Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Score Late To Claim a Point
The Pride matched Houston’s second-half goal with a late one of their own to claim a road point.
The Orlando Pride (9-8-6, 33 points) ended their road trip with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash (7-10-6, 27 points) at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX tonight. Malia Berkely gave the hosts the lead with half an hour to go, but Simone Charley scored late to claim a valuable point for the Pride.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the team that beat San Diego Wave FC 2-1 away from home a week ago tonight. Rafaelle and Carson Pickett came into the lineup for Zara Chavoshi and Julie Doyle.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Oihane. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind Pickett, Ally Lemos, and Jacquie Ovalle with Ally Watt up top.
The Pride really had no business being in this game. Houston desperately needed three points, and the Pride were a tired team that had been on the road for over a week. It showed as the hosts dominated the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to be ahead. Charley’s inclusion in the second half was a difference maker, as she was the team’s biggest threat and ultimately scored the goal.
The Dash created the first attack of the game and earned a pair of corner kicks in the third minute, but it was the Pride that took the first shot. Angelina sent the ball down the left in the fourth minute for Watt, making a run behind the Dash’s back line. Berkely and Paige Nielsen caught up to apply pressure, but Watt spun to get a shot off, sending the ball directly to Houston goalkeeper Abby Smith.
The hosts created their first shot in the 12th minute when Berkely sent a cross into the box for Messiah Bright. Oihane headed it out, but only to Kiki van Zanten just outside the 18. The midfielder tried to lift her long-distance shot over Moorhouse, who tipped it wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Yazmeen Ryan got in the box, twisting and turning to create space from Sams. That allowed Rafaelle to get back into position and block the shot. The ball went to Bright making a trailing run and the former Pride striker sent her attempt wide.
The Pride turned over the ensuing goal kick, allowing the Dash to create another opportunity. Ryan was sent towards the end line on the right and Abello got back to knock it out of play. The corner kick ended up with van Zanten near the top of the box and the Jamaican international attempted a volley. However, she couldn’t get much on it, allowing the Pride to clear.
Michelle Alozie played a wonderful ball for Bright in the 17th minute, sending the forward behind the Pride back line. Moorhouse came off her line to block the shot, but the flag went up for offside. In the 28th minute, van Zanten found Bright on the right side of the box. It looked like the striker might get a shot at goal, but Abello knocked it off her foot for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was over everyone but Ryan on the far side of the field. The playmaker sent a low cross that found Avery Patterson’s head, but Oihane blocked it out for another corner kick.
The Pride struggled to clear the ball, allowing Berkely to get off a shot that was blocked by Rafaelle. After Patterson’s ball in was blocked, Delanie Sheehan laid it off for Berkely, who sent her shot off target.
Despite Houston dominating the first half hour, the Pride nearly took the lead in the 35th minute when Lemos sent Watt behind the back line. The forward had enough space for a shot and put it on target, but Smith blocked it wide. The flag went up anyway, indicating Watt was offside.
Pickett lifted the ball over the Dash defense as the game entered the 37th minute, again sending Watt behind the back line. As Smith came out to cut down the angle, Watt sent her shot over the crossbar. The flag went up for offside again, though replays appeared to show that Watt was onside. It was irrelevant since her shot was off target.
Angelina played the ball forward for Watt — who was kept onside by Nielsen — in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, and the forward used her speed to outrun Berkely. The striker got into the Houston box and took a shot, but it was from a tight angle and right at Smith, who made the easy save.
After 45 minutes of action, Houston had more possession (52%-48%), shots (8-2), crosses (18-4), and corner kicks (6-0). However, despite taking 80% of the first-half shots, Houston could only match the Pride’s two shots on frame.
“Just raising the intensity a little bit,” Hines said about his halftime message. “Doing everything a little bit quicker, both in possession and out of possession. But we’re doing all right so far. We just could raise our level. Hopefully get that first goal and it should settle us going into the rest of the game.”
The Pride had a flurry of opportunities in the 52nd minute when McCutcheon sent the ball into the box for Pickett. Nielsen blocked the midfielder’s shot, which fell for Ovalle, who put her shot on target but Smith blocked it away at the near post. The ball went to Ovalle again and she turned Berkely to cross. Smith collided with Patterson as she punched the ball away and McCutcheon was there to head it back in. This time Smith caught the ball as the flag went up for offside.
