The Pride secured the three points needed to remain in contention, but so did Angel City FC and NJ/NY Gotham FC. Angel City had 31 goals for, compared with 27 for Orlando City, and claimed the sixth and final playoff spot.
“We won the game, but we lose, so it is difficult,” coach Seb Hines said. “I thought we started a little bit slow and not as threatening as I would have liked us to be, but I get it, there was a lot at stake in this game and a lot of pressure. I felt like in the second half, we were more aggressive. The goal comes from a terrific ball from Julie [Doyle] and a great run from Marta and gets in behind the backline and gets brought down and you think you are one-nil up and looking toward next week, but it wasn’t meant to be. It is a tough one.”
The victory set a Pride record for most wins at home in a single season with seven and gave them 10 wins this season, the second time in their history the team has recorded double-digit victories. They tied with the Portland Thorns for the second-most wins this season, behind the San Diego Wave’s 11.
Marta drew a penalty in the 87th minute to give the Pride (10-11-1, 31 points) the triumph over the Dash (6-8-8, 26 points). Her goal pushed her past Alex Morgan for most game-winning goals in franchise history
