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Big Summer Awaits Orlando Pride Internationals

Multiple Orlando Pride players have a chance to impress during the international break and later this summer.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

In front of more than 9,000 fans at Inter&Co Stadium Friday night, the Orlando Pride secured their NWSL-record eighth straight victory. The last time the Pride dropped points was the end of March, prior to the previous international break and before the arrival of Barbra Banda, who has eight goals in only six starts. 

After a busy period in the club calendar, most of the roster will get a well-deserved rest. For several players however, attention now turns to their respective national teams and important tune-up matches before a packed summer headlined by the Paris Olympics in July and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in August and September. 

Orlando’s Global Stars

The Pride roster has often included big names, with Marta being a mainstay in Orlando for years now. After the addition of Banda early in the NWSL season, the Pride now boast a former Best FIFA Women’s Player and one of the top forwards in the world. These stars, and several others who play for the Pride, will likely hope that this summer brings glory in their national team colors before the NWSL playoffs start in the fall.

In the lead-up to the bright lights of the Summer Olympics, Orlando’s Brazilian contingent will head to Brazil for two friendly matches against Jamaica during this international break. Marta, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer at 116 goals, is joined by Rafaelle, the current captain of the national team, and Adriana for the brief trip home. Angelina, a recent regular for the Brazil squad with 23 appearances, is not with the team due to the injury she picked up several matches ago with the Pride.

The trio joining Brazil has a combined 299 appearances for As Canarinhas, including 175 appearances from Marta alone. As veterans of the national team, they will attempt to use this international break to build team cohesion and winning form as the Olympics approach.

For Marta, who has announced her upcoming retirement from international soccer at the end of 2024, playing in the Olympics gives her the opportunity to go out on top with a major trophy. While she doesn’t play quite as many minutes as she used to, she is a valuable leader for the team and a role model and spokeswoman for the sport as a whole.

From the other side of the Atlantic, the Pride’s newest addition, Banda, needs no introduction to the Olympics. In the Tokyo Olympics, she burst onto the world soccer scene with back-to-back hat tricks against the Netherlands and China. Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter described her performances at that tournament as one of the main reasons she brought Banda to Orlando.

Unfortunately for Banda, whose two goals in the final match of African Olympic qualifying clinched Zambia’s spot this summer, off-field issues may prevent Zambia’s inclusion in the tournament. Earlier this year, leaders within Zambian football were arrested for monetary crimes committed in their national team roles, and FIFA has threatened Zambia with suspension from world football. It would be a true shame for the Zambian players, Pride fans, and soccer fans worldwide if Banda is prevented from challenging for an Olympic medal due to the misconduct of her football association’s leaders.

USWNT Hopefuls

Despite the incredible start to the season by the Pride, Orlando’s domestic players are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the United States Women’s National Team. The senior USWNT roster for the current international break did not feature any Pride players, which has been a recurring theme since the departures of Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger, and Ashlyn Harris. 

The good news for Orlando’s USWNT hopefuls is the official introduction of Emma Hayes, as the new USWNT head coach will bring new eyes to the national team roster. Should the Pride continue to dominate in the NWSL, several of the American players might force Hayes to take a closer look and evaluate who deserves a spot in upcoming camps ahead of the Olympics. 

Of the current Pride roster, Emily Sams, Kerry Abello, and Morgan Gautrat may be closest to national team selection. Sams, a 24-year-old stalwart for a strong defensive unit, has been garnering attention as one of the best players yet to make an appearance in the Red, White & Blue. Considering her age and growth on the pitch, it may just be a matter of time for Sams. Abello, who is also 24, is another younger player who could be a useful depth player for the U.S. due to her versatility on the left side of the pitch. Both Sams and Abello have participated in U.S. Youth National Team camps and should, at the very least, be watched carefully by Hayes and her staff. 

Gautrat, on the other hand, has appeared extensively for the USWNT, with 88 career appearances, most recently in the 2022 SheBelieves Cup. Injuries have been the biggest contributor to her falling out of the USWNT, and she has continued to struggle maintaining full fitness with Orlando. If she is able to recover fully and appear more regularly for the Pride, playing at her best could give herself a shot at the Olympic roster.

