1. On a cool, rainy night in Orlando, Florida, the Orlando Pride battled until the very end once again to earn a point in a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC at INTER&Co Stadium on Saturday.
2. Marta is the GOAT for a reason.
3. The season is still young, but the Pride are now unbeaten to start the 2024 campaign with two points in the NWSL standings. Last season, the Pride didn't earn their first points until the fifth game of the season.
4. Marta scored what looked like the first goal of the game by putting the ball in the back of the net in the 23rd minute after great service into the box by Julie Doyle, but the goal was disallowed due to a controversial foul called on Ally Watt in the buildup to the finish. While disappointing, the Pride quickly moved past the call and created more scoring opportunities throughout the first half, primarily spurred on by Marta.
5. Anna Moorhouse was called into action multiple times in the first half, with her best save coming in the 40th minute against Alyssa Thompson in a one-v-one situation. Thompson had a tight angle to work with to beat Moorhouse, but the Pride goalkeeper got low and saved the blast with her right foot. Despite conceding the penalty kick early into the second half, Moorhouse looked strong in goal throughout the match, punching clear numerous incoming crosses while also distributing well up the field to spark attacking opportunities.
6. Angelina was called for a foul in the penalty area in the 51st minute of the match, which resulted in a penalty-kick conversion by Angel City moments later following a lengthy review of the decision. While everything seemed to be going against the Pride on the night, the players remained steadfast, never giving up on the night — a spirit that will help this team earn many points throughout the season (as I mentioned last week after the team's comeback against Racing Louisville).
7. Marta scored the game-tying goal in the 88th minute of the match, hitting the ball into the back of the net on the volley from a perfectly placed Angelina corner kick. The Brazilian legend looked destined to score throughout the match, having created numerous goal-scoring opportunities for the Pride throughout the night.
8. With the result, the Pride have yet to claim a win against Angel City in Orlando, but the Pride will be excited for the second meeting between the two sides on June 30 in California, where Orlando is 2-0-0 all-time against the Angel City.
9. With Friday's result now behind them, Orlando looks ahead to next week, when they will host Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 29, from INTER&Co Stadium.
