Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Sky Blue FC: Final Score 2-1 as Pride Concede Twice After Halftime

For the second game in a week, the Orlando Pride took a 1-0 lead over Sky Blue FC into halftime, only to see it evaporate in the second half. But, unlike on Wednesday – when the team conceded only once to draw, 1-1 – this time the Pride gave up two second-half goals to lose 2-1. The announced crowd of 6,788 at Camping World Stadium watched Samantha Kerr and Maya Hayes beat Ashlyn Harris to erase the one-goal deficit for Sky Blue.
The loss spoiled a marvelous first-half free kick goal by Kristen Edmonds – her team-leading sixth – and extended Orlando’s winless streak to seven games (0-6-1). The Pride fell to 6-12-1 overall, on 19 points, and haven’t won since July 10 against the Boston Breakers. Orlando is in eighth place but the Houston Dash could surpass the Pride with a result tomorrow against the last-place Breakers.
“Obviously at halftime we were quite happy. I thought the game was fairly even in the first half and they got the opportunity and scored so we came out in the second half feeling quite confident and quite comfortable,” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said after the match. “And then an Achilles’ heel of ours – it seems to have continuous this season – of suicidal defending.
“That’s the killer. Then you’re chasing the game at 2-1 against a team that’s well organized and that’s got some very good defenders. We just struggled to break them down from there.”
The first half was played mostly between the two boxes with both teams’ attack breaking down either on the wing or just above the penalty area. The Pride got the first good scoring chance off a brilliant run by newcomer Lisa De Vanna. The Australian international weaved through the Sky Blue defense and laid off to Jasmyne Spencer on the right. The winger skied her effort over the bar on what turned out to be only a warning shot five minutes into the game.
Four minutes later, Dani Weatherholt tried to play in Alex Morgan but the captain’s first touch was a bit heavy and she was unable to re-gather to get a shot off.
Sky Blue finally got forward in the 11th minute by starting to play more direct balls over the Pride defense. The visitors’ first such foray was thwarted by a nice play by Monica in front of her goal, giving Sky Blue a corner kick that came to nothing. In fact, Orlando had a counter off of it but Spencer was offside.
In the 19th minute, Sermanni got a scare when defender Kristin Grubka stepped in front of Morgan on a Pride counter and buried her shoulder into the chest of Orlando’s captain, who stayed down for a couple of minutes. Grubka was shockingly not booked by referee Danielle Chesky for the challenge, which was not only a tactical foul designed to slow down Morgan with no attempt to play the ball, but was also a violent play. Ultimately, Morgan got up and was able to continue.
Sky Blue nearly opened the scoring in the 28th after Samantha Kerr – who scored the equalizer Wednesday – was sent in with a lovely ball over the top but she shot wide. It was the first foray in a good spell for Sky Blue FC, which started to get more traction with direct play. The best opportunity was on a flurry of chances when Josee Belanger went down with what looked like a hamstring injury, as Maya Hayes and Kelley O’Hara both had attempts at goal, with the first blocked and the second off target.
Belanger went directly to the locker room and Toni Pressley came on moments later, sending Cami Levin from left back to right and Pressley took the left fullback spot. Sermanni said Belanger suffered a hamstring injury and would likely miss the season finale.
The Pride breakthrough came moments after Pressley came on. Morgan tangled feet with Erin Simon but came away with the ball before being tripped, setting up a free kick in a good spot about 25 yards out. Edmonds stepped up and curled in a gorgeous shot that found the upper 90 on the right side, just above the outstretched hand of Caroline Casey.
43' GOOOOOOALLLL KRISTEN EDMONDS. Buries the free kick into the upper 90.#ClassicEdmonds#ORLvNJ | 1-0 pic.twitter.com/uhmDsQMysV
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) September 11, 2016
“We were trying to see where the keeper was going to go,” Edmonds said, of her dicussion with Pressley, who was also poised to take the free kick. “She was really far to our left so I said to Toni, I’m just going to hit this one, and I did, and it went upper 90, so it worked out.”
Orlando took that 1-0 lead to the half and looked to be the better side for the most part, out-shooting Sky Blue, 5-2, and holding a 2-0 edge in shots on target.
