1 - Playoff Bound
Orlando earned its place in the 2017 NWSL Playoffs on Sunday night when Seattle Reign FC lost to FC Kansas City, 1-0. After finishing the 2016 season - the Pride’s inaugural campaign - in ninth place, Orlando shot up the standings to finish in the top four of the league in just its second year.
The semifinal matches will be played on Oct. 7 in Portland and Oct. 8 in North Carolina.
2 - Nine Would Be Fine
With a 0-0 draw with Portland Thorns FC last Saturday, Orlando will aim to extend its unbeaten run to nine- straight games this weekend.
The Pride have gone 5-0-3 over the run, which started with a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 5. Orlando has outscored opponents 18-6 down the stretch, including three clean sheets by the defense.
3 - An Immovable Object...
The Pride attack will face a tough test Saturday night when it squares off with the league’s stingiest defense. North Carolina has allowed a league-low 19 goals this season, an average of just 0.83 per game, while posting a league-high 12 shutouts through 23 games.
4 - ...Meets An Unstoppable Force
North Carolina, however, has been unable to keep the Pride off the scoreboard, allowing one goal in the first meeting and three in the second, and will be tasked with slowing down the league’s most potent attack.
Orlando leads the NWSL with 42 goals, spread across 12 different goalscorers - also a league-high.
The Courage have yet to face the duo of Morgan and Marta on the attack, as both of the previous meetings occurred before Morgan returned from France.
5 - Marta Making Moves
After joining the Pride in a blockbuster acquisition, Marta has made her impact felt on the field, even when she is not getting on the scoresheet.
The five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year leads the Pride in both goals (12) and assists (6), with her goal total second-most in the league. Though she has been held without a goal in the last two matches, Marta continues to top the NWSL in chances created with 62 - 15 more than the next closest player, North Carolina’s Abby Dahlkemper.
Marta created the Pride’s best chance against Portland, sending in a bending ball off a set piece that was glanced wide on Monica’s header attempt.
6 - Keeping Up With Krieger
Defender Ali Krieger remains the only Pride player to have featured in every minute and is just 90 minutes away from a perfect 2,160-minute season. The U.S. Women’s National team veteran has quietly been one of the most consistent and impressive defenders in 2017, her first year with the Pride.
Krieger leads the NWSL in both passes (1,262) and successful passes (1,046). The right back turned center back is tops on the Pride in duel success (60.9%) and clearances (93), and is second in aerials won (29) and touches (1,602).
7 - Finale Frenzy
With playoffs on the horizon, fans will get an early look at the top four teams competing against each other. The Pride travel to North Carolina, the current fourth and first-placed teams, respectively. In the afternoon game just before that, No. 2 Portland hosts No. 3 Chicago. Both matches have the potential to be previews of the semifinal round, as Saturday’s results will determine who goes head to head to begin postseason play.
8 - Century For Spencer
Entering Saturday’s match, forward Jasmyne Spencer sits at 98 total NWSL appearances, spanning over a career with Orlando, the Washington Spirit and former WNY Flash. If she plays Saturday, the Maryland product could make her 100th appearance in the 2017 semifinal round.
