Orlando Pride (10-0-5, 35 points) at Kansas City Current (10-0-5, 35 points)
When: Saturday, July 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: CPKC Stadium
TV: ION
As the top two teams in NWSL clash in Kansas City, here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:
Top of the Table Clash
Both the Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current hold the same record and the same amount of points up to this point in the season and currently sit in first and second of the NWSL standings, with just goal differential separating the two. Kansas City is on the longest regular-season unbeaten run in NWSL history at 17 straight matches while Orlando is on the joint-second longest streak at 16 straight, tied with Seattle in 2014. This will be the first meeting in league history between two teams entering with unbeaten runs of nine or more matches.
Lockdown
Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and the Pride defense have gone three straight matches without giving up a goal. The Pride have totaled 298 minutes without allowing a goal, with the Club record being 348 minutes back in May 2016, meaning if the Pride keep the Current scoreless at the 51-minute mark, they will break the Club record. Moorhouse has also recorded seven clean sheets this season, which ties the Club record for most shutouts in a single season, a record she set last season. Her next clean sheet will also break the Club record for most all time clean sheets in the regular season with 15.
Different Week, Same Barbra
Forward Barbra Banda found the back of the net yet again in the Club’s most recent 3-0 victory at Angel City. The goal serves as her 11th goal of the year, tied for the most in the NWSL alongside Current forward Temwa Chawinga. Banda is the first NWSL player to score 11 goals in her first 11 appearances. No player in league history has reached a dozen regular season goals in fewer than 16 career appearances.
Brace Yourself Pt. 2
The Pride were backed by a first-half brace from forward Adriana in the match against Angel City. The Pride became the first visiting team to score more than one goal in the first half while at BMO Stadium. The goals served as Adriana’s second and third goals of the year. It is also her eighth and ninth goal of her Pride career, which ties for seventh all time for the Club.
Pride in the Olympics
Orlando Pride players Marta, Rafaelle, Adriana and Angelina have all been tabbed as a part of Brazil’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the first three named to the country’s 18-player roster, while Angelina will serve as one of four traveling alternates for the tournament. Fellow Pride teammates Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda have been named to Zambia’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Zambia has been drawn into Group B and are set to face the United States on July 25, Australia on July 28 and Germany on July 31 in the Group Stage. While Brazil has been drawn into Group C, set to face Nigeria on July 25, Japan on July 28 and Spain on July 31 in the Group Stage.
Milestone Tracker
- Marta is one assist away from 20 in her NWSL career.
- The next clean sheet for Anna Moorhouse will break the Club record for most regular season shutouts and break the Club record for most career regular season clean sheets (15).
- Kylie Strom is three appearances away from 80 NWSL across all competitions.
- Angelina is four appearances away from 50 NWSL across all competitions.
