The Washington Spirit (11-4-5) face off against the Orlando Pride (7-2-11) this Sunday. After a grueling July stretch with six games in 22 days and limited roster rotation due to six players being away at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Spirit may have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

During Friday’s pregame press conference, Adrián González reported that Rosemonde Kouassi, Gift Monday, and Deb Abiodun have returned to the squad, with Mélissa Bethi expected to join Saturday. New signing and WAFCON Woman of the Competition, Monique Ngock, enjoyed celebrating Cameroon’s historic tournament victory with teammates and fans earlier this week. Spirit fans eager to see her play will have to stay patient, but she is expected ‘soon.’

Last weekend, the Spirit were able to hold Angel City to a 1-1 draw on the road. Returning from a disappointing and dramatic loss to the North Carolina Courage during their previous home game, the team will be hoping for a better outcome and three points from this weekend’s match. What better way to celebrate Pride Night at Audi than winning the pride battle over the Pride?

Key Player: Ashley Hatch

In the 82nd minute of last weekend’s match, Ashley Hatch made her long awaited return to the pitch from maternity leave. Leo’s mom wasted no time at all. While she only got three touches on the ball, she had a close (.24 xG) left-footed shot at 90+6’ from the center of the box assisted by Trinity Rodman that had all of us at the edge of our seats, and looked destined to be the winning goal. Sadly, it wasn’t to be.

If she and Rodman can replicate that chemistry it could unlock additional goal scoring opportunities that the team has been missing. Also, be sure to catch her interview on Hey Spirits to hear more about her experience becoming a mom and her journey back to the field.

Watch Out For: Barbra Banda

It is impossible to talk about the Orlando Pride without mentioning the threat of Barbra Banda. Despite Orlando’s record this season, Banda remains a top contender for MVP and is currently leading in the golden boot race with 12 so far. To put a finer point on Banda’s importance to the Pride: she has scored half of Orlando’s goals this season.

If it’s even possible to question her impact on this team, their abysmal performances in her absence during WAFCON–scoring only two goals and allowing eight in three matches, including against the last place Chicago Stars–made it even more obvious that Orlando’s primary offensive tactic this season is to get the ball to Banda’s feet in space, and hope the scoreboard changes seconds later.

Banda is a frustrating forward for defenders to manage. She is fast with or without the ball at her feet and a talented shooter, but her most underrated superpower is her uncanny ability to move off the ball and drift away from defenders with impeccable timing. In their last meeting in May, Banda drew a penalty in the 29th minute and three of the Spirit’s critical defenders (Di Guglielmo, Morgan, and McIver) received yellow cards during the match.

It will be important for the Spirit defense to be organized and keep level heads while defending against Banda.

Challenges: Closing out games.

In the past two matches the Spirit have given up late-game goals—in the 85’ and 90+5’—that changed a victory into a draw, and a hard-earned tie into a loss. While recent late game results could be attributed to tired legs and lack of rotation, the Spirit have conceded goals after the 84th minute in six matches this season.

In half of the total matches where the Spirit have been scored against (12), they’ve allowed goals in the dying minutes. In four of those scenarios, the allowed goal changed the end result to the Spirit’s detriment. This week, the team defending needs to stay strong through the final whistle, especially facing a world class striker like Barbra Banda, who can change the scoreline at any time.

Previously: 4-2, Spirit win!

The Spirit and the Pride last faced off on May 2nd, with the Spirit taking home 3 points on the road. The electric game started with two early goals (2’ and 6’) from Sofia Cantore (both assisted by Rodman), but Orlando was quick to respond and Barbra Banda had a brace of her own before halftime (34’ and 39’). In the second half, goals from Claudia Martínez and Trinity Rodman brought the Spirit all three points.

Availability Reports

Washington Spirit:

TBD

Orlando Pride:

TBD

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
Available TV: ESPN2