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USA vs. Korea Republic, International Friendly: Final Score 6-0 as Yanks Complete Emphatic Sweep

Published

9 years ago

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Sam Mewis’ early brace got the party started and the United States Women’s National Team cruised to a 6-0 win over Korea Republic at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. Christen Press, Julie Ertz, Lynn Williams, and Allie Long. also scored as the USWNT improved to 9-0-2 in 11 matches against South Korea — all on U.S. soil.

Alex Morgan had her four-game international goal-scoring streak snapped but still played a role in one of the goals.

There were a few changes to Jill Ellis’ starting lineup from Thursday’s first meeting in this series. Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris got the start between the sticks, replacing Alyssa Naeher. The back line of Casey Short, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, and Sofia Huerta replaced only the right back (Huerta for Kelley O’Hara). With Andi Sullivan back at Stanford and Mallor Pugh (hamstring) injured, Lindsey Horan, Ertz, and Mewis made up the midfield, behind a front line of Morgan, Press, and Williams in a 4-3-3.

Mewis wasted no time in putting the Yanks ahead just three minutes into the contest, heading a back-post ball from North Carolina Courage teammate Dahlkemper through keeper Kang Gaae to make it 1-0.

The United States continued buzzing around Gaae’s goal, earning several corners that were dangerous, as the USWNT used its advantage in height and physicality. Williams had a pair of shots knocked behind and Mewis had a header saved just before Morgan could arrive to tap it home.

At 20’ Mewis had her brace. Gaae couldn’t handle a drive from Horan and punched it directly into the path of Mewis, who smashed it home to make it 2-0.

The next 15 minutes of the match consisted mainly of the U.S. pinning South Korea in its own end and having shots blocked or working down the flanks for corner kick opportunities. The Yanks were just a tick off from extending the lead a few times. Morgan came up with a steal and sent Williams on the attack but the Courage striker’s touch let her down and the chance went away without a shot.

However, just moments later, at the 35-minute mark, Morgan picked out Press, who went one-on-one with a defender and fired a golazo past Gaae to make it 3-0 to the Stars & Stripes.

South Korea got its best opportunity of the opening period five minutes later. She wasn’t very busy in the first half, but when Harris was finally called upon she came up big. Ji Sunmi’s scrumptious pass split the U.S. central defense and sent Lee Geummin in alone on Harris. The Pride keeper stretched out and kept Geummin’s smash out of the net.

After that warning sign, the U.S. took care of itself to close out the half and continued to get on the ball in the attacking third, earning a couple more corners. The USWNT made it 4-0 on the stroke of halftime off another dangerous set piece. Dahlkemper sent a cross into the area that Horan headed back across the face of goal. Ertz was there to score yet another headed goal to put an exclamation point on the opening 45 minutes for the United States.

Ellis made wholesale substitutions at the break, including withdrawing both Pride players. North Carolina Courage midfielder McCall Zerboni got her first USWNT cap, Jane Campbell came on for Harris, and Allie Long, Crystal Dunn, and Megan Rapinoe all entered the game. Press, Mewis, and Sauerbrunn also departed for the U.S. South Korea made a few changes as well.

With all the substitutions, the second half had a bit of a choppy feel to it, and little rhythm. The game was played mainly between the boxes for the first 15 minutes, although Long had a shot attempt that fizzed just wide of goal.

The USWNT made it 5-0 on a Williams tap-in at 51’, however, as Rapinoe stole the ball from the defense and squared it back for a simple finish.

Williams nearly became the second Courage player with a brace on her club’s home field a minute later, but she fired just wide of the back post from above the box. Three minutes later, Carli Lloyd checked in as the final U.S. sub, sending Dunn to outside back.

There was a scary moment in the 66th minute, as Williams was nearly sent in all alone but had her arm tugged by Cho So-Hyun and was off balance, colliding with Gaae. The keeper stayed down after contact between Williams’ boot and her head and needed to be stretchered off and replaced by Kim Minjeong. Williams was booked, which is harsh considering it was So-Hyun who was largely to blame for the striker going in awkwardly on her goalkeeper.

From that point on it was just a matter of seeing the game out. Dunn fizzed a dangerous cross through the area in the 75th minute but a bit too far in front of Lloyd. Two minutes later, Williams fired a cross in for Lloyd that the captain headed off the left post. Lloyd continued to hunt for a goal, firing in the 80th minute, only to see Minjeong make a diving stop.

Despite the chances for Lloyd, it was Long who made it a six pack. Rapinoe tracked down a ball in the right corner and crossed it. Minjeong got a touch on it but it fell on the left side, where Horan collected and cut it back for Long to finish off, making it 6-0 to the U.S. at the 83-minute mark.

The South Koreans nearly got on the board in the 86th minute. Lee Eunmi popped a curling effort up into the sun, forcing Campbell to backpedal and make a last-second one-handed save to prevent the ball from sneaking into the upper 90 at the back post. The visitors got the last good look of the game with a dangerous free kick in stoppage time, just outside the U.S. penalty area. However, Eunmi’s effort was over the bar and moments later the final whistle blew on a dominating performance by the USWNT.

