The Washington Spirit will try to extend their winning streak to five matches tonight at Audi Field, but with a team full of talented international players, Orlando Pride won’t make that easy for them.
Unbeaten so far this season, Orlando Pride (2-3-0) are finally on track for the long-term rebuild they’ve been working toward for the last few years. They’ve put together a strong roster of both American and international players, including five Brazilians, and are seeing results. The Pride have a dynamic offense, with the highest nonpenalty xG in the league
Washington Spirit (4-0-1) have seen a lot of progression in their new style of play and kept their first clean sheet of the season last week. At their best, they’re able to string together long series of passes and control play through the midfield. Trinity Rodman and rookies Hal Hershfelt and Croix Bethune are flourishing, and the team’s defenders have been largely effective, outside of a tendency to start games slow.
“We are improving every day. I think [the] players have no limits,” interim head coach Adrián González said, of his team Thursday. He did point out some areas in need of improvement, though.
“We need to make a step forward in the last third. I think we are creating a lot of chances, and we could have scored more goals. And also when we are defending next to goal, I think we need to be a little bit more aggressive and try to avoid second balls and some chances.” – Adrián González
Key Player: Trinity Rodman
With two assists, 14 shots, and 7 big chances created, Rodman has been the driving force behind Washington’s attack this year. Though she has yet to score her first goal of the season, her strong connection with fellow attackers Croix Bethune and Ouleye Sarr presages an incredible season to come.
Watch Out For: Barbra Banda
Newly-arrived Zambian striker Barbra Banda made her NWSL debut last week and made her impact felt with two high-xG shots on goal in just 30 minutes. Banda is a notorious goalscorer – at her previous club, Shanghai Shengli, she scored 41 goals in 51 games – and if she can unlock that for the Pride tonight, Washington will be in for a fight.
Challenges: The Spirit have had success playing a narrow formation this year, while Orlando like to use their wing players to take advantage of the full width of the field. Defending against those attack from out wide could be one of Washington’s biggest challenges tonight.
Previously: The Pride bested the Spirit in both regular season games last season.
Orlando Pride Availability:
Out: Simone Charley (SEI – leg), Luana (excused absence), Marta (lower leg), Megan Montefusco (SEI – heel), Viviana Villacorta (SEI – knee)
Questionable: Adriana (leg), Morgan Gautrat (lower leg)
Washington Spirit Availability:
Out: Courtney Brown (thigh), Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Makenna Morris (hip)
Questionable: None
Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
Available streaming: NWSL+
Got myself a ticket!
I’ll have to rely on NWSL+ which I’ve not used yet to watch from Indianapolis.
Here early, just saw a very real bald eagle chase a smaller bird across the stadium sky. An omen! Where my augury fans at??? 😉
A fertility center is a sponsor, and the ad over the PA was… very close to being so on the nose, it could have damaged some cartilage
One perk of this being “Marvel Night” is I believe the DJ has access to the quite excellent Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Not every song, but some of them definitely have that vibe, and I’m not used to hearing that at the stadium
Another fun one, “chains and whips” is playing… sans apparently those specific words
I’ve been way closer to the Pride warmups than the spirit. I did note that the Spirit were doing an elaborate half field expansive passing sequence that finished in the box. Never seen anything quite like it.
The main thing I saw about the Pride is, Banda is a finisher. Casually beating the Pride’s goalie in warmups, who, I gotta say, was rather diminutive
That Pride goal started with Sarr giving up on playing, thinking the ball went out. Needs to stay focused
Orlando definitely giving the Spirit a good match and have the lead so far.
I’m going to drop off watching when the Old Glory game starts at 9.
I was on the side of the goal for that chip. I was sure that was going over. Pure filth
And the Spirit equalize.
Somewhat mysterious VAR monitor break…
Looking at offside on the Spirit goal
VAR says offside on the 2nd Spirit goal.
No way around it, Banda is a great goal scorer
yeah she is….
Draws a clear pen, as well, maybe quite injured in the play, though
Can’t believe it, it’s a match again!! Crazy, hopeful finish from Hatch!!!
What a crazy near crossbar denial and bounce… Hatch robbed
Welp, good game, ultimately decided by Banda being an incredible talent. However, this Spirit team will need better deep lying players who can see passes no one else can and actually pick them out to make the system deadly