ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 6, 2022) - Orlando Pride (3-5-5, 14 points) is set to play in front of its home fans for the first time in 30 days when 2022 expansion-side Angel City FC (5-5-2, 17 points) visits Exploria Stadium for the first time on Sunday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with the match available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and internationally on Twitch.
“[Angel City] will be a team that is looking to get points,” Acting Head Coach Seb Hines said. “We are in a period in the schedule where points are very valuable. They are one place above us and are obviously trying to get into a playoff position as well as we are. You will see two teams that are fighting for three points on Sunday.”
The inaugural matchup between the two sides came just two games into the NWSL regular season back in early May. The match saw the Pride win their first game of the season courtesy of a Sydney Leroux goal which was scored in the third minute and accounted for the third-fastest goal in Orlando Pride history. The match was played in front of 17,510 fans at Banc of California Stadium. Leroux, who joined the Pride in 2018, will be suiting up for the opponent on Sunday night after being traded to the LA-based side in late June.
The Pride are coming off a 2-2 decision over the weekend against the Kansas City Current at Children’s Mercy Park. Orlando mounted a two-goal lead with goals coming from defender Celia and forward Julie Doyle, which both served as their first respective goals scored in a Pride kit. Doyle’s finish marked the first of her professional career. However the Current were able to score two of their own in the second half to split the points.
With the draw, the Pride extended their unbeaten run to four-straight games, which is the longest streak for the Club this season after previously recording three-straight games unbeaten earlier on in the regular season. Overall, the Pride earned a record of 1-0-3 in the month of July making it the first time in Club history that the Club has gone unbeaten in the month.
Angel City enter the match following a 3-2 defeat to OL Reign at Banc of California Stadium. The home side were backed by two goals in the first half and entered halftime with a 2-0 lead, but the Reign stormed back in the second and scored three straight goals to earn the victory.
This weekend’s match against Angel City FC will see six familiar faces return to Exploria Stadium, just sporting a different kit. Forwards Leroux, Jasmyne Spencer and Claire Emslie, midfielder Dani Weatherholt, defender Ali Riley and goalkeeper Brittany (née Wilson) Isenhour are all set to return to the City Beautiful, this time as members of Angel City.
Sunday night is also Y2K Night at Exploria Stadium for all fans attending the game. Fans can sign up to participate in Fan Karaoke at Section 9 and belt out their favorite 2000’s hit during halftime. Also, keep an eye out for the one and only Britney Spears impersonator, also known as, Britney One More Time. Fans are also encouraged to support the Pride by rocking their gear in their favorite 2000s fashion trends. Turn back the clock with the Pride as they celebrate the memorable 2000s.
Following Sunday’s match, the Pride will travel to San Diego for the first time in Club history for its inaugural match against the 2022 expansion-side San Diego Wave on Saturday, August 13. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.
