News Summary
In a closely contested NWSL match, Simone Charley rescued a point for the Orlando Pride with a late equalizer against the Houston Dash. The match saw an early goal from Malia Berkely, giving the Dash a 1-0 lead. Charley’s goal, her first in three years after injury struggles, came just before full-time. This draw allows the Pride to move up in the standings, while the Dash remain lower in the league. Both teams battled hard, showing resilience despite missing key players.
Houston, Texas – Simone Charley Scores Late Equalizer as Orlando Pride Draw 1-1 with Houston Dash in NWSL Match
In a thrilling National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) matchup, the Orlando Pride and Houston Dash battled to a 1-1 draw on the pitch in Houston, Texas. The highlight of the match came from Simone Charley, who scored the equalizing goal for the Pride in the 85th minute, marking her first goal in three years. This crucial goal comes after Charley’s challenging recovery from injuries, including a significant right Achilles tendon injury that sidelined her for the entirety of last season.
The match began to swing in favor of the Dash when Malia Berkely found the net with a powerful free kick in the 62nd minute, giving Houston a 1-0 lead. The goal was placed out of reach for Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, putting the Dash in contention for a crucial win. However, Charley’s late goal salvaged a point for the Pride, who moved up to fourth place in the NWSL standings with 33 points from 9 wins, 8 losses, and 6 draws. The Dash, on the other hand, currently sit in 10th place with 27 points, having achieved 7 wins, 10 losses, and 6 draws.
Both teams faced obstacles going into the match, particularly the Dash, who played without their regular goalkeeper Jane Campbell due to a thigh injury. Abby Smith took her place in goal. The Pride faced their own issues, including the absence of Brazilian star Marta, who was sidelined with a sore back. This match followed a grueling midweek encounter for the Pride, where they suffered a defeat against Club America in a Concacaf W Champions Cup match in Mexico City. Before this draw, the Pride ended a nine-game winless streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over San Diego Wave FC.
Coach Seb Hines expressed disappointment in not clinching the win in this encounter but praised the team’s resilience and determination to secure a point. He emphasized the importance of the match for the team’s morale, especially after being on the road for a lengthy 10 days, which made this draw feel significant for their ongoing campaign.
Looking ahead, the Pride will return home for their next match against the Portland Thorns on October 10, where they will aim to build on their recent performances and continue climbing the league standings.
In conclusion, the match exemplified the competitiveness of the NWSL, highlighting the resilience of the players as they navigated challenges both on and off the field. With both teams striving for better positioning in the league, the draw reflects the ongoing battle for playoff spots as the season progresses.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Orlando Pride Set for Crucial Match Against Houston Dash
Houston Dash Secures Late Equalizer Against Bay FC
Additional Resources
- Orlando City SC: Orlando Pride Starting XI
- Wikipedia: National Women’s Soccer League
- The Mane Land: Orlando Pride vs Houston Dash Preview
- Google Search: NWSL 2025
- ABC News: Charley Scores to Pull Pride to Draw
- Google Scholar: NWSL Match Results
- Orlando Sentinel: Missing Marta, Pride Still Get Draw
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NWSL
- The Mane Land: Orlando Pride vs Houston Dash Final Score
- Google News: Orlando Pride
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
