PREVIEW: Orlando Pride Travels to Face Gotham FC on Sunday

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2021) - Orlando Pride (5-5-6, 21 points) takes on NJ/NY Gotham FC (5-4-6, 21 points) for the second time this season on Sunday, August 29 at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff for the match is set for 5:30 p.m. ET, with the contest available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and international viewers able to tune in on Twitch.

“I bet they want to send [departing head coach Freya Coombe] out on a good note. So I think that just adds a little more drama to this game but I really respect this Gotham team. I love the way they play, I think they have a very solid team,” interim Head Coach Becky Burleigh said ahead of the match. “[Carli Lloyd] poses a huge offensive threat for us, for sure. She’s someone we need to be very aware of and I really admire Allie Long’s ability to run the midfield for them. I think she’s a player that is just so consistent. From top to bottom, they’re a very good team.”

Sunday’s match will be the second meeting between the two sides this regular season, the first of which ended in a draw at Exploria Stadium. Caprice Dydasco got Gotham on the board moments before halftime, with Courtney Petersen equalizing in the 90th minute to split the points between the two sides.

The Pride come into Sunday’s match after dropping a 2-1 decision to the Washington Spirit this past weekend. Marta opened the scoring in the fixture with a goal in the 68th minute, but the Spirit responded with goals from Ashley Hatch and Ashley Sanchez to take all three points from the afternoon. 

Sydney Leroux continues to sit atop the league, tied with Gotham’s Ifeoma Onumonu and Washington’s Hatch, each with seven finishes this season. Teammates Marta and Taylor Kornieck continue to lead the Pride in assists, each with three on the year. 

Gotham enters the matchup after a midweek 2-1 defeat at Providence Park against the Portland Thorns. After going down 2-0 at the half, Gotham’s Carli Lloyd was able to pull on back for the visiting side. However, Gotham could not find an equalizer and the team recorded their second consecutive loss. 

Dydasco and Nahomi Kawasumi both lead Gotham with four assists on the season. In addition, the teammates have contributed a pair of goals each. Onumonu leads Gotham with seven goals on the season. 

Following Sunday’s match, the Pride return to Explorida Stadium to take on the Houston Dash. Kickoff is set for Sunday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. ET, with that match aired nationally on CBS. Tickets are available at Orlando-Pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.