Preview, watch, TV info, live stream, lineups, match thread and more – The Mane Land

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (16-0-6, 54 points) look to secure the NWSL Shield as they welcome the Washington Spirit (15-5-2, 47 points) to Inter&Co Stadium. This will be the second and final time these two teams will meet during the regular season, although both have already secured playoff spots.

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s game.

Story

Since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016, the Pride and Spirit have competed against each other 24 times. Orlando has an 8-9-7 record against Washington in all competitions. That includes a record of 7-6-6 in NWSL play and a record of 5-3-4 at home.

The last time these two teams met was on April 26 in Washington, DC. Angelina gave the Pride an early lead before Ouleymata Sarr equalized just before half-time. A goal from Barbra Banda and a penalty converted by Summer Yates in the second half seemed to decide the game, but Anna Moorhouse allowed an easy catch from Ashley Hatch to give the Spirit their second goal. Luckily, the Pride were able to hold on for a 3-2 win, extending their early season winning streak to three games.

The first meeting of 2023 took place on May 10 at Audi Field in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Tori Hansen gave the Pride a surprising early lead, but goals from Lena Silano, Sam Staab and Marissa Sheva late in the first half gave Washington a 3-1 halftime score. Ally Watt scored off the bench early in the second half and Ashley Sanchez finished the game off in stoppage time as the Spirit won 4-2.

The first game of the 2023 regular season took place on May 20 in Orlando. Marta scored a penalty in the first half, but Staab equalized five minutes later. Kylie Strom scored the winner late and the Pride won 2-1. The Pride dominated the Spirit in the second game of the regular season on July 1st. Julie Doyle scored a brace in the first 16 minutes and a Tara McKeown own goal put the game out of reach as the Pride won 3-0.

The last meeting in 2023 took place at the Challenge Cup on August 4th in Orlando. The game appeared to be headed for a goalless draw until Mariana Speckmaier scored eight minutes into second-half stoppage time to give her team a 1-0 win.

The first game between the teams in 2022 was on May 27 at Exploria Stadium. Trinity Rodman gave the Spirit an early lead and Hatch doubled the lead after halftime. As the game entered second-half stoppage time, it appeared as if the Pride would fall for the second straight game, but two late goals from Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins stunned Washington with a 2-2 draw. The teams met again on July 17 at Audi Field and the Spirit statistically dominated the game. They had more possession, shots and shots on goal, but were unable to find the net, resulting in a goalless draw.

Prior to the May draw, Pride and Spirit played two games in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The first took place on March 19 in Orlando. The Pride had less possession and fewer shots, but a strong defensive performance allowed them to a goalless draw. The second Challenge Cup meeting took place on April 3rd at Audi Field. Gunny Jonsdottir scored the team’s first goal in four games. However, the Spirit already had a 3-0 lead. Rodman scored a late goal to tie the game as the Pride lost 4-1.

The two teams played each other four times in 2021. The first time took place on April 21st in the Challenge Cup. Sydney Leroux’s goal was the only goal as the Pride won 1-0. Just two games later, the Pride opened their regular season by hosting the Spirit on May 16th. Hatch gave Washington the lead, but Alex Morgan equalized to secure a 1-1 draw. The second regular season meeting this year was June 6 in Washington. Hatch scored the first goal, but Taylor Kornieck equalized a few minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The final meeting of 2021 took place on August 22nd at Audi Field. Marta gave the Pride the lead, but Hatch equalized just two minutes later. It seemed like it would be a third straight 1-1 draw, but Sanchez won late for Washington.

Due to the pandemic, Pride and Spirit did not play in 2020, but competed three times in 2019. The first took place on July 6th in Orlando. Marta scored a brace in the second half to lead the Pride to a 4-3 win. They played again in Washington on August 24th. Crystal Thomas gave the hosts the lead and Marta equalized. But Hatch’s goal lifted the spirits to a 2-1 win. The final game was scheduled to take place the following weekend, but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Instead, the game was played in Orlando on October 9th. The Spirit dominated the rubber match, defeating the Pride 3-0.

The first of two meetings in 2018 took place on March 31 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Hatch scored a goal and contributed to the Spirit’s 2-0 win. The Pride returned the favor in the second game at the same venue. Alanna Kennedy’s goal was the difference in the Pride’s 1-0 win. The last meeting of this year took place on July 7th in Orlando. Hatch gave the Spirit the lead, but Leroux scored just before halftime and Marta’s goal gave Orlando a 2-1 win.