Sams sent Watt long in the 54th minute and the forward used her speed to reach the ball before Berkely. The striker entered the box and had enough space to shoot, but her attempt was wide of the far post. The Pride had another opportunity in the 59th minute when Lemos and van Zanten fought for the ball and the latter was called for a foul near the Houston box. Ovalle sent the ensuing set piece into the wall. It went right back to her and her second shot was into the wall again.
Alozie used her speed to dribble around Abello and reach the end line in the 61st minute. The left back took her out from behind, earning the game’s first booking.
Patterson took the set piece, sending the ball bouncing off a couple of players in the six-yard box. It fell for Berkely, who put it in to give the Dash the 1-0 lead.
Alozie made a run into the Pride half in the 65th minute before playing a ball to Ryan on the right. The attacker lifted the ball into the box, and it traveled through without taking a touch. Van Zanten picked up the ball with space on the far side. Her first touch was a shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Ryan made a run down the right in the 68th minute and sent in a cross that Sams cleared. Berkely collected the ball well outside the box and shot, but her attempt went just over the crossbar.
Hines used the stoppage in play to make his first two changes of the night, replacing Pickett and Oihane with Charley and Cori Dyke.
Charley looked to put her mark on the game, creating dangerous chances for the Pride with about 15 minutes left. She took a low shot that was well wide in the 75th minute. However, Watt was making a far post run, and she probably would’ve met the ball if she hadn’t pulled up after the shot. A minute later, Ovalle made a run down the left and sent a cross to the top of the six-yard box. Charley was there and tried to get her head on the ball, but it was just out of her reach.
Sams lifted the ball forward and across the field in the 79th minute where McCutcheon was making a run. The defensive midfielder went up with Danielle Colaprico, heading it back and towards the center of the box. Lemos ran onto the ball and took a first-touch shot, but it was right at Smith.
The Pride found their equalizer in the 85th minute, and it was the team’s most impactful player —Charley. Ovalle received the ball in the box with her back to goal. She laid it back for Lemos, who sent it left for McCutcheon. The midfielder sent the ball into the center of the box where Charley beat Berkely, heading it past Smith to even the game at 1-1. It was her first goal in three years as she’s dealt with a pair of longterm Achilles injuries.
“McCutcheon played a beautiful ball in, and I just threw my body across it and headed it.,” Charley said. “And when I saw it go in, I just fell out. And honestly, I just thought about the journey and how hard it’s been. And I’m just really grateful. It’s been a long time coming.”
“You can see her qualities in and around the box, getting across defenders,” Hines added. “And we do get a lot of crosses, so there’s a lot of opportunities for her to score more goals moving forward.”
Charley last scored a goal on Sept. 21, 2022, when she was a member of Angel City FC. This is the first season she’s been able to contribute since her last goal. The ability to play again is something not lost on the 30-year-old forward.
“It’s been so hard these past two and a half years. I think there’s so many times I wanted to quit,” an emotional Charley said after the game. “Honestly, there’s a lot of times I didn’t think I’d ever come back to play again, and I’m so grateful for the people in my corner, on the team, the medical staff, coaching staff, everyone. They’ve been with me every step of the way, and they’re the ones who kept me going and encouraging me when I didn’t think I’d be out here again, let alone scoring and doing what I love. And so, for me, that just kind of flashed in my head of just how grateful I am. I feel like this is the most joy and gratefulness I’ve had playing. And I just thank God for the strength that he’s given me, and the grace to just play, and to play is such a blessing. Playing is such a blessing. So, I’m just grateful.”
“It’s massive. I think, having experienced long-term injuries myself, waiting for that opportunity, just getting back into the field is a goal,” Hines said. “But actually contributing in the way that she did, she should be very proud of herself. As well as the medical team, as well, to put her in that position. She’s progressed really well from the start of this period right now, in the second half of the season. Credit to her and her determination.”
Houston needed three points much more than the Pride and looked to claim a late winner in the final minute of stoppage time. Anna Heilferty sent a high ball across for Ryan, who flicked it to the corner. Lisa Boattin was the first to reach it, knocking it off Dyke for a corner kick.
