LOS ANGELES – Orlando forward Adriana was the match’s star, scoring two goals to lead the Orlando Pride (10-0-5) to a 3-0 victory over Angel City FC (4-8-3) at BMO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s win ranks the Pride atop the league with seven shutout matches. Over the last two games, Orlando has scored nine goals and held their opponents to a combined zero.
The Brazilian forward produced her two goals in the first half, providing Orlando with early gut punches versus Angel City. From outside the box, Adriana threaded the ball into the top left corner for her first goal of the day on an assist from forward Marta. Again, Adriana capitalized on Angel City goalie’s blocked shot attempt, tapping in the ball for her second score of the day.
Orlando forward Barbra Banda put the cherry on top en route to their seventh shoutout in the . Displaying her relentless effort, Banda got behind the backline with a steal of the ball, maneuvering away from the goalkeeper to score her 11th goal in 11 games.
Orlando’s counterattack frustrated the Angel City backline all game. The Pride had 15 shots on goal, nine on target and 11 within the box.
“They’re ruthless in transition, and they are where they are for a reason. I thought we handled Banda brilliantly. I don’t think she had anything, but then comes Adriana and Marta,” head coach Becki Tweed said. “Marta found spaces and then found Adriana in that space.”
Angel City FC had early opportunities to score, yet the club’s season-long issues of capitalization continued on Sunday. ACFC finished with 13 shots—seven on target—none of which resulted in a goal.
“The hardest part is when you look across the stats, they’re very even across every single stat,” Tweed said. “Ruthlessness wins games, and I’m sitting here saying the same thing again.”
Angel City FC defender Elizabeth Eddy made her season debut Sunday. Subbing in at the 80th minute, Tweed had high praise for Eddy’s impact in her short time on the pitch. In her 10 minutes of play, Eddy completed 60 percent of her passes on 3 out of 5 attempts, according to FOTMOB.com.
“She has gone all in. She said, ‘I want to play,’” Tweed said. “Credit to her. She has been in this game for a long time, and she hasn’t lost that love for the game and to compete.”
Next, Angel City hosts NJ/NY Gotham FC (8-4-3) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Saturday’s game will be Angel City FC’s last game until August, as the Olympic break approaches.