The visitors continued their direct attacks in the second half, playing balls over and through Pride center backs Monica and Kaylyn Kyle for attacking players – primarily Kerr and Hayes. Sky Blue’s speed and quickness was too much for Orlando’s back line, which also failed to recognize dangerous runs until it was too late to prevent scoring chances.
Kerr took a ball and split the defense with a quick, darting move and then slotted home 1-v-1 against Ashlyn Harris to make it 1-1 just three minutes into the second half.
“It’s called being brain dead in simple terminology,” Sermanni said about his team’s start to the second half. “I think we lost the first goal from a goalkeeper kick out, where we’ve got to press the ball. We haven’t got close enough, haven’t got tight enough, and then being started with a ball over the top – classic defending 101, to be honest. It should just never, ever happen at this level and it’s happened twice in the last four days.”
Two minutes later, Grubka was booked for knocking Sarah Hagen down just outside the Sky Blue penalty area, and that should have been the second, leaving the visitors down a player. The referee’s decision in the first half was magnified by that call in the second. Pressley crushed the ensuing free kick into the seats. It was a wasteful opportunity in a second half full of them, as the Pride failed to get a shot on target in the second period.
Three minutes after that free kick, Hayes burned Kyle and Cami Levin to get onto a long ball, approaching goal all alone. Harris did well to stop the first shot, but the ball squirted out behind the Pride keeper and Hayes was there to finish on the second chance to make it 2-1.
“The second one – until I look at the video I’m not sure – but for me it was a factor of two things,” Sermanni said. “It was a factor of very, very poor decisions in possession in our own half; being sloppy; not being careful enough to keep the ball, coupled by unbelievably poor, diving-in, amateurish defending. I’m at a loss.”
Sky Blue continued to play in direct balls and nearly capitalized again two minutes later but Kyle did well to draw a foul in her own area to end the threat. Harris was called into action again in the 76th minute, making what is sure to be an NWSL Save of the Week candidate off a header by Kerr, who got to a long cross into the box. Harris made a diving one-handed stop to keep it at 2-1.
Sermanni brought on Jamia Fields for De Vanna and Laura Alleway for Weatherholt, looking to spark something. Alleway very nearly had the equalizer in stoppage time, getting a head onto an outstanding cross by Morgan but the Aussie’s shot was off frame.
90+' What a ball from Morgan!! Alleway nearly finds the net as she gets a head on the ball. Wow.#ORLvNJ | 1-2 pic.twitter.com/0x7ghQQs5J
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) September 11, 2016
Orlando’s inaugural season comes to a conclusion in two weeks, when the Pride host FC Kansas City in the final game of the year on Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Extend Emily Sams’ Contract through 2027
NWSL Defender of the Year Emily Sams has extended her deal with the Orlando Pride on the heels of a stellar 2024 season.

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has extended the contract to 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year Emily Sams. The U.S. international, who was recently named to the 2025 SheBelieves Cup roster, signed a new deal to remain with the Pride through the 2027 NWSL season.
Sams, 25, was previously under contract through 2026. She likely received a bump in pay to commit to an additional year after having a career year in helping lead the Pride to the 2024 NWSL Shield and 2024 NWSL Championship. She also received her first cap with the United States Women’s National Team in 2024.
“Extending Emily’s future with the Pride through 2027 represents an important milestone for our club,” Orlando Pride Vice President and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Emily embodies everything we value in a Pride player — exceptional talent, unwavering commitment, and strong leadership both on and off the field. Her defensive prowess and ability to read the game have been instrumental to our back line, and her presence in the locker room helps drive the culture we’re building here in Orlando. This extension reflects not only our belief in Emily’s abilities but also our commitment to maintaining a core group of players who understand what it means to represent this club and this community.”
Selected third overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Sams appeared in 25 games during the 2024 regular season (24 starts) and logged 2,185 minutes, which was the most playing time among all outfield players and second on the club only to goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse. The only match she didn’t start and play the entire 90 minutes was the road game against the Portland Thorns — the match immediately after the Pride won the NWSL Shield. This came on the heels of playing all but three minutes of her rookie season in 2023.
She scored her first professional goal on two shots — both of which were on target — and provided three assists in the regular season. Sams completed 1,159 of her 1,314 passes (88%). Defensively, she contributed 24 tackles and 26 interceptions, winning 31 headed duels.
