ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Pride (4-8-1, 13 points) suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Kansas City Current (4-9-0, 12 points) on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. The loss snapped the Club’s three-game winning streak in the friendly confines of Exploria Stadium.
Captain Marta started the match, which served as her 95th appearance for the Pride across all competitions. On Saturday night, she surpassed previous Pride defender Toni Pressley who originally held the record at 94 appearances during her years in Orlando.
Along with the new Club record, Marta was the lone goal scorer on the night for the Pride. She slotted home a penalty kick in the second half after an attempted shot on frame by Julie Doyle hit a Current defender’s hand. The goal serves as her 29th goal scored across all competitions while donning the Pride kit.
Scoring Summary:
29’ Debinha (Vanessa DiBernardo) – KC 1, ORL 0
The Current struck first after Vanessa DiBernardo won the ball in the attacking end and found Debinha who was able to chip the ball over Anna Moorhouse, who was off her line.
45’ Cece Kizer (Vanessa DiBernardo) – KC 2, ORL 0
The visitors doubled their lead with DiBernardo whipping a ball in from the right flank and finding Cece Kizer who was able to take a touch around a defender and poke the ball into the back of the net.
58’ Marta (Penalty Kick) – KC 2, ORL 1
The Pride pulled one back after a Julie Doyle shot struck the arm of Current forward Kristen Hamilton and a penalty kick was awarded. The captain stepped up to the spot and chipped the ball down the middle of the net finishing it off with the Panenka.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“It was a game of two halves. I think the first half wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t ourselves. The second half was better, more intent, more commitment in the attack and in defending but it was too little too late. Kansas were already two-nil up at the half. We tried to get back into the game, but it was too late."
Match Notes:
- With the start, Marta recorded her 95th appearance across all competitions for the Pride, becoming the Club’s all-time leader in the category. Marta surpassed defender Toni Pressley who recorded 94 appearances from 2019-22.
- Marta scored her second goal of the season, both of which came from the penalty spot at Exploria Stadium.
- Jordyn Listro returned to the starting lineup on Saturday, her first regular season start since April 23 of this year, also against Kansas City.
- Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to his starting lineup entering the match, with Listro, Marta and Kerry Abello all getting the nod for the Starting XI.
Next Match: The Pride will have a quick turnaround as they are set to welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC in the UKG Challenge Cup to Exploria Stadium on Wednesday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with the game available to stream on Paramount+.
