ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2021) - Orlando Pride (5-4-5, 20 points) take on Portland Thorns FC (9-3-1, 28 points) for the third time this season on Saturday, August 14 at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the contest available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and international viewers able to tune in on Twitch.
“Portland is in first place for a reason. They’re a really good team and really talented. I think, for us, it’s about finding a way to assert our identity but also recognizing the strengths that they have and trying to take those away,” Orlando Pride interim Head Coach Becky Burleigh said.
Saturday’s match will be the third meeting between the two sides and second meeting in downtown Orlando this season. The last time Portland visited came on May 26 when the Pride handed the Thorns their first loss at Exploria Stadium. Alex Morgan opened the scoring early, only to be answered by Thorns forward Simone Charley, with the two sides entering the half level. Shortly after the break however, Sydney Leroux would score the eventual game-winner, picking the pocket of the Thorns’ defense and finding the back of the net.
The Pride enter the weekend looking to build off a 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars this past Sunday. Jodie Taylor found the back of the net for the first time as a member of the Pride in the 15th minute, with Sydney Leroux adding the insurance in the 89th. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made three saves en route to her second shutout of the regular season.
Leroux now sits atop the league with seven finishes this season. Teammates Marta and Taylor Kornieck remain tied for the league lead in assists, each with three this season.
Portland enters the weekend after taking a 1-0 victory over the Spirit in Washington this past Saturday. Charley scored the lone goal in the match with Olivia Moultrie recording her first professional assist on the finish.
Charley and Sophia Smith lead the Thorns with four goals apiece on the season, while Marissa Everett, Rocky Rodriguez and Christine Sinclair each have found the back of the net twice on the year. Goalkeeper Bella Bixby sits at second in the league with five clean sheets, all of which have come in the Thorns’ last six matches.
Following Saturday’s match, the Pride travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Spirit on Sunday, August 22. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.
