Orlando Pride (0-0-3, 3 points) at Utah Royals (1-2-0, 3 points)
When: Friday, April 11, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: America First Field, Sandy, UT
TV: Bally Sports (local), NWSL+
As the Pride head to Utah for the first time since 2019, here are five things to watch for on Friday:
Long Time, No See
Friday’s match will serve as the first match between the two sides since August 17, 2019. The Royals played their first stint in the NWSL from 2018 to 2020, with this year marking Utah’s first season back in the NWSL since dissolving three seasons ago. The Pride hold a 1-3-2 overall record against the franchise and are 1-1-1 on the road against the Royals.
International Check-In
The international break was a busy one for Pride players as they saw six of their players represent their respective countries. Forward Barbara Banda helped Zambia qualify for the 2024 Olympics scoring two goals in a 2-0 Leg 2 victory over Morocco, one of which came from the penalty spot, that sends Zambia to Paris this summer. Angelina and Marta represented Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup, with Angelina scoring the game-winning penalty kick in the penalty shootout of the Third-Place match against Japan. Ally Lemos represented the USWNT U-20 side in two friendlies, one of which she squared off against Pride teammate Amanda Allen who was called into the Canadian U-20 team. Finally, Evelina Duljan played for the Swedish U-23 team and found the back of the net in their friendly match against the England U-23s.
Won’t Take No Loss, Won’t Take Days Off
The Pride are unbeaten through the first three matches, earning draws in each of their games during the 2024 NWSL regular season so far. It is the second time in the Club’s history that they are unbeaten through three matches of the season, after going seven-straight matches without a defeat to the open the 2021 campaign. The Pride are also just the second team in NWSL history to draw its first three games of the regular season with Racing Louisville being the only other team to do it, once in 2023 and again this year.
Shots, No LMFAO
The duo of Pride forwards Adriana and Marta each unleashed six shot attempts in the Pride’s last match against the Chicago Red Stars serving as the only pair of teammates to do so in a match so far this season. The Brazilian internationals are also one of two pairs of teammates, alongside Thorns’ Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver to have at least 10 shots each this season. Adriana currently has 15 shot attempts with captain Marta having 11.
Let’s SET those PIECES here
The Pride’s lone goal in their last match against the Red Stars came from a corner kick, when Angelina sent a ball from the corner flag to the front post that went off Red Stars defender Taylor Malham into the back of the net. With the own goal, the Pride have now scored from set pieces in three-consecutive matches, which sets a new Club record, also scoring off a set piece in Louisville and a corner kick against Angel City.
Milestone Tracker
- Marta is two assists away from 20 in her NWSL career
