NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup: Orlando Pride (0-0-2) vs Racing Louisville (1-0-1)
When: Thursday, August 1, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: Paramount+
As the Pride host Racing Louisville in the Summer Cup group stage finale, here are five things to watch for on Thursday night:
Racing History
The Pride have already wrapped up its regular season series against Racing Louisville, playing them to a 2-2 draw at Lynn Family Stadium in the Season Opener and then defeating them 1-0 on the return trip at Inter&Co Stadium. In the first matchup, The Pride overcame a two-goal deficit for a 2-2 draw, all while playing down a player from the 62nd minute on. The Pride were backed by an own goal from Elli Pikkujämsä and a late leveler from Summer Yates in the 86th minute. During the second matchup, the lone goal of the night belonged to Barbra Banda off a cross from Emily Sams in the 17th minute. The Pride defense held strong and saw through the end of the match, earning the third clean sheet of the season, at the time.
Adjusting to the Kerr-ve
In the second match of the Group Stage, the Pride drew C.F. Monterrey 2-2 thanks to goals from Alex Kerr and Julie Doyle. Kerr made her first professional start in the match and her goal served as her first professional goal of her career. Kerr was drafted by the Pride with the No. 50 overall pick in the final round and was signed to a contract earlier this year. Per Summer Cup rules, if a match ends in a draw it will go to an end-of-regulations penalty shootout to decide who earned an extra point. Kerr stepped up and delivered the game-winning penalty helping the Pride to a 5-4 victory in the shootout.
Another Club First
Both matches of the Summer Cup have seen the Pride take part in the end-of-regulations shootout. Both shootouts served as the first and second in Club history. The Pride’s victory in the shootout over Rayadas was the first shootout win in Pride history. Julie Doyle, Alle Lemos, Summer Yates, Cori Dyke and Alex Kerr all hit from the spot helping the Pride to a 5-4 win. Sofia Manner made one save in the shootout as well on an attempted Panenka from Merel Van Dongen.
How to Get Through
There are a couple of scenarios that will see the Pride advance in the Summer Cup to play in the semifinals in Kansas City. Since there are five groups, only the top four seeded group winners will move on. Orlando will win the group with a win against Louisville and a win or draw by Monterrey against North Carolina. The Pride can clinch a semifinal spot with a win as well as a few other scenarios such as a win and nobody winning in regulation in Group A. A win, an Angel City loss and a higher goal differential than the Group B winner. A win, a Tigres win, and a higher goal differential than the Group C winner. Finally, a win, Chivas win or win in a penalty shootout, and a high goal differential than the Group D winner.
International Update
Pride players are continuing to shine in Paris during the 2024 Olympics as Angelina, Marta and Rafaelle all earned starts in Brazil’s second-round match against Japan. Forward Babra Banda scored a hat trick and recorded an assist in Zambia’s match against Australia. Banda now has three hat tricks at the Olympic games after she recorded two hat tricks back in the 2020 Olympics. She is the only player in women’s football history to have three hat tricks in Olympic play. Following their final matchups on Wednesday, Brazil have advanced to the knockout round, while Zambia was eliminated from contention. Defender Emily Sams, who made the bench in the US Women's 2-1 win over Australia, also move on to the knockout rounds.
Milestone Tracker
- Celia is one appearance away from 70 NWSL appearances across all competitions.