In the NWSL playoffs, Sams started in all three games, logging 270 minutes. She did not score or attempt a shot, but she recorded an assist. The defender connected on 144 of her 158 postseason passes (91%). Defensively, Sams contributed four tackles and three interceptions.
Due to her participation as an alternate on the USWNT at the Summer Olympics, Sams did not appear in the Summer Cup matches. She was moved to the active roster for a match during the Olympics but did not feature.
Sams led the Pride to numerous club and league records, including the longest shutout streak in NWSL history (554) and the most shutouts in one season (13). For her efforts, she became the first Orlando player to win NWSL Defender of the Year and made the NWSL Best XI first team. She received a rating of 9 out of 10 from The Mane Land staff following the 2024 campaign for her performance throughout the season.
Along with all the other awards she won, Sams became the first player to win an Olympic Gold Medal and the NWSL Championship in the same year.
What It Means for Orlando
This is great news for Orlando Pride fans. In an off-season that saw multiple U.S. internationals leave the NWSL to play overseas, the NWSL is still a star-studded league, and Sams is one of those stars. To have a player of her caliber commit to Orlando when competing against historic clubs that have UEFA Champions League-winning ambitions for the services of top players is a win for the Pride. That isn’t to say she couldn’t or won’t be sold at some point, but by locking her into a deal for an additional year is important, even if a deal comes along that is too good to pass up (and has the player’s blessing).
Sams is just entering the prime of her career and is already one of the best defenders in women’s soccer, as shown by her Defender of the Year turn in 2024. She will be counted on to anchor the Pride back line for the remainder of her time in Orlando and she likely has more development to come. This is a player the Pride will continue to build around as a cornerstone of the club.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Sign Two Players to Short-Term Contracts
With a couple of active roster slots open, the Pride have signed two of their non-roster invitees to short-term contracts.

The Orlando Pride have signed goalkeeper DeAira Jackson and midfielder Aryssa Mahrt to short-term contracts. Both players were non-roster invitees to the club’s 2025 preseason camp and have obviously made an impression in a short time.
“We’re pleased to welcome both DeAira and Aryssa to Orlando. Both players bring unique qualities that will enhance our roster during this period,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “DeAira brings important depth to our goalkeeping unit with her strong shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in the box. Aryssa’s technical ability and vision give us additional options in the final third. These signings reflect our commitment to maintaining a competitive roster while providing opportunities for talented young players to showcase and develop their abilities at the professional level.”
Jackson joins the Pride out of Grand Canyon University, where she was the 2024 WAC Goalkeeper of the Year and a member of the All-WAC first team following her last collegiate season. After playing two seasons at Cal State Fullerton, she transferred to Grand Canyon University and became the school’s all-time shutout leader with 16 in just two seasons. Nine of those came in her senior campaign, which set the school record for most clean sheets in a season. She was also the Outrigger No Ka Oi Tournament MVP and a two-time WAC Player of the Week in 2024. The Fontana, CA native appeared in 43 matches for Grand Canyon across two seasons, compiling a record of 25-11-7, the aforementioned 16 shutouts, a 0.89 goals-against average and a save percentage of .781, facing 415 shots in 3,754 minutes.
Mahrt played three seasons at the University of Wisconsin, appearing in 62 games (61 starts) and playing 4,503 minutes. The Milwaukee, WI native scored 21 goals and added 15 assists, putting 78 of her 114 shots on target. Eight of her goals were game winners. Mahrt started all 21 games in her senior season, leading the Badgers in goals (10) and assists (4). She has represented the United States at the youth level with both the U-14 and U-16 sides. Her soccer lineage includes a great grandfather who played for the Malaysian National Team.
What It Means for Orlando
Ultimately, these signings don’t mean much overall, aside from that the club rates these players as optional replacements. Grace Chanda, Simone Charley, and Rafaelle are still technically not part of the active roster, but may be reinstated whenever they are deemed healthy. Because there are available active roster spots available, why not use them? Additionally, Emily Sams and Anna Moorhouse have been called up to their national teams for upcoming competitions.
Orlando’s college scouting has been good, and no doubt the Pride would like to have these players stick around to push players in training and potentially fill in when players are forced out of the lineup by injury or international duty.
Orlando Pride
Seb Hines Has Decisions To Make For Orlando Pride’s Back Line
What will the Pride’s back line look like when everyone is healthy?

