Barbra Banda will likely set the Pride record against the vulnerable Dash

With just five games remaining in the regular season and a playoff spot already secured, the Orlando Pride are one step closer to their goal of securing the NWSL Shield and first place.

The Pride (15-0-6, 51 points) will face the struggling Houston Dash (4-12-5, 17 points) on Saturday.

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“The same goes for everyone who comes here. “Every team is trying to take points from us,” said Pride coach Seb Hines. “We did a really good job of making it difficult for teams to take points from us and we will continue to do that against Houston.”

Orlando's defense has been impenetrable all season and is improving as the season winds down. In last weekend's 1-0 win over Bay FC, the Pride kept a clean sheet for the fifth time in a row and will look to extend that against the Dash, who have only scored 14 goals in 21 games.

Pride forward Barbra Banda got back on the scoresheet last time out and tied the franchise record for most goals in a season (13). If she increases her tally, she will overtake teammate Marta and become the sole owner of the record.

Houston has allowed 32 NWSL goals and has gone 9-3 in its last five games, starting with a 1-0 home loss to the Pride, but that doesn't mean it will be easy. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell leads the league with 4.7 saves per game and the American has been one of the few bright spots for a team in disarray.

Campbell has the second-most goals conceded in the league (7), behind Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (12).

Next …

Pride vs Dash

When: 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Inter&Co Stadium

TV: ION