NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup: Orlando Pride (0-0-1) vs C.F. Monterrey Femenil (0-1-0)
When: Saturday, July 27, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: Paramount+
As the Pride host Rayadas, here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:
The First Crossover
As the Pride enter its second Group Stage match of the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup, they are set to welcome C.F. Monterrey Feminel of LIGA MC Femenil. The match will serve as the first time the two sides have ever squared off against one another. Rayadas dropped their first match of the tournament last week in a 3-1 loss to Racing Louisville while the Pride earned a 1-1 draw at North Carolina after falling in the end-of-regulation shootout.
Another Club First
As part of the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup, if a match ends in a draw after regulation, it is set to go directly to a penalty shootout with the winner of the shootout earning two points and opposing team earning one. Following the 1-1 draw against the Courage in the opening match of the tournament for the Pride, the Pride participated in the Club’s first-ever penalty shootout. The Pride unfortunately were defeated, 5-4, in penalties, but saw Mariana Larroquette, Ally Lemos, Ally Watt and Kylie Strom all convert from the spot as well as goalkeeper McKinely Crone make two saves.
Roll Pride
The match against the Courage saw goalkeeper McKinely Crone make her professional debut. Crone joined the Pride at the start of 2023 preseason before being signed as a National Team Replacement Player later in the year. She was then signed to a first-team contract this offseason and marked her professional debut between the sticks by making five saves as well as two saves in the end-of-regulation shootout. The product of the University of Alabama finished her career as the NCAA record holder in career goalkeeping minutes (9519.77) and is the school’s all-time leader in single season wins (10), shutouts (23), as well as career wins (41).
Golazo
Defender Celia scored the lone goal for the Pride in the game against the Courage that leveled the match in the 82nd minutes. After an initial shot from Evelina Duljan, who made her NWSL debut on the night, was cleared off the line by a Courage defender, the ball fell right to the foot of Celia who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The goal served as her first goal of the 2024 season and the fourth goal of her NWSL career, three of which have come with the Pride.
International Update
The first games for all seven Pride Olympians were wrapped up this week. Marta and Rafaelle earned the start in Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Nigeria while Adriana was available for selection. Marta recorded the assist on Brazil’s game winning goal as well. In the other matchup, Emily Sams and team USA defeated Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda’s side Zambia 3-0. Banda and Chanda both earned the start for Zambia. All three teams will continue their Olympic runs on Sunday.
Milestone Tracker
- Kylie Strom is one appearance away from 80 NWSL across all competitions.
- Celia is two appearances away from 70 NWSL appearances across all competitions.
