The Orlando Pride may not be exactly in free fall, but when compared to last season, the team certainly seems to be struggling — at least on the offensive end. The club’s 1-0 home loss to Kansas City could have been a productive result if not for a defensive error that handed the league’s most dangerous attacker a 1-v-1 against the goalkeeper. Alas, Friday’s game wasn’t an aberration. The Pride have scored once in the last three matches, and that lone goal was an extremely fortunate one in stoppage time at North Carolina.

We break down Orlando’s home loss in Friday’s NWSL battle for first place, discuss the game’s important moments, check on our score predictions from last week, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox wants to know about the Pride’s attack, which players might provide some solutions if they transfer to Orlando, whether Haley Carter has something up her sleeve, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Following our mailbagbox segment, we look ahead to the Pride’s road trip to Utah to face the Royals. While Orlando has a good record against Utah, the Royals are coming off a hard-fought, high-scoring draw against Washington, so there are no gimmies in the NWSL. We look back at the series history, check out where the two teams are relative to each other, provide our key matchups, and make our score predictions.

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Here’s how Episode 87 went down:

0:15 – The Pride’s warning sirens are getting louder after a third consecutive match without a win.

13:19 – The mailbagbox has some concerns about the Pride’s offense.

30:30 – The Pride head to Utah looking to get back on track.

At least for one night, Orlando City solved the Lionel Messi problem. The Lions went into the Herons’ home stadium and left with three points by way of a 3-0 road victory. City was content to let Miami have the ball, stay organized, and look for opportunities to hit the Herons on the break. Orlando did that on two of the team’s three goals and the other came off a set piece from another such opportunity. The Lions played a great road game and rookie Joran Gerbet helped keep Messi…well, if not exactly quiet, at least off the scoreboard.

We broke down the talking points from the match, looked back at our predictions for the game, and made our selections for Man of the Match. We also discussed the Lions who made Team of the Matchday and a certain fullback who is on the USMNT’s preliminary Gold Cup roster.

The mailbagbox asked about MLS All-Stars, players who whine to officials, music to watch soccer by, back pass rules, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Following the mailbagbox segment, we looked back at Justin Ellis’ big night in leading OCB to the same 3-0 scoreline that the senior team won by. The Young Lions catapulted the Inter Miami II monkey off their backs with Ellis scoring the third goal from the spot after setting up goals by Gustavo Caraballo and Shak Mohammed.

Finally, we previewed Orlando City’s home U.S. Open Cup game against Nashville on Wednesday night. We broke down the tale of where the teams are relative to each other, discussed Nashville’s form, provided our key matchups, and made our final score predictions.

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Here’s how No. 480 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City kept scoring and defended one of the best attacks in the league with professionalism and concentration for more than 90 minutes.

26:38– The mailbagbox questions keep us thinking, and we looked back at OCB’s win over Inter Miami II. The Young Lions have Atlanta United 2 on the road Friday.

1:01:55 – The Lions will host Nashville in U.S. Open Cup action on Wednesday, with a trip to the quarterfinals waiting for the winner.

Orlando City put together a complete game Wednesday against Charlotte FC. The Lions not only scored multiple goals for the third consecutive match in all competitions, but they also held the visitors to just a single, well-taken goal on their only shot on target all evening. David Brekalo is turning into a valuable asset at left back, while Martin Ojeda stays hot at the other end.

We analyzed the key moments of the game, looked back at our score predictions, and made our picks for Man of the Match, which were unanimous again. We also discussed which Lions made the Team of the Matchday for their efforts in the midweek.

The mailbagbox was on short rest again, but our listeners asked us about former Lion Luke Boden and potential future Lions currently with OCB. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

Following the mailbagbox segment, we looked ahead to OCB’s home game against Inter Miami II on Saturday. The Baby Herons have had the Young Lions’ number, and OCB enters this contest having conceded 12 goals in three matches. Manuel Goldberg’s young men need to shore up the defense and get back in the win column.

Finally, we previewed Orlando City’s trip to play Inter Miami on Sunday. The senior Lions too will be looking to solve the riddle of the Pepto Bismol Pink, who return from a hotly contested match in San Jose on Wednesday. We discuss the series history, the teams’ place in the table, our key matchups, and our score predictions.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 479 went down:

0:15 – Orlando didn’t draw and kept streaking against Charlotte FC on Wednesday.

29:26– The mailbagbox relatively short and sweet and we preview OCB’s home match Saturday against Inter Miami II.

42:55 – The Lions head south to take on the Herons in Fort Lauderdale. We’ve got your preview and predictions.