
The Assist: Orlando Pride at Portland Thorns - March 26, 2023
March 25, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release
The Need to Know:
Date & Time: Sunday, March 26, 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
Competition: NWSL Regular Season
Where to Watch/Listen:
Broadcast: FOX35 PLUS (local), Paramount+ (national), TSN+ (Canada), NWSLsoccer.com (international)
The Story:
The Pride enter the 2023 campaign following a strong preseason where they remained undefeated across five matches. Most recently, the Pride defeated the Washington Spirit in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory thanks to a brace from NWSL Draft selection Messiah Bright, as well as a finish from Kerry Abello.
Sunday's match will see the Pride sporting their new updated Luna Kit, which prioritizes women's health and player experience by becoming the first NWSL team to update to dark shorts due to period concerns this past offseason. In addition, the side will now feature dark numbers on the back of their jerseys as opposed to last year's silver numbers.
Forward Marta has the opportunity to make her first Pride appearance exactly one-year after suffering an ACL tear during last year's Challenge Cup. The forward recently appeared for Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup but has not played an NWSL match since March 26, 2022.
Head Coach Seb Hines will make his first appearance on the sideline since being promoted to the Club's full time head coach. Last year, as interim head coach, Hines led the Pride for 15 games, going on a seven-game unbeaten run from July 3 to Aug. 20.
Sunday's match will mark the first of seven games on local broadcast, with the Pride recently announcing a deal with FOX35 PLUS to air select matches throughout the Greater Orlando area. The game will feature an all-woman crew, with Leah Secondo on play-by-play, Kacey White as analyst and Duda Pavão on the sideline.
Quote of the Week:
"The mood is great right now. We go back seven weeks, started preseason, looking at what we need to do to improve on what we built last year. And the response from the players has been first class, the attention to detail. Their attitude, just their overall game during preseason has been brilliant, and what better way to test themselves against the defending champions, away from home, in front of the hostile crowd. So, you know, they're all super excited, they're all raring to go. And, yeah, we just can't wait for that whistle to blow."
- Head Coach Seb Hines
Current Form:
Prides' Last Match: Preseason: Orlando Pride 3, Washington Spirit 2 (3/17/23, Osceola County Stadium)
Goal-Scorers: Messiah Bright (2), Kerry Abello
Portland Thorns: Preseason: OL Reign 1, Portland Thorns 0 (3/18/23, Providence Park)
Goal-Scorer: Jessica Fishlock
Against the Opposition:
Series Record: 2-11-2
Last Matchup: Portland 2, Orlando 0 (9/9/22, Exploria Stadium)
Next Up: Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC
Date & Time: Sunday, April 2, 5:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Broadcast: FOX35 PLUS, Paramount+, TSN+, NWSLsoccer.com
Competition: NWSL Regular Season
National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 25, 2023
- Shorthanded Kansas City Current Falls 1-0 to North Carolina Courage in Season Opener - Kansas City Current
- NC Courage Open 2023 Season with 1-0 Win over Kansas City Current - North Carolina Courage
- The Assist: Orlando Pride at Portland Thorns - March 26, 2023 - Orlando Pride
- San Diego Wave FC Game Notes - San Diego Wave FC
- Washington Spirit Set to Open 2023 Season at Audi Field against OL Reign - Washington Spirit
- Thorns FC Sign Defender Reyna Reyes - Portland Thorns FC
- OL Reign Signs 2023 NWSL Draft Pick Shae Holmes - Seattle Reign FC
- Houston Dash Announce Draft Pick SigningsÃâà- Houston Dash
- Gotham FC's 2023 NWSL Season Opens Sunday In LA - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- What to Watch for with Racing at Houston Dash - Racing Louisville FC
- Chicago Red Stars Sign Cheyna Matthews and Sami Feller - Chicago Stars FC
- Sinead Farrelly Signed to One-Year Contract by Gotham FC - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Houston Dash Open 10th Campaign in NWSL - Houston Dash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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- Tune In: Orlando Pride at North Carolina Courage on ION
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- The Assist: Orlando Pride at North Carolina Courage - May 10, 2025

