Utah Royals FC vs. Orlando Pride
May 9, 2018; Rio Tinto Stadium
7:00 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL TV app
UTA (1-1-4), 7 points); ORL (2-2-2, 8 points)
Player to Watch – USWNT forward Alex Morgan is back after rehabbing from a hyper-extended knee injury sustained early in the season. An Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, Alex Morgan brings a heavy arsenal of technical skill and immense speed to the Orlando Pride offense. URFC defenders will have to slow down the Pride’s attack early if they want to keep Morgan from running onto a ball in the box.
Matchup to Watch – MF Desiree Scott vs. MF Marta Da Silva. In the last match between URFC and the Pride, Laura Harvey assigned Desiree Scott, “The Destroyer,” to mark Brazilian star midfielder and five-time FIFA player of the year, Marta. The two battled it out for 90 minutes, with both inflicting physical play, tackles, and fouls against the other. Now the Destroyer welcomes Marta to her home field at Rio Tinto Stadium, where the elements of altitude and acclimation are on her side.
All-Time Record – The two teams are even in record, having played against each other just one time on March 24, resulting in a 1-1 draw at Orlando City Stadium. In that match, MF Gunny Jonsdottir scored URFC’s historic first-ever goal, volleying an assist from FW Diana Matheson past Pride GK Ashlyn Harris. The team dominated the run of play, but a late first-half shot by Dani Weatherholt hit DF Becky Sauerbrunn directly in the face—and was called as a hand ball in the box. Known for taking most of Orlando’s PK’s and set pieces, Marta coolly placed the ball into the side-netting, inches away from a diving Abby Smith.
Last 5 Overall – Orlando has experienced their own high and low moments this season, coming to Salt Lake with a record of 2-2-2. Like URFC, the team is coming off a winning high, just beating the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 last Wednesday (May 2), at Toyota Park. The Pride is currently ranked in fifth place in the NWSL table, with eight total points, six goals for, and six goals against.
Catch the Action – You can catch this thrilling rematch on Wednesday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium, or by watching it live on KMYU and the KSL TV App, or listening to it on ESPN700 AM radio.
