The battle between the top two teams in the NWSL did not disappoint, and the result was the end of the longest unbeaten streak in a regular season in league history.
Despite facing a 10-on-11 disadvantage for most of the match, Orlando Pride defeated KC Current 2-1 on Saturday, leaving them as the only undefeated team left in the NWSL with an 11-5-0 record. It was Current’s first loss since Sept. 30, 2023, a record-breaking 17-game skid.
That record might not last long, as the Pride’s unbeaten streak now stands at 17 games.
The opening goals came from the league’s top two scorers. Pride’s Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the 37th minute.
Current’s Temwa Chawinga then responded just two minutes later with a beautiful breakaway:
Shortly afterward, the Pride’s Carrie Lawrence was ejected with a second yellow card, leaving the team in the unenviable position of trying to hold its own against the NWSL’s most dangerous offense. That task seemed even more difficult when the legendary Marta went down momentarily with an apparent leg injury, but remained in the game.
That ended up being very good for Orlando, who took the lead in the second with a penalty from Marta.
The Current had more shots and attempts on goal over the course of the game, but Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse kept all but one out of the net.
The win cements the Pride atop the NWSL standings with 38 points and a three-point lead over the Current, with the Washington Spirit right behind them on 34 points. The Pride will have a chance to break their tie with the Current for the longest unbeaten streak in their next match against the Houston Dash when they return from the Olympic break.
