The Pride are inching closer to NWSL playoff qualification.
A hard-earned point Thursday night against the Seattle Reign means Orlando is still in control of its own destiny down the stretch. Two matches remain on the Pride’s regular season schedule -- home against Portland and away to North Carolina -- and Orlando simply needs to win one of those matches to clinch playoff qualification. The draw against Seattle puts massive pressure on the teams below Orlando in the standings.
“Both teams knew how important the game was,” Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said in his post-match press conference. “For [Seattle] in particular, tonight was a cup final, they could not lose the game tonight. For us, had we lost the game, we would still have other opportunities but it was really important for us not to lose the game.”
Here’s what the NWSL playoff picture looks like after the Pride’s most recent result:
A point in their next match against Portland would be a positive result for the Pride; a win would clinch a playoff spot no matter what.
Orlando is in control of its playoff destiny, but other results around the League this weekend could bolster the Pride’s chances of making it to the postseason. Barring a late-season debacle for the Pride, Seattle and New Jersey would both need to win out in order to leapfrog Orlando in the standings.
Pride defender and team leader Ali Krieger explained her mentality with the postseason on the horizon:
“No matter if we had won tonight or not we still would want to win the last two games,” Krieger said. “We’re on a really good streak right now, we haven’t lost in seven games.”
Krieger continued:
“I’m very positive and I’m very excited for the next two games. I know we are a very good team. We’re a tough team to beat, we’re gonna bring it and we’re gonna want to win. We build off of each and every game and I think we’re on such a good streak. We have great momentum right now, we just need those few extra points and then we can breathe a little bit.”
NWSL Game of the Week: Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns
Orlando City Stadium, Sept. 23
Kickoff 3:30 p.m.
Get your tickets here
