Orlando Pride (8-10-1, 25 points) at Angel City FC (6-6-7, 28 points)
When: Monday,10:00 p.m.
Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV: CBS Sports Network
As the Pride play the first of two games this week, here are six things to watch for on Monday:
Faster than Fast
Forward Ally Watt opened the scoring for the Pride early in their match against North Carolina Courage, scoring the fastest goal in Pride history in the 39th second of the game. The goal came 53 seconds earlier than former Pride player Sydney Leroux’s goal which previously held the record at 1:32 (1:32 (92 seconds)). The goal served as Watt’s first goal in regular season play this season and her third throughout the campaign, having scored two goals during the UKGG Challenge Cup.
Hitting the Road
This week will mark a two-match week serving as the last road matches of the regular season for the Pride. The Club will first meet with Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on Monday, Oct. 2, before traveling straight to Kentucky for their match on Friday, Oct. 6, against Racing Louisville. All in all, the Pride will travel a total of 4,773 miles before dashing back to Exploria Stadium for their final match of the season slated for Oct. 15 vs. Houston slated for Oct. 15 vs. Houston.
See You in LA
Monday’s match against the Los Angeles-based club will serve as the second meeting between the two sides. The two clubs met back in April of this year in the City Beautiful, which saw rookie Messiah Bright score her first professional goal, leveling the match to a 1-1 draw before the Pride ultimately recorded a loss in the final minutes of stoppage time. Since then, Bright has become the leading goal scorer for the Club with six goals under her belt.
Big Dri Energy
Adriana led the Pride to their sixth at-home victory, scoring her fifth goal while also earning her fourth assist of the season on Ally Watt’s record-breaking finish. Adriana’s performance during the Pride’s duel against the UKG Challenge Cup Champions marked the second occasion she has recorded a goal and a goal contribution in the same match. Only four players across the league have accomplished that feat this season: Adriana, Savannah DeMelo, Midge Purce and Angel City’s Claire Emslie. Overall, Adriana is just one goal shy from tying teammate Messiah Bright for most goals during the 2023 season for the Club.
Where Do We Stand?
The Pride and Angel City FC are coming in hot for their match as both teams are fighting for a spot in the 2023 NWSL Championship Playoffs. The Pride currently rank in seventh place across the NWSL standings, with Angel City FC coming in just below them in eighth place, with the latter currently riding an 11-game unbeaten streak since Becki Tweed took over in the interim. Both teams are currently tied with 25 points and only a one-goal differential separates the two teams.
Marta’s Moment
With an appearance on Monday, Marta will become the first player in Orlando Pride history to total 100 matches across all competitions, while a start would mark her 83rd, also a Club-record, surpassing former goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. The legendary forward joined the Club in its sophomore season, 2017, coming in as one of the most decorated players of all-time. Since in Orlando, the Brazilian has led the Pride from both the midfield and front line, totaling 29 goals and 17 assists through all competitions. The breakdown of Marta’s 99 appearances includes: 88 regular season, 6 Challenge Cup, 4 Fall Series and 1 playoff match.
Milestone Tracker
- Forward Marta is just one appearance away from 100 across all competitions as a member of the Pride. The Brazilian is on track to become the first Pride player to hit the century mark milestone for the Club.
- Marta is tied with the Club record for most career starts (81, Ashlyn Harris)
- Marta’s next goal will mark her 30th with the Club.
- Celia is one appearance away from 30 appearances with the Pride and two appearances away from 50 across all NWSL regular seasons.
- Erika Tymrak is one goal away from 20 across her NWSL career.
