The Orlando Pride win the first of a home-and-home matchup against the Houston Dash. Orlando hosts the next match next week.

(Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)

Match Recap

Orlando Pride head coach Tom Sermanni said that the first goal of his team’s match in Houston would possibly be the most crucial of the game—and he was correct.

The Pride (3-3-3, 12 points) set a club record for goals in a game and won their first road match of the season in a 4-2 victory over the Houston Dash (2-7-0, 6 points) Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

In a match that was the first of the season for the 2016 FIFA World Women’s Player of the Year and Dash forward Carli Lloyd, the teams were level early in a game that went back and forth.

Camila Martins Pereira began the scoring in the 16th minute when she took advantage of some soft defense and fired a right-footed shot from about 30 yards out. The shot nestled into the top-right corner of the net and gave the Pride a 1-0 lead.

Orlando was able to stop a Dash attack led by captain Kealia Ohai, Rachel Daly and Janine Beckie. Ohai and Beckie played up top but played to the wide sides of the pitch in an attempt to disrupt the Pride’s back four. Lloyd and Brazilian national Andressa Cavalari Machry attempted to push up and attack center-backs Toni Pressley and Ali Krieger, but each attack was thwarted by keeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

Marta Vieira da Silva assisted on Camila’s goal and scored her fourth goal of the season in the 22nd minute on a left-footed strike that went across the face of Dash keeper Lydia Williams. The Pride entered the half up 2-0.

On an assist by Jasmyne Spencer, Marta scored once again 12 minutes after the second half began with her left foot to score her fifth goal of the season. Marta made the scoring sheet once again when she assisted from the corner on an Alanna Kennedy header in the 68th minute. The goal was the Pride’s first by way of a set piece this season.

Orlando scored four goals on their first four shots of the game. The back-line of Steph Catley, Pressley, Krieger and Kristen Edmonds frustrated the Dash’s attackers throughout most of the game. Bledsoe had four saves in the first half and was a key reason Lloyd left the game in the 72nd without a goal on her team’s side.

Houston’s Poliana Barbosa Medeiros scored with a header in the 89th minute, and Canadian national Nichelle Prince scored her first professional goal of her career for the Dash in the 95th minute. Both goals were assisted by Andressa.

Saturday night’s game had three hydration breaks. During the first half, the temperature at BBVA Compass Stadium was 90 degrees.

What’s next?

These two teams will meet again in Orlando next Saturday in a game that will be played at 3:30 p.m. The Pride could move as high as third place in the NWSL standings with a victory.

Woman of the Match: Marta Vieira da Silva

In a game that was a showcase of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Brazilian talent, Marta was without a doubt the star of the show. She was all over Saturday night’s game, scoring two goals and two assists in the highest scoring game in Pride team history. Not only did she become her team’s scoring leader, she helped Kennedy score her first goal of the season. With Marta at the top of her game and Alex Morgan on the comeback trail, the Orlando Pride could soon be one of the most dangerous teams in the NWSL.

Highlights

16′ My. Word. What a goal from Camila! Orlando Pride take the early lead! #HOUvORL | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/W6oBcqKUKB — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

20′ Big save from Aubrey on the Carli Lloyd free kick. Pride remain on top in Houston. #HOUvORL | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/aaD341ioed — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

22′ GOOOAL! Marta adds another and the Pride take a big first half lead! #HOUvORL | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/lkVF3VFpYD — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

32′ The whistle blows for a hydration break. We’ll let Camila keep you entertained. #HOUvORL | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/BYjWOllKaX — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

57′ GOOALLL! Spencer feeds Marta who finishes with ease! Pride expand the lead! Marta’s 2nd on the night, 5th on the season.#HOUvORL | 0-3 pic.twitter.com/SWIwfL4ysP — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

68′ GOAL! The Pride’s first set piece goal of the season and it’s from Alanna Kennedy! #HOUvORL | 0-4 pic.twitter.com/x4ou0qLEAK — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 18, 2017

NDR Notes

After a 2-0 win over the Boston Breakers on June 3 and Saturday’s win over Houston, the Pride are now riding a two-game winning streak.

The Dash are currently on a losing streak that spans six games. They haven’t won a game since April 29 .

. This victory was the Pride’s first road win of the season, a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit.

Marta is now the Pride’s goal-scoring leader and is in a three-way tie for most goals in the NWSL with five. She is also in a five-way tie for second-most assists with three. Camila is one of those assisters.

Houston’s Cami Levin played her former team for the first time in the Pride’s win Saturday.

Scoring

Time Team Goal-scorer Assisted by 16’ Orlando Pride Camila Martins Pereira Marta Vieira da Silva 22’ Orlando Pride Marta Vieira da Silva n/a 57’ Orlando Pride Marta Vieira da Silva Jasmyne Spencer 68’ Orlando Pride Alanna Kennedy Marta Vieira da Silva 89’ Houston Dash Poliana Barbosa Medeiros Andressa Cavalari Machry 90’+ Houston Dash Nichelle Prince Andressa Cavalari Machry

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Goals Assists Shots Shots on Goal Possession % Houston Dash 2 2 15 6 48.8% Orlando Pride 4 3 9 6 51.2%

Houston Dash Starting XI (4-2-1-2-1): Lydia Williams (GK); Cami Levin, Janine van Wyk, Cari Roccaro, Poliana Barbosa Medeiros; Morgan Brian, Amber Brooks; Janine Beckie; Kealia Ohai (C), Rachel Daly; Carli Lloyd

Orlando Pride Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Aubrey Bledsoe (GK); Steph Catley, Toni Pressley, Ali Krieger (C), Kristen Edmonds; Alanna Kennedy, Monica Hickmann Alves; Camila Martins Pereira, Marta Vieira da Silva, Rachel Hill; Jasmyne Spencer