March 25, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Orlando Pride News Release
The Need to Know:
Date & Time: Sunday, March 26, 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
Competition: NWSL Regular Season
Where to Watch/Listen:
Broadcast: FOX35 PLUS (local), Paramount+ (national), TSN+ (Canada), NWSLsoccer.com (international)
The Story:
The Pride enter the 2023 campaign following a strong preseason where they remained undefeated across five matches. Most recently, the Pride defeated the Washington Spirit in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory thanks to a brace from NWSL Draft selection Messiah Bright, as well as a finish from Kerry Abello.
Sunday’s match will see the Pride sporting their new updated Luna Kit, which prioritizes women’s health and player experience by becoming the first NWSL team to update to dark shorts due to period concerns this past offseason. In addition, the side will now feature dark numbers on the back of their jerseys as opposed to last year’s silver numbers.
Forward Marta has the opportunity to make her first Pride appearance exactly one-year after suffering an ACL tear during last year’s Challenge Cup. The forward recently appeared for Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup but has not played an NWSL match since March 26, 2022.
Head Coach Seb Hines will make his first appearance on the sideline since being promoted to the Club’s full time head coach. Last year, as interim head coach, Hines led the Pride for 15 games, going on a seven-game unbeaten run from July 3 to Aug. 20.
Sunday’s match will mark the first of seven games on local broadcast, with the Pride recently announcing a deal with FOX35 PLUS to air select matches throughout the Greater Orlando area. The game will feature an all-woman crew, with Leah Secondo on play-by-play, Kacey White as analyst and Duda Pavão on the sideline.
Quote of the Week:
“The mood is great right now. We go back seven weeks, started preseason, looking at what we need to do to improve on what we built last year. And the response from the players has been first class, the attention to detail. Their attitude, just their overall game during preseason has been brilliant, and what better way to test themselves against the defending champions, away from home, in front of the hostile crowd. So, you know, they’re all super excited, they’re all raring to go. And, yeah, we just can’t wait for that whistle to blow.”
– Head Coach Seb Hines
Current Form:
Prides’ Last Match: Preseason: Orlando Pride 3, Washington Spirit 2…