Orlando Pride (0-0-1, 1 point) vs. Washington Spirit (0-1-0, 0 points)
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Audi Field, DC
TV: Paramount+ (subscription required)
As the Orlando Pride look to continue their good form, here are five storylines to watch during Wednesday's UKG Challenge Cup match against the Washington Spirit
Future is Bright
Pride forward Messiah Bright recorded her second goal of the season in the Pride’s previous match against Racing Louisville FC. The 21st-minute strike served as the game-winning goal, with the Pride going on and earning the 1-0 victory. Bright is just one of three rookies in the NWSL to have multiple goals so far in the 2023 regular season.
A Strom is Brewing
Kylie Strom collected her first assist of the season and of her NWSL career since joining the Pride in 2021 on the Bright finish in the victory over Racing Louisville. Strom is just one of two Pride players to every minute across all competitions so far this season. Fellow defender and No. 3 overall 2023 NWSL Draft pick Emily Madril is the other.
Whose House? Moorhouse
Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse got the nod in between the sticks for the Pride and earned her first clean sheet of the 2023 campaign and of her NWSL career since joining the Pride in 2022 in the 1-0 win over Racing Louisville. Moorhouse made seven saves on the night, which is the second most she has made in a game so far this season. The performance also got Moorhouse a nomination for the NWSL Player of the Week.
Age is Just a Number
Forward Amanda Allen made her Pride debut coming on in the 86th minute as a second-half substitution in the match against Louisville. With the appearance, Allen became the youngest Pride player to make their debut for the Club at 18 years, 2 months and 15 days, passing Haley Bugeja who debuted last year at 18 years, 4 months, 17 days. The Canadian international joined the Pride back in April and already has an extensive international resume appearing through ranks of the Canadian Youth National Team and earning her a senior national team call-up earlier this year.
Twice as Nice
The win over Racing Louisville served as the Club’s second-consecutive victory after previously earning a 3-1 win over the San Diego Wave. It is the first time since August of last year that the Pride have won back-to-back matches. The win was also the first victory of the season for the Club at Exploria Stadium, with their last home win being a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash on July 8, 2022.
Continuing the Challenge
The match against Washington will serve as the Club’s second match of the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. The Pride earned a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage at Exploria Stadium in their opening match of the Challenge Cup. The Pride were backed by a 56th-minute goal from Ally Watt before conceding a goal deep into second-half stoppage time to finish in a draw. Currently sitting in third in the group, the Pride will look to finish in the top two of the group to guarantee a spot in the knockout round.
Milestone Tracker
- Erika Tymrak is two appearances away from 175 across all NWSL competitions, and three from 50 with the Pride.
- Haley McCutcheon is seven appearances away from 100 in the regular season across her NWSL career.
- Marta is 11 appearances from across 100 in her NWSL career, all with the Pride.
- Megan Montefusco is nine appearances away from 175 across all NWSL competitions.
