The Orlando Pride have struggled in recent weeks, but they have a chance to get their season back on track as a three-game road trip comes to an end.
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The Pride (3-5-2, 11 points) take on San Diego Wave FC (7-3-1, 22 points) on Sunday at 7 p.m.
“Final match of what’s been a long road trip, but we are ready,” said Orlando head coach Seb Hines. “San Diego has been having a great season and are in good form and looking to get a result, but so are we.
“We have been preparing well and have had a good week of training and we’re ready for the match.”
Orlando has lost four of its last five, including the last two games against expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC. Barbra Banda leads the league with nine goals, but the rest of the team has only combined for five goals. The Pride need other players to step up if they want to compete for the NWSL Championship.
The Pride have also been uncharacteristically shaky in defense this season. Orlando has conceded 16 goals in 10 games, on pace to be Orlando’s worst defensive season since allowing 45 goals in 2022. Hailie Mace has moved back to her natural fullback position, which has helped improve the backline, but the absences of defenders Kylie Nadanaer (maternity leave) and Rafaelle (head) have been felt in recent weeks.
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San Diego enters this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the league. Coming off a midweek 2-2 draw against the Houston Dash, the Wave currently sit in second place with 22 points. They have scored 17 goals and only allowed 12, but they have not kept a clean sheet in the last six matches.
This matchup won’t be easy for Orlando, but Houston exposed cracks in San Diego’s defensive form which the Pride might be able to take advantage of with their counter-attack. If they can get their other forwards firing, the Pride could earn their third consecutive victory against San Diego.
“We want to get a result and turn our current form around,” Hines added. “We are hoping to do so starting on Sunday night.”
Following Sunday’s match, Orlando returns home to face Bay FC on Friday before the World Cup break. After the break, the Pride will return to action July 3 at Angel City FC and will play their first home match July 10 against the Kansas City Current.
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