Aussies Abroad: Kennedy and van Egmond's Pride edge seven-goal thriller

Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond came out on top as Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit split seven goals in a rollercoaster National Women’s Soccer League encounter.

The Pride and Westfield Matildas pair played their first 90 minutes since the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in the breathtaking 4-3 victory, which saw Chloe Logarzo start for Washington and Amy Harrison named on the visitors’ bench.

Feature image courtesy of Orlando Pride on Twitter

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The away side struck first at Orlando City Stadium when Bayley Feist put Spirit ahead in the seventh minute but the advantage was cancelled out in the 21st minute by Chioma Ubogagu, who starred for the Brisbane Roar in the Westfield W-League in 2018. 

Pride went into the lead five minutes later when van Egmond's pass found Rachel Hill, who played the past two Westfield W-League seasons for Perth Glory, but Spirit's Cheyna Matthews restored parity on the half hour mark to make it 2-2 at half-time.

Brazilian superstar Marta fired Orlando back in front on 48 minutes and the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year gave the home side a cushion with her second goal of the game on 78 minutes.

Jordan DiBiasi fired a consolation goal for Washington deep into stoppage time but Pride held on to win 4-3 and secure all three points. 

Orlando’s second win of the season keeps them in eighth place, while the result dents Washington’s title ambitions, leaving them fourth and two points off first-placed Seattle Reign.

Red Stars drop valuable home points

Sam Kerr fired a rare blank as the Chicago Red Stars were beaten 2-1 at home by Sky Blue FC. 

Costa Rica international striker Raquel Rodriguez pounced to send the New Jersey-based side into a 23rd-minute lead and, with the game still in the balance, Jen Holy doubled the score on 81 minutes.

Danielle Colaprico gave the Red Stars hope two minutes later but Kerr’s sixth-placed side were not able to force an equaliser as they missed the chance to catch up valuable ground on the NWSL's top four.

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