The Orlando Pride earned a much-needed NWSL win against the visiting Portland Thorns with a 1-0 victory Friday night in the dying moments to put the Pride temporarily in third place.
The victory was Orlando's first at home since June 7.
"I think we were brilliant from start to finish. I thought the first half, the intensity of our press, the intensity of how we play, we created some good opportunities," Orlando coach Seb Hines said. "We stayed in the game, which was important as well, because there's been previous games where we've dominated but haven't got the rewards and been punished, so as long as it stayed nil-nil, we always felt that we were going to score that first goal.
"We left it late, but it doesn't matter. We're walking away with three points, a clean sheet, and a one-goal victory. So we're really happy."
Orlando had two chances to score in the first half thanks to some impressive play by Ally Watt in the eighth minute and then the first minute of stoppage time. She was called offside both times, but the runs showed a desire for Orlando to take the game to Portland.
The Pride finally broke through in the 90th minute thanks to second-half substitute Marta. Making her first appearance for the Pride since Sept. 19, the captain's corner kick was misplayed by the Thorn, with right-back Mallie McKenzie heading it between the legs of goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold for an own goal to give the Pride the lead.
"She came on and she looked at me, and she said, 'Feed me the ball,'" Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon said about the Brazilian icon. "That just gives me confidence in her. It gives me confidence in the group, and she just injects so much energy. And I know that when I get her the ball, she's gonna make something happen."
Defenders Rafaelle and Emily Sams played their best game as a duo this season, stifling Portland's offense from start to finish. Anna Moorhouse kept her seventh clean sheet of the season, with four excellent saves in the process. Her return to form will be key if Orlando wants to make another playoff run.
Next up for Orlando is a match against Pachuca in the final-group stage match of the W Champions Cup on Wednesday night.