Orlando Pride (3-5-1, 10 points) at Houston Dash (3-3-3, 12 points)
When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Tex
TV: Paramount+ (subscription required)
Last Time Around
The Pride will face the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, seeking their second-consecutive victory over the opposition. The two sides last met on July 8, 2022, at Exploria Stadium, with the Pride taking a 1-0 shutout victory thanks to an Ally Prisock own goal in the 79th minute. The goal was originally scored as a game-winner for Pride defender Kylie Strom but was changed following the match.
Roadies
The Pride embark on their second match of a three-game road trip when facing the Dash on Saturday. Following the weekend match, the Pride will close out their stretch when they meet with NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena for their third match of the UKG Challenge Cup on Wednesday night. The side will have a brief stint at Exploria Stadium to square off with the 2022 NWSL Champion Portland Thorns on June 11 before heading to North Carolina the following week to face the Courage. Overall, the Pride will travel 7,158 miles, stadium to stadium, over the three-week span.
Consistent Faces
Four members of the Pride have logged over 800 minutes in regular season play throughout the 2023 campaign of a possible 810, with NWSL Draft selection Emily Madril leading the way as the only member of the side to have played every minute for the Pride this season. Just behind her are forward Adriana (809), Kylie Strom (805) and Haley McCutcheon (804). Of those four, Adriana serves as the lone member to not occupy a spot in the backline for the Pride, while Madril is the only 2023 Draft pick in the league to have played every possible minute so far.
Back in Action
Forward Julie Doyle made her first appearance this past Saturday after missing nearly two months of the campaign due to an injury she suffered during the Pride’s home opener against Angel City FC on April 2. Doyle entered the match in the 62nd minute for Messiah Bright, tallying one shot in her return to the pitch.
Creating Opportunities
Despite not finding the back of the net over the weekend, the Pride recorded a season-high 19 shots in their last match against the Red Stars, hitting the woodwork three times and forcing Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher into six saves. Kerry Abello led the way for the Pride with four shots in front of her hometown crowd, followed by Adriana and Erika Tymrak, each with three.
Another Mark for Marta
With an appearance on Saturday, Marta will become the Pride’s regular-season appearance leader in Club history. Last match, the forward recorded her 81st, tying the mark set by Toni Pressley and Ashlyn Harris. Overall, Marta is second in appearances across all competitions, two away from tying Pressley’s 94 and three away from taking the overall title.
Milestone Tracker
- Haley McCutcheon is five appearances away from 100 in the regular season across her NWSL career.
- Marta is eight appearances from across 100 in her NWSL career, all with the Pride.
- Megan Montefusco is six appearances away from 175 across all NWSL competitions.