Youth Movement

Before players appear for their senior national teams, they often shine for their respective youth teams. Orlando’s roster includes three young players that have been selected recently for youth team events: 19-year-old Amanda Allen, 20-year-old Ally Lemos, and 21-year-old Evelina Duljan. All three regularly participate in camps and friendly matches for their respective U-20 and U-23 squads. 

Duljan has yet to feature for the Pride after signing from Juventus in preseason, but she has played at most youth levels for Sweden. This week, she traveled home to Sweden for a flurry of matches, as her U-23 team plays Austria, Poland, and Germany in quick succession. For Duljan, three matches equals three chances to impress Orlando staff in competitive play in hopes of getting her first minutes for the Pride.

For Allen and Lemos, this summer will include the unique opportunity to participate in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which runs from August to September in Colombia. Allen is well regarded by the Canadian national team, already having made a senior appearance. Lemos, for her part, was among the youngest players ever taken in the NWSL Draft and has featured in nine of 11 matches for the Pride, with two starts. Both players could gain an immense amount of experience and exposure if they participate in the U-20 World Cup this fall, but it is unknown at this time if the Pride will allow them to miss club matches for this experience, although the club has not typically held players out of international competitions in the past. 


While Pride fans love to watch their favorite club, the players often get something extra from representing their country. This summer gives a handful of players the opportunity to compete on the world stage. With so many players featuring regularly for their national teams, Orlando Pride players may have a big say in who takes home the gold, silver, or bronze medals.

Orlando Pride

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

The Pride return home tonight as they welcome the Houston Dash.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (15-0-6, 51 points) look to continue their strong form as they return home to face the Houston Dash (4-12-5, 17 points). This is the second and final time the Pride and Dash will play this season.

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

History

The Pride and Dash have played 21 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a record of 8-9-2 against the Dash in regular-season play and a 5-4-1 regular-season record at home. Additionally, the teams played two Fall Series games in 2020, both of which were won by the Dash.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on Aug. 23 in Houston. Angelina sent Summer Yates through in the 67th minute, giving the Pride the lead. Andressa nearly equalized in the 86th minute, hitting the post, but the Pride held on for the 1-0 win.

The first matchup between the teams last year was on June 3, 2023 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 early and Michelle Alozie doubled the advantage just before halftime. Despite having more possession and shots, the Pride fell 2-0. The second game was on Oct. 15 in Orlando. While the Pride were the better team, the game was scoreless heading into the late stages. However, a late penalty conversion by Marta gave the Pride the 1-0 win

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 have already broken multiple records this season and they’re on the cusp of more. They currently have the longest winning streak in league history, the longest unbeaten run in league history, and Anna Moorhouse set a new league record for clean sheets in a season by a single goalkeeper in the team’s 1-0 win at Bay FC.

The last goal conceded by the Pride was in their 2-1 win on July 6 over the Kansas City Current, the last game before the league’s Olympic break. Since the return to action, the Pride have had five consecutive clean sheets. The current streak tied the league record for most consecutive clean sheets, so one tonight would set another league record.

The team standing in the way of the Pride and that league record is the Dash, who sit in 13th of the 14-team league. Eight points below the eighth and final playoff spot, they’re only two points ahead of the Utah Royals for last place. It’s been a tough year for the Texas-based team, which has scored a league-worst 14 goals. Defensively, the Dash have conceded 33 goals, the fifth most in the league this season.

The first meeting between these teams was the first game after the Olympic break. The Dash lost their first four games following the league’s restart, breaking that streak with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Reign on Sept. 21.

Diana Ordonez is the only Dash player with multiple goals this season, leading the team with five. Eight other players have scored once this year. The team’s assists have also been spread pretty evenly with Avery Patterson leading the team with two and six others have tallied one.

Tonight, Houston will look to make a big push for the playoffs by handing the Pride their first loss of the season. It will be a tall task against a team that has been very impressive on their home field.

“I think it’s the same for anyone who comes here. You know, every team’s looking to take points off us,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “I think what we’ve done really well is made it difficult for teams to try to take points off us and we’ll just continue to do that against Houston on Saturday.”

