The Orlando Pride saw their 2025 campaign come to a crushing end in the NWSL playoff semifinals, falling 1-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC at Inter&Co Stadium. Jaedyn Shaw converted a last-minute free kick for the deciding goal, the difference in a game that seemed destined for extra time with the final whistle just moments away.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed the same starting XI for the third consecutive game. Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina were in the defensive midfield behind Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, and Julie Doyle with Marta up top, though it appeared to play more like a 4-4-2 most of the game.

“We kept the same team, but we moved personnel a little bit,” Hines said about his lineup. “We obviously played Marta as a nine, Julie as an 11, Jackie as a seven. We knew going into this game, Gotham are a very aggressive team. They want to win the ball in the opponent’s half. You know, players like Carter and Sonnett are very front-footed, so using Marta as an extra midfielder and trying to exploit that space that they left in behind was our game plan going into it.”

Chances were few and far between in this one with neither team seeming to want to move on to the NWSL Championship. Only three shots were on target in the entire match and two of those came in the final minute of second-half stoppage time. In the end, a dangerous set piece and a bit of luck were enough to send the eight-seeded Gotham FC to the final where they’ll face the Washington Spirit.

Gotham took the first shot of the game in the second minute when Rose Lavelle received the ball at the top of the Pride box. The defenders did well to stay in front, making it difficult for the attacker to find any space. As a result, Lemos easily blocked her shot.

The Pride created their first chance of the game in the fifth minute when McCutcheon found Marta entering the Gotham box. After spinning to create space from her defender, the captain sent a low pass to the near post where Ovalle was making a run. Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger blocked the shot wide as Ovalle went down after a hard challenge. When the midfielder got up, the Pride took a corner kick that didn’t cause any trouble for the opposition. It was a sign of things to come, as the Pride’s service on set pieces often served as catching practice for Berger.

Ovalle received a pass in the box again in the 10th minute. Once again, the attacker’s first touch was a shot at goal. However, Midge Purce got in front of this attempt, blocking it away and allowing the visitors to clear.

Doyle found McCutcheon making an overlapping run on the left in the 24th minute. The midfielder sent a cross toward the penalty spot that was knocked over the end line by Jaelin Howell. Lemos sent the ensuing corner kick cross too close to Berger, who punched it beyond the attackers to the far side. Marta took possession, creating enough space for a shot from outside the box. The attempt curled over Berger’s outstretched arms and just over the crossbar.

The Pride came within inches from taking the lead in the 33rd minute when Marta found Doyle on the right. The midfielder immediately sent a low cross to the back post, where Jess Carter lost Ovalle. It was almost a tap-in for the Mexican international, but she couldn’t get her feet set correctly as it deflected off a defender. Ovalle could only get a slight touch on it, sending it out of play in front of a wide-open net.

Orlando Pride get a huge opportunity but can't quite find the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/TaA4B316LQ

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2025

Gotham created one of its rare first-half chances in the 45th minute when Marta was put under pressure in her own box and lost the ball. Abello seemed to have time to keep the ball in play and avoid a set piece, but she didn’t pursue it and the ball slowly rolled over the end line for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece by Shaw found Emily Sonnett’s head, but she sent the free header well wide of the target.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Marta sent the ball into the box for Ovalle’s run. Carter got a piece of it, but the ball fell into the Mexican’s path. Berger did well to come off her line quickley to collect it before Ovalle could reach the ball.

Gotham FC keeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, is all over the box today 🧤 pic.twitter.com/eOH2nvSD9E

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2025

That was the final dangerous attack for either team as the game went into the break scoreless.

After 45 minutes, Gotham had the advantage in possession (55%-45%), corner kicks (3-2), crosses (9-8), and passing accuracy (80%-77%). The Pride created more shots (5-3) and put more on target (1-0).

“I think in the first half we created probably the best chance of the game,” Hines said. “Some really good combination play, getting out wide, and then, unfortunately, just missing the ball. But I thought we created the better chances throughout the game, and it comes down to that last bit of execution. And, you know, some good defending and goalkeeping as well.”

Hines made one halftime change, replacing Dyke with Oihane in a like-for-like change at right back.

Less than five minutes into the second half, an injury forced another substitution. Doyle collided with Shaw on the right sideline, coming up limping. The next time the ball went out of play, the attacker wetn down and required treatment from the Pride medical staff. In the 54th minute, she was replaced by Simone Charley.

