The playoffs are fast approaching, and the Orlando Pride have just two games left in the regular season. They control their own destiny, and can finish in third place in the NWSL if they win both of the remaining matches.
First up for the Pride (10-8-6, 36 points) is a trip to take on second-place Washington Spirit (12-4-8, 44 points) at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“Now we need to look forward. We have two more games in the NWSL, and then looking for the playoffs,” club captain Marta said after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Pachuca on Wednesday that knocked the Pride out of the Concacaf W Champions Cup. “[We need to] bring good feelings, and come back to the next game with a little bit more good energy for three points.”
These two sides have faced each other twice this year, with Washington winning on penalties in the NWSL Challenge Cup and 1-0 in Orlando in April. The Pride beat the Spirit 1-0 in the NWSL Championship last season, and the two clubs have a 10-10-8 record against each other all-time.
Washington has one of the best home records in the NWSL, but Orlando has won its past two matches at Audi Field. The Spirit have already secured their spot in second place and could very likely field a rotated lineup in order to stay fresh for the postseason.
Orlando has won two of its past three NWSL matches, but the Pride have struggled to score in the absence of injured Barbra Banda. Marta has stepped up, as expected, scoring off a free kick against Pachuca, but the team is having issues putting away the chances it creates.
Jacquie Ovalle and Summer Yates are two of the more potent attackers Orlando can throw forward, but it is midfielder Haley McCutcheon who has been the most effective scorer. She is second on the team with three goals, and she leads the squad with three assists. She can help punish a Washington defense that has allowed four goals in its past five matches.