Photo Copyright Nick Tre. Smith for USA TODAY Sports
When the Orlando Pride faced the Kansas City Current in July, the teams were tied in points and locked in a battle for the top of the National Women’s Soccer League table. They were also looking to head into the Olympic break with a decisive victory.
And, as Dan Lauletta wrote then, the match lived up to the hype.
“There was a ton of intensity in the game, and I think you’re going to get that with two really competitive teams. And no one wanted to leave anything on the field,” Kansas City defender Izzy Rodriguez said after that match.
Despite being down a player for the entire second half after defender Carrie Lawrence was shown a red card, Orlando emerged victorious with goals from Barbra Banda and Marta. The latter was the game-winner, on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute.
Now, with a spot in the NWSL playoffs already secured, the Pride will put their record-setting streak of 20 consecutive regular-season games without a loss on the line against the…