The Pride earned the first shot of the second half in the 60th mintue when a pair of crosses into the box for Charley were cleared. The second one landed at McCutcheon’s foot, but the midfielder’s shot slammed off Purce, allowing Gotham to clear. Charley found Ovalle on the left side of the box minutes later. The attacker cut inside and outside to create space from her defender before sending a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Hines made his third change in the 75th minute. Carson Pickett came on for Lemos with the Pride looking for a late winner.

Angelina sent a cross into the box in the 79th minute that Carter headed on to the far side of the box. Pickett collected the ball and laid it off for Abello, who took a shot, but sent it straight into Purce, who was right in front of her.

Gotham had a good opportunity to open the scoring in the 83rd minute when Sams committed a foul in the Pride third of the field. Lavelle and Shaw stood over the ball with the latter taking the set piece. Lilly Reale flicked the ball on with Sonnett making a run behind. Rafaelle was on her hip and Moorhouse came out to collect it before Sonnett could tap it in.

Gotham's set piece was THAT CLOSE to breaking the scoring open🤏 pic.twitter.com/aggCBsHT9O

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2025

A long ball into the Pride box in the 87th minute nearly created an opportunity for the visitors when Oihane was unable to knock it away from Shaw. The attacker kept the ball and looked to be in on goal, but Moorhouse did well to come out and collect it.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the Pride failed to clear the ball, creating an opportunity for the visitors. Oihane played it forward for Ovalle, who lost possession to Lavelle before pushing over the midfielder. Referee Alyssa Pennington gave Gotham a free kick near the top of the Pride box.

“We can’t give so easy free kicks like that, especially at the end of the game,” Marta said. “But honestly, my feeling, I’m sorry, I was feeling that the referee was looking to find something like that to mess up. I’m sorry, but that was a mess. That was not a foul. We should lose the game anyways but not in this way.”

Shaw sent the set piece over everyone in the box and just beyond the reach of a charging Purce. Moorhouse played for the Purce redirect, allowing it to bounce inside the far post to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

JAEDYN SHAW IS THE DEFINITION OF CLUTCH! pic.twitter.com/3vh5if2ygf

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2025

There was a brief stoppage as the video assistant referee reviewed the play to see if Purce was offside. While she didn’t touch the ball, Purce impacted the play by forcing Moorhouse to judge whether the ball would be redirected. However, the attacker was deemed onside.

The Pride had one last chance in the dying seconds when Ovalle headed the ball foward and was taken down by a charging Mandy Freeeman, winning a free kick in the final third.

Angelina faked the kick and Marta sent a cross into the box. Oihane got a head on the ball before her defender, sending her shot on target. Berger dove backwards and got a strong hand to the ball, sending it wide with a huge save.

Ann-Katrin Berger and the save that sent Gotham FC to the final 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XGDpTfFyUB

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2025

Pennington blew the final whistle immediately after the save, bringing an end to the game. While Gotham moved on to the NWSL Championship in San Jose, CA, the Pride saw the end of another good season that came just short of reaching their goal.

At full time, Gotham had the edge in possession (52.5%-47.5%) and passing accuracy (78.9%-73.8%). The Pride had more shots (10-5), shots on target (2-1), and crosses (25-13). Both teams ended the game attempting four corner kicks.

“The result is, it’s a hard one to take. I don’t think it’s a reflection of the performance. I thought we were brilliant tonight,” Hines said. “I thought we, even towards the end, we were going to be the team that scores the first goal. But it wasn’t meant to be. This is a cruel game. You don’t always get what you deserve, but it’s going to be a motivator for us now. We’ve had so many highs in the last couple of years. Obviously, this is a disappointing result, but it will motivate us to move forward.”

It’s a devastating way to end the season for the Pride, who looked like they would have to spend the postseaosn on the road before things fell their way, allowing them to host the semifinal. The team was getting ready to play an extra 30 minutes and looking for a way to break through before Shaw’s late goal broke their hearts.

“At the end of the game, I was pretty sure that we were going to play 30 more minutes,” Marta said. “And I was talking to my players to be smart, not doing stupid things. Because they were tired. We were tired, but I thought they were more tired than us. So, for me, it was more comfortable to play 30 more minutes and take a risk and to go and score a goal.”

