Mallory Swanson scored her first goal of the season, allowing the Chicago Red Stars to play to a 1-1 draw with the host Orlando Pride on Friday night.
It was a quiet night for Chicago (2-0-1, seven points) until Jenna Bike chipped a pass to Swanson, who put a shot into the lower left corner of the net in the 64th minute.
The Pride (0-0-3, three points) had led since the 21st minute, when Taylor Malham scored an own goal.
Malham was in the wrong place at the wrong time during an Orlando corner. She was stationed at the near post and jumped as the ball entered the 6-yard box, having it skim off her head and soar into the far corner of the net.
Summer Yates sent a left-footed rocket at Alyssa Naeher in the 75th minute, but Naeher came up with a save to prevent the Red Stars from falling into a late hole.
Neither team seriously threatened after that.
Naeher made three saves for Chicago, while Anna Moorhouse finished with a pair for the Pride.
With the Red Stars trailing 1-0, Ally Schlegel had a golden opportunity to tie the match, but her shot from close range went right into the hands of Moorhouse in the 30th minute.
Chicago had another chance to draw even just before the break when it set up for a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Swanson sent a ball into the goalmouth, where it was headed twice before Natalia Kuikka sent a shot well over the net in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Orlando outshot the Red Stars 9-4 prior to intermission.
–Field Level Media