1 - Hello From The Other Side
While both Orlando and Sky Blue present offensive firepower, their goals are bunched together at opposite sides of their matches.
No team has scored more than Orlando’s 10 goals in the first 30 minutes of games, while Sky Blue has been the strongest finisher with 16 goals over the final 30 minutes of games this year.
2 - Evans' Exit
Orlando Pride mid elder Maddy Evans announced her retirement from professional soccer on Friday and will play her final match Saturday against Sky Blue FC. Evans, 26, has appeared in 27 matches for Orlando, making 16 starts.
The Penn State product was acquired with the Pride’s No. 9 pick in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft after three seasons with the Boston Breakers.
3 - Offensive Explosion
After a scoreless first half, it took just 12 minutes for the Pride’s offense to find its rhythm in Tuesday’s match against Washington. The Pride posted goals in the 52nd, 57th and 64th minute to down the Spirit 3-0 at Orlando City Stadium.
Marta connected with Alex Morgan for the first time this season, scoring off a give-and-go. Five minutes later, Morgan’s speed forced Stephanie Labbe to come well out of the box, setting up a clever chipped goal from Camila. Morgan was rewarded with a goal of her own for the final score, blasting home a perfect long ball from Steph Catley.
4 - Hill Stays Sidelined
The Pride will be without forward Rachel Hill, who sprained her right ankle in Saturday’s match against Chicago. Hill was replaced by Marta in the 24th minute. Hill has appeared in nine matches this season and scored the game-winner in the Pride’s previous match against Sky Blue FC.
5 - Morgan In Form
After playing her first match of 2017 on July 1, forward Alex Morgan has begun to click on the attack. Morgan has totaled three goals in her six apperances, with a goal coming in each of the Pride’s last three home games.
The U.S. Federation player picked up her first assist of the season during Orlando’s last match, setting up Marta on a give-and-go play for the Pride’s first goal of the game. That goal would go on to be the game- winner in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
6 - Ashlyn Back In Action
Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris has been cleared for play after missing the previous 11 matches with a quadriceps injury.
The 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year played her last match over two months ago, sustaining the injury in the 26th minute of a 1-1 draw at Seattle on May 21.
Harris is also team captain for the Pride.
7 - Battle of the Bests
Saturday’s match will see two of the league’s top offensive talents square off for the third time this season.
Orlando’s Marta and Sky Blue’s Sam Kerr have both had phenomenal seasons and will both look for this opportunity to propel their respective clubs further up the table while staying in the hunt for the Golden Boot.
Marta has nine goals on the year, third in the league, while Kerr has 11, second in the league.
Marta and Kerr are both in the top 10 in assists this season–Marta is tied for second (4) and Kerr is tied for third (3).