The Pride entered the season looking to defend their title, but a lack of offensive prowess made it more of a challenge than expected. It got worse when Barbra Banda suffered a season-ending injury and the team went winless for nine games after the summer break. But a late surge saw Orlando host a quarterfinal and semfinal before coming up just short of playing in their second consecutive NWSL Championship.

“It’s bittersweet because we’ve done so much great things this year,” Hines said. “We’ve faced so much adversity. One thing that I’ll speak highly of this team is we’ve got grit. We’ve got some grit about this team, and we have to continue that. That’s part of the culture, that’s part of the togetherness, and that will never end.”

---

With the season now in the rearview mirror, the team will look to the future. The Pride still have a solid nucleus and must shore up some of the team’s weaknesses to make a run at another title, and that will be the goal when they take the field again in the spring.

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (11-8-7, 40 points, fourth place) host NJ/NY Gotham FC (9-8-9, 26 points, eighth place) in the NWSL playoff semifinals with a chance to advance to their second consecutive NWSL Championship. This is the third time these teams will meet this year after facing off twice during the regular season and the first time these teams have met in the postseason.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

The Pride have faced Gotham 26 times since joining the NWSL in 2016. They’re 8-11-7 in all competitions and 4-8-2 at home. The teams split the regular-season series, with the road team winning each by identical 2-0 scores.

The most recent meeting between the two teams took place Aug. 29 in Orlando. Esther Gonzalez gave the visitors the lead early and Jaelin Howell doubled the advantage just before halftime. Gotham defended well in the second half, leaving with a 2-0 win. The first matchup this year was held on March 23 in New Jersey. It was the same score, but the Pride came away with the three points. An early Lilly Reale own goal gave the Pride the lead and Marta doubled it from the spot just after halftime as the Pride won 2-0.

The first meeting of 2024 occurred Sept. 1 in Orlando and was delayed by inclement weather, but the Pride took control when it began. Adriana gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute and completed her brace in the 19th minute. Those were the only two goals as the Pride won 2-0. On Oct 20, 2024 in New Jersey, Sam Hiatt gave the hosts the early lead before Adriana equalized just past the half-hour mark. However, Gotham scored on either side of halftime with goals by Rose Lavelle and Ella Stevens to win 3-1.

The first meeting of 2023 was a regular-season clash on April 15 in Orlando. It looked to be headed for a draw, but Gotham struck twice in the dying minutes. Midge Purce converted a penalty 10 minutes into stoppage time and then assisted on Lynn Williams’ goal seven minutes later, setting a record for the latest goal in NWSL history as the Pride fell 2-0. They played again on May 14 in New Jersey, where the Pride were the better team and created more chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. The game ended in a scoreless draw.

The Pride and Gotham met twice in the NWSL Challenge Cup following those regular-season matchups. The first was on July 23 in Orlando. A Megan Montefusco header gave the Pride an early lead, but they were unable to hold on. Jenna Nighswonger converted a penalty later in the first half and Gotham took over in the second half with goals by McCall Zerboni and Yazmeen Ryan, beating the Pride 3-1. On Aug. 9 in New Jersey, Messiah Bright gave the Pride the lead in the first half, and the team was in line for all three points until Meleana Shim equalized in second-half stoppage time, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

The two teams met four times during the 2022 season — twice in the NWSL regular season and twice in the Challenge Cup. The first was a Challenge Cup meeting March 30 at Exploria Stadium. It looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw before Purce scored a late winner. The next Challenge Cup meeting was April 23 at Red Bull Arena. Gunny Jonsdottir gave the Pride the lead, but Toni Pressley got tangled up with Ifeoma Onumonu, resulting in a penalty. Kristie Mewis leveled the game from the spot just before the half. Neither team could find a winner and it ended 1-1.

The teams met in the 2022 NWSL regular-season opener on May 1 in Orlando. After two close matchups in the preseason tournament, this one was all Gotham, as goals by Zerboni, Purce, and Mewis lifted the visitors to a 3-0 win. On Aug. 20, they played for the final time in 2022 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Celia and Ally Watt built the Pride a 2-0 lead. Mewis got one back for the hosts, but the Pride held on for a 2-1 win.

The Pride and Gotham also met four times in 2021, with the first coming in the Pride’s inaugural Challenge Cup campaign. On April 14, Paige Monaghan’s goal lifted Gotham to a 1-0 win. The first regular-season game that year came on June 20 in Orlando. The visitors took the lead through Caprice Dydasco, but Courtney Petersen equalized for a 1-1 draw.

