Saturday night, the Orlando Pride hosted Rayadas de Monterrey in an action-packed NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Inter&Co Stadium. This tournament is debuting this season as part of a groundbreaking collaboration between the two leagues, the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil, Mexico's women's league.
The northern Mexican team opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a set-piece goal. Christina Burkenroad found the net with a left-footed tap-in, beating Orlando's Kylie Strom for the 1-0 lead. Burkenroad, who was drafted by Orlando Pride back in 2016 and waived the following year, celebrated enthusiastically after scoring against her former club.
Orlando equalized in the 50th minute through Alex Kerr, who dribbled in from the left side before slotting the ball past the Rayadas goalkeeper. However, Monterrey regained the lead in the 61st minute when Rebeca Bernal scored a stunning goal from 20 yards out, placing the ball in the upper left corner of the net. But the Pride weren't done and equalized, as Julie Doyle leveled the score once again in the 83rd minute, finishing off a cross from Celia Jiménez.
With the match ending in a draw after regular time, the teams headed to a penalty shootout. The Pride, playing without their star Marta who is with Brazil playing in the Olympics -- one of a number of Pride players wtih national teams in that tournament -- showed resilience in the face of pressure. After losing on penalties to the North Carolina Courage in their NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup opener, Orlando emerged victorious this time, winning the shootout 5-4 to earn 3 points in their group.
The Pride will now look to finish the Summer Cup group stage strong on Thursday against Racing Louisville at Inter&Co Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
