Tickets for the NWSL Championship go on sale last week. If the Orlando Pride keep up their current form, they may be a heavy favorite to be one of the sides that take the pitch at CPKC Stadium on November 23.
There is plenty of soccer ahead. But, Friday’s scoreless draw against the Kansas City Current helped the Pride set a NWSL record with their 21-match unbeaten run.
The Pride also set a club record with its fourth consecutive clean sheet.
“I think we’re feeling pretty good. We’ll take another shutout,” Pride fullback Cori Dyke said after the result. “I think this defensive unit works so well together and works so hard. We’re definitely proud of the shutout but obviously we wanted the three points because that’s our standard. But can never complain about a shutout.”
More importantly, Orlando (14-0-6, 48 points) leads the Washington Spirit (14-2-4, 44 points) with six matches remaining.
Orlando will host Washington on Oct. 6. Prior to that top-of-the-table clash, the Pride head to San Francisco to face a Bay FC club that is trying to secure its spot in the NWSL Playoffs.
Bay FC (8-11-1, 25 points) currently hold the eighth and final spot in the table.
The NWSL expanded its playoff field from six to eight teams this season once Bay FC and Utah Royals entered the league.
The more forgiving format gave Orlando additional grace to end its playoff drought, but the Pride have not needed it. Earlier this month, Orlando clinched its first playoff berth in seven years.
The challenge for the Pride is to break the recent jinx NWSL Shield winners have faced in the playoffs. Only two out of the last 10 shield winners have won the NWSL Championship. The last three shield winners haven’t even advanced to the championship game.
