Orlando Pride turned a sharp attacking display into a valuable 3-1 National Women’s Soccer League win over Houston Dash at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday night.
The Pride struck first in the 14th minute when Houston defender Leah Klenke turned the ball into her own net, handing the hosts an early advantage. Orlando continued to ask questions of the Dash back line and doubled its lead just before the interval, with Barbra Banda converting a penalty in the 44th minute.
That gave Orlando a 2-0 halftime lead and a deserved platform after a first half in which the hosts created the more threatening opportunities. The Pride finished with 23 shots, eight on target and eight corners, repeatedly finding ways to put Houston under pressure despite the visitors holding 54 percent of possession.
Haley McCutcheon made the result more secure in the 64th minute, finishing Orlando’s third goal of the match to cap a forceful home performance. Houston did find a response eight minutes later as substitute Kiki Van Zanten headed home in the 72nd minute, but the Dash could not manufacture the sustained late pressure required to turn the fixture around.
Houston registered seven shots on target from 12 attempts and showed resilience after falling three goals behind, but Orlando managed the closing stages effectively. McCutcheon was booked in the 86th minute, while Sanne Bolette Dale Lekven saw yellow in the 89th, as the Pride protected their two-goal cushion through seven minutes of stoppage time.
The result moves Orlando forward with a 9-2-12 record, while Houston falls to 7-5-11. The Pride return to action against Kansas City Current on Friday, September 11, while the Dash host Utah Royals on Saturday, September 12.
Goal scorers
- Orlando Pride: Leah Klenke (own goal, 14′)
- Orlando Pride: Barbra Banda (penalty, 44′)
- Orlando Pride: Haley McCutcheon (64′)
- Houston Dash: Kiki Van Zanten (72′)
