Soccer Monday: Can Orlando keep up this pace?

The Pride are 14-0-6 and just a handful of matches away from their first postseason since 2017. They were the first team to clinch a spot in this year’s playoffs earlier this month.

With Banda and a revitalized Marta scoring the goals, the Pride have also been a defensive juggernaut. They’ve allowed just 12 goals this season — the fewest in the league.

Friday’s scoreless draw with the Kansas City Current extended Orlando’s league-record unbeaten run to 21 games going back to last season. At the same time however, it ended a six-game winning streak and was was just the second time the team has been held scoreless this season.

Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse had three saves and tied a league record with her 11th shutout this season. She has had four straight clean sheets. Impressive, given the Current are the league’s top scoring team with 43 goals. The Pride have gone 411 minutes without conceding a goal.

And, it was Taylor Swift night.

Some have expressed concern that Orlando’s lack of goals may point to a bigger issue. On Friday, however, that had more to do with Kansas City’s game plan.

The Current, known for their strong transitions, had their players behind the ball sitting in a low block, forcing the Pride to deal with counterattack.

“I think Kansas’ game plan was almost a smash and grab kind of game plan,” said Orlando head coach Seb Hines. “Try and be defensively solid and hit us on the counterattack. There was probably one or two moments where we lacked a little bit of concentration, but nothing resulted in a goal, which was pleasing. It is something that we will continue to work on, in case any team takes that same approach.”

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“Super tough,” said Pride defender Kerry Abello, reflecting on her opponent. “I mean, we couldn’t get one on them tonight, although we had some really incredible chances. I thought we did a great job of breaking them down, even when they were in a low block. We had some awesome chances, but their goalkeeper had an incredible game, so I have to hand it to her, but it posed some difficulties. It’s nothing that we haven’t seen this season. I think we find ourselves in that situation often, at least we have this season. So, we’re used to it, and we’re ready for that challenge.”

On Friday, the Pride are on the road against Bay FC. They then face the last-place Houston Dash the following weekend. Then they wrap up the season with matches against against the Washington Spirit, the Thorns in Portland, Gotham and the Seattle Reign. Currently, Orlando is 4 points up on the Spirit in the standings.

Banda has 12 goals, Marta has six. The team’s 36 goals are third in the league. Oh, and Banda is nominated for the Ballon d’Or, so there’s that. The Washington Spirit have also clinched a playoff berth.

Now, for the links:

ESPN’s NWSL Power Rankings

The NCAA takes a look at the elimination of the draft

SI spoke to Magic Johnson about buying an NWSL team.

Mallory Swanson hurt her shoulder against the Thorns. No official update yet. She also picked up a new sponsor: Lay’s.

Kansas City’s Star’s recap of the Pride-Current match

What’s going on with the Dash? The Athletic’s Steph Yang has questions

Cesar Hernandez with a great take on whether Liga MX will ever match the NWSL.

Jitka Klimkova resigns as New Zealand’s coach

Not to overload you with ESPN content, but the GM survey was fascinating.

The NWSL is breaking attendance records

Sportico with story about the Spirit’s deal with Fanatics Sportsbook.

CBS Sports looks at stoppage time length.

The Athletic welcomes Megan Feringa to cover women’s football.

Aitana Bonmati is the highest paid player in women’s fooball

The legend of Trinity Rodman grows a bit every single game: