ORLANDO, Fla. (May 30, 2021) - Orlando Pride (3-0-1, 10 points)
took its third-consecutive victory and its fourth result to start the 2021 NWSL regular season on Sunday night, defeating Kansas City (0-2-2, 2 points) in a 1-0 victory at Exploria Stadium.
Marta scored the eventual game-winner in the 16th minute of play, flicking the ball over the line off a header from teammate Alex Morgan. The finish served as the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year’s first of the 2021 season, while Morgan contributed to a finish for the fourth-consecutive match. Morgan has been involved on two of the Pride’s three deciding finishes this season, scoring the game-winner in North Carolina last Saturday to add to her assist on Sunday.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner:
“After a nine-point week, [we’re on] cloud nine. That’s probably the best win. Not technically, but the attitude, commitment to play for Orlando Pride, to change the ethos of the culture of the Club and of our team, it has just been the most refreshing wind through our team. It’s a wonderful, wonderful group, collective effort and I honestly, I said it last time, but I couldn’t be prouder of them. You have to win ugly, especially in a three-game week and to take nine points is something that we couldn’t have done in year one, but now we can and I’m so proud of every single member of the staff and every single player.”
Scoring Recap:
16’ Marta (Alex Morgan) - ORL 1, KC 0
The Pride struck first in the match, with a corner kick from the left side from Courtney Petersen finding the head of Alex Morgan in the box. A flick from Marta at the goal line followed suit, putting the ball over the line and giving the Pride the lead.
Match Notes:
- The Pride continued its unbeaten run to start the regular season with their third-consecutive victory, now 3-0-1 through their first four matches of the 2021 campaign.
- Marta scored her first goal of the season in the match, with Alex Morgan earning her first assist of the campaign on the finish. Morgan has now recorded a goal contribution in each of the Pride’s four regular-season matches.
- Ashlyn Harris did not have to record a save en route to her first clean sheet of the regular season, with the Pride defense holding Kansas City to 10 shots in the match with none on frame.
- Alex Morgan had a chance to double the advantage in the 65th minute from the penalty spot, but her strike deflected off the post.
- Gunny Jónsdóttir took the field against her former club for the first time, traded to the Pride from Kansas City on January 30. Jónsdóttir spent three seasons as a member of the Utah Royals, appearing in 52 matches.
- Head Coach Marc Skinner made one change to his starting lineup following the Pride’s midweek victory over Portland Thorns FC, with Marisa Viggiano reentering the midfield to start the match.
Next Match:
The Pride hit the road next week, set to take on the Washington Spirit on Sunday, June 6, at Audi Field with kickoff set for 2 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Marta (Alex Morgan) 16’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Gunny Jónsdóttir (Yellow Card) 36’
KC - Addie McCain (Yellow Card) 37’
KC - Mallory Weber (Yellow Card) 45’
KC - Mariana Larroquette (Yellow Card) 62’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando Pride - GK Ashlyn Harris ©; D Courtney Petersen, Phoebe McClernon, Ali Krieger, Ali Riley; M Marisa Viggiano (Meggie Dougherty Howard 90+5’), Marta (Chelsee Washington 82’), Gunny Jónsdóttir; F Sydney Leroux (Crystal Thomas 72’), Alex Morgan, Taylor Kornieck
Substitutes Not Used: GK Erin McLeod; D Ally Haran, Konya Plummer, Toni Pressley; M Erika Tymrak; F Abi Kim
Kansas City - GK Abby Smith; D Katie Bowen, Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie ©, Kristen Edmonds; M Desiree Scott (Gaby Vincent 88’), Jordyn Listro (Victoria Pickett 68’), Addie McCain; F Darian Jenkins, Mariana Larroquette (Amy Rodriquez 68’), Mallory Weber (Jaycie Johnson 57’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nicole Barnhart; D Michelle Maemone, Kate del Fava; M Maddie Nolf; F Michele Vasconcelos
Details of the Game:
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy
Date: May 30, 2021
Attendance: 4,044
Stats Summary: ORL / KC
Possession: 44.3% / 55.7%
Shots: 15 / 10
Shots on Goal: 5 / 0
Saves: 0 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 7
Fouls: 8 / 8
Offside: 2 / 1
Officials:
REF: Alyssa Nichols
AR1: Maggie Short
AR2: Albert Escovar
4TH: Sarieni Vasquez
Heineken Star of the Match
: Marta
