On The Road Again
After hosting two matches at Orlando City Stadium, Orlando Pride will embark on a three-game road stretch, starting on May 2 against Chicago Red Stars. The team will then travel out west to take on Utah Royals FC on May 9 and the Portland Thorns FC on May 12. The last time Orlando played three matches consecutively on the road was in 2016 from May 28 - June 18, resulting in three losses for the Pride.
The Streak Continues
With the draw against Seattle Reign FC on Saturday, April 28, the Pride extended their record for consecutive points awarded at home. Orlando has picked up a point in 10 straight home matches, a stretch that began with a 4-1 win on July 15 against FC Kansas City. Prior to then, Orlando’s longest streak was three matches.
Friends From College
Before they became professionals, many of the Orlando Pride once shared the field with their Chicago Red Stars opponents during their college years. Toni Pressley (2008-11) and Carson Pickett (2012- 15) each spent time playing alongside Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Short (2008-12) at Florida State. Mid elder Dani Weatherholt (2012-15) spent her college years at Santa Clara University in California with Julie Ertz (2010-13) and So a Huerta (2011-14). Finally, Ali Krieger (2003-06) and Christine Nairn (2009-12) both spent one year playing alongside goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (2006- 09) at Penn State.
Turning The Page
The Orlando Pride are currently 0-4-1 all-time against the Chicago Red Stars. In the history of the Club, Chicago and the Portland Thorns are the only two teams the Pride have yet to defeat. The last time these two clubs faced each other was on Aug. 5 at Orlando City Stadium, ending in a 1-1 draw. Alex Morgan scored the lone goal for the Pride in the 24th minute and So a Huerta scored Chicago’s goal in the 53rd minute to tie the match.
The Pride's Shooting Star
Prior to this season, Orlando Pride never had a player that spent time as a member of the Chicago Red Stars. However, that changed with the addition of mid elder Emily van Egmond who played 10 matches for the Red Stars in 2014. During her brief stint in Chicago, van Egmond scored two goals and two assists. Prior to that, van Egmond appeared in six matches for Seattle Reign FC at the end of the 2013 season.
Two For Two
Brazilian legend Marta and forward Chioma Ubogagu are the only two players to score for the Orlando Pride this season. Both of Marta’s game-tying goals came on set-pieces, the first a penalty kick against Utah Royals FC and the second a direct free-kick against Seattle Reign FC. Ubogagu’s first goal against Portland Thorns was scored during run-of-play and assisted by mid elder Christine Nairn. Her second goal of the season was a header against the Houston Dash off a free kick from Nairn, the game-winning goal in the Pride’s first and only win of the season thus far.
The Top of the Race
Midfielder Christine Nairn and Chicago Red Stars players Danielle Colaprico and So a Huerta have recorded two assists each this season, leading the league alongside North Carolina Courage members Kristen Hamilton, Jessica McDonald, Denise O’Sullivan and Portland Thorns’ Christine Sinclair.
Keeping Up With Kerr
The Red Stars added a dynamic piece to their attack this offseason, acquiring last year’s Golden Boot winner Samantha Kerr from Sky Blue FC. With Kerr joining an already potent team, the Pride defense will have to be on its toes when the young Australian gets the ball. Since the Pride’s inception in 2016, Kerr has scored four times in five games against Orlando and totaled 23 shots - her second-highest totals in both categories against any opponent over that span.
