The Race to 300
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris is four saves away from becoming the first goalkeeper in NWSL history to reach the 300-save mark. Utah Royals goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart surpassed the threshold last year, and currently sits with 372 career saves. Barnhart and Alyssa Naeher are the only players with more saves than Harris in the league’s five years.
A League of Their Own
Pride midfielder Christine Nairn is currently second in career NWSL appearances with 108, only behind Seattle Reign defender Lauren Barnes (111). Barnes and Nairn both reached the 100-match marked together on Aug. 5, 2017 as teammates in Seattle. Since hitting that mark, six other players across the league have joined the exclusive 100 Appearance Club, including Brittany Kolmel, McCall Zerboni, Nicole Barnhart, Angela Salem, Allie Long and Merritt Mathias.
Assist Queens
Saturday’s match will feature potent goalscorers, but the league’s top two assist women will also be on the field. Orlando midfielder Christine Nairn tops the list of all-time assists in the league with 19. Utah’s Kelley O’Hara is in second, tied with former midfielder Lauren Holiday, with 18 assists.
New Faces Fresh Places
The Orlando Pride roster got a makeover this offseason, acquiring eight new players, including World Cup Champion forward Sydney Leroux and Olympic Bronze Medalist defender Shelina Zadorsky. Along with Leroux and Zadorsky, defenders Poliana, Haley Kopmeyer, Carson Pickett and Lotta Ökvist, and midfielder Christine Nairn will look to make their debut in purple at Orlando City Stadium.
Midfielder Emily van Egmond will join Orlando at a later date after Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying, which runs April 6-20 in Jordan.
An International Affair
Orlando and Utah are both filled with top players on their respective rosters, leading the league in international talent. The Pride roster includes 14 players who have received national team call-ups, totaling 716 appearances with 251 goals among them. The Pride and the Royals both lead the league in FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances with 15. Between the two squads there are seven FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions from the United States, the most during any match-up between NWSL teams this season.
Home Sweet Home
After two seasons in the NWSL, Orlando Pride will host its first season opener at Orlando City Stadium. In the first two years, the Pride began on the road against Portland Thorns FC. This match will also mark the first time the Pride will compete in a regular season match in March as the previous two seasons began in April.
Central Florida's Finest
Orlando Pride’s most recent addition, Bridget Callahan, was born and raised in Hollywood, Fla. and spent her college years at the University of Central Florida. Callahan will now represent her home state team in familiar territory. After joining preseason as a non-roster invitee, Callahan was signed as a National Team Replacement player ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Top Trio
The Utah defense will face perhaps the league’s most potent offense in their NWSL debut with the attacking trio of Alex Morgan, Marta and Sydney Leroux on the other side of the field. The three players have combined for over 500 goals during their club and national team careers, while the duo of Morgan and Marta was one of the most lethal during the 2017 season.
