What to watch for as the Orlando Pride return home to host Portland Thorns

Orlando Pride (3-6-1, 10 points) vs Portland Thorns (5-1-4, 19 points)

When: Sunday, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

TV: CBS Sports Network

As the Orlando Pride prepare to return home to face the Portland Thorns this weekend, here are five storylines to watch during Sunday's match:

Building a Fortress

The Pride are returning to Exploria Stadium for their first home game in the last 22 days. The Pride have earned back-to-back victories in their last two home matches, the first time the Club has won consecutive matches at home since the end of May 2021. Both those victories came within a five-day span where they collected wins over the Kansas City Current and Sunday’s opposition the Portland Thorns.

A Strom Month of May 

On Monday, Pride defender Kylie Strom was announced as a member of the league’s Best XI for the month of May. Over the month, Strom led all NWSL defenders with three chances created, duels (53) and duels won (29). The Boston University product also totaled 320 touches, 13 clearances and 5 interceptions to go along with her game-winning goal on May 20. That goal at Exploria Stadium led the Pride over the Washington Spirit and handed the visitors their first loss of the 2023 NWSL season.

Club Legend

Brazilian international Marta entered the Pride’s previous match as a second-half substitute, making her the Club’s all-time regular season appearance leader with 82. Marta passed former Pride players Ashlyn Harris and Toni Pressley to become the sole leader. Marta resigned with the Pride this past offseason on a two-year deal, marking this season as her 7th season with the Pride.

Let’s Play

Saturday's matchup against the Houston Dash saw Spaniard Celia record her first appearance with the Pride during regular season play and her second appearance across the 2023 campaign. Celia stepped onto the pitch in the 67th minute, subbing in for midfielder Mikayla Cluff. In 2022, Celia made 18 appearances, earning the start in 17 matches. Celia notched her first appearance with the start during the Pride’s first match up against the Washington Spirit during the UKG Challenge Cup playing 76 minutes of the match.

Prioritizing Player Safety

The Pride’s most recent match against NJ/NY Gotham FC at part of the UKG Challenge Cup was postponed due to poor air quality conditions in the New York metropolitan area. The safety of the players and fans is the Club’s top priority and after consultation with the NWSL Medical and Operations staff, it was determined that the match could not be safely conducted based on the projected air quality index. The match has been rescheduled for August 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on Paramount+.

Milestone Tracker

• Defender Megan Montefusco is two appearances away from recording her 150th NWSL regular season appearance. 

• Marta is seven appearances away from 100, all which have come as a member of the Pride. She is on track to become the first Pride player to hit the century mark for the Club. 

• Erika Tymrak is one goal away from 20 across her NWSL career.

• Forward Ally Watt is six appearances away from hitting 50 across all NWSL competitions.

• Defender Kylie Strom is five regular season appearances away from hitting 50 in her NWSL career.