The Dash brought everyone up into the Pride box, including Smith. The set piece sailed into the six, where Moorhouse got a fist to it, knocking it away. A foul was called on Houston, and the referee blew the final whistle.
The Pride ended the game with more possession (51%-49%). While Houston had more shots (13-12), the Pride put more on target (6-3). The Dash had more crosses (29-9) and corner kicks (7-0), and both teams completed 80% of their passes.
“Hard fought draw. I think we’re disappointed that we didn’t come away with the three points,” Hines said. “Disappointed with the goal that we conceded. But showed a lot of grit, determination to get ourselves back into the game. Well taken goal from Simone as well. She’s been working hard to get that opportunity, so she took it well. And yeah, I think with the week that we’ve had, been on the road for 10 days, any points that you get away from home is a good point. So, overall, pleased with the performance. We move on. We look forward to the next week, being back home in front of our fans.”
“I think it was a hard-fought game,” Charley added. “We’ve had three games back to back, one internationally as well. And so I think for us, it was just about mentality and grit and digging deep. And I think you saw that with how we were able to fight back and get a tie. Obviously, we want three points, and that’s what we were heading for. But at the end of the day, I feel like we showed our grit, and I’m proud of us for that.”
The point moves the Pride up to fourth in the standings, even on points with the Seattle Reign and one point behind NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, this was the only Friday night game, so the rest of the league has a game in hand.
The Pride return home for the first time since Sept. 19 on Oct. 10 as they welcome the Portland Thorns to Inter&Co Stadium.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC: Final Score 3-1 as Banda Brace Leads Pride to Victory
Barbra Banda bags a brace and an assist but goes down injured late in the victory.
After dropping two games to expansion teams and stealing a win in San Diego, the Orlando Pride looked to enter the summer break on a good note. The Pride (5-5-2, 17 points) had never lost to Bay FC (3-6-2, 11 points) and used a second-half burst to maintain that winning record and won 3-1 at Inter&Co Stadium.
Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the fourth minute and followed it up in the 51st minute with her second. She added an assist to Cori Dyke in the 55th minute to close out the Pride scoring. Caroline Conti scored the lone Bay FC goal at the seven-minute mark.
“No better gift than a 3-1 victory at home in front of our fans,” Pride Head Coach (and birthday boy) Seb Hines said after the game. “It feels good that we’re ending this period on a high. I think it’s the first time this season we’ve got back-to-back victories.”
The Pride made one change in the lineup, giving Kerry Abello her first start of the season over Julie Doyle. Anna Moorhouse started in goal with Abello, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, and Oihane on defense. Haley McCutcheon and Ally Lemos played midfield in front of them with Mace, Luana, and Nicole Payne attacking from the midfield. Banda and her leading-leading nine goals played alone up top.
After an hour weather delay, the Pride went with the in-vogue start these days by kicking the ball straight out of bounds deep on the start and pressing high. It led to an opening three minutes of play in which the Pride kept the pressure up and forced the ball to stay on the Bay FC side. In the fourth minute, Luana headed a ball towards the center which Banda controlled, bodied Bay FC’s Joelle Anderson off the ball, and slotted the opening goal with her left foot.
Bay FC fought right back in the seventh minute as the visitors didn’t have to fight through the press off their kickoff. Claire Hutton crossed the ball into the box, Abello deflected it wide but there was no Pride defender there and it fell to Caroline Conti. Abello tried to fight all the way over but Conti was able to put it past Moorhouse before any help arrived.
The entire back line got pulled to the right on the play and Mace could not get back to help out wide.
“Hailie Mace came into NWSL as a winger. She’s got some tendencies that fit a winger profile. We knew Bay FC had a high back line. How do we get behind that back line? Having someone to support Barbra and not just Nicole but add in another player who can get into the attack,” Hines said regarding the switch.
In the 16th minute, Rachael Kundananji beat Oihane and crossed the ball to Hannah Bebar, who headed it into the net, but Cristiana Girelli was in an offside position threatening the goal, so the assistant referee ruled that it put Moorhouse off enough to interfere with the play.
The teams settled down a bit and traded possession until the 27th minute when Oihane centered the ball to Payne, who scuffed the shot high. One minute later, Luana sent a through ball for Banda to run onto and she went down in the box in a collision with Brooklyn Courtnall. It was fairly evident, however, that Banda got her leg into Courtnall’s to either try to control the ball or draw a foul, and the referee, Jaclyn Metz, saw it the same way.
