Orlando Pride (7-0-3, 24 points) vs Portland Thorns (6-3-1, 19 points)
When: Friday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: Bally Sports Sun (Local), NWSL+ (National)
As the Pride travel out to Seattle to take on the Reign, here are five things to watch for on Sunday night:
Something’s Gotta Give
The match between the Pride and the Thorns will be the first meeting in NWSL history between two teams that are riding a winning streak of at least four consecutive games. The Pride enter the match on a seven-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest winning streak in NWSL history. The Pride are also unbeaten in the first 10 games of the 2024 NWSL regular season, having drawn the first three matches of the year. On the opposite side of the ball, the Thorns enter the match on a six-game winning run.
Next Player Up
During the Pride’s winning streak, they have not trailed in any match and have only faced 61 shots, which is fewer than any other team in the NWSL during the seven-game stretch. The Pride have also seen multiple players step up and produce quality performances during the run as they have fielded a different starting lineup in every match of the winning streak.
The Start of Something New
In the most recent matchup between Orlando and Portland, the Pride recorded a 3-1 victory at home, which snapped a three-game losing skid against the Thorns. The Pride were backed by a brace from forward Adriana as well as a finish from former Pride player Messiah Bright. It was just the fifth time the Pride have avoided defeat against the Thorns as they will look to avoid a loss to the Thorns in back-to-back matches for the first time in Club history.
Trailblazer
Babra Banda continues her impressive form since entering the league as she bagged a brace in the Pride’s last match against Seattle, which included the game-winning goal, her third of the year. Banda now has scored six goals and recorded two assists totaling eight goal contributions, making her one of four players in NWSL history to contribute seven or more goal contributions through their first six career matches. Her eight contributions are the second-most in league history through a player’s first six career games, only behind Nadia Nadim who has 10.
Another First
The match against the Thorns will be the first time the Pride will be sporting their first-ever Club-exclusive sleeve partner after announcing the Club’s multiyear partnership with Heart of Florida United Way. The non-profit's logo will be featured on the right sleeve of both the Phoenix and Citrus kits. In collaboration with the Pride, Heart of Florida United Way become the Proud Charity Partner of the Orlando Pride and presenting partner of the Club’s new charity ticket program that will see 50 tickets donated to a local, Central Florida non-profit for every Orlando Pride home match.
Milestone Tracker
- Marta is two assists away from 20 in her NWSL career.
- Marta is two appearances away from 100 regular season appearances, all of which have come with the Pride.
- Julie Doyle is three appearances away from 50 appearances across all competitions, all of which have come while donning the Pride kit.
