Facing the Nation’s Capital
Both the Orlando Pride and Orlando City SC will face opposition from the nation’s capital on Sunday night, with the Lions set to travel to Washington D.C. to take on D.C. United. The Lions will kick off at 8 p.m. ET, just hours after the Pride face off against the Spirit at Exploria Stadium.
The G.O.A.T. vs. the Spirit
Marta has seen much success against Wednesday’s opposition in her NWSL career, with seven goals in eight matches against the Spirit. Her seven goals against Washington is good for the most of any Pride player against any single opposition, tallying three of those in the 2019 campaign. Marta bagged a brace, including the game-winner in a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Pride on July 6 at Exploria Stadium and added another the following month at Audi Field on Aug. 24. There has only been one instance of the Pride losing to Washington when Marta scores.
Last Time Against Washington
The Pride will face the Spirit for the second time within a month on Sunday after hosting them in NWSL Challenge Cup play. Sydney Leroux scored the eventual game-winner in that match in the 11th minute of play, with Alex Morgan earning the assist on the goal. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris registered nine saves, including a denial of Ashley Hatch from the penalty spot, to maintain the clean sheet in the 1-0 victory.
On the Defense
With a 1-0 victory over the Spirit on April 21 and a scoreless draw at North Carolina on May 1, the Pride kept two clean sheets to close out play in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Ashlyn Harris was responsible for both of those shutouts, registering 12 saves between the two to deny the potent attacks of Washington and the Courage. Harris recorded 16 saves in total for the competition, good for third in the league.
Challenge Cup Recap
Through its four-game NWSL Challenge Cup slate, the Pride finished with a record of 1-1-2, finishing at third in the East Division. The side opened the competition with a 2-2 draw at Racing Louisville in what would serve as the lone time they would concede multiple times within one match throughout the competition. Taking a victory over Washington and a scoreless draw at North Carolina, the Pride’s lone loss came at the hands of eventual Eastern top-finishers Gotham FC, a 1-0 defeat off a 79th minute game-winner from Paige Monaghan.
