The Orlando Pride returned from the international break this weekend with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Friday, August 23. This victory extends the Pride’s unbeaten streak to 18 matches, an NWSL record.
A recognition and celebration of the nine players who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics was held prior to kickoff. Orlando Pride’s Emily Sams won gold with the United States, Marta, Adriana, Angelina, and Rafaelle Souza, along with Houston Dash’s Tarciane, led Brazil to a silver medal finish, and Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda competed for Zambia. Houston Dash’s Michelle Alozie competed for Nigeria, and goalkeeper Jane Campbell was named as an alternate on the gold-medal United States squad.
The Pride had the better of the first-half chances, with forwards Marta, Banda, and Angelina creating multiple shots on goal that were denied by the Houston Dash defense and goalkeeper Campbell. The first half would finish 0-0.
The match’s sole goal finally came in the 67th minute when Pride midfielder Angelina found forward Summer Yates with a long pass from midfield, just out of reach of Dash defender Natalie Jacobs. Yates took a right-footed touch to control the pass before slotting it past Campbell.
Houston’s chance to equalize occurred in the 86th minute. Forward Avery Patterson played a looping pass over the heads of Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and midfielder Kerry Abello. Dash forward Andressa Alves received the pass just five yards in front of an open goal, but her ensuing header hit the right post and was cleared out of the penalty area by the Pride.
The 1-0 final result ensures the Pride will remain at the top of the NWSL table through the weekend, moving them six points ahead of KC Current, who resume their season against the Washington Spirit on Sunday, August 25. The Dash remain four places outside of playoff qualification but look to close the gap in a home matchup against the lower-ranked Utah Royals on Saturday, August 31.
