NW - Football - United States - NWSL

Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride withdraw from the NWSL Challenge Cup due to health related issues, therefore NWSL Fall Series was their debut of the year. Open with a scoreless draw against North Carolina Courage before losing against Houston Dash. Results that push their ongoing winless streak to 10 matches, since August 2019, that Orlando Pride has not won a match.

The highlight for Orlando Pride against Houston Dash was the goal from Marisa Viggiano, and the absence of key players Kristen Edmonds and Sydney Leroux due to health concerns. The match also saw the NWSL debuts of defenders Konya Plummer and Ally Haran, along with midfielder Savanah Uveges.

After a week off from match play, this will be their first home match at Osceola Country Stadium of the Fall Series for Orlando Prime. The potential return of Edmonds and Leroux to the lineup would offer an additional punch to the Pride's top line.

Suspended: Jordyn Listro

Houston Dash
After unexpectedly winning the Challenge Cup in Utah back in July, Houston Dash started the Fall Series with an away defeat against North Carolina Courage, match in which Houston Dash had the advantage, but allowed North Carolina Courage to come back and claim the victory in a game with seven goals total.

Houston Dash bounce back in style winning the following next two matches at BBVA Stadium, 3-1 against tonight's rival Orlando Pride and 4-1 against North Carolina Courage, taking revenge from the opener. Besides a defense that allowed one goal in each match, it has been their powerful attack that has shine in the Fall Series, with Canadian Sophie Schmidt, three goals in three matches, and Shea Groom, two goals in three matches, leading an attack that has scored at least three goals in each match of the Fall Series.

Houston Dash has clearly shown their capabilities depending on the format, secure on the back for the knockout Challenge Cup and unleashing their attack in the Fall Series. Their good performance has been rewarded to some players with calls to the US Women's National Team for goalkeeper Jane Campell, and midfielders Shea Groom and Kristie Mewis.

Injured: Kayla McCoy
Unavailable: Erin SImon

Match
A intense and key match for both teams, Orlando Pride is looking to get their first win and avoid the last place in the standings, meanwhile Houston Dash has a chance to claim the first place, needs to win and wait for Portland Thorns not to, therefore finishing as top of league and claim the Verizon Community Shield. Mixed results in the matches between them at Orlando, two wins for Orlando Pride and three wins for Houston Dash. Four of those matches only one team has scored.

Prediction
Orlando Pride struggles are set to continue. Trying to fit newcomers to the lineup, and lacking the consistency that tonight's rival has shown, Orlando Pride has a long way to go. Meanwhile, Houston Dash good defending but above all their strong attack should provide them with a victory to wait and see what Portland Thorns achieve.

09/10/2020 20:10, read 299 times