Woof Wednesday
Orlando Pride is set to host its inaugural Woof Wednesday game on Wed., Sept. 21, with fans able to bring their pups to Exploria Stadium for the match, as the Club hosts the Courage. Gates open at 6 p.m. before kickoff at 7 p.m. Pup Cups (whipped cream) will be available at the Pride Grill, located behind section 17. There will also be a special performance by Halftime Dogs who display a unique blend of athleticism, entertainment and music making for an unforgettable experience.
Two for the Show
Wednesday’s match kicks off a back-to-back home stand for the Pride, which will mark the team’s final two home games of the 2022 regular season. Following the midweek match, the Pride will welcome back four former Pride players in Alex Morgan, Taylor Kornieck, Emily van Egmond and Jodie Taylor on Sunday when the San Diego Wave come to town. That match will kickoff at 7 p.m. from Exploria Stadium and will be Fan Appreciation night.
Get The Brooms Ready
The Pride are going for the season sweep over the North Carolina Courage after beating them 2-1 earlier in the season at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Pride were backed by goals from Sydney Leroux and Mikayla Cluff, which served as the first professional goal for the latter. If the Pride can earn the victory, it would be the first time they have won both matchups against a team this season.
First in a Pride Kit
Defender Haley Hanson made her first start for the Pride on Friday evening in Louisville. Hanson was acquired from the Houston Dash via trade back in August. She came on as a substitute twice in previous matches, but Friday night saw the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup champion earn her first start donning the Pride kit, going on to play all 90 minutes.
Battling Back
Friday’s match also saw forward Darian Jenkins return to the starting lineup for the first time since August 7. In that time, Jenkins had been battling a knee injury and been working her way back. The forward had one of Orlando’s better chances on the road last weekend, forcing Katie Lund into a full-stretch save in the 26th minute.
Making an Impact
Throughout the month of September, the NWSL and Nationwide are calling upon fans to vote on Twitter for the Nationwide Community Impact Award by mentioning their favorite team and using #NationwideImpactAward. On Monday, the league announced that the Pride are currently leading the fan Twitter vote, as ambassador Gunny Jónsdóttir and the Pride are trying to win a $25,000 prize for their selected non-profit, Special Olympics Florida.
“The Futures Collection”
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team and a player, the Orlando Pride and Erin McLeod unveiled “The Futures Collection”, a clothing line driven and designed by the Pride goalkeeper. The collection contains a t-shirt, shorts, button down and bucket hat, which are all made from upcycled scrap materials, eliminating the need for fabric milling and reducing the climate impact from production. The Futures Collection pulls inspiration from McLeod’s many passion areas, from social justice and equality, to local ties to the Central Florida area and personal learnings. The Futures Collection is now available for purchase at ShopOrlandoPride.com.
Milestone Tracker
- Erika Tymrak is one goal away from 20 in her NWSL career
- Gunny Jónsdóttir is three appearances away from 100 across all NWSL competitions
- Darian Jenkins is one goal away from 10 across all NWSL competitions
