Last Time Against Gotham
Orlando last faced off against Gotham FC on Aug. 29 at Red Bull Arena for the team’s second meeting of the 2021 regular season. Erika Tymrak scored the lone goal off a Sydney Leroux assist, securing the three points for the Pride on the road in what also served as her first goal as a Pride player.
Carli’s Farewell
U.S. WNT staple and New Jersey native Carli Lloyd announced her retirement from both international and club soccer at the conclusion of this season. Lloyd has traveled to downtown Orlando many times over her tenure with the Houston Dash and Gotham FC as well as appearing in the Red, White and Blue for the U.S. WNT at Exploria Stadium. In 2016, Lloyd was part of the Houston Dash team that faced off against the Pride in its first-ever home game, that one taking place at the then-Citrus Bowl, a 3-1 Pride win.
Unbeaten Through Five
Orlando is unbeaten in their last five matches against Gotham in regular season play, with a record of 3-0-2 in those contests. The streak dates back to 2019, where the Pride took two victories and a draw over Gotham in their three regular season meetings. Earlier this season, Orlando added to this streak when the Club secured the draw at Exploria Stadium and the latest addition coming from the 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena on August 29.
Playoffs in Sight
Only three points separate fourth and eighth place in the standings, with just the top six teams making it to the postseason. With only three weeks left in the regular season, the Pride currently sit in sixth place with 28 points through 20 matches. Gotham FC are currently on the outside looking in at eighth place with 26 points and a game in hand on those teams above them. A win for the Pride on Saturday has the ability to put them in fourth place, whereas a victory for Gotham would catapult the team to 29 points.
October is Pink
Saturday’s match against Gotham will serve as the Orlando Pride’s Breast Cancer Awareness Match as part of the Club’s announced initiatives throughout the month of October. At the match, 2,000 pink pumpkin buckets will be given to fans courtesy of CITY Furniture. Limited-edition Orlando Pride BCA merchandise will also be available for purchase at The Den, as well as at ShopOrlandoPride.com. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to supporting breast cancer research.
Good to See You Again
Orlando Pride has re-signed Australian international Emily van Egmond, bringing the midfielder back to Orlando for her second stint with the Club, and goalkeeper Kaylie Collins. Van Egmond and Collins have both signed for the remainder of the 2021 season, with the former having previously played with the Pride in 2018 and making 25 appearances in purple, and the latter a NTRP during the 2021 season. The midfielder previously played in the FA Women’s Super League at West Ham where she netted four goals in 21 appearances. Collins has not yet made an appearance at the pro level.
Milestone Tracker
- Forwards Sydney Leroux (39) and Alex Morgan (38) are only one and two goals away, respectively, from scoring 40 goals across all NWSL competitions.
- Erika Tymrak has appeared in 143 matches across all competitions, just eight away from 150 NWSL appearances.
- Alex Morgan (98) currently sits two appearances short of 100 regular season NWSL appearances, with 62 of those coming in purple for the Orlando Pride.
- Midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard is two appearances away from 100 appearances across all NWSL competitions.
