Marta scored her second goal of the season to lift the Orlando Pride to a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals on Friday night in Sandy, Utah.
Orlando (1-0-3, 6 points) earned its first victory of the season behind a relentless offensive attack. The Pride generated 14 total shots and 10 corner kicks while putting four balls on frame.
Utah (1-3-0, 3 points) generated only five total shots. The Royals struggled to maintain possession in the attacking third and played on their heels for much of the second half. Orlando earned its first clean sheet of the season as Anna Moorhouse made five saves.
Marta put Orlando on the board in the 68th minute with her 33rd career goal for the Pride. She sprinted toward the far post and blasted home a spinning right-footer off a cross from Kerry Abello.
The Pride nearly broke the ice a minute earlier when Ally Watt attacked from the right side of the box. Watt’s shot was denied on a kick save by Mandy Haught (three saves).
Orlando had chances to take a lead before halftime but came up short twice on point-blank headers off corner kicks. Kylie Strom headed the ball too high in the 39th minute, and Morgan Gautrat sent a second header wide right in the 41st minute.
The Pride had a 7-3 edge in total shots during the first half. Utah put all three of its shots on frame.
–Field Level Media