The Yanks have two more matches in 2017, with a pair of friendlies against Canada. Those matches will take place Nov. 9 and 12 in Vancouver, and San Jose.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 144: Gotham Rewind, Seattle Preview, and More

The Pride finished their home schedule with a loss to Gotham and hope to finish their road schedule with a win in Seattle.

Published

1 week ago

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October 28, 2026

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Image of Solai Washington running onto a ball behind the Gotham defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride tried to send their fans home happy in their regular-season home finale, but despite an impressive overall performance against the league leaders, the Pride wasted numerous chances in front of goal and paid for two big mistakes at the back in what ultimately ended as a 2-1 loss in a season filled with far too many defeats. Solai Washington did so many things well, but despite a month’s worth of chances, she could only muster one goal. Still, it was a promising outing albeit in a developing story that won’t continue much longer this year.

We discuss the key plays, players, and moments, look back at our score predictions from last week, and select our Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Marta, the reasons for the Pride’s struggles in 2026, 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.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday’s season finale at the Seattle Reign. The Pride opened their 2026 season with a home loss to the Reign but would like to close it with a road win over Seattle to enter the off-season on a positive note. It won’t be easy, as the Reign are clinging to the last playoff spot and trying to catch rival Portland as multiple teams are trying to catch them. We look at Orlando’s attempt to play spoiler, check back on the series history, compare the teams’ positions in the table, provide our key matchups, and more.

Here’s how Episode 144 went down:

0:15 – The Pride finished their home schedule with a good performance but another poor result against the league’s top team.

20:07 – Our mailbagbox has questions about the GOAT.

38:26 – Seattle was the first 2026 opponent and will be the last 2026 opponent. We preview for the last time this season.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 140: Bay FC Rewind, San Diego Preview, and More

The Pride keep their playoff hopes alive by eliminating Bay FC but things get tougher with San Diego visiting Friday.

Published

1 month ago

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September 30, 2026

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Image of Jacquie Ovalle dribbling toward the Bay FC defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride remained perfect on the road against Bay FC with a 3-1 win on Sunday. Deuces were wild, as Haley McCutcheon, who wears jersey No. 2, scored in the second minute of both halves, and her two goals in California gave the midfielder her second brace of both the 2026 NWSL season and her career. Barbra Banda figured heavily in pulling defenders out of position on two of the three Orlando goals and assisted on Jacquie Ovalle’s right-footed thunderbolt in stoppage time to put the game away. But make no mistake, it’s not as if the Pride played well, turning the ball over often and conceding 28 shot attempts to the hosts.

We break down a road win that may have been more exhausting to watch than to play in (although I wouldn’t bet on it), check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Haley McCutcheon, where to most strongly place the blame for the Pride’s disappointing season, 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.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday, when Orlando will host San Diego Wave FC, looking to both complete a season sweep and to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. We look at the series history, provide our key matchups for the contest, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 140 went down:

0:15 – The Pride improved to 2-1-1 under Yolanda Thomas, but a lot of good Cosette Morche saves were required to get that second win.

20:00- The mailbagbox asks us to play the blame game.

33:36 – The Pride continue to face California-based competition, but Friday’s opponent is much higher in the table than Sunday’s was.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Orlando City restarts its 2026 MLS campaign late tonight out west at San Jose.

Published

4 months ago

on

July 22, 2026

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Image of Braian Ojeda taking a shot in a friendly against FC Dallas.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Welcome to your match thread for a late night midweek matchup tonight between Orlando City (4-9-2, 14 points) and the San Jose Earthquakes (10-3-2, 32 points) at PayPal Park (10:30 p.m., Apple TV). This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams in 2026 and the first time the teams have met since 2024.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of tonight’s match.

History

Orlando City is 3-1-3 in the previous seven MLS meetings with the Quakes since the club joined Major League Soccer in 2015. The Lions got their only away win in the series in the last meeting and enter tonight 1-1-2 on the road against San Jose.

The teams last met on May 18, 2024, with Jack Lynn coming off the bench to score the game’s only goal. Lynn’s strike in the 89th minute broke the scoreless deadlock and lifted the Lions to a 1-0 victory.

The teams met in Orlando most recently way back on June 22, 2021, with the Lions beating the Quakes down, 5-0. Orlando got things started with an early penalty kick goal by Nani, followed by braces from Benji Michel and Daryl Dike to easily put the game away. The lasting memory from the game is Michel’s celebratory dance wearing a cowboy hat that came out of the stands.

Prior to that Orlando City romp, the last time the teams met was on Aug. 31, 2019 when the Lions got freight trained 3-0 at Avaya Stadium, giving the Quakes their first win in the series. San Jose’s offense came via a Chris Wondolowski brace and an early opening goal by Magnus Eriksson. Orlando looked flat and weary out of the gate.

The Lions were victorious in Exploria Stadium in the 2018 meeting on April 21, a 3-2 Orlando win. It was the first win in the series for either side after three straight draws. Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan, and Dom Dwyer gave the Lions a 3-0 lead before Florian Jungwirth pulled two back in the game’s late stages.

