1 - Eyes On The Prize
Orlando enters Thursday’s match with a chance to clinch the team’s first-ever playoff berth. A win would put the Pride at 38 points with two matches remaining, and increase the distance between fifth-seeded Seattle. The Pride hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Sky Blue FC, the only team with enough potential points to tie the Pride.
2 - Irma's Impact
Due to Hurricane Irma, the match against Seattle Reign FC was rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET, at Orlando City Stadium. The two sides were originally scheduled to face off on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The match will follow Orlando City B’s match against the Richmond Kickers, which has been moved to 4:30 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.
3 - Heroics From Hill
Rookie forward Rachel Hill posted the best match of her budding professional career last week, scoring two goals in a seven-minute span to help lead the Pride to a 4-2 win over the Boston Breakers.
Hill opened the scoring in the eighth minute, pouncing on a rebounded Alex Morgan shot. Then, in the 15th minute, Hill slotted in a cross from Morgan for an early 2-0 lead.
Hill’s previous goal on the season was an 86th-minute game-winner at Sky Blue FC on June 28.
4 - Goals Galore
After scoring just six goals in their first five home games of the season, the Pride have netted 17 goals over their most recent five. Orlando has scored multiple goals in four of the five games and, over its current five-game win streak, has outscored opponents 16-4.
5 - Krieger The Commentator
On Tuesday night, Krieger traded in the soccer field for the studio when she traveled to beIN Sports to provide analysis for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup Qualifying match against Honduras. Krieger was part of a pundit team that featured Kevin Egan, Jimmy Conrad and former USMNTer Carlos Bocanegra.
6 - Ubogagu In Form
Forward Chioma Ubogagu appears to be hitting her stride at the right time, as the Pride look to make the push for the playoffs. Playing alongside focal points Alex Morgan and Marta, Ubogagu has been an important part of the Pride attack.
Ubogagu played a hand in all four of the Pride’s goals on Saturday, earning a goal and assist on the score sheet.
Ubogagu currently has four goals and two assists.
7 - Double The Trouble
Thursday will mark the second of three doubleheaders the Pride will play with the Club’s USL side, Orlando City B. On July 1, the Pride opened the night against the Chicago Red Stars, falling 1-0 followed by a 1-1 draw from OCB against FC Cincinnati.
The two clubs will play the final doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Pride host Portland Thorns FC on Lifetime, followed by OCB’s match against Charleston at 7:30 p.m.
8 - Offensive Output
The midweek match will pit the NWSL’s top two offenses against each other in what is perhaps the most important game of the season for both teams.
The Reign FC offense ranks second in the league with 39 goals, second only to Orlando’s 41. U.S. Women’s National Team mid elder Megan Rapinoe leads the side with 12 goals, a total that is tied with Pride forward Marta for second overall in the NWSL.
9 - Searching For Six
Orlando enters the match riding a team-best five game winning streak, and will be looking to extend that to six games on Thursday night. Over their last six games, the Pride have taken 16 of 18 possible points. The Pride are unbeaten in those last six games, a streak that started with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 5.
