Orlando Pride Host San Diego Wave in Crucial NWSL Matchup

The Orlando Pride (10-13-3, 33 points) face a tall order as they welcome the San Diego Wave (15-8-3, 48 points) to Exploria Stadium on Friday, with the Pride needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Orlando Pride Host San Diego Wave in Crucial NWSL Matchup

San Diego is second in the NWSL standings, chasing the Gotham FC (16-4-6, 54 points) for the NWSL Shield. The Wave have won four of their last five matches, scoring nine goals in that span and keeping two clean sheets. They are led by forward Trinity Byars with 10 goals and two assists.

Orlando, meanwhile, is unbeaten in its last five matches against San Diego, with a 6-1-2 record overall. The Pride won the previous meeting 1-0 in May, thanks to Nicole Payne's first professional goal. Orlando has outscored San Diego 7-3 in that stretch.

"We're looking forward to a good game, but we expect it to be a difficult match," said Orlando interim head coach Yolanda Thomas. "They're a fun team to watch play football, they play with a lot of energy and bravery in possession."

The Pride have won two of their last four under Thomas, who took over after the firing of Seb Hines. They need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, currently seven points out of the final spot with only four games remaining.

"It's playoffs for us, so we need a win no matter what," said defender Oihane. "So it's whatever it takes. We just need to get there, do our best, and win because it's like a playoff game."

Haley McCutcheon scored twice in Orlando's 3-1 victory over Bay FC, with Jacquie Ovalle adding the third. Star forward Barbra Banda has not scored in the last two matches, but had an assist against Bay FC.