On Aug. 29, the teams played at Red Bull Arena. Erika Tymrak’s long-range goal lifted the Pride to a 2-1 win. The teams played one final, high-scoring game on Oct. 9. It was a bad start for the Pride as Gaetane Thiney scored a brace and Purce made it 3-0 late. The Pride came storming back with goals by Tymrak and Marta, falling just short in a 3-2 final.

The Pride and Gotham were in different groups for the 2020 Fall Series, so the last time they met prior to 2021 was in 2019, when the New Jersey-based club was still called Sky Blue FC. They first met that year on June 22 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. Chioma Ubogagu gave the Pride the lead from the penalty spot and Sarah Killion equalized. The difference was a Gina Lewandowski own goal as the Pride won 2-1.

On July 20 the teams met at Exploria Stadium. Marisa Viggiano’s goal won it for the Pride, 1-0. The final game occurred on Sept. 29 in New Jersey. Shelina Zadorsky gave the Pride the lead, but Carli Lloyd equalized in a 1-1 draw.

The teams met three times in 2018, starting on June 16 in Orlando, when a Sydney Leroux brace led the Pride to a 3-2 win. They met again in Orlando on Aug. 5, with the Pride giving up a 1-0 lead after Marta’s opening goal. But Dani Weatherholt equalized in a 2-2 draw. The final meeting in 2018 came on Sept. 8 in New Jersey — the final game of the season. There was only one goal in this one as Lloyd won it for Sky Blue FC.

The 2017 season saw the Pride and Sky Blue meet three times. The first was May 27 in New Jersey, where the Pride lost 2-1. They met again in New Jersey on June 28 and the Pride won, 3-2. The final meeting was on Aug. 12 in Orlando and the Pride won by its largest margin in team history to that point, beating Sky Blue, 5-0.

The 2016 season was the first time the two teams met, with the inaugural game coming on Sept. 7 in New Jersey. Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr swapped goals in a 1-1 draw. They met again three days later in Orlando, with Sky Blue winning, 2-1.

Overview

The Pride appeared to be limping into the postseason before a late-season surge saw them claim the fourth seed, allowing them to host the quarterfinal against Seattle Reign FC. Haley McCutcheon did what she does by scoring in the postseason, giving the Pride the lead in the 21st minute. The hosts were defending strong and it looked like they would hold on for the 1-0 win before Marta made a long run from her own third and drew a penalty.

The club captain handed the ball off to her club and country teammate Luana, who returned this year from Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment. Marta said after the game she had been looking to do something for Luana and took the opportunity. The Brazilian midielder put her penalty away, securing the 2-0 win.

The winner of the Pride-Reign game was on the same side of the NWSL playoff bracket to match up with the winner of eighth-seeded Gotham and the top-seeded Kansas City Current. Kansas City dominated the season and it was expected that the Pride would have travel west for the semifinal. But Gotham had other plans.

Jaedyn Shaw gave the visitors the surprising lead in the 68th minute before Ellie Wheeler equalized six minutes into second-half stoppage time. However, Katie Stengel scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time of extra time, securing the shocking win and ousting the Supporters’ Shield winners.

Reaching their second consecutive championship game seemed like a longshot for the Pride, but Gotham’s win gave Orlando a chance to host a second playoff game, forcing Gotham to travel again. The Pride have played much better in recent weeks and are only a win at home away from having a chance to defend their NWSL crown in what would be a rematch of last year’s final against the Washington Spirit, who dominated the Portland Thorns on Saturday.

While Gotham is the eighth seed and the Pride are at home, it won’t be an easy task. Gonzalez’s 13 goals this year were second most in the league, only trailing MVP favorite Temwa Chawinga. Today’s visitors also have a good back line and arguably the best goalkeeper in the league in German international Ann-Katrin Berger.

Since Gonzalez is coming back from an injury, she likely won’t start. But Gotham still has strong attackers in Shaw, Lavelle and Purce that can make up the difference.

“Obviously, a lot to play for. We’re pleased that we’re able to host another semifinal in front of our own fans. Hoping we get a good crowd there to support the team,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “But with any game against Gotham FC, it’s always competitive. It’s always a fun contest against a good team with good players. So, we have to be at our best to get the win.” 

