Orlando Pride (2-0-3, 9 points) at Washington Spirit (4-1-0, 12 points)
When: Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
TV: Bally Sports Sun (locally) & NWSL+
As the Pride travel to the Nation's capital, here are five things to watch for on Friday:
So Long, Losses
The Pride extended their unbeaten streak to start the 2024 NWSL regular season to five games after the Club’s win over the San Diego Wave last week. It is the second time in team history the Pride have started the season unbeaten through at least five games, the first time coming back in 2021, where they started the season going seven matches without a loss.
Florida!!!
The Pride defense has conceded just four goals in 2024, tied for their fewest at this point of the season, which they have done twice before back in 2016 and 2021. Last season, the Pride conceded four goals in the first 76 minutes of the season. The Pride have recorded back-to-back clean sheet victories, both of which came via 1-0 scorelines. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse now has nine shutouts in her Pride career which leaves her in second place for most shutouts in Club history.
How Did it End?
In the last matchup between the Pride and Spirit in the regular season, the Pride walked out of Audi Field with three points in a 3-0 road victory that came in July of last year. That score is tied for the Pride’s largest road win, with its only other three-goal away win coming during the 2018 season, a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Forward Julie Doyle secured a first-half brace in that match scoring in the eighth and 16th minutes. The Pride will look to extend their unbeaten streak against the Spirit in regular season play to five, holding a 2-0-2 record and outscoring the Spirit 7-3 in the two side’s last four regular-season matchups.
Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?
Pride forward Summer Yates found the back of the net again for the Pride, scoring the game-winning goal against San Diego, also serving as her second goal of the year. She is one of four players in the NWSL who has been involved in the buildup to eight or more shots per 90 minutes. Along with Yates are Bia Zaneratto of the Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns teammates Sophia Smith and Olivia Moultrie.
Fresh Out the Slammer
The match against the Wave marked the NWSL debut of forward Barbra Banda, who came into the match in the 61st minute as a substitute. In just 30 minutes, she recorded three shots, two of which were on goal, and had 1.0 expected goals. The Zambian international recently joined the Pride after being one of the largest all-in investments on a player in NWSL history. The match also saw defender Rafaelle return from injury and make her season debut after joining the Pride midway through the year last year.
Milestone Tracker
- Adriana’s next goal would be her seventh with the Club, tying her for seventh place in Club history with the most goals scored.
- A goal against the Spirit will be the 10th consecutive game the Pride have scored in, which will set a new Club record for most consecutive games with a goal.
