After a weekend full of action, the fourth week of NWSL action closed out with a Sunday match between Houston and Orlando.
Orlando Pride 1, Houston Dash 0
The Houston Dash had a lot to be excited about this afternoon, when captain Kealia Ohai returned in the second half of their matchup in Orlando, but it was the Pride that walked away with their first victory, 1-0, courtesy of a header from Chioma Ubogagu.
The first half of the match started with more than a fair amount of lethargy from both sides, with neither squad finding a serious amount of distance from one another. Nichelle Prince got the start for Houston, and did her best to provide some danger in front of the Orlando goal, but the Dash ultimately only registered one shot on goal for the whole match.
For Orlando, Ubogagu found herself moving frequently with the ball, but struggled with the passing efficiency to really trouble Houston keeper Jane Campbell, and the first half of the match ended scoreless.
The first jolt of energy into the game came in the 60th minute, when Ohai made her appearance, coming in for Savannah Jordan. Coming back almost exactly a year after her ACL injury (actually suffered in Orlando) gave both teams something to celebrate, and the emotion of the moment briefly opened up play.
Unfortunately for Houston, it was Orlando that pounced on the opportunity, and the Pride took the lead in the 65th minute off a header from Ubogagu, off of a ball sent in from a free kick.
Home lead acquired. @ChiAlreadyKnow gets it done for the Pride ??♀️#ORLvHOU | #NWSL | @go90Sports pic.twitter.com/Zm8hhdM0un
— NWSL (@NWSL) April 22, 2018
The second-half goal deflated the Dash attack, and the game would ultimately end in a 1-0 Orlando victory. The Pride will take on the Seattle Reign on Saturday 4/28, and the Dash will look to bounce back against the North Carolina Courage that same afternoon.
GOAL SUMMARY
- Orlando Pride – Ubogagu (Nairn), 65′
— Claire Watkins