The 2017 season marked the first time the teams played three times in one year. Their April 22 meeting was the Pride’s first home game of the year. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen gave the visitors the lead, but Danica Evans responded with a 1-1 draw. They met for the second time this year on July 8 in Maryland when Marta and Mallory Pugh both scored braces in a 2-2 tie. The final game of 2018 was on August 8th in Orlando. Marta, Camila and Morgan all scored as the Pride ran away with a 3-0 win.

The Spirit won their first two meetings in 2016, 2-0 in Maryland and 2-1 in Orlando.

overview

With just four games remaining in the regular season, the NWSL’s first undefeated season remains within reach for the Pride. They have been as hot in recent weeks as they have been all year, winning eight of their last nine. The only game they didn’t win was a scoreless draw at home against Kansas City Current on September 13th.

As the team looks to continue their undefeated season, there is even more at stake this weekend. The Spirit are currently in second place, seven points behind the Pride, and no other team can catch Orlando. Three points would clinch the NWSL Shield tonight, giving the Pride their first ever trophy and securing their place in next year’s Concacaf W Champions Cup.

There’s a lot on the line for the Pride tonight, but the second-best team in the league stands in their way. It’s an interesting scenario because the rebuild that led the Pride to their current success was modeled after tonight’s opponent. Now they have a chance to win the regular season title against them.

Similar to the Pride, the Spirit have already secured a spot in the playoffs and are fighting for the highest possible placement. Not only is Washington in the hunt for the Pride, but they are tied on points with NJ/NY Gotham FC and are just one point ahead of the Current. Three points away would be huge for Spirit.

While the Pride were the best defensive team in the league with 13 goals conceded in 22 games, the Spirit were an offensive force. Their 44 goals scored this season are second only to Current’s 49. They were also strong defensively, but not quite at the level of the Pride. They have conceded 25 goals this year, the fourth fewest in the league.

The team is led by French international Ouleymata Sarr and US star Trinity Rodman, who have each scored eight goals this year. Hatch and Croix Bethune are tied for third on the team with five each, and Brittany Ratcliffe has three. Bethune currently leads the league with 10 assists, followed by Rodman with six and Casey Krueger with three. While Bethune has been key to the Spirits’ success this season, she is out for the remainder of the year after injuring her knee on the first pitch at a Washington Nationals baseball game. Rodman and Sarr have also missed time recently due to injuries, but the Spirit have still continued to win.

This will be a tough test for the Pride’s defensive line as they look to set a new league record for fewest goals conceded this season. To achieve this feat they will need to avoid conceding four goals in their last four games, but tonight they face one of the three teams that have scored two goals against them in a game this season. However, the defensive unit has been excellent of late, conceding their first goal in six games in the team’s last game. The Pride have not conceded multiple goals in a game since playing away at Seattle Reign FC on May 19.

“It’s number one versus number two so we’re expecting a very competitive game,” Pride head coach Seb Hines said of tonight’s game. “Washington has been in good shape, as have we, so I expect both teams to get a win.”

There are no surprises on the Pride’s availability list for this game: Seven players are out injured or ill, including Grace Chanda (hamstring), Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Sofia Manner (concussion) and Haley McCutcheon (foot). . , Megan Montefusco (heel) and Rafaelle (thigh). Washington will be without Bethune (knee), Lyza Bosselmann (wrist), Anna Heilferty (knee), Civana Kuhlmann (knee), Krueger (hip), Chloe Ricketts (knee) and Rodman
(back), Leicy Santos (hamstring), Sarr (back) and Hal Hershfelt (suspension).

Official lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defender: Carson Pickett, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Angelina.

Midfielder: Kerry Abello, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bank: McKinley Crone, Julie Doyle, Ally Watt, Carrie Lawrence, Summer Yates, Ally Lemos, Viviana Villacorta, Evelina Duljan, Celia.

Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Kingsbury.

Defender: Gabrielle Carle, Annaig Butel, Tara McKeown, Paige Metayer.

Defensive midfielders: Esme Morgan, Andi Sullivan.

Midfielder: Courtney Brown, Heather Stainbrook, Rosemonde Kouassi.

Forward: Ashley Hatch.

Bank: Nicole Barnhart, Jenna Butler, Kaylie Collins, Makenna Morris, Brittany Ratcliffe, Lena Silano, Kate Wiesner.

referee

REF: Danielle Chesky.
AR1: Ricardo Ocampo.
AR2: Matt Trotter.
4th: Jade Mallea.
VAR: Abdou Ndiaye.
AVAR: Brian Marshall.

Here’s how to watch

Playing time: 5 p.m

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando.

TV: ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes.

Streaming: ESPN+.

Twitter: For live updates and quick reactions, follow us @TheManeLand and the official Orlando Pride Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

Enjoy the game. Be proud!