Marta shocks Gotham as Orlando Pride dominates in ruthless road win | OneFootball

If there's one thing Orlando Pride fans can do without excuse, it's dream big. Not from blind optimism, but due to what they're witnessing on the field. The purple squad grabbed a 2–0 win against NJ/NY Gotham FC. On an opponent's mistake and Marta's ice-blooded finish, the squad showed that they're cut up sharp, they're laser-focused, and they're poised to dominate any environment. And let's be honest, Sports Illustrated Stadium is not exactly home turf. But Pride arrived as visitors and left as the masters of their domain.

Marta leads as always, but now with an indelible mark

Captain Marta, the queen herself, did what she's done so many times before: arrived when it mattered. When Angelina was lowered down in the box at the end of the first half stoppage time, there was no hesitation. Marta came forward, picked her place with the assurance of one with time itself, sent the keeper this way and the ball the other way. Goal. Another one. Her 43rd in Pride jersey, the team's all-time record in all competitions. There's more. It was also her 12th penalty she's ever scored in her NWSL career, tying her for the second-most in league history. Oh, and just for good measure: it was the Brazilian's 200th shot in regular-season play. A defense that holds, a keeper who delivers, and a team that answers

Across the other side of the field is a wall in the name of Anna Moorhouse

The keeper secured it again and, accompanied by the backline, assisted in collecting a second consecutive shutout to begin the season. It appears as a stat on paper, but it isn't. Pride began a season for the first time in club history with two shutouts. And Moorhouse? She now has 22 shutouts in regular season play, tied with Ashlyn Harris for 10th in NWSL history. When Seb Hines speaks of concentration, this is what he means. She started the opening goal too, of course Even before the penalty,

Marta had already impressed, without even scoring. The build-up to the opening goal began with a set piece taken by her. The ball sailed across the box and onto the head of Barbra Banda, who guided it into the danger area. What comes next is something Gotham would rather forget: the ball deflected off Lilly Reale's foot and into the net. Own goal, for sure. But all praise to the Pride attack, which pushed, pressured, and forced the error, showing exactly how you build an early lead. And here's a tidbit: it was the second-fastest regular season goal in club history. That changes the game. It changes the confidence. It changes the rhythm.