Battling Back
In their last game against Racing Louisville, the Pride battled back from being 0-2 down to earn a 2-2 draw, the second time the team has done so this season. Thanks to second-half goals from Kylie Strom and Darian Jenkins, the Pride walked out of Daytona International Speedway with a point. The first time the Pride did it came in their last game at Exploria Stadium, back on May 27, when Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins both scored in second-half stoppage time to earn the point.
History Made
The Pride are coming off of playing the first NWSL match to be played at an American racetrack. Their game against Racing Louisville was part of the DAYTONA SoccerFest which was a two-day event that included a Legends Game, and a match between Colombian Champion Deportivo Cali and crosstown rival America de Cali as well as concerts from Latin Grammy Award-winner Rauw Alejandro, latin artist Adassa, and Chance the Rapper.
Nothing Like Your First Time
The match against Racing Louisville saw a number of firsts for members of the Pride. Kylie Strom found the back of the net for the first time as a member of the Pride with a beautiful curling shot that crashed into the side netting. Erika Tymrak picked up her first assist of the year on the game-tying goal after threading the ball to Darian Jenkins for the strike. The match also served as the first NWSL start for midfielder Thais Reiss.
Twice as Nice
Pride forward Darian Jenkins scored her second goal of the NWSL regular season and also picked up her second assist across all competitions this year. Jenkins scored her first goal this season in the 98th minute capping off another comeback for the Pride to earn a point at home. The first assist this season for Jenkins came in the Challenge Cup against the Washington Spirit after she sent a low cross in the box that found a sliding Gunny Jónsdóttir for the finish.
Home Sweet Home
It has been 42 days since the Pride were in front of their own fans at Exploria Stadium. After all three of the team’s games in June were on the road and just recently playing at the historic Daytona International Speedway, the Pride will finally return back to Exploria Stadium for the match against the Houston Dash. Orlando is still searching for its first win at home during the regular season.
Mission: Inclusion
Friday night will celebrate all things inclusion, with the match marking the Club’s Mission Inclusion match. As part of the previously announced Mission Program, the match will recognize the Special Olympians from the 2022 USA Games which were hosted in Orlando last month, including an on field halftime recognition of the gold medal winning Florida soccer team. The Pride will also recognize the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
Milestone Tracker
- Erin McLeod’s next shutout will be the 10th of her NWSL regular-season career.
- Meggie Dougherty Howard is eight appearances away from 100 across NWSL regular season competitions.
- Erika Tymrak is five appearances away from 150 across NWSL regular season competitions.
- Megan Montefusco is one appearance away from 150 across all NWSL competitions.
