The Pride return to Orlando City Stadium this weekend to take on the Boston Breakers. Orlando (9-6-5, 32 points) closed out an undefeated month of August with two hard fought road victories, solidifying a spot in the top four. Four games are left in the regular season for the Pride, who host Boston (3-10-7, 20 points) this Saturday night at 7pm.
Here’s what you should know about Orlando’s next opponent:
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The Breakers are coming off three consecutive losses (vs. Houston, vs. Orlando, @ New Jersey) and have failed to win a match since early July. Boston is 0-4-4 in its last eight matches. Saturday’s matchup with Alex Morgan and the surging Pride means it won’t be getting much easier for the northeastern side.
Who’s Hot
Abby Smith has been one of Boston’s most consistent players in 2017. The Breakers goalkeeper is third in the NWSL with 78 saves on the season -- seven of those came in Boston’s recent 1-0 loss to Sky Blue FC. Smith did make a questionable decision which led to Kerr’s goal earlier in that game, but the goalkeeper made up for it when she denied Kerr in a one-on-one situation later in the match.
For a season in which goals have been scarce for the Breakers, Abby Smith’s reliability and elite shot-stopping ability have bolstered Boston defensively.
Who’s Not
The Breakers have been without their dynamic rookie midfielder, Rose Lavelle, since June, when the US international picked up a hamstring injury against Norway. Lavelle brought balance and pure attacking quality to the Breakers in midfield; her absence from the squad has definitely been noticeable considering Boston’s ongoing struggle to create many goal scoring chances.
Lavelle, the number one overall pick in the 2017 NWSL draft, is eyeing a return to game action soon, and is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday’s match at Orlando City Stadium.
Head-to-Head
The Pride have won both fixtures against the Breakers in 2017. Two weeks ago, Orlando traveled to Boston and won a difficult 2-1 result against a committed Breakers squad. Alex Morgan’s brace had Orlando up 2-0 going into stoppage time of the match; Amanda Da Costa scored a 98th minute penalty to cut the lead in half, but the final whistle blew right after Boston scored.
These teams played in Orlando earlier this season on a rainy evening at Orlando City Stadium. Marta and Jasmyne Spencer were the goal scorers as the Pride cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win in June.