The Pride are without six players tonight, including Grace Chanda (thigh), Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Sofia Manner (concussion), Haley McCutcheon (foot), and Megan Montefusco (heel). The Dash will be without Ramona Bachman (thigh), Belle Briede (concussion), Natalie Jacobs (concussion), Katie Lind (maternity leave), Havana Solaun (knee), Tarciane (shoulder), Kiki Van Zanten (foot), Amanda West (knee), and Croix Soto (concussion).


Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

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

Defensive Midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Angelina.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Houston Dash (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Jane Campbell.

Defenders: Allysha Chapman, Paige Nielsen, Jylissa Harris.

Midfielders: Michelle Alozie, Sarah Puntigam, Sophie Schmidt, Avery Patterson.

Forwards: Yuki Nagasato, Diana Ordonez, Andressa.

Referees

REF: Iryna Petrunok.
AR1: Jeremy Smith.
AR2: Zach McWhorter.
4TH: JJ Bilinski.
VAR: Danielle Chesky.
AVAR: Christian Clerc.


How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: Ion.

Streaming: None.

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


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride vs. Bay FC: Final Score 1-0 as Banda’s Late Winner Lifts Pride to Road Win

A late goal by Barbra Banda secured a 1-0 win for the Pride over Bay FC on the west coast.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (15-0-6, 51 points) continued their unbeaten run and extended their lead atop the NWSL standings with a 1-0 win over Bay FC (8-12-1, 25 points) tonight at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA. Barbra Banda’s 84th-minute goal was the difference as the Pride continue their undefeated season, picking up the club’s fifth consecutive shutout. Orlando swept the season series with the expansion side with a pair of identical 1-0 scorelines.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that played to a scoreless draw with the Kansas City Current on Sept. 13. Kylie Strom was out of the starting lineup for the second time this season and the first time since March 22 — the second game of the season — and was replaced by Carson Pickett. It was Pickett’s first start since returning to the Pride on Aug. 16. Additionally, Julie Doyle and Morgan Gautrat replaced Summer Yates and Haley McCutcheon.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse changed for the first time since the Olympic break, consisting of Pickett, Kerry Abello, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Gautrat and Angelina were in the defensive midfield behind Doyle, Marta, and Adriana, with Banda up top.

“We decided to give Kylie a well-deserved rest. Obviously, she came on towards the end of the game,” Hines said about the change. “But moving Abello into center back, you know, Abello’s been brilliant for us also. And it allowed us to play Carson at left back.”

Despite this game being the first-place team against the eighth-place team, it was very even for most of the 90 minutes. Far from the Pride’s best performance of the year, the hosts were the better side for much of the game. However, as they’ve done throughout this season, the Pride found a way to win, getting the winning goal with six minutes left in regular time.

The Pride created the first chance of the game in the third minute when Pickett found Banda making a diagonal run to the top of the box. The striker used a good first touch to flick the ball around Emily Menges for a shot on goal. However, it also created a tight angle, causing the shot to go straight to Bay FC goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland.

Bay FC created its first chance in the eighth minute when Racheal Kundananji beat Sams on the right and found Rachel Hill in the box. Abello did well to get a touch to the ball, but Hill regained control. The forward turned and shot, sending the attempt wide of the far post.

Hill was involved in another chance in the 10th minute when she sent Asisat Oshoala forward. Sams was on Oshoala’s hip and had the inside position. As a result, the Nigerian international’s shot was directly to Moorhouse, creating no trouble for the Pride shot stopper.

Bay FC had a third consecutive chance in the 12th minute when Caprice Dydasco lifted the ball into the box for Kundananji. Dyke got to it first, but her header went to Oshoala at the top of the box. The forward attempted to volley the ball on goal, sending it well over the top.

The Pride had a pair of chances in the 19th minute when Dyke sent Banda down the right. The striker used her body to turn Menges and get into the Bay FC box. The Zambian sent a strong shot on goal, but it was right to Rowland who pushed it away. Adriana was the first to the loose ball and backheeled it for Pickett. The left back shot’s attempt went off the head of Dydasco and the Pride couldn’t create anything from the ensuing corner kick.

Bay FC had its own pair of chances in the 21st minute when Kundananji sent a dangerous ball over Moorhouse to the back post. Hill was making a run with Pickett on her and the Pride left back was able to keep Hill from being able to get a shot off.

