ORLANDO, FLORIDA (April 28, 2018) — Marta is back and wants everyone in the NWSL to know it.
The legendary Brazilian forward started for the Orlando Pride on Saturday night. Marta scored Orlando’s lone tally on a free kick in the 61st minute.
Marta was away with fellow Brazilian teammates Monica and Poliana for the Copa América Femenina. Brazil won the title over Chile in a close fashion.
Marta’s Back: Orlando Pride Draw 1-1 With Seattle Reign FC
In her first match back with Orlando, she and Monica filled in Tom Sermanni’s starting lineup in the 1-1 draw against the Seattle Reign FC.
Seattle took the lead early after midfielder Allie Long scored in the 33rd minute. Long’s goal was assisted by defender Megan Oyster.
Orlando then leveled the score with Marta’s goal. Each side then pushed for a leading goal. However, after referee Javier Santos Escobar blew his final whistle, each side left with a point each for the NWSL standings.
Sermanni said the match was “good” and “competitive.”
“I thought it was a game with two teams that tried to play good, open soccer and I think at different times during the game both teams were in the ascendancy,” Sermannni said. “I thought we had a very good first 25 minutes of the first half; I thought we had a very good 25 minutes in the second half. And then I thought they came into the game a little bit more in both halves.”
Marta's having a DAY at the office, with this beauty of a free kick. All tied up in Orlando.#ORLvSEA | #NWSL | @go90sports pic.twitter.com/mtghl4hcK2
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 29, 2018
Three Takeaways
- Ubogagu’s spot remains: One of my biggest concerns throughout this entire Orlando Pride season is that Chioma Ubogagu will get lost with the big names. However, she is far from it, having a productive season. She scored Orlando’s lone goal last week and has made the most out of her minutes. Thankfully, Sermanni saw that, and, even with the return of the Brazilians — and the Australians — he kept her in the starting lineup.
- Busy goalkeepers: Both goalkeepers — Michelle Betos of Seattle and Ashlyn Harris of Orlando — were busy. They each made four saves against powerhouse forwards and midfielders. It was a good showing for Betos and Harris.
- Still no Rapinoe: Megan Rapinoe has been fighting a left hamstring injury for about two weeks now. Replacing her has been forward Beverly Yanez. While Yanez is doing a decent job holding down the fort, Rapinoe’s play-making abilities are sorely missed. It seems like Seattle’s offense has slowed down since her departure.
Allie Long gives @ReignFC the lead on the road!#ORLvSEA | #NWSL | @go90Sports pic.twitter.com/Jh8T7gxgXY
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 29, 2018
