Houston Dash vs Orlando Pride the showdown that could shake up the season

This coming Friday, August 23rd, Houston Dash will take to the pitch in probably one of their biggest matches yet against the unbeaten wonders of the NWSL, Orlando Pride. They will be at Shell Energy Stadium to battle the formidable Orlando Pride, unbeaten and sitting pretty at the summit of the NWSL table. Indeed, while the soccer excitement on the field is set to last for 90 minutes, the anticipation in the air is also fueled by the celebration that the Dash has organized to honor women's sports and their Olympic heroes.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

After some time out of the NWSL spotlight, the Houston Dash is back with a renewed sense of purpose after their strong showing at the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. Two wins on the trot really ended the tournament with a bang and helped boost confidence through the roof in the team. But "soccer is all about momentum," as the saying goes, and the Dash will need to keep this energy going if they want to run this season. They sit in 12th place and are only four points off of a playoff spot, and they know for certain that in this hyper-competitive NWSL, those four points can sometimes seem like an eternity, or blow past in the blink of an eye.

Adding to the make-up of the Friday showdown is that it will represent the first game back for those players who featured at Paris 2024. Michelle Alozie, Jane Campbell, and Tarciane have returned, with the shine that comes with having represented their countries on the greatest of all platforms. These warriors, along with Orlando Pride's Olympians, will be honored prior to kick-off in a special ceremony. This ensures that this will be a night of mutual respect and comradeship, long heralded by many as a characteristic of the beautiful game.

As for Orlando Pride, there is a reason for the high spirits. They don't just head the league; they're a well-oiled machine with 11 wins and five draws bringing their point tally to 38. Spearheaded by Marta, who has just ended her international career with a silver medal at the Olympics, the Pride operates with a rock-solid defense and lethal attack. Barbra Banda is their star forward and the second leading scorer in the league, tallying 12 goals, with her eyes firmly set on the Golden Boot. Banda is the player that always can make the difference for a game; she is the game-changer by herself, and that's what changes the game because she is really good.

The plot surrounding this head-to-head couldn't be more evocative: facing, on one hand, a Dash that has nothing but desperation as they want to climb the table, and being hopeful after a wave of victories that leave their mark on the competition. But records are chasing a long way beyond just maintaining an undefeated streak for the Orlando Pride. That's right: The Pride sits one game from the record of the longest unbeaten run in one NWSL season, tied currently with Seattle.

There's more history here. The last time the two sides met in Houston was 2017, where the Pride came out 4-2 winners, with Marta strutting around and being involved in absolutely everything. The Dash fans haven't forgotten it. But that was seven years ago. What's important right now is the current scenario, and the current one looks like quite a spectacle.

And the responsibility doesn't go unnoticed by any player. Orlando Pride head coach Seb Hines is one victory away from setting the record for the winningest coach in club history, maybe this push will be just a bit stronger. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse needs just one more clean sheet to set a new record for most shutouts in a single season for the Pride — a feat sure to be celebrated in grand fashion if completed in Houston. And Marta? With the legendary Brazilian only one assist away from reaching 20 in the NWSL, an achievement that would certify even more what a fantastic career she has been living.

But the Dash isn't exactly a pushover. Although the defense of the Pride is fierce, Houston's attack is of quality and has been performing in a more cohesive manner. The steadiness of Tarciane and the confidence of Jane Campbell at the back could be the pillars that Dash needs to hold out Banda and company.