The Lions led all of the first three matches in the second half only to see San Jose pull level, with two of those tying goals coming late. In the 2017 meeting, Carlos Rivas finally broke the scoreless tie and gave Orlando City the lead in the 81st minute, but Wondolowski spoiled the Lions’ night with an equalizer two minutes later as the teams drew at Avaya Stadium, 1-1.

In 2016, the Lions were gut-punched in the 94th minute in an emotional match that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was the first home match following the Pulse nightclub tragedy and what appeared to be a storybook ending to a cathartic win turned sour on a last-gasp equalizer by Shea Salinas. Seb Hines — now the Orlando Pride’s head coach — opened the scoring for Orlando, only to see Chad Barrett tie it up. Julio Baptista restored the lead in stoppage time, but Salinas ruined everything.

The two teams also drew in the first meeting, a 1-1 affair at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Lions down to 10 men after Brek Shea was sent off in the first half. Kaká and Wondolowski each scored from the penalty spot four minutes apart in that initial meeting.

Overview

The teams meet tonight to get their post-World Cup portion of the season started. Orlando City has been terrible on the road all season long, keeping only one MLS opponent under two goals all year away from home and allowing five goals twice (at New York City FC and Nashville) and six goals twice (at LAFC and in the team’s most recent match away at FC Cincinnati just before the break).

Orlando City is a putrid 1-6-1 on the road this season, and now the Lions must face the Western Conference co-leaders tonight before coming home to face Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC at home on Saturday. They’ll have to play at least tonight’s game without Martin Ojeda, who is out with a thigh injury sustained some time between his first-half goal a week ago in a friendly against FC Dallas and the time the availability report dropped on Tuesday.

But it isn’t all bad news for the Lions, who should have both Antoine Griezmann and Dike in the lineup. Griezmann was the club’s highly prized and widely publicized summer Designated Player signing, while Dike’s return to Orlando came together more recently, following his departure from West Bromwich Albion. They’ll help the club’s offense, but the attack hasn’t been the issue in 2026 — it’s been the historically porous defense, which is on pace to shatter the MLS record for goals conceded.

Meanwhile, San Jose is one of the first half of the season’s biggest surprises, as the Quakes have been outstanding in 2026. Scoring 34 goals while conceding just 15, San Jose is among the league leaders in goals scored (tied for third), goals conceded (third), and goal differential (+19, third).

The Earthquakes are 4-2-1 at home and are coming off a 3-1 road win at Portland in their last game prior to the World Cup break. San Jose boasts Golden Boot challenger Preston Judd, who leads the Quakes with 11 goals, adding two assists in his 15 appearances. Ousseni Bouda has chipped in five goals and three assists. Niko Tsakiris leads the team with seven assists to go along with his two goals, but he’s still recovering from a lower body injury and is not available tonight. However, the arrival of Timo Werner (four goals and five assists in just seven games) has truly elevated Bruce Arena’s Quakes, and he’ll need to be one of the main focal points for the Orlando defense.

To have any shot at taking something from this game, the Lions will need to play better road defense than they have all season. Orlando can score goals, but with Ojeda out, Griezmann will need to adapt quickly, and someone other than the team’s leading scorer will need to find the net.

The Lions will play without Ojeda (thigh), Joran Gerbet (knee), Nolan Miller (knee), Colin Guske (international duty), and Clovis Archage (international duty). In addition, Marco Pasalic may or may not have returned to the team after the World Cup. He was not in training Monday, although interim head coach Martin Perelman said he expected the Croatian back soon. The Earthquakes will be without Nonso Adimabua (lower body), former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), DeJuan Jones (lower body), and Tsakiris (you guessed it, lower body…come on, San Jose).

Match Content

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau.

Defenders: Adrian Marin, David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Griffin Dorsey.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Tiago.

Forwards: Justin Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

Bench: Javier Otero, Bernardo Rhein, Tahir Reid-Brown, Zakaria Taifi, Iago, Wilder Cartagena, Luis Otavio, Harvey Sarajian, Tyrese Spicer

San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn.

Defenders: Jamar Ricketts, Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benjamin Kikanovic.

Defensive Midfielders: Beau Lerouox, Ronaldo Vieira.

Attacking Midfielders: Timo Werner, Nick Fernandez, Ousseni Bouda.

Forwards: Preston Judd.

Bench: Jonathan Gonzalez, Dave Romney, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Jack Jasinski, Ian Harkes, Francesco Montali, Max Floriani, Darius Johnson.

Referees

REF: Elijio Arreguin.
AR1: Adam Wienckowski.
AR2: Mike Nickerson.
4TH: Timothy Ford.
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero.
AVAR: TJ Zablocki.

How to Watch

Match Time: 10:30 p.m.

Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, CA.

TV/Live Stream: Apple TV.

Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish), Nossa Rádio 1160 AM-WRLZ (Portuguese).

Social Media: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.

Enjoy the match. Go City!

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