She’s Back…
After recording a brace against Washington last weekend, Marta has now registered three goals in her two matches back with the Pride following her return from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Brazilian international earned Goal of the Week honors for her first goal of the evening in the 48th minute, the third time she has claimed that award since joining the Pride in 2017. Her finish in the 78th minute served as the eventual game-winner in last week’s match and her sixth goal against the Spirit in her career.
All Aboard the Chi-Chi Train
Orlando Pride forward Chioma Ubogagu has been on an impressive run of form as of late, having scored a goal in each of Orlando’s last three matches. The trio of goals mark the first scores by the Pride this season, including the game-winning goal against Sky Blue FC on June 22. Ubogagu has now scored 12 goals over her NWSL career, with 11 of those coming as a member of the Pride.
Over the Hill
Dynamic forward Rachel Hill may have gotten the monkey off of her back on Sunday, scoring her first goal of the 2019 season - a feat that alluded the third-year pro up until that point. The UCONN product rocketed a one-timed shot past Aubrey Bledsoe, finishing off a perfectly-weighted pass from Emily van Egmond. Hill has started in each of the Pride’s 12 games this season and sits second on the team in minutes played (972) and total shots (15).
Offensive Tear
In Saturday’s win over the Washington Spirit, the Pride posted four goals - the most scored by the team in a single game this season. The tallies increased the team’s goalscoring record by 50 percent, going from eight goals on the season to 12 in just one match. All three goalscorers hit marks in the win, with Chioma Ubogagu scoring her third goal in as many games on the team’s opening goal, while Rachel Hill netted her first of the year on the Pride’s second score. Marta then finished things off with two goals, her first multi-goal game of the year.
Four Stars for Three Stars
Three members of the Pride will be heading back to Orlando with some extra luggage in tow - a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup title. On Sunday, Pride players Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris became two-time world champions, helping lead the U.S. WNT to its fourth World Cup title in history after beating the Netherlands 2-0. Before returning to the Pride, the champions will head out on a U.S. media tour that includes a Ticker Tape Parade in NYC on Wednesday morning and an appearance at the ESPY Awards that same evening.
Milestone Tracker
- With two goals against Washington, Marta scored her 19th and 20th career goals, breaking her tie with Alex Morgan as the leading goalscorer in Orlando Pride history.
- In Saturday’s 4-3 win over Washington, defender Toni Pressley earned her 50th appearance as a member of the Pride.
- Alanna Kennedy’s next appearance will be her 50th as a member of the Pride and 65th of her NWSL career.
- Marta enters Sunday’s match with 48 career appearances, coming in purple.