Marta initially took possession, but the hosts won it back. It ended up with Dorian Bailey on the right and the midfielder attempted a cross with her right foot. While it didn’t appear to be a shot, the ball curved towards goal, going over the outstretched arm of Moorhouse and off the crossbar.

The Pride were trying to send Banda behind the Bay FC back line several times, but she struggled to get in on goal. In the 37th minute, Marta played the striker into the box. She tried to create space from Abby Dahlkemper and got a shot off. However, the veteran defender did well to stay in front and Banda’s shot hit the outside of the net.

In the 41st minute, Kundananji found Oshoala at the top of the box. With too many defenders between the forward and goal, she played Alyssa Malonson between the back line instead of shooting. The left back turned and shot, forcing Moorhouse into a diving catch. However, Malonson came back from an offside position to receive the ball, so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.

It looked like the hosts might open the scoring in the 43rd minute when Kundananji turned Sams to get in on goal. As she wound up to shoot, Abello came over to challenge the attacker. It was enough to put Kundananji off and the shot was wide of the near post.

The Pride had more possession (55%-45%), crosses (8-5), and corner kicks (1-0) in the first half, but Bay FC created more shots (7-6). Both teams put two chances on target and completed 83% of their passes.

The Pride had the first decent second-half attack in the 52nd minute when Doyle dribbled to the end line while being defended by Malonson. The midfielder crossed the ball before it crossed the end line and Menges knocked it out before Rowland could grab it. Pickett sent the ensuing corner kick into the box, but it was too close to Rowland.

Bay FC took the first shot of the second half in the 56th minute. Abello intercepted a pass from Kiki Pickett to Oshoala at the top of the box. It went to Gautrat, who was unprepared to receive it. As a result, she couldn’t get anything on her clearance. It went straight to Bay FC’s Pickett, who shot from distance, sending it wide.

Dyke challenged Kundananji in the 60th minute, sliding in to win the ball. The Bay FC striker’s knee hit Dyke on her back, forcing the right back to receive attention. After being evaluated by the medical staff, it was determined that she couldn’t continue.

In addition to withdrawing Dyke, Hines made two additional changes in the 63rd minute. Angelina and Doyle also came out of the game, replaced by Strom, Yates, and Carrie Lawrence. Strom joined Sams as a center back, while Lawrence came in at right back and Abello moved over to left back. Pickett, the starting left back, moved forward into the midfield.

Kundananji found Maddie Moreau making a long run into the box in the 70th minute. Lawrence blocked Moreau’s cross attempt with a slide tackle and Sams got to the Bay FC defender before she could send a second ball across the box. Moreau felt she earned a corner kick from the play, but the referee gave a goal kick.

Less than a minute later, Bailey played the ball to her left for Kundananji. The attacker took a touch inside to create enough space for a shot, but it was right at Moorhouse.

After making defensive changes earlier in the half, Hines went more attacking with his fourth change in the 75th minute as Evelina Duljan came into the game for Gautrat.

The Pride nearly found the opening goal in the 78th minute when Pickett beat Dydasco to the far post and met a Marta cross. Pickett got her head to the ball but couldn’t get enough power on it. Still, Rowland had to dive to her left to push it away.

Moreau received a pass on the left in the 79th minute and played it to Bailey making a run to the six-yard box. Nobody in purple was on the midfielder and she tried to slip it past Moorhouse. However, the Pride number one did well to keep the ball out of the net and near her, gathering it and ending the attack.

Hines made his final change in the 80th minute, replacing Marta with Ally Watt.

In the 81st minute, Watt’s cross to Adriana beyond the far post was headed to Banda in front of the goal. It was a little behind the striker and she tried an acrobatic shot but couldn’t get much on it, enabling Rowland to collect.

Bay FC nearly took the lead two minutes later when Kundananji nutmegged Sams twice before sending a cross into the box. It was a good cross that found Hill, who tried to redirect the ball inside the post. Fortunately, it traveled just wide.

The miss by Hill loomed large as the Pride took the lead in the 84th minute. Pickett sent a beautiful ball into the box, where Banda was waiting between three defenders. Menges and Dahlkemper were in good positions, but it was a perfect cross that met the head of Banda, who redirected it in to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

“A quality show towards the end of the game with a great ball for Barbra,” Hines said. “And a great finish to win us the game.”

