1 - Another Shot At Securing
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Pride have another opportunity to clinch a berth in the 2017 postseason on Saturday afternoon. A win over Thorns FC would book a ticket for the Pride, while the team could also bene t from FC Kansas City on Sunday. Should Seattle Reign FC lose or draw against Kansas City, the Pride can also lock in a spot for the four-team tournament.
2 - Last Regular Season Home Hurrah
Saturday’s match will mark the final regular season home game for the Pride. However, the Pride could play one more match at Orlando City Stadium this year, the NWSL Championship. The marquee game will be hosted by Orlando City Stadium at 4:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 14.
The Pride enter the weekend match with a 2017 home record of 6-2-3 and have taken points from their last six home games.
3 - Searching For The First
Orlando will face Thorns FC for the fourth time over the team’s two-year history but will be looking to take their first points against the Cascadia side. Orlando has fallen in each of the previous three meetings between the sides, most recently a 2-0 loss to Portland on April 15. That match, played before both Alex Morgan and Marta joined the Pride for the season, saw goals from Nadia Nadim and Christine Sinclair.
Orlando and Portland met in both the 2016 and 2017 season openers, both times at Providence Park. Steph Catley scored the first goal in Orlando Pride history in the 2016 match off a set piece from the right side.
4 - Healthy Heath?
Saturday’s match could mark the 2017 season debut for Portland midfielder Tobin Heath. The Thorns have been playing without the U.S. Women’s National Team star due to injury, but her return could pose another threat for the Pride defense.
5 - International Roundup
With the NWSL on break last weekend due to FIFA matches, six Orlando Pride players joined their respective national teams. Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris joined the U.S. Women’s National Team for two matches against New Zealand, winning both by 3-1 and 5-0 scorelines. Morgan scored a goal in the first and added a brace in the second, with Harris available on the bench in Game 2.
Marta and Monica joined Brazil in Australia, facing Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and the West eld Matildas for a pair of matches. Australia won both games, 2-1 and 3-2, with Pride players making an impact in both games. Kennedy added an assist in the first match, while Marta had a goal and assist in the second game. Catley played all 180 minutes and Monica started the first match for Brazil.
6 - Alex Keeps It Going
Alex Morgan returns to the Pride after scoring three goals over two matches with the U.S. Women’s National Team. The goals continue an impressive run of form for the 28-year-old forward, who currently leads the NWSL with a goal every 97.5 minutes. Morgan made her rst appearance of 2017 on July 1 and has totaled nine goals through 11 matches, the fourth-most in the league.
7 - Defense Steps It Up
Riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, the Orlando offense has been on fire, outscoring opponents 18-6 over the games. However, the Pride defensive play has been key to Orlando’s recent run.
The Pride opened the season with a 1-3-3 record over its first seven games. Comparing the two spans, the Pride defense is allowing nearly half as many goals (0.85 now, 1.57 then), nearly four fewer shots (10 now, 13.85 then) and increased its tackles per game by over three (16.85 now, 13.57 then).
8 - OCB Encore, PDX Double Time
Saturday will be the final doubleheader for the Pride and the Club’s USL side, Orlando City B, which will host the Charleston Battery at 7:30 p.m. the same day. In addition, Orlando City SC (MLS) travels to the Rose City for a clash with the Portland Timbers, facing the Thorns brother-side at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
