August 23, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release
Orlando Pride (11-0-5, 38 points) at Houston Dash (3-8-5, 14 points)
When: Friday, August 23, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX
TV: Amazon Prime
As the top two teams in NWSL clash in Kansas City, here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:
The Past Against the Dash
This will serve as the first matchup of the season between the Pride and the Dash. The two sides split the season series last year with the home team coming away with all three points on both occasions. Marta scored the game winning goal from the penalty spot last season in the Pride’s victory, which was the final game of the season and led to the Pride coming up just short of the playoff spot due to goal differential. The last time the Pride won in Houston came back in 2017 in a 4-2 win, a match that saw Marta play a part in every one of Pride’s goals, finishing the match with two goals and two assists.
Dashing Past Everyone Else
The Pride enter the match against the Dash as the final remaining unbeaten team in the NWSL. They are currently riding a 16-game regular-season unbeaten streak to start the 2024 season, tying Seattle for the longest single-season unbeaten streak. The Pride are, overall, unbeaten in their last 17 regular season matches which ties a Kansas City record that the Pride snapped in their last regular season match against the Current. Across all competitions and dating back to last year, the Pride are unbeaten in 20 straight games as they earned a draw in all three of its NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup matches.
A Dash to the Net
As the NWSL comes back to the regular season, it is also time to keep an eye on the Golden Boot race. Pride forward Barbra Banda is currently tied for the most goals scored in the regular season alongside Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga with 12 goals. Banda, however, has played in four less matches than Chawinga since she joined the Pride during the season. Banda is the first NWSL player in league history to score 12 goals in under 16 appearances as she has notched her 12 goals in 12 appearances this season.
Dashing Through No Snow
Most recently, Orlando Pride’s Kerry Abello was named to the July Best XI, presented by Amazon Prime. Over the month of July, the Illinois native played 210 minutes, recorded a 78.82 percent passing accuracy and earned an assist in the Pride’s 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil…