With the 2019 Orlando Pride schedule now available, there are many exciting things to come this summer. Here are our top five, can’t miss matches of the regular-season:
(Editor’s Note: We here at Orlando Pride highly encourage you to watch every Pride match this season, not just these five. Do you know what’s even better? Being in the stands! 2019 season and group ticket packages are available here.)
Sunday, April 14 vs. Portland Thorns FC
It would be a proper start to the NWSL season if Orlando and Portland weren’t matched up against each other. With this marking the third time in four years the two sides will face each other in Week 1, the Pride will look to turn the tables and have a leg up with the match (finally) hosted in Orlando. This will also be fans first chance to see a new-look Pride under the guidance of Head Coach Marc Skinner.
Plus, seeing nearly 20 Women’s World Cup players on the field at one time isn’t a bad way to set the tone for 2019.
Sunday, July 14 at Portland Thorns FC
The post-2019 Women’s World Cup Era will begin with another marquee meeting between Orlando and Portland. This one, however, could be record-setting as it will mark the first NWSL match at freshly-renovated Providence Park. With a new venue capacity of 25,000, the Thorns could overtake the league’s single-game attendance record, which Orlando still holds at 23,403. That record was set on April 23, 2016 in the Pride’s first-ever NWSL match against the Houston Dash.
Saturday, July 20 vs. Sky Blue FC
While the Pride hit the road for their first post-World Cup match, July 20 is when Orlando City Stadium and the purple faithful will be ready to welcome back their international stars and a full-force Orlando roster. And with Sky Blue midfielder Carli Lloyd known to post big-time tournament performances, this is one you’ll want to add to the calendar.
Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Chicago Red Stars
Any game with Sam Kerr is one to watch. Despite the Pride taking two wins at Chicago last season, the team’s second trip of the year to the renamed Seat Geek Stadium could prove to be another thriller. Kerr has shown no signs of slowing down since winning the most recent NWSL and W-League Golden Boots. Which high-powered attack will come out on top in this one?
Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Reign FC
If history continues to repeat itself, the final weekend of the 2019 regular-season will be a nail-biter. With nine teams in the table, points in every match are valuable but those in the final games are often the most sought after. Game 24 has made teams go from hosting a playoff game to traveling or, in some cases, being completely knocked out of postseason play.
With five consecutive draws between Orlando and Seattle over the last two seasons, could the 2019 finale finally have a winner and how important will those three points be for the playoff picture?
Fans can catch all 2019 NWSL matches live on Yahoo!Sports, while international fans can tune in on the NWSL app or at NWSLsoccer.com.
