Defending National Women’s Soccer League champions Orlando Pride erased a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Angel City FC 3-2 on Friday and avoid a second straight loss.
The Pride trailed 2-0 at halftime. Orlando forwards Marta and Barbra Banda scored four minutes apart in the second half before Angel City defender M.A. Vignola put the ball into her own net in stoppage time for the game-winner.
“Thank God there are 90 minutes,” Marta said afterward on the Prime Sports broadcast.
Orlando lost 1-0 at home to the Washington Spirit last week. It was the Pride’s first home loss in over 600 days and a rare loss overall. Orlando started the 2024 season on a 23-game unbeaten run on its way to the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship double.
“We don’t lower our standards just because we had a loss,” said Pride defender Carson Pickett, who played a role in two goals on Friday.
“The best teams in this league and the best teams in the world find a way to win after a loss, and I think everyone looks at you a little more to see how you’re going to react to a loss. And I think that we did just that.”
Angel City rookie Riley Tiernan opened the scoring in the 9th minute by beating Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse at the near post. Midfielder Katie Zelem…
