Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Orlando, Florida – The opening match of the weekend saw Orlando Pride host NJ/NY Gotham FC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday and the visitors hold on to all three points after a 3-2 win.

The highlight reel started early in this fixture when Gaetane Thiney’s long-range effort stunned just about everyone on the pitch only three minutes in for 1-0. Down early, Orlando shifted into gear and lunged towards Gotham’s defense to try and level things up. Waves of attack led by Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux, however, fell just short. The visitors, who maintained control of the half, continued to search for a way to double their lead. Carli Lloyd set up two opportunities for Margaret Purce and Ifeoma Onumonu but neither could convert. It took a while for the Pride to get themselves back into the match but towards the end of the half Gotham goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was called into action more than once. Despite a flurry of chances, things remained 1-0 at the break. Minutes into the restart, the visitors added a second when Thiney’s pin-point free kick beat goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Firing on all cylinders, Gotham’s front three then linked up moments later to eventually see Purce make it 3-0 by the 50th minute. The hosts responded well, but luck was not in their favour. Marta had a shot hit the woodwork before Morgan put the rebound off the crossbar. Jodie Taylor then saw a curling effort go inches wide. However, the match then took a dramatic turn.

Orlando managed to pull a goal back in the 84th minute when an error from Sheridan saw substitute Erika Tymrak's strike trickle into the net.

Four minutes later, Marta slotted home a penalty to make things 3-2 and the comeback was on.

The last kick of the game saw the Pride almost tie things up but the ball hit off the post seeing Gotham hold on to earn three crucial points.