Just Getting Started
Orlando Pride forward Marta’s penalty kick goal in Orlando’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Red Stars last Sunday served as the Brazilian’s first goal of the season for the Pride. The goal was the 18th of Marta’s career, tying her for most in Orlando Pride history with Alex Morgan. That game was also Marta’s first game back from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Marta has a strong track record against the Washington Spirit, Orlando’s opponents on Saturday, as her four goals in five games is tied for the most goals she has scored against any team in the NWSL. The Brazilian is one of just four players since 2017 to average more than a goal per 90 against an opponent in league play (1.2 goals/90 min.), while Washington are one of only two teams against which Marta has not lost.
Saves on Saves on Saves
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer continues to work hard to keep the Pride in every game with her saves. Kopmeyer’s eight saves in Orlando’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Red Stars last Sunday tied her career-high with the Pride that she originally set earlier this season on May 5 against the Houston Dash. On the season, Kopmeyer sits in second in the NWSL with 39 saves.
Good Matchup
The Pride hold a 3-3-2 record historically over Washington with a 2-1-1 record at home. In their three meetings last season, the Pride earned a 2-1-0 record over the Spirit and have won the last two meetings between the teams, outscoring Washington 3-1 in those games.
Goalkeeper Battle
Saturday’s matchup between the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit will feature a battle of the top two goalkeepers in terms of saves in the NWSL. Washington - and former Pride - ‘keeper Aubrey Bledsoe leads the league with 45 saves and has earned five clean sheets as well, while Pride goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer has put in several impressive performances and collected 39 saves to place her in second, just six behind Bledsoe.
Back in the Mix
With Marta and Camila return to action in Sunday’s contest against Chicago, the Pride will see another influx of international talent added back to the pool as Australians Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond, as well as Canadian Shelina Zadorsky have returned from international duty and will be available for selection on Saturday. Scotland forward Claire Emslie remains overseas, currently obtaining her P-1 visa. In addition, the Pride have released National Team Replacement Player Taylor Porter.
World Cup Watch
The U.S. Women’s National Team boasts the three remaining Orlando Pride players in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in forward Alex Morgan, defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. In the U.S.’s semifinal match against England on Wednesday, Morgan started for the U.S. and played the entirety of the match, wearing the captain’s armband and scoring the eventual game-winner when she got her head on a ball from Lindsey Horan in the 31st minute. Krieger entered the match in the 87th minute for Kelley O’Hara, while Harris did not appear in the match. The U.S. WNT will next face the Netherlands on Sunday in the World Cup final, looking to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
