OL Reign halts Pride’s 7-match unbeaten streak

Riding a seven-match unbeaten streak, the Orlando Pride lost a 2-1 heartbreaker on Friday night to OL Reign at Exploria Stadium.

OL Reign (7-4-6, 27 points) scored the winner in the 92nd minute after defender Sofia Huerta floated a ball into the back post to Megan Rapinoe, who was able to do just enough to get the ball over the line for the late lead.

The Pride’s unbeaten streak had tied for the second longest in club history.

“It’s a sucker punch at the end because I felt like we were starting to get momentum and we looked like the team that was going to get the winning goal,” acting Pride coach Seb Hines said. “But football is a cruel game at times. It is a learning moment for all of us.”

The Pride (5-6-6, 21 points) led after Meggie Dougherty Howard scored in the 37th minute for her second goal of the season. Dougherty Howard struck the ball from beyond the 18-yard box, marking the first regular-season goal the Pride have scored from outside the box this year.

The visitors leveled the match in the 54th minute when Rapinoe sent in a cross from the left flank that found the head of Bethany Balcer, who snuck it into the bottom corner of the goal.

“[It was] a big challenge for us,” Hines said. “We said that going into the game. Reign is a top team in this league with really, really talented players. It was probably our biggest test in the run of games that we have had recently.”

Pride defender Celia made her 50th appearance in the NWSL across all competitions after spending the first three seasons with the Reign.

Forward Ally Watt and defender Haley Hanson made their home debuts for the Pride after both came in as second-half substitutes in Orlando’s previous match at NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Watt was acquired 11 days ago from the Tacoma-based side.

The Pride next face the Portland Thorns at Exploria Stadium on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.