Sometimes you get instances where a player will face a former team and it makes for a great story, but rarely do you get a situation where four players face off with their former team as will be the case on Saturday evening at Torero Stadium when San Diego takes on the Orlando Pride.

Forward Alex Morgan, forward Jodie Taylor, midfielder Taylor Kornieck, and midfielder Emily van Egmond all played with the Orlando Pride in 2021 before arriving in San Diego to join the Wave for the team’s inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season.

“That will add a little bit of zest,” said San Diego head coach Casey Stoney. “I have played against clubs I left previously and you definitely want to make sure you win because you have moved to another club for a reason.”

Orlando finished in eighth place last season, which is exactly where the team finds itself in the standings this year and is coming off a dramatic 2-2 draw against Angel City FC.

San Diego Wave is also looking to get back into the win column after suffering its first home loss of the regular season last Sunday versus Kansas City.

“For me, personally, playing against Orlando rather than with Orlando is going to be a little different,” said Morgan. “I know most of those players and coaches very well, so it will definitely be a new and different challenge for me, but I am really looking forward to this game.”

San Diego has been at or near the top of the NWSL standings the entire season, while Orlando has had to deal with its share of controversies including the suspension of head coach Amanda Cromwell and first assistant coach Sam Greene as of June 7 due to allegations of retaliation and workplace discrimination.

This match will be the first of two between San Diego Wave and Orlando Pride with the next one coming on Sept. 25 at Exploria Stadium.