Orlando Pride carry records surge to NWSL post-season

• Records still there for Orlando Pride taking
• Players show path to winning it all
• No resting on records – execute!

Oct 6, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) chases the ball in the first half against the Washington Spirit at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) chases the ball in the first half against the Washington Spirit at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

The Orlando Pride are entering the 2024 NWSL playoffs armed with their historic accomplishments this season. But they have to execute according to those accomplishments.

The players and coaches have created a historic 2024 season for the Orlando Pride. NWSL league records have fallen this season,  as well as team records.

As the players carry those records onto the pitch for their upcoming playoff matches, they must not confuse the records with what they symbolize. What those records mean is that the Orlando Pride squad knows how to execute to win every match.

The records come after that fact.

The Pride host the league Playoff Quarterfinals beginning Friday, Nov. 8. The team that finishes the regular season no. 8 will be the visiting opponent.

 This is only the second Orlando Pride squad to make the post-season. The first was the 2017 club, only the second season for the franchise. They met the Portland Thorns for their first playoff match and lost 4-1.

This is the first Orlando Pride squad good enough to go deep in the NWSL post-season. To get there, they first established the league’s longest unbeaten streak of 24 games going back to 2023. They also broke a league record by winning streak with eight consecutive victories.

They’ve set team records with 57 points in the season, total wins of 17, and clean sheets of 18.

They are vying for league records of points, 58, and wins, 18, in a single season.

Adrian
Oct 20, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder Jenna Nighswonger (2) and Orlando Pride forward Adriana Leal da Silva (9) battle for the ball during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images | Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

They’ve secured this year’s NWSL Shield.

The team will want to support Adriana and Barbra Banda on the pitch consistently to ensure their best chance of going deep in the playoffs. Adriana scored her second penalty of the season recently – her sixth goal. Banda had drawn the penalty – her third of the season with all three resulting in scores.

The Pride have scored on all five of their penalty kicks this season, and all 10 going back to 2022.

But midfielder Cori Dyke recently said the path to winning it all is simple – stay sharp from the first minute to the final stoppage time every match.

The Orlando Pride can win it all.