PREVIEW: NATIONAL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

COLORADO PRIDE vs. (11) PSD Academy

Central Region: Mountain Conference – Rockies Division

Sunday, June 8

6 p.m. (MDT)

Mountain Lion Stadium – University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Two Rockies Division contenders collide Sunday in the National Soccer Network National Matchup of the Week when Colorado Pride hosts No. 11 PSD Academy in Colorado Springs. 

PSD Academy enters Matchweek Five leading the Rockies Division with nine points and is the only remaining unbeaten team in the division at 3-0-0. PSD kicked off the season with a 2-0 road win over Northern Colorado Rain, followed by a 2-0 win over Indios Denver FC in PSD’s home opener last Saturday, followed by a 13-0 win at Colorado Blizzard FC the next day. 

“Colorado Pride has been a decorated member of the WPSL Central Region and Rockies Division. They have a fantastic staff with accomplished and experienced athletes, and we look forward to the challenge and competing with them in this week’s National Game of the Week,” Sean Kelty, PSD Academy executive director, said.

Colorado Pride enters Sunday’s contest in third place in the tight Rockies Division, six points behind PSD with a game in hand. Last year’s Rockies Division winners stumbled out of the gate, falling uncharacteristically in the Pride’s home and season opener to the Northern Colorado Rain 6-1. Pride regrouped on the road five days later, beating longtime rival, Indios Dever FC, 2-1 to go to 1-0-1 as it enters the pivotal match versus PSD on Sunday. 

“The season has been a great test for us so far, with plenty of growth moments, and we’ve seen the group mature with every moment,” Matt Saul, Colorado Pride director of club development, said. “We’re focusing on our processes first, but the competitiveness and commitment from the players have been fantastic.” 

Three different players: Isabel Murdock (Elon University), Taylynn Levi (University of Colorado – Colorado Springs), and (University of Colorado – Colorado Springs) account for Pride’s three goals this season.

“We have a few players really stepping up this season, but what best describes us is the balance across the team,” Saul said. 

In three games, PSD has scored 17 goals and posted three clean sheets. Hanna Arnold (North Dakota State University), Marin Stamper (Boise State University), Addison Craig (John Brown University), Kelly Francis, and Ava Arnold (West Virginia University) each have two goals on the season, while an additional five players have their names in the goal columns with a single goal on the young season. 

Sharing duties in goal, Aly Green (Northwestern Oklahoma State University) and Kate Kleinsmith (Seton Hall University) have yet to concede a goal in 270 minutes. 

Last season, Pride took both games in the home-and-home series, winning 3-1 in the picturesque Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs and 5-1 to secure its first Rockies Division title after finishing second in 2022 and 2023. Pride finished 7-0-1, five points ahead of 5-1-2 PSD Academy. 

“PSD Academy pushed us hard in both games last season and have clearly started the season well this time around,” Saul said. “They look disciplined in possession, quick in transition, and tough to break down. We’re expecting a strong challenge.

The return match—with considerable postseason implications for both clubs—is June 25 at Halftime Help Stadium in Highlands Ranch, Colo.