1 - Back From The Break
Saturday’s match will be the first the Pride play after a week- long break for the FIFA International Window.
During that time, mid elder Dani Weatherholt earned a call-up to the U.S. U23 Women’s National Team to compete in three games in Sweden. Weatherholt and the US went 2-0-1 over that trip, with the mid elder starting in both of the USWNT’s wins, earning the captain’s armband in the first match.
All three of the Pride’s Brazilian players joined their national team for a pair of matches, defeating Spain 2-1 and Iceland 1-0. The trio featured in both matches, with Marta scoring the game-deciding goal in the 66th minute against Iceland. Houston Dash mid elder and Brazilian counterpart Andressinha assisted on Marta’s winner.
2 - Look For Lloyd
The Dash, who are winless in their last five matches, will receive a much-needed boost with the return of mid elder Carli Lloyd. Lloyd is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and is regarded as one of the best mid elders in the world.
The veteran playmaker returns to Houston after opening the season with Manchester City Women in London.
3 - Almost Time For Alex
U.S. Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan has returned from France after spending the first half of the season with Olympique Lyonnais. Morgan, however, will not yet be available for the Pride as she continues to rehab a hamstring injury suffered while with Lyon.
Morgan is working with the Pride’s medical team at Orlando Health, and is expected to be ready to go in the next three to four weeks.
While with Lyon, Morgan led the club to the French League title as well as the 2016-17 UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy.
4 - Success VS. Space City
In 2016, the Pride and Dash met on four separate occasions - the most matches against a single opponent for either team. The Pride took nine out of 12 points in those matches, winning the first three meetings before falling in the series finale in Houston.
The Pride’s 1-0 win on May 20, where Kristen Edmonds scored in the 81st minute, stands as Orlando’s lone road win to date.
Orlando came through with another late-game thriller on June 23, when Jasmyne Spencer volleyed in a cross from Sarah Hagen in second-half stoppage time. The win was a big one for the home crowd, as the Pride were playing their first match at home since the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
5 - The Little Link-up
The two smallest players on the Pride are proving to make the biggest impact. Standing at just 5’1” and 5’3”, respectively, Jasmyne Spencer and Camila are becoming a pair to be reckoned with.
The duo has connected in the Pride’s last two matches, with Camila providing assists on Spencer’s goals.
On May 27, Camila found Spencer in the middle of the Sky Blue box for a goal. Then, a week later, Camila’s cross to Spencer added insurance to the Pride’s lead against Boston. Orlando would go on to win that match 2-0.
6 - Bledsoe's Blank Sheet
In her third career start, goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe earned her first career shutout on June 3. Bledsoe and the defense backed up the team’s offensive performance, securing a 2-0 win over the Boston Breakers.
Bledsoe, 25, nished the match with three saves to keep Boston off of the scoreboard.
