Key Transactions
Since the Pride last faced the Red Stars, Wednesday’s opposition has signed goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold from Brisbane Roar of the Australian W-League. The Australian international has appeared in 23 matches for the Matildas since joining her national team in 2012. Arnold has yet to make an appearance for the Red Stars.
Recent Form
Prior to dropping a 2-1 decision to Sky Blue FC this past Wednesday, the Red Stars had rattled off a franchise-record five consecutive victories from July 13 to August 10. Chicago currently sit at second in the NWSL standings, four points behind the league-leading Portland Thorns with a game in hand.
Who’s Hot
Sam Kerr has been hot all season for the Red Stars, leading the league with 13 goals this season with the next closest player behind her having eight. Kerr has been named NWSL Player of the Week five separate times this season, the first player to do so since 2015.
Head-to-Head
The Pride hold a 2-6-1 record over the Red Stars in Club history, with both those victories coming in their last two visits to Chicago last season. The first came on May 2 in a 2-0 shutout victory over the Red Stars only to be followed up later in the month by a 5-2 win on May 26.
Rasmussen College Fun Fact
Orlando Pride midfielder Joanna Boyles spent her first season in NWSL with the Chicago Red Stars as a National Team Replacement Player. Boyles was selected by the Red Stars with the 25th pick in the Boston Breakers Dispersal Draft after being taken No. 32 overall in the 2018 NWSL College Draft by the Breakers before they ceased operations. While she did not appear for the Red Stars last season, the UNC-product has appeared in 12 matches for the Pride in 2019 with 10 starts, scoring a goal and registering two assists in that span.