Banda had been flying since joining the team early in the season and had four goals in three games in the Olympics. However, this was her first goal since rejoining the Pride following the Olympic break.

“Well, for her, of course, it means a lot because it’s been like, four games, five today. And for the team too, because we need her feeling good to do her best for the team,” Martra said about Banda scoring. “And I think it was really important that she scored tonight.”

“It’s massive, a massive confidence boost,” Hines added. “I’ve said all along, she’s getting in some really good positions. It’s that final touch and, you know, grateful for us, she managed to put the ball in the back of the net. She needed that.”

Banda’s goal was her 13th of the season, tying the club record for most goals in a single season. Marta previously set the record during the 2017 season, the only other time the Pride made the playoffs.

Hill tried to make something happen again in the 87th minute when she received the ball outside the box. The attacker turned and took a shot from long distance, but it didn’t cause any problems for Moorhouse.

Two minutes later, Kundananji made a run into the center of the field before sending the ball wide for Moreau on the left. The defender volleyed it towards goal, but it wasn’t a hard shot and Moorhouse made the easy catch.

With a goal lead, the Pride put 10 players behind the ball as the game entered stoppage time. However, they nearly scored a second in the third minute of added time from a counterattack. Watt slid in to win the ball from Moreau and Duljan took possession. Duljan immediately sent it long for Banda behind the Bay FC back line. She had time and space to place the ball behind Rowland but sent it directly to the goalkeeper instead.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Duljan was called for a foul on Tess Boade, giving the hosts one final chance in the final third. Rowland came up as everyone from Bay FC was in the Pride box. The free kick by Bailey was punched away by Moorhouse and cleared by Adriana as the final whistle blew.

However, it wasn’t quite over yet, as the video assistant referee took a long look at the final play to determine if there was a penalty. While there was some contact between Watt and Dahlkemper, it was determined that it was mutual and the game was over.

It was a very even game as the Pride had more possession (55%-45%), but both teams accumulated 13 shots and each put six on target. The Pride also had more crosses (22-13) and corner kicks (4-1), and slightly better passing accuracy (81%-80%). Most importantly, they scored the lone goal and came away with a 1-0 win away from home.

“I don’t think we played to our best,” Hines said. “I don’t think we were threatening as much as I would have liked us to be. But, you know, to come away from a difficult environment, Bay FC have done really well the last couple of games. Have shown what they are capable of doing. But yeah, 1-0 win away from home I’ll always take. You know, three points, it’s so critical at this stage in the season that we continue to pick up valuable points. But yeah, obviously there’s still a lot of things that we can continue to work on. I said to the players before the game, it’s important that we still learn, even though we’re unbeaten and still winning games, that we still have so many learning moments within that to continue to progress towards the postseason.”

The win extends the Pride’s unbeaten run to 21 games in the regular season, 22 games in the league going back to last year, and 25 games in all competitions. More importantly, the Current beat the Washington Spirit 3-0 earlier in the night, so the Pride extended their lead atop the NWSL standings to seven points.

Additionally, the win guarantees the Pride a top four position at the end of the season. They’ll host a playoff game for the first time in club history.

“We are really happy to know that,” Marta said about securing a home playoff game. “It was, like, our first goal in this year. To come back to the playoffs and play at home. It’s the best with our support and in the atmosphere that we have every single game at home. So, yeah, I’m happy with that. And then we’re going to go for more. Of course, our second goal is to win the shield, and then keep working hard to win the next games.”

The Pride also continued their record breaking with Moorhouse’s 12th shoutout of the season. That breaks the NWSL record for most shutouts by a single goalkeeper in a season.

“It’s a great feeling to have it just be me. It’s not a tied record. It’s Orlando Pride, it’s me, all up front. So, yeah, that’s a great feeling,” Moorhouse said. “It’s something, like I said before, I wanted it. It was one of my goals before the season to kind of see if I could get that record. It probably only became, not a determined effort, but it became more of a reality as the season went on. I’m like, yeah, I can actually do this. And now we have, I think it’s five games left to go. So, I just want to extend that record as much as I can and hopefully it stays for many years.”


She’ll have that opportunity when the Pride return home for a two-game homestand, beginning on Sept. 28 against the Houston Dash.

