The battle between the NWSL’s two best teams did not disappoint, and the result was the end of the longest regular season unbeaten streak in league history.
Despite facing a 10-11 deficit for most of the match, the Orlando Pride defeated KC Current 2-1 on Saturday, leaving them as the only undefeated team remaining in the NWSL at 11-5-0. It was the Current’s first loss since September 30, 2023, a record streak of 17 games.
That record may not last long, as the Pride’s unbeaten run now stands at 17 games.
The opening goals came from the league’s two top scorers. Barbra Banda, from Pride, opened the scoring in the 37th minute.
Then Current’s Temwa Chawinga responded just two minutes later with separatist beauty:
The Pride’s Carrie Lawrence was sent off soon after with a second yellow card, leaving the Pride in the unenviable position of trying to resist the NWSL’s most dangerous attack. This task seemed even more difficult when the legendary Marta briefly fell with an apparent leg injury, but remained in the game.
This ended up being very good for Orlando, who took the lead in the second after Marta’s penalty.
The Current posted more shots and shots on goal throughout the game, but Pride goalkeeper Anna Morehouse kept all but one out of the net.
The win cements the Pride at the top of the NWSL standings, with a three-point lead over the Current, with the Washington Spirit behind them on 31 points (and one game less played). They will have a chance to break a tie with the Current for the longest unbeaten streak in their next game against the Houston Dash when they return from the Olympic break.
