Angel City collapses as Orlando Pride pulls off historic NWSL comeback | OneFootball

The Orlando Pride clawed their way back to register one of the most legendary wins in their NWSL history. In a tough match at Inter&Co Stadium, the hosts turned around the score against Angel City FC and took the game 3-2 after being down by two goals. Queen Marta, Barbra Banda, and Carson Pickett spearheaded the comeback, which was also the club's first multi-goal reversal in its history. The win justified the team's good form, making them one of the league's top title contenders.

Angel City starts strongly and puts pressure on Pride

From the first whistle, Angel City showed Orlando how to take advantage of their mistakes. Riley Tiernan scored the equalizer in the 18th minute after taking advantage of a long ball by Kennedy Fuller. Before halftime, the advantage grew: after a corner kick, Katie Zelem took advantage of a loose ball inside the box and smashed it into the net.

Down 2-0 on the scoreboard, Orlando Pride had to regroup at halftime. The message, according to head coach Seb Hines, was as obvious as day: "We can talk about tactics, but you have to be motivated to make the tackles, take care of the ball, not lose it, and try to score." Halftime advice also involved more concentration at crucial moments, especially on defense.

Marta lights up the second-half come-back

Second half witnessed Pride emerging and playing with determination and force to try and close the gap. On 72nd minute, Angelina Anderson had a perfect pass from Oihane, off the substitute bench. Queen took charge of it and made an attempt, which deflected off goalkeeper Angelina Anderson's hands before crossing over. It was her third of the season, and she joined Jess Fishlock with 43 goals for a single club in NWSL regular-season action.

That tally gave Orlando the injection they needed to reverse the game's momentum.

Banda equalizes and changes the game's pace

Four minutes later, the equalizer came. Carson Pickett played a lovely cross in to Barbra Banda, who muscled her defender and headed the ball into the back of the net. Banda's goal was her fourth on the year, securing her red-hot streak and her role as one of Pride's greatest attacking threats.

With the score tied, Angel City lost their composure while Orlando turned it up heat at the final moments.

Comeback is done in stoppage time

Pride finished it in stoppage time. Pickett crossed a ball again from the left, and the ball deflected off defender MA Vignola before sliding into the net to give the home team the 3-2 win.

Seb Hines doubled down on the attitude of the team after the match: "We showed our character, we showed our mentality. Never give up mentality. We showed what we're capable of doing in that second half, with three goals scored."