Captain’s 100th Cap
Orlando Pride captain Ashlyn Harris is set to register her 100th NWSL regular-season cap on Saturday against the Houston Dash. Of her 100 appearances in the National Women’s Soccer League, 54 will have come as a member of the Orlando Pride. The Satellite Beach native was selected by the Pride with their second pick in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft and has captained the Club since the start of the 2017 season. Harris made her 46 other NWSL appearances as a member of the Washington Spirit from 2013-15.
A Month of Marta
Since the Pride last took the pitch, Marta was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for the month of July. The Brazilian international scored three goals for the Pride last month with a brace against the Washington Spirit on July 6 and another finish while also forcing an own goal at Portland the following week. Marta now leads the Pride with four goals this season with all of her goals being scored since her return to the Club following the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Rookie Contributions
Rookie Marisa Viggiano scored the game-winner for the Pride in their last outing on July 20 in a match that saw them earn a 1-0 victory over Sky Blue FC. The finish marked the second-consecutive week that a rookie found the back of the net, with Erin Greening ripping a shot from outside the area the previous week against Portland for her first professional goal. Greening and Viggiano were both selected by the Pride in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, with the No. 25 and No. 30 overall picks, respectively.
Last Time Against the Dash
In the Pride’s last meeting with the Dash, the two battled to a 2-2 draw at BBVA Stadium. Joanna Boyles scored her first NWSL goal in that match off a perfectly-placed free kick in the 13th minute. The Dash would then respond with two finishes of their own in the 47th and 67th minutes respectively, but Danica Evans equalized late for the Pride for her first finish of the season and the second of her career, forcing the two sides to split the points on the evening.
Best Wishes to Toni
Orlando Pride defender Toni Pressley has been diagnosed with breast cancer, announced by the Club earlier this week. Pressley underwent surgery last week and has been placed on the 45-Day Disabled List. The Florida State product joined the Pride at its inception, selected with the Pride’s eighth pick in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft. Since then, she has appeared in 52 matches for the Pride, including nine this season, while scoring three goals.