In the 33rd minute, Oihane was subbed out for Hannah Anderson. Oihane had been laboring a little and may have picked up a knock somewhere.
The Pride couldn’t re-establish the high press so they turned into a lot of possession by Bay FC. Any attack by the Pride ended in a turnover off a bad pass or ill-conceived long shots as Orlando’s attackers were impatient in building play. Turnover after turnover plagued the Pride for the remainder of the half as they did not threaten at all until the 45th minute, when Banda took on Maddie Moreau and Kundananji, shook them both loose, and then crossed the ball into an empty area at the back post with no one to finish.
It was a fitting final piece of sound and fury, signifying nothing, as the half wrapped without any plays of interest. The Pride weren’t able to lead any of the statistics, tying Bay FC in shots (4-4), while Bay FC led in shots on target (3-1), possession (53%-47%), and passing accuracy (85%-83%). Neither team was able to force a corner in the first half.
To start the second half, Hines subbed in Summer Yates for Abello, which pushed Mace back to the back line. In the 48th minute, Kundananji got behind when Anderson got caught out and was sizing up a one-on-one with Moorhouse. Dyke hustled back and blocked the shot.
“We started the game super strong, super intense, but I think we fell off towards the end of that first half,” Dyke said. “We got a little too stretched between the lines and weren’t getting enough pressure on the ball and we talked about that at halftime. We needed to stay more compact and then pick our moments to go.”
Go they did. Three minutes later, Yates sent a through ball angled behind Banda which allowed her to run onto the ball unopposed. She beat goalkeeper Emmie Allen, who came out of the box aggressively to defend, and then passed the ball into the net in the 51st minute.
Four minutes later, Banda pressured Allen, forcing the goalkeeper into a clearance out of play. On the ensuing throw-in, Banda held off Bebar in the box, spun, and crossed the ball to Dyke, who put the ball in off the crossbar. The ability of the Pride to retain possession and work the ball in against a lesser opponent opened up the scoring and turned the game on its head.
Bay FC didn’t have a lot to do over the next stretch of time and Taylor Huff went down with an injury in the 61st minute, prompting a change as she was subbed out for Karlie Lema. Dorian Bailey came on for Joelle Anderson in the same stoppage but at the 62nd minute.
The teams went back and forth for a bit until the Pride drew a corner in the 71st minute. It deflected off a Bay FC defender and fell to Rafaelle at the far post, who headed it just wide. Three minutes later, Jacquie Ovalle and Zara Chavoshi wrapped up the Pride substitutions by coming in for Payne and Mace. Bay FC also took the stoppage in the 74th minute to sub two players in, bringing on Keria Barry and Onyeka Gamero for Kundananji and Girelli.
Unfortunately, in the 81st minute, Banda was dribbling down the left side when she pulled up lame and went to the ground off the pitch. She stayed there until tended to and was obviously upset. We’ll have to wait for any injury news on her. Bay FC made its final substitution in the ensuing stoppage in the 82nd minute, bringing on Kelli Hubly for Conti.
The injury to Banda left the Pride playing with only 10 players for the remaining 15 minutes (including added time) due to using up all three substitution windows. They stayed fairly solid in defense and played a lot of keep-away ball to see out the victory while playing short.
“A great way to finish this part of the season with a win at home. I think we were consistent today and we took the chances we created,” Luana said. “We’ve been having highs and lows in this part of the season but we bounced back in these two wins and it brought us a lot of confidence.”
Orlando City was ahead in the only stat that matters, goals, but trailed in every other major stat. Bay FC finished ahead in shots (14-8), shots on target (5-4), possession (54%-46%), passing accuracy (85%-84%), and corners (4-1).
The Orlando Pride now will be off until early July for the NWSL World Cup break. The next match is scheduled for July 3 in Los Angeles against Angel City FC.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Pride return home to face Bay FC in their final game before the FIFA World Cup break.
Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride (4-5-2, 14 points) return home from a three-game road trip to take on Bay FC (3-5-2, 11 points). This is the first of two meetings between the two teams with the return game scheduled for Sept. 27 in San Jose.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.
