After an exhilarating performance in front of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) record-breaking attendance of 23,403 fans, Orlando Pride (1-1-0, 3 points) sets its sights on the Windy City to challenge the Chicago Red Stars (1-1-0, 3 points) on Sunday, May 1. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. ET. at Toyota Park.
“Hopefully we’ll continue in the same vein as we did for the first two games. I think we had a really solid performance in Portland and obviously a very sound home win last week,” said Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni. “Now it’s about trying to improve a little bit, become a little more cohesive but continue with that same effort, the same work rate, the same commitment that we’ve shown in the first two games.”
The Pride enter Sunday’s match following an historical 3-1 victory over the Houston Dash. The Pride benefited from a Houston own-goal just two minutes into the second half, as Alex Morgan’s shot deflected off defender Andressa and past Lydia Williams.
Second-half substitute midfielder Lianne Sanderson sparked the tempo of the match, with the England National Team star scoring the game-winning goal in the 58th minute. Sanderson used her soccer smarts on a free kick outside the box, catching the Dash with a quick shot before the defense could get in position.
Morgan added her name to the scoresheet shortly thereafter, burying a beautifully slotted ball from defender Steph Catley with one touch. Due to the dominant performance by Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and the Pride backline, the Dash scored just one goal, a distance strike from Andressa.
The Red Stars are coming off a 1-0 win over the Western New York Flash, riding a 28th minute Casey Short goal to three points. In their first game, the Red Stars fell 3-1 to the Houston Dash.
The Pride return to action in Orlando on Sunday, May 8 when Seattle Reign FC visits Camping World Stadium, formally known as the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. E.T.