SAN DIEGO, Calif., (June 7, 2024) – The Orlando Pride (8-0-4, 28 points) continued its unbeaten start to the 2024 NWSL season on Friday night, traveling to face the San Diego Wave (3-4-4, 13 points) where the two sides played to a 1-1 final at Snapdragon Stadium. The Pride entered the match on an eight-match winning streak, a league record that was set on May 24 against Portland, and with the draw remain without a loss through the first 12 games of the campaign.
Coming off two wins last week with Brazil, Marta made her 100th regular season appearance as a member of the Pride in the game, the first player to reach the feat with the Club.
Julie Doyle scored Orlando’s lone goal in the game, an acrobatic finish off a cross from May Player of the Month Barbra Banda. Cori Dyke made her first career start on the night, while Alex Kerr notched her professional debut entering as a second-half substitute.
The Pride will remain on the road for their next match, traveling to face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, June 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Scoring Summary:
36’ Julie Doyle (Barbra Banda) – ORL 1, SD 0
The Pride opened the scoring on the counterattack after their defense cleared away a corner. The ball was sent up to Barbra Banda who drove at the defender and crossed the ball into the box, finding Julie Doyle who made an acrobatic finish to pull ahead.
62’ Makenzy Doniak – ORL 1, SD 1
The home side leveled things up in the second half after a ball was crossed to the back post and found the foot of Makenzy Doniak. Doniak was able to get a shot away and through a crowd of players, deflecting off a Pride defender and into the back of the net.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“Overall, I think it's a good away point. It keeps our unbeaten streak going, as well. It's always a tough place to come, San Diego away. You look at the personnel that they have on the field, internationals all over but I think we stood up to the challenge really well. I thought we took our goal exceptionally well as well. It was great to see Julie [Doyle] get on the score sheet. And then you know, obviously disappointing with the equalizer, but to see the game out and get a point away from home is pleasing for the staff and the players.”
Match Notes:
- Entering the match at the start of the second half, Marta made her 100th NWSL regular season appearance, all coming as a member of the Pride, the first player to hit the milestone in Club history.
- Forward Julie Doyle scored her second goal of the season with a first half finish.
- Barbra Banda recorded her third assist of the year on the Doyle finish.
- Midfielder Cori Dyke earned her first NWSL start. Dyke was the Pride’s No. 22 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
- Alex Kerr made her professional debut, entering the match in the 84th minute.
- Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to his starting XI from the Club’s last matchup against the Portland Thorns with Bri Martinez, Cori Dyke and Ally Watt entering the starting lineup.
Next Match: The Pride will go back on the road and travel to Cary, North Carolina to take on the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, June 15. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with the match available to nationally on NWSL+ and locally on Bally Sports Florida.