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

The Pride look to continue their season-long unbeaten run with a trip out west as they face Bay FC.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (14-0-6, 48 points) travel to the west coast to take on Bay FC (8-11-1, 25 points). This is the second and final time the two teams are scheduled to play during the 2024 NWSL regular season.

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

History

Bay FC is one of two expansion teams to enter the NWSL for the 2024 season and first faced the Pride in Orlando on May 11. Just prior to the half-hour mark, Barbra 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.

Overview

The Pride saw their six-game win streak snapped on Sept. 13 against the Kansas City Current at home.  However, the scoreless draw extended the team’s season-long unbeaten run to 20 games and their overall regular-season unbeaten run to 21 games. When you include the three draws in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, the Pride haven’t lost in 24 games.

Despite the plethora of attacking options, the defense has been the strength of the team. They’ve only conceded 12 goals this season, putting them in good position to break the league record for fewest goals conceded in a season (17). The Pride are currently on a run of four consecutive shutouts and haven’t conceded a goal in 411 minutes.

Tonight’s opponent will provide an opportunity for a fifth straight shutout and an offensive burst. Bay FC ranks eighth in goals scored with 25 and is tied for 10th in goals conceded with 32. Only three teams in the league have conceded more goals than the debutants. While Bay’s-7 goal difference is ninth in the league, the team currently sits in the eighth and final playoff spot.

The San Jose-based side is led in goals by Asisat Oshoala with five, followed by Racheal Kundananji, Tess Boade, and Joelle Anderson with three each. Kundananji, Blade, and Anderson also lead the team with two assists apiece, joined by Emily Menges and former Pride forward Rachel Hill.

While Bay FC has conceded 32 goals this season, that doesn’t tell the whole story because of the club’s notable recent addition. On Aug. 26, the club acquired U.S. international center back Abby Dahlkemper in a trade with the San Diego Wave. She now partners Emily Menges, providing a much more stable back line, proven by Bay FC’s recent results.

Bay FC struggled coming out of the Olympic break, losing 2-1 to the Utah Royals. However, the team quickly bounced back with a 3-1 win away to the Portland Thorns, a 1-0 win against Racing Louisville, and a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage on the road, becoming just the second team (joining the Pride) to claim a point at North Carolina. Tonight’s hosts sit three points ahead of Louisville for the final playoff spot, so they need every point they can get in the final six games.

“They’ve brought in some good additions, the likes of Dahlkemper coming in. That’s a good signing,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s opponent. “And also Penelope Hocking, adding to their attack. So yeah, we’re expecting a different team to what we played against at home. I think where we’re at this stage of the season, every game’s going to be difficult. They’re obviously trying to solidify their position in the playoffs. We’re obviously trying to keep ourselves at the top of the table as well. So I expect a good, challenging game for both teams.”

The Pride have seven players out tonight, including Grace Chanda (thigh), Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Sofia Manner (concussion), Megan Montefusco (heel), and Rafaelle (foot). Ally Lemos (USA) is also missing as she’s at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Bay FC is without Alex Loera (knee) and Melissa Lowder (knee) due to injury. Additionally, Savy King (USA) is at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Cori Dyke, Emily Sams, Carson Pickett.

Defensive Midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Angelina.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Haley McCutcheon, Ally Watt, Carrie Lawrence, Brianna Martinez, Summer Yates, Kylie Strom, Evelina Duljan, Celia.

Bay FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Katelyn Rowland.

Defenders: Caprice Dydasco, Abby Dahlkemper, Emily Menges, Alyssa Malonson.

Midfielders: Tess Boade, KiKi Pickett, Dorian Bailey.

Forwards:  Racheal Kundananji, Asisat Oshoala, Rachel Hill.

Bench: Jen Beattie, Maya Doms, Deyna Castellanos, Jamie Shepherd, Caroline Conti, Jordan Brewster, Maddie Moreau, Jordan Silkowitz, Penelope Hocking.

Referees

REF: Brad Jensen.
AR1: Joe Suchoski.
AR2: Melissa Beck.
4TH: Iryna Petrunok.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: John Krill.


How to Watch

Match Time: 10:30 p.m.

Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, CA.

TV: Bally Sports Sun.

Streaming: NWSL+.

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


Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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