The Orlando Pride signed goalkeeper Cosette Morché on Aug. 6 to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option year for 2028. Morché had spent the previous season with Fort Lauderdale United FC in the USL Super League, but her signing was necessary as a third goalkeeper after Kat Asman was loaned to Lexington FC in the USL Super League on July 2. It was a surprisingly long contract for the former Seattle Reign goalkeeper, considering Asman is under contract with the Pride through 2026.

The Texas A&M product appeared only a couple of times with the Pride in Concacaf W Champions Cup competition in her first year in Orlando.

Let’s look back at Morché’s first season in the City Beautiful.

Statistical Breakdown

Morché did not appear in an NWSL regular-season match or a playoff game. She made her Pride debut on Sept. 16 in Orlando’s 5-0 win at Chorrillo FC, as the Pride won their first game on foreign soil. Morché started two matches in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, going the full 90 in both for 180 total minutes and backstopping the club to a 1-0-1 record in her two starts in the competition. The native of Lawrenceville, GA allowed one goal across the two contests for a stellar 0.50 goals-against average. She faced a total of 27 shots from her opponents with eight of those on target. Morché made seven saves on those eight shots on frame, giving her a save percentage of 87.5%. She passed at a solid 90% rate on 70 attempts but did not attempt a long ball. in her two matches.

Best Game

It would be easy to take her lone win and shutout, but the truth is Morché had a lot more to do in the 1-1 draw against Pachuca on Oct. 15, facing twice as many shots (18) as she faced against Chorrillo (9) and…hahaha, I’m just kidding, I’m going with the shutout. Morché made four of her seven saves on the season in that match, and I felt she could have done a bit better on the shot that got past her against Pachuca — a goal that ultimately knocked the Pride out of the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

Against Chorrillo, Morché stopped all four shots on target that she faced on nine total attempts by the hosts. It was also a road match in international competition, which is a difficult environment for anyone making their first start for their club. She completed 32 of her 35 passes (91%) that night in Panama to effectively distribute the ball as well. It was a small sample size, so I’ve got to go with the shutout and the game with more saves and a better passing accuracy.

2025 Final Grade

Morché fell well short of the required 400 minutes across all competitions to qualify for a season grade after her first season in Orlando. Therefore, The Mane Land staff has no choice but to give an incomplete grade for the 2025 season.

2026 Outlook

With a contract through 2027, Morché doesn’t figure to be going anywhere unless a transfer is arranged, she is sent out on loan, or the player and club mutually agree to terminate the contract. The Pride have Morché, Asman, McKinley Crone, and Anna Moorhouse all under contract in 2026, which more or less settles the goalkeeper situation. It appears the club is happy with Moorhouse as the starter and Crone as the primary backup, although Morché may get a chance to win the backup job in camp. Barring injuries, Morché won’t likely see the pitch much in 2026 unless she is loaned out, but she’ll provide depth at a critical position.

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Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Luana (11/18/25)

The Orlando Pride signed Brazilian international midfielder Luana on Dec. 14, 2023, inking her to a two-year deal with an additional option year. Along with fellow Brazilian international Angelina, the Pride had high hopes for a solid central midfield that could not only break up opposition play, but also break lines with quick, incisive passes to transition quickly from defense to attack.

Unfortunately, after only three matches in 2024, Luana was forced off the pitch by a health crisis after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The club made the announcement public on April 29 after Luana had a string of excused absences, placing the midfielder on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list as she began treatment.

Luana made it through treatment and spent a lot of time recovering and regaining her strength, returning to the pitch in early September of this year, capping an emotional time for both her and her teammates. She was rewarded for her perseverance and her play with a new one-year contract for 2026 with a mutual option year for 2027 just four days ago.

Let’s look back at Luana’s abbreviated second season in Orlando.

Statistical Breakdown

In NWSL play, Luana appeared in four regular-season games (all off the bench), totaling just 38 minutes. She did not contribute to a goal or attempt a shot in the regular season, completing 18 of her 24 passes for a 75% success rate, but she did not misplace a single pass in her final two outings of the regular season, going 12/12. She created one scoring chance in her limited playing time with one key pass, and she had one successful cross on three attempts and three complete long balls on five attempts (60%). On the defensive end, Luana contributed two tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance. She committed two fouls, drew one on her opponents, and she was booked once, receiving a yellow card against Portland late in the season.

In the playoffs, Luana appeared in one of Orlando’s two matches, coming off the bench against the Seattle Reign in the quarterfinals. The Brazilian played only seven minutes, but she made an impact. Luana scored her first Pride goal from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time to put the match out of reach as Orlando won 2-0. The goal was Luana’s only shot attempt, so she put her one shot on target for her lone goal contribution of the season. She completed two of her three passes (66.7%) without a key pass or a cross attempt, hitting one of her two long balls (50%). On the defensive end, Luana contributed a tackle and a clearance to Orlando’s winning effort, and she did not commit or draw a foul and she was not booked.

Luana appeared in four Concacaf W Champions Cup matches with the Pride this year, starting three and playing 171 minutes. She did not register a goal contribution in the tournament and neither of her two shots were on target. Luana completed 74.1% of her 85 passes, contributed three tackles, and committed eight fouls without drawing one on an opponent. She was booked once, receiving a yellow card against Club America.

Best Game

There aren’t many matches to choose from, as Luana made only nine appearances. However, two stand out and they were both in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Luana came off the bench and played 20 strong minutes in her 2025 debut against Alajuelense. However, I’ll go with her 45 minutes as a starter in the team’s next game in the competition, a 5-0 win over Chorrillo on the road on Sept. 16. It equaled her second-longest outing of the year. Luana did not record a goal contribution or put her only shot attempt on target, but she was a stabilizing force in the middle for the Pride. She completed 76% of her 25 passes, recorded a tackle, and provided plenty of grit in Orlando’s midfield, breaking up play and committing three fouls without picking up one of the Pride’s three yellow cards on the night. The 32-year-old made way for Ally Lemos at halftime but turned in a good performance on the night.

2025 Final Grade

Luana fell 22 minutes shy of earning the minimum 400 total minutes to earn a rating from The Mane Land this season. This comes after she also received an incomplete rating for 2024 after missing the bulk of the season for her treatment and recovery. It’s safe to say that due to her unfortunate diagnosis last year, we still haven’t really seen what Luana can bring to the club. Hopefully that will change next season.

2026 Outlook

Luana signed a new contract through 2026 just days ago, and her new deal includes a mutual option year for 2027. While she will have an opportunity to earn a starting spot in preseason training camp, it will be difficult to unseat either member of the current central midfield pairing of Haley McCutcheon and Angelina. One would expect her to be a key backup, however, if she can continue to work her way back to the form she had prior to her Hodgkins lymphoma treatment in 2025. There is precedence for athletes returning to their previous form after such treatment — most notably NHL legend Mario Lemieux.

With a full off-season to continue getting stronger and working her way back, Luana may have an opportunity to make an incredible comeback and become an impact player in 2026. This would be a boost for an Orlando team that needs to improve to get back to the top and could use Luana’s bite in the midfield, her great vision, and her ability to unlock opposing defenses and break lines.

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This is the first of our 2025 Orlando Pride Season in Review articles. Every player who played minutes this past season and who finished the year on the club roster (i.e., not Ally Watt, who is technically on loan from Denver) will be reviewed.

Players who logged more than 400 minutes (combined regular season plus playoffs and Concacaf W Champions Cup) will receive a composite score between 1 and 10 as determined by a panel of The Mane Land writers, while those who did not reach that threshold will receive an incomplete grade.

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.”

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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.