History
Bay FC is one of two expansion teams that entered the NWSL for the 2024 season. The teams have met four times, with the Pride holding a 3-0-1 record and a 1-0-1 mark at home in the series.
The most recent meeting took place on Sept. 13, 2025, in Orlando. The visitors took the lead just before halftime when Racheal Kundananji headed in a long pass by Caprice Dydasco. The Pride equalized in the second half, when Ally Watt headed a Jacquie Ovalle cross past Jordan Silkowitz to claim a 1-1 draw.
On June 13 of last year in San Jose, CA, Bay FC led almost every statistical category, but the Pride defense held strong until Barbra Banda scored shortly after halftime. The Pride withstood attack after attack, coming away with a hard-fought 1-0 win.
The teams met twice in 2024, with the first-ever game between the clubs occurring on May 11. Just prior to the half-hour mark, Banda dribbled inside and Deyna Castellanos attempted an ill-advised challenge, resulting in a foul in the box and a Pride penalty. Adriana put the ball into the bottom left corner for the only goal, lifting the Pride to a 1-0 win. It was the sixth win in an NWSL-record, eight-game win streak.
The teams met for the second time on Sept. 20, 2024. It looked like the game might be headed for a scoreless draw until Banda got her head on the end of a Carson Pickett cross, redirecting it past Katelyn Rowland to give the Pride the 1-0 win.
Overview
The Pride return home tonight after a difficult road trip that saw the team fall 2-1 to Boston Legacy FC and 3-1 to Denver Summit FC. Having already lost to both expansion teams, they headed west to face San Diego Wave FC, a team near the top of the standings. But Nicole Payne’s first professional goal lifted Orlando to a 1-0 win.
Despite not scoring in two of the last three games, Banda still leads the league with nine goals in 10 games this season. She has a two-goal lead on Ashley Sanchez, who is second in the league. Haley McCutcheon is the only other Pride player with multiple goals, scoring twice in the same game. Ovalle, Marta, and Hannah Anderson have the team’s other three goals. The assists have been spread out much more evenly with Ovalle, McCutcheon, and Rafaelle all sharing the team lead with two.
The clean sheet against San Diego was big for the back line as the team has conceded too many goals recently. Dating back to their 3-2 loss to Racing Louisville FC on April 24, the Pride have conceded multiple goals in four of the last six games. The only other game in which they didn’t concede at least twice was a 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage on May 8, their last home game.
Tonight is the Pride’s last game before the league breaks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After the game, they won’t play again until July 3 and won’t play at home until July 10. That makes getting a quality result tonight essential for momentum going through the remainder of the season.
If you’re looking for a team to win against, Bay FC is one of the most likely candidates. The Bay -area side sits 13th in the NWSL on 11 points, just four points ahead of Louisville for last place. Tonight’s visitors are currently on a four-game winless run (0-2-2) and a two-game losing streak. Their last win was a 1-0 victory against San Diego on May 3. The club’s most recent games are a 2-0 loss to Portland Thorns FC on May 20 and a 1-0 loss to Chicago Stars FC on May 24.
Bay FC has struggled this year on both ends of the field. Its eight goals are second fewest in the league and Bay is one of three teams with single-digit goals this year. Meanwhile, the team’s 14 goals conceded are sixth in the league. The California side has been better defensively overall than the Pride, who have conceded 16 goals, but worse offensively, as the Pride have scored 15 goals so far this year.
Bay FC has been led in the attack by Alex Pfeiffer and Dorian Bailey with two goals each. Kundananji, Taylor Huff, Keira Barry, and Joelle Anderson have one apiece. Pfeiffer also leads the team in assists with two, tied with Cristina Girelli. Huff and Sydney Collins are the only other players with assists this season.
It should help the Pride tonight that Bay FC will be missing two key players. Silkowitz and starting center back Aldana Cometti were sent off against Chicago Sunday, meaning they’ll miss tonight’s game.
However, the Pride have their own key absences. In addition to injuries that have accumulated this season, Angelina was handed an additional game’s suspension after being sent off on May 16 for pulling Delanie Sheehan’s hair.
