With 18 goals and seven assists between them, Orlando Pride’s Alex Morgan and Marta are arguably the most prominent and lethal strike pair in NWSL this season. Through the last three matches, both forwards have a combined eight goals and three assists, all coming in wins for the Pride.
“I think that’s what we’ve seen over the last three games,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said of his attackers, “We’ve started to see a real connection between Alex and Marta, and they’re both on the same page. When they’re on the same page, we get a really lethal striking force.”
Since rejoining the Pride back in late June after a stint in France with Lyon, Morgan has seven goals in just eight games played. Six of those seven goals have come in the last four matches as she continues her torrid pace in the league, now sitting fifth in scoring in the NWSL. All this despite playing less than 700 minutes so far this season.
A big reason why Morgan has been on such a tear recently, has been the level of comfort she has playing with her teammates, especially with Marta in the attacking third.
“We’re just on the same page,” Morgan said of Marta, “I know exactly what she wants. If I’m running in behind and she doesn’t play me, she’s not playing me because it’s not onside or she wants me to check. She’s that type of player that can play you in any sort of space. So, I’m just trying to give her the right line of pass and open up for her. She draws defenders and I think that opens up space for me, so she’s an amazing player and I feel like it’s just clicked for me lately.”
With Morgan in goal scoring form, Marta’s game rises with her. Both formidable attackers draw attention from opposing defences and when one of them is being marked closely, it frees up space for the other to create and score goals.
“Our goal is to make the best for the team and things with Alex are happening now. That’s what we want,” Marta said, “We just want to make things happen and be the best for the team.”
With one of the most potent offensive duos in the entire league hitting their scoring stride, the rest of the NWSL better watch out over the last six games of the season. Next up for the Pride is on the road in Missouri to take on FC Kansas City at 3:30 ET on Saturday.
