Happy At Home
Orlando Pride enters Wednesday’s match riding a 10-game unbeaten streak at home. The Pride have not lost from the comforts of Orlando City Stadium since July 1, 2017 - a 1-0 defeat to the Chicago Red Stars. Since then, the Pride have gone 5-0-5 and have outscored visitors 21-7.
History Repeats Itself?
In 2017, Orlando faced North Carolina in its fifth game of the season, as the Courage entered the match undefeated. This year, the Pride find themselves in a similar situation as the Courage again travel to Orlando City Stadium without a loss to their name. In the May 14 game, the Pride handed the eventual Shield winners their first blemish of 2017 - a 3-1 defeat behind goals from Chioma Ubogagu, Camila and Jasmyne Spencer.
All Eyes on You
Mid elder Christine Nairn received social media fame for her game-winning goal against Portland Thorns FC. Nairn’s deep-range half-volley made SportsCenter’s Top Ten list and was voted by fans of the National Women’s Soccer League as the Goal of the Week. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris also received national recognition for her save in the 52nd minute against Tobin Heath, garnering her the NWSL Save of the Week award. Harris has previously been given the honor 16 times, more than any other player in the league.
The Eagle Has Landed
Alex Morgan scored her first goal of the season against Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, May 12. Alanna Kennedy sent the ball to the feet of Kristen Edmonds who then crossed it in towards goal, through the Thorns defense to Morgan, who booted it into the back of the net. The goal marked Morgan’s 29th in the NWSL and her 14th with the Pride. It was also the first time Morgan scored against her former team.
Another One
The Pride are riding a five-game unbeaten streak, including two victories and a draw on the road. In addition, the Pride have not been defeated at Orlando City Stadium this season, defeating the Houston Dash and drawing with Utah Royals FC and Seattle Reign FC earlier in the season.
Pit Stop
Wednesday’s match will be the only home game for the Pride in the month of May. Orlando previously embarked on a three-game road trip, defeating the Chicago Red Stars and the Portland Thorns and finishing in a draw against the Utah Royals. Following the match against North Carolina, the Pride will once again hit the road to take on the Red Stars again and Seattle Reign FC.
Cheaper By The Dozen
If Orlando wins or draws against North Carolina it will mark the best start to a season for the Pride. In the first nine games of 2016 the Pride went 4-5-0 (12 points) and in 2017 the team went 3-3-3 (12 points). Currently, the team holds a record of 3-2-3 through eight games, totaling 12 points. A draw would give the team 13 points, a win would lift the Club to 15 points and a loss would tie the first two seasons.
Last Time Around
In the final match of the 2017 regular season, Orlando Pride defeated the North Carolina Courage 3-2. Kristen Edmonds, Marta and Alanna Kennedy scored for the Pride and Lynn Williams netted both for the Courage. Kennedy nailed the game-winning goal in stoppage time off a free-kick from deep and received the Goal of the Week honor as a result. Marta’s goal was her 13th of the season, giving her the second-most goals in the league behind then Sky Blue FC player Sam Kerr. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made four saves to aid in the victory and won the Save of the Week award.
The win also resulted in the Pride finishing third in the regular season table, up six spots from a ninth-place finish during the Club’s inaugural campaign in 2016.
Dropping Dimes
On April 29, 2017 goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made a career-high 10 saves against the North Carolina Courage. Harris had a nine-save match while with the Washington Spirit and has made eight saves in a game only twice in her career, once as a member of the Pride and the other as a member of the Spirit