As the 2025 NWSL season approaches, the Orlando Pride’s roster is taking shape. While the lineup will mostly remain the same, the departure of Adriana and the addition of Prisca Chilufya will impact changes. Additionally, the team has a key previously injured player returning for next season, something that will force Head Coach Seb Hines to make some tough decisions.
One of the most interesting situations impacting the Pride is the back line. Last season, Rafaelle went down with an injury that forced Emily Sams back to her natural center back position, partnering with Kylie Strom. The duo were terrific down the stretch, lifting their team to 14 shutouts, including in the NWSL Championship.
The move forced rookie Cori Dyke to take a more significant role, starting at right back. It was a tough situation for the 24-year-old, but she handled it brilliantly. Dyke was excellent during the final stretch of the season and especially during the playoffs, helping the team win the league title.
When Rafaelle returns from her injury and is fit to play, Hines will have three center backs, all of which have proven to make strong pairings on the back line. So how will the Pride boss handle the situation? Let’s take a look at some of his options.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
While Rafaelle is a Brazilian international and a great center back, Sams and Strom were fantastic together for much of last season. Sams began the year at right back, while Rafaelle and Strom were the center back pairing. When Sams was forced to move to her natural position, Dyke took over as the starting right back.
Dyke had a strong rookie campaign, especially after taking over. Taking her out of the starting lineup with how she performed would be difficult for Hines. It would be surprising to see Rafaelle healthy and on the bench, but the back line of Kerry Abello, Strom, Sams, and Dyke was the best in the league last year and Hines might not want to rock the boat.
Go Back To The Start of 2024
Another option is to go back to how the back line looked at the start of 2024. While Sams was a regular at center back in 2023, Hines moved her to right back to begin last season. In a corresponding move, Strom — who had been the starting left back since 2022 — moved to center back alongside Rafaelle.
With everyone healthy, Hines could give that lineup another chance. After all, Strom was more solid at center back than left back and Sams proved she’s more than capable of playing right back. This is probably the most likely option and would ensure the team’s three best defenders are on the field.
Return to 2023
The Pride acquired Rafaelle on July 3, 2023, while the league was in the middle of the FIFA Women’s World Cup break. When the Brazilian joined the team, she started with Sams at center back and Strom was the starting left back. Strom has much more experience at left back than Sams does at right back, so Hines could send her back to her original position.
However, Strom had her best season as a member of the Pride in 2024 while playing center back. It’s hard to believe that Hines would send his vice captain back to left back after playing her in the middle all of last year. Rafaelle and Sams are the team’s only other experienced center backs, so this option is a possibility, even if it is unlikely.
Take Advantage of Versatility
When it comes to acquiring defenders, one of the primary things Hines and Haley Carter consider is versatility. Almost everyone on the back line can play center back and at least one of the outside back positions. This gives Hines an opportunity that few coaches have with their rosters.
Hines could move the players around, pairing all three center backs at times and moving Strom to the left and Sams to the right occasionally. Even Dyke can play center back, as she did in college. Moving players around would give them breaks during the season, keeping them fresh.
This decision could also backfire. Players get comfortable with their positions, so moving them around constantly could impact their quality. It would be a risky choice and is unlikely, but given the versatility of the players, it is an option for Hines. He could also take advantage of their versatility by playing a back line of three center backs, using Strom, Rafaelle, and Sams, while pushing Kerry Abello and Dyke up to wingback.
The Pride won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, one of the best seasons for any team in league history. They have most of the team returning, so they’ll be a favorite to repeat in 2025. While most of the lineup will be back, there are still some questions to be answered. One of those is who will start along the back line. We’ll find out soon enough, and it will be interesting to see what Hines decides.
-
Opinion2 weeks ago
Orlando City’s Lack of Off-Season Signings Starting to Become a Concern
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
-
Orlando City5 days ago
Orlando City vs. CF Montreal: Final Score 2-1 as Wasteful Lions Suffer First Preseason Loss
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City Signs Croation Winger Marco Pasalić as a Designated Player
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks ago
Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
-
Orlando City B2 weeks ago
Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract
-
Opinion6 days ago
Likes and Dislikes from this Week of Orlando City’s Preseason
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Seb Hines Has Decisions To Make For Orlando Pride’s Back Line