The Pride will take the field this afternoon without three key players in Barbra Banda (hip), Kylie Nadaner (excused absence), and Ally Watt (knee). However, Summer Yates is available for selection after being out against Seattle.

Meanwhile, Gotham is missing Tierna Davidson (knee), Geyse (knee), and Taryn Torres (knee). Gonzalez (hip) is questionable, but she was listed as such against the Current and was on the bench. The star striker could come on if the visitors need a goal late.

---

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, Marta.

Forward: Julie Doyle.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Oihane, Zara Chavoshi, Simone Jackson, Viviana Villacorta, Luana, Summer Yates, Carson Pickett, Simone Charley.

NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Ann-Katrin Berger.

Defenders: Lilly Reale, Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett, Bruninha.

Midfielders: Gabi Portillo, Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle.

Forwards: Jaedyn Shaw, Esther Gonzalez, Midge Purce.

Bench: Shelby Hogan, Josefine Hasbo, Sarah Schupansky, Ella Stevens, Kayla Duran, Sofia Cook, Mandy Freeman, Katie Stengel, Khyah Harper.

Referees

REF: Alyssa Pennington.
AR1: Jennifer Garner.
AR2: Tiffini Turpin.
4TH: Elvis Osmanovic.
VAR: Jaclyn Metz.
AVAR: Brian Marshall.

---

How to Watch

Match Time: 3 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: ABC.

Streaming: ESPN+.

Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

---

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

In a surprising turn of events, the Orlando Pride will host an NWSL playoff semifinal on Sunday, when the team takes on the visiting Gotham FC, which upset the top-seeded Kansas City Current in extra time during the quarterfinals. The Pride got to this point by knocking off the Seattle Reign 2-0, and instead of traveling to Kansas City, they will get to play the semifinals in the comfortable confines of Inter&Co Stadium. It’s a great opportunity for a Pride team that’s endured its struggles in 2025 to make back-to-back NWSL Championship appearances. Here are three things that need to happen for the Pride to have a good chance of seizing that opportunity with both hands.

Shut Down Esther Gonzalez

The Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga won the NWSL Golden Boot this year with 15 goals, but Gotham’s Esther Gonzalez was hot on her heels with 13 tallies of her own. The Spaniard might well have overtaken Chawinga too, if not for an injury that limited her involvement down the stretch. Gonzalez is back and available though, and her 14 goal involvements in the regular season led all Gotham players comfortably, with Jaedyn Shaw’s eight claiming second place. While her scoring rightly catches the eye, Gonzalez offers a bit of everything in the final third, and if she gets the start then the Pride will need to pay special attention when it comes to limiting her involvement in dangerous areas. Gotham certainly has other players who can hurt you, with Shaw, Rose Lavelle, and Gabi Portilho chief among them, but the Spanish striker simply carries a different level of threat. She’s nominated for the NWSL MVP for a reason after all.

More of Last Week from Moorhouse

Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was absolutely fantastic in the quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign. She made eight saves, some of which were truly superb, and helped the Pride safely weather a storm of 17 shots from the visitors. It was exactly the kind of performance that Orlando needed, especially from a goalkeeper who can be brilliant but is also prone to some inconsistent performances and errors. There was none of that on Sunday though, as the English shot-stopper played a clean game and helped backstop a defense that allowed some good looks at goal. With a Gotham team coming to town that just managed 15 shots and two goals against a Kansas City defense that only allowed 13 goals during the regular season, Moorhouse will presumably be called into action again, and the Pride are going to need a good showing from her.

Be Better Prepared for the Press

One of the reasons that the Reign managed 18 shots in the quarterfinal matchup was the Pride’s difficulty in dealing with the Seattle press. There were multiple occasions when the ball was turned over in Orlando’s own half because the hosts weren’t able to safely play through or over the pressure that Seattle brought, and the Reign were able to generate shots from plenty of those turnovers. Not having Barbra Banda to use as a long-ball release valve hurts, but the Pride need to find a way to adjust and safely break out of their own half, because you can bet that Gotham will have watched the game tape and seen how much Orlando struggled to do exactly that. Whether it’s putting two players up top to stress the Gotham back line with long balls or simply being more accurate with short passes on the ground, the buildup play has to improve.

---

There you have it, gang. Mute Gonzalez’s influence, get another strong performance from Moorhouse, and do a better job of playing through the press, and the Orlando Pride will have a good chance of getting through to a second straight NWSL Championship.