“We’re looking forward to it. Looking forward to being back home,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “It’s been a long road trip. Excited to get in front of our own fans. Want to create that atmosphere, make it hostile for Bay FC. We know it’s a quick turnaround for both teams as well, so we want to make sure that we start off on the front foot, build on what we achieved last Sunday in San Diego, and finish this part of the season on a high.”
The Pride will be without Angelina (suspension), Cosette Morche (ankle), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), and Solai Washington (knee). Marta (thigh) and Ovalle (thigh) are listed as questionable. Bay FC will be without Cornetti (suspension), Abby Dahlkemper (maternity leave), Anouk Denton (lower leg), Dydasco (maternity leave), Heather Gilchrist (knee), Alyssa Malonson (knee), Emily Menges (maternity leave), Pfeiffer (knee), and Silkowitz (suspension).
Official Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.
Defenders: Oihane, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, Hailie Mace.
Defensive Midfielders: Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon.
Attacking Midfielders: Kerry Abello, Luana, Nicole Payne.
Forward: Barbra Banda.
Bench: McKinley Crone, Zara Chavoshi, Hannah Anderson, Julie Doyle, Marta, Jacquie Ovalle, Summer Yates, Seven Castain, Simone Jackson.
Bay FC (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Emmie Allen.
Defenders: Sydney Collins, Joelle Anderson, Brooklyn Courtnall, Maddie Moreau.
Defensive Midfielders: Hannah Bebar, Claire Hutton.
Attacking Midfielders: Racheal Kundananji, Caroline Conti, Taylor Huff.
Forward: Cristiana Girelli.
Bench: Camryn Miller, Kelli Hubly, Jamie Shepherd, Dorian Bailey, Karlie Lema, Onyeka Gamero, Tess Boade, Keira Barry.
Referees
REF: Jaclyn Metz.
AR1: Art Arustamyan.
AR2: Adam Cook.
4TH: Edson Carvajal.
VAR: Anya Voigt.
AVAR: Katarzyna Wasiak.
How to Watch
Match Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.
TV: None.
Streaming: NWSL+.
Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter (@ORLPride) or Bluesky (@orlpride.com) feed.
Enjoy the game. Go Pride!
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC: Three Keys to Victory
What do the Pride need to do to earn all three points against Bay FC?
The Orlando Pride welcome Bay FC to Inter&Co Stadium this Friday night for the last match before the World Cup break. This is an opportunity to get a win over a team lower in the table and move up in the standings. What must the Pride do to earn all three points against Bay FC this weekend?
Keep the Chip
I have been asking all season on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast for the Pride to play with the chip on their shoulder that they had when they won the double in 2024. We saw that against the San Diego Wave. My hope is that the players have now remembered what that feels like and will execute with the same level of intensity going forward.
The task is potentially a little easier against Bay FC, as the California-based side has scored less than half the number of goals that the Wave have this season. Of course, that is the trap. The Pride cannot slack off against Bay FC. Having Rafaelle anchoring the defense is a big help, and moving Hailie Mace out to right back has proven effective. In 2024, this team hated — with a capital “H” — conceding goals. They took it personally. That is the passion I want again. The chip on the shoulder.
Overwhelm and Outscore
As I mentioned above, Bay FC is not a prolific scoring team. Friday’s visitors have also given up 14 goals this season. That’s not the best or the worst in the league, but they haven’t faced Barbra Banda yet. The Orlando Pride don’t have any trouble creating chances, but they have had trouble getting anyone other than Banda to finish them this season. Banda leads the league in goals, and she has an opportunity to maintain or extend that lead against Bay FC.
What will truly make the difference for the Pride against Bay FC is if any of the other players can contribute a goal. We saw the space that Banda can provide her teammates when Nicole Payne scored her first goal against San Diego. Now I want other players to take advantage of that space to provide some goals for the Pride.
More Luana
Luana got her first start since coming back to the squad cancer-free. I think we’ve forgotten that she was a starter on the 2024 squad before her Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. She was a starter on a team that won the double. Now she is back and she is a leader and an inspiration for her fellow players.
Given Marta’s limited minutes, having Luana out there as a stabilizing presence is important. Obviously, she brings a different skill set than Marta but still a critical one. Much like the defense, the midfield was better last match, and I feel she was a big part of that.
That is what I will be looking for on Friday night. The Pride can head into the World Cup break on a high with a victory. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!
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