It's a battle of winning streaks as Portland Thorns FC (4th, 6-3-1, 19pts, six-straight wins) take on the Orlando Pride (1st, 7-0-3, 24pts, seven-straight wins) in a top-four matchup on Friday night. Kickoff from INTER&CO Stadium is set for 4pm PT and fans can stream the match live on NWSL+.
The only team that's equally as red-hot as the Thorns right now is the Orlando Pride. A league-record-tying seven consecutive victories make Orlando the Thorn's biggest challenge thus far in 2024. Head coach Seb Hines has turned the Pride into a well-oiled machine that has remained undefeated through 10 games this season. Their ascent to first-place is similar to Portland's rise into the top-four. Like the Thorns, they also had a rough start to the campaign, going winless in their first three matches. They soon found their stride and have won every match since to rocket up the table.
Forward Barbra Banda is having quite the debut season recording six goals and two assists in six matches for Orlando. Forwards Summer Yates and Brazilian legend Marta have contributed with three and two goals each, respectively. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse is the league joint-leader in clean sheets this season with four, and centerback Rafaelle – who leads the club in clearances and blocks per game – are helps anchor the backline.
As both clubs look to keep their streaks going, who will step-up and deliver?
Through 18 all-time meetings (including playoffs), the Thorns have had the Pride's number, securing 13 wins, suffering only three losses and drawing twice.
Since the turn of the decade, Portland has been able to find results against Orlando. In their four wins from seven matches during this time, the Thorns have seen some of the best offensive performances in Thorns history with 6-0 (2022) and 4-0 (2023) victories over the Pride.
Portland's offense has been relentless during the six-game winning streak. They have scorched their opponents' for 17 total goals, scoring multiple times in each match.
The clash between Portland and Orlando will be the first of its kind in NWSL history. It is the first time two teams riding a 4+ win streak face one another – bring on the fireworks!
It's a battle of winning streaks as Portland Thorns FC (4th, 6-3-1, 19pts, six-straight wins) take on the Orlando Pride (1st, 7-0-3, 24pts, seven-straight wins) in a top-four matchup on Friday night. Kickoff from INTER&CO Stadium is set for 4pm PT and fans can stream the match live on NWSL+.
The only team that's equally as red-hot as the Thorns right now is the Orlando Pride. A league-record-tying seven consecutive victories make Orlando the Thorn's biggest challenge thus far in 2024. Head coach Seb Hines has turned the Pride into a well-oiled machine that has remained undefeated through 10 games this season. Their ascent to first-place is similar to Portland's rise into the top-four. Like the Thorns, they also had a rough start to the campaign, going winless in their first three matches. They soon found their stride and have won every match since to rocket up the table.
Forward Barbra Banda is having quite the debut season recording six goals and two assists in six matches for Orlando. Forwards Summer Yates and Brazilian legend Marta have contributed with three and two goals each, respectively. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse is the league joint-leader in clean sheets this season with four, and centerback Rafaelle – who leads the club in clearances and blocks per game – are helps anchor the backline.
As both clubs look to keep their streaks going, who will step-up and deliver?
Through 18 all-time meetings (including playoffs), the Thorns have had the Pride's number, securing 13 wins, suffering only three losses and drawing twice.
Since the turn of the decade, Portland has been able to find results against Orlando. In their four wins from seven matches during this time, the Thorns have seen some of the best offensive performances in Thorns history with 6-0 (2022) and 4-0 (2023) victories over the Pride.
Portland's offense has been relentless during the six-game winning streak. They have scorched their opponents' for 17 total goals, scoring multiple times in each match.
The clash between Portland and Orlando will be the first of its kind in NWSL history. It is the first time two teams riding a 4+ win streak face one another – bring on the fireworks!
