The Orlando Pride simply will not lose. They have smashed club and league records though 15 games, but now an unstoppable force meets an immovable object in a meeting of unbeatens.
The Pride (10-0-5, 35 points) take on the Kansas City Current (10-0-5) on Saturday.
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There has been nothing to separate the two sides as they have the same record, goal differential and a 2-2-2 record all-time against each other. Winning this matchup would put the Pride on top of NWSL.
Despite the high stakes, Pride captain Marta sees this like any other game. She knows her team is capable and their approach won’t change.
“Of course it is going to be a very hard game. They haven’t lost any games, and we haven’t lost any games also so everyone expects it to be a big game,” she said. “It is not different for us. This is not going to be different to now. We will go to Kansas City to play one more game and we will look forward to do our best and get three more points.”
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This game will come down to which star players can perform. Orlando, led by Barbra Banda (11G, 5A), has been prolific since the Zambian international arrived in April. On the flip side, Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga (11G, 6A) has been making an MVP case of her own.
Orlando coach Seb Hines sees the challenge Chawinga presents.
“There are some key players that we have to be mindful of and that we’ve identified and will need to find solutions to stop that,” said Hines. “It all comes down to executing the game plan. That’s what we will do. It’s another game where we’re going to have to be resolute in our defending. We’re going to have to grind it out, but we also can be threatening in transition.”
Haley McCutcheon (illness) is listed as questionable for the Pride. Simone Charley (right leg), Luana (illness), Megan Montefusco (right heel) and Viviana Villacorta (left knee) are out for the season.
Up next …
Pride at Current
When: Saturday at CPKC Stadium, 7:30
TV: ION
