Pride sets goal record during win
The Orlando Pride earned their first road win of the season and set a franchise record for goals in a match, rolling to a 4-2 win over the Houston Dash Saturday.
It was the first time that the Pride (3-3-3, 12 points) have won outside of Orlando since May 20, 2016.
While the Dash (2-7-0, 6 points) controlled the flow of the game early, it didn’t take long for the Pride to get on the board. In the 16th minute, Marta passed to fellow Brazilian Camila, who fired a shot from about 30 yards away from the goal. Despite the distance, the shot rocketed past Houston’s Lydia Williams and into the back of the net, giving Orlando an early 1-0 lead.
Houston had several opportunities to respond but failed to score thanks, in part, to Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, who finished the first half with four saves.
Orlando remained effective on offense, building on its early lead just a few minutes later. In the 22nd minute, Marta got past her defender and raced toward the goal, sending a shot across the box into the bottom right corner of the net. It gave the Pride a 2-0 lead and the team protected it until the halftime break.
Orlando didn’t waste any time adding to its lead in the second half.
In the 57th minute, Marta got open in the box and collected a pass from Jasmyne Spencer. The Brazilian star buried a shot in the bottom right of the net, building Orlando’s lead to a commanding three goals.
The Pride added one more goal on a header from Alanna Kennedy off a set piece in the 68th minute.
Houston managed to get on the board with a pair of late goals, but it was too late to make a difference. Orlando held on to earn a 4-2 win.
The Dash have struggled early this season and were playing their second match with a new head coach. Back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd returned to Houston after spending the first half of the NWSL season playing for Manchester City, but she couldn’t help the Dash overcome Orlando.
The Pride will take on the Dash again this Saturday. The clubs will face off at Orlando City Stadium at 3:30 p.m.