The Houston Dash (4-8-4, 16 points) return home Saturday evening to host the Orlando Pride (6-10-0, 18 points) in Carli Lloyd’s first game back at BBVA Compass Stadium since April.
Orlando enters this match with a four-game losing streak. Led by US Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan, the Pride currently sit in seventh place, two points ahead of Houston and nine points from the final playoff spot. The newest NWSL franchise lost its third home game of the year last Friday to the Washington Spirit. Christine Niarn’s game-winning goal in the 57th minute secured Washington’s first win in the Sunshine State. For Orlando, Sarah Hagen scored her second goal of the year.
Four players return to Orlando after competing in the Olympic Games – Morgan and USWNT goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris as well as defenders Monica Hickmann (Brazil) and Josée Bélanger (Canada). Orlando’s roster also features two new faces, Australian forward Lisa De Vanna and Phoenix, Ariz. native McKenzie Berryhill.
The Pride are led by Morgan, who has scored two goals this season tallied one assist prior to the Olympic break. Harris has picked up four clean sheets this season and has 44 saves in her first campaign with the Pride. Other players to watch include Kristen Edmonds, who leads the team in goals with four and Jasmyne Spencer who has scored three goals this season.
The Pride lead the all-time series against the Dash with a record of 3-0-0. The last meeting between the clubs was on June 23 in Florida, and a late second-half goal from Spencer secured the season-series for the Pride. This will be the final meeting between both clubs in the regular season.
Tickets for this match, including a special Bronze Medal package with Janine Beckie and Allysha Chapman, are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com.
