince hat trick, while Rachel Daly and Alozie added goals in a 5-0 Dash win. It was the last game the Pride played before then-head coach Amanda Cromwell was placed on administrative leave. The return game 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.

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 currently sit atop the NWSL standings and are having the best season in team history. The year has included an NWSL-record eight-game win streak and they’re 16 games unbeaten. The three draws during the recent NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup has the Pride at 19 games unbeaten this year in all competitions and 20 straight dating back to last year’s season-ending win against…the Dash.

The most recent game in the regular season was a battle of the two best teams in the league on July 6 against the Kansas City Current. Despite going down to 10 players when Carrie Lawrence received her second yellow card in the 42nd minute, the Pride prevailed with a 2-1 win. Both teams were undefeated in this highly-anticipated game and the Pride win away from home solidified them as the best team in the league.

The Pride are coming off a nearly seven-week break in league play for the Olympics. While they were on record-breaking form, the league’s stoppage for the games was beneficial as the Pride had six key players representing their countries.

Heading into the Olympics, the most important thing was for these players to return healthy. Unfortunately, starting center back Rafaelle suffered an injury during Brazil’s quarterfinal game against France. Following the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, the Pride acquired their former left back Carson Pickett. It’s a move that will likely see Sams return to center back, where she played last year, alongside Kylie Strom while Rafaelle recovers.

Tonight, the Pride continue their regular-season campaign with a trip to Texas. It’s been a tough year for the Dash, who sit in 12th place in the 14-team league. Their 11 goals scored this year is the second fewest in the league and their 23 goals conceded is fifth most in the league. However, the Dash have kept six clean sheets in league play — just one fewer than Orlando’s seven.

Diana Ordonez is the only Houston player with multiple goals this season, having scored four times in 16 appearances. Six other players have scored once this year. Six of the 11 goals scored this year have been assisted and no player has assisted more than one.

Defensively, Jane Campbell continues to be the team’s number one, a position she’s held since 2018. The Dash have been using three in the back for much of this season, often consisting of Paige Nielsen, Natalie Jacobs, and Tarciane. However, Avery Patterson and former Pride left back Courtney Petersen have also lined up on the back line.

“Every game in this league is a challenge and difficult match. Especially after a long period of time, we have got players back into market and integrated them with the players who have been here,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “We have had some well-deserved rest as well because of the workload we have put into this first half of the season. Just getting back into the groove against a team that has gone through a few changes with the head coach role and personnel. It is always a difficult environment to go play in Houston. We just want to get back into what we have done well in the first half of the season.”

The Pride are without 10 players as the regular season continues. Those out injured or sick include Grace Chanda (thigh), Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Sofia Manner (illness), Bri Martinez (ankle), Megan Montefusco (heel), Rafaelle (foot), and Viviana Villacorta (knee). Additionally, Carrie Lawrence is suspended after being sent off in the last league game and Amanda Allen (Canada) is away on international duty.

Houston will be missing eight players tonight, including Madison Ayson (foot), Ramona Bachmann (excused absence), Ryan Gareis (maternity leave), Sophie Hirst (concussion protocol), Katie Lind (maternity leave), Havana Solaun (knee), Kiki Van Zanten (SEI), and Amanda West (knee).

---

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Cori Dyke, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Kerry Abello.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Haley McCutcheon.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Watt, Ally Lemos, Mariana Larroquette, Summer Yates, Carson Pickett, Evelina Duljan, Celia.

Houston Dash (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Jane Campbell.

Defenders: Avery Patterson, Paige Nielsen, Natalie Jacobs, Tarciane.

Midfielders: Elin Rubensson, Barbara Oliveri, Yuki Nagasato, Sophie Schmidt.

Forwards: Andressa, Diana Ordonez.

Bench: Heather Hinz, Allysha Chapman, Jyllissa Harris, Courtney Petersen, Croix Soto, Belle Briede, Sarah Puntigam, Michelle Alozie.

Referees

REF: Alexandra Billeter.
AR1: Matthew Schwartz.
AR2: Seun Yinka-Kehinde.
4TH: William Hale.
VAR: Abdou Ndiaye.
AVAR: Craig Lowry.

---

How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Shell Energy Stadium — Houston, TX.

TV: None.

Streaming: Prime Video.

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

---

Enjoy the match. Go Pride!