Marta’s penalty kick in the 72nd minute broke a tie in the Orlando Pride’s 3-2 road victory against Washington on Saturday afternoon, snapping the Spirit’s 12-match unbeaten streak.
Orlando’s Kerry Abello was responsible for the game’s first two goals, scoring one and the other an own goal. The Pride (11-8-6, 39 points) later benefited from an own goal on the way to extending their unbeaten string to four matches.
Sofia Cantore scored for the Spirit (12-5-8, 44 points). Washington failed to convert off two corner kicks in extra time.
It was the fourth goal of the season for Marta, who hadn’t scored since April 25. The penalty kick came after Kysha Sylla’s foul in the penalty area.
Cantore scored with three minutes to go in the first half, taking advantage of teammate Paige Metayer’s delivery. Metayer tracked down the ball before it crossed the end line and sent the pass to Cantore, whose backheel deflecting slipped past Anna Moorhouse.
Abello’s own goal in the 35th minute resulted in the opening score. Three minutes later she converted for the Pride, who clinched a postseason berth last weekend. Haley McCutcheon’s pass on a header set up the goal.
The Spirit pulled even a minute into the second half on an own goal.
The Spirit were without standout Trinity Rodman, who suffered a sprained knee ligament earlier in the week.
The Spirit won 1-0 when the teams met April 19 in Orlando.
Houston Dash 1, Kansas City Current 0
Ryan Gareis scored her first career goal in the 69th minute as host Houston handed a rare loss to first-place Kansas City with a 1-0 decision, halting the Current’s 17-match unbeaten streak.
Gareis, who is in her fourth season in the league, entered as a substitute just a couple minutes before posting the goal.
The Current (20-3-2, 62 points) hadn’t lost since falling 1-0 at Seattle on May 2.
Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell made six saves. The Dash (8-11-6, 30 points) ended a three-match winless streak and avenged a 2-0 loss to Kansas City from April.
Yazmeen Ryan was credited with an assist as Gareis entered the box unchecked in transition.
Kansas City’s Clair Hutton had a first-half scoring chance, but the ball bounced off the left post. The Current finished with a 20-6 edge in total shot attempts.
–Field Level Media
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