Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns: Final Score 3-1 as Pride Blow Early Lead

The Orlando Pride (0-5-1, 1 point) remain winless in 2019, but at least Orlando found the back of the net. Toni Pressley scored first, but then the Portland Thorns (2-0-2, 8 points) scored three unanswered goals and Orlando fell 3-1 in front of 4,369 fans at Orlando City Stadium.
“I’m proud of what they did tonight,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said. “Could the quality be better? Of course, it could always be better. But they give everything and I’m really pleased with that and that shows the foundations that we are trying to build for a better tomorrow.”
With the Americans and Canadian out on international duty, and Alanna Kennedy and Kristen Edmonds injured, Skinner was forced to make some significant changes to the starting XI. Toni Pressley returned from injury and slotted into the back line. Morgan Reid saw the pitch for the first time in her professional career, partnering with Pressley, and finished with four tackles.
Here we go! Your Pride XI taking on the Thorns tonight at Orlando City Stadium. #ORLvPOR
Stream: https://t.co/wrGR9XD5iX pic.twitter.com/5fpDIrwBWM
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) May 11, 2019
“It feels great to be back on the field with my team, especially scoring a goal,” Pressley said. “I think that we still have a lot of work to do. It’s not great losing here on our home field, letting three goals in. There’s still a lot of work to be done but it feels great to be back out with the girls.”
When the game started, it looked like it was going to be a repeat of the season opener. Portland had all the momentum and was pushing forward. Orlando somehow managed to get out of the spell without conceding and the game changed in the 10th minute.
Orlando won a corner, and Carson Pickett sent in an in-swinger to the near post. Pressley was first to it, and her header went sailing into the back of the net.
That's using your head @Toni_Deion!
1-0 | #ORLvPOR pic.twitter.com/lALcEiIXQ2
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 11, 2019
Portland almost got right down the field and equalized. Ana Maria Crnogorcevic made a good run and got behind the Pride back line. She somehow got past goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer also, but Erin Greening was there to stop the attack.
The game was fairly even with back-and-forth action until the 28th minute. Caitlin Foord took a shot from just outside the box. Kopmeyer had the net covered, but the ball hit the post, and the ‘keeper couldn’t get up in time. Dagny Brynjarsodottir was the first to react and passed it into the back of the net to level the score at one.
Always. Follow. The. Shot. @dagnybrynjars gets the rebound and the goal.
1-1 #ORLvPOR
Watch Live: https://t.co/L2403ek9iW pic.twitter.com/r5g93Ye7CF
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 12, 2019
About 10 minutes later, Ellie Carpenter was all alone at the top of the box, and all Rachel Hill could do to stop the attack was bring Carpenter down. Hill was rightly given a yellow, and the Thorns had a free kick just outside the box. Andressinha stood over the ball and sent it into the top corner.
Andressinha 🚀
Portland up, 2-1. #ORLvPOR pic.twitter.com/uDOk8rP2dN
— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) May 12, 2019
The half ended 2-1 in Portland’s favor, but there were many positives for the Pride. However, the two goals that Orlando allowed were very preventable. The Pride held 48% possession, took six shots, and managed to get two on frame.
“[The message at halftime was] that we just keep going, keep fighting, we stick to the game plan,” said Pressley. “You know, we never doubt ourselves. So, even though we were 2-1 down we still believed, we still wanted to come back out and keep fighting and get that goal, get that tie, then get the third goal. So that was our mentality coming out from halftime. We just keep going, keep fighting, keep pushing.”
The second half started out evenly, and the game was played mostly in the middle of the field. Portland had most of the ball though and took advantage of the possession in the 57th minute.
Carpenter had the ball out wide, and Hill was defending about as well as a forward typically defends. The ball ended up falling right to Foord, who was wide open, and Kopmeyer had no chance of keeping out her shot.
Foord. #ORLvPOR pic.twitter.com/XpmgOh25gh
— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) May 12, 2019
That goal brought all the momentum to Portland, and the Pride players looked dejected. Then, in the 65th minute, the Thorns seemed about ready to end all hopes of a comeback. Pressley took down Midge Purce in the box, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Kopmeyer came up huge with a save and then another on the rebound and kept Orlando in it.
What does @hkopmeyer say to PKs?
"Not today."
1-3 #ORLvPOR
Watch Live: https://t.co/L2403ek9iW pic.twitter.com/XBtAFQdZz5
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 12, 2019
The save brought all the momentum to Orlando, and the crowd got back into it. Orlando had a few chances on the other end but once again struggled with the final ball. The theme was getting the ball wide and send in a cross, but the final ball was always missing. Orlando players had a few headers that went wide of the post, but mostly the crosses were defended by Portland.
As the game moved into stoppage time, apparently Mother Nature was also unhappy with the result. There was lightning and the referee suspended play in the 91st minute, instead of just calling it. There was about an hour weather delay before the final three minutes. To no surprise, it was uneventful.
“Everyone just wanted to use those two minutes to show our heart and determination and try to get a goal,” said Pride midfielder Dani Weatherholt. “It really showed the character of our group.”
The Pride had 14 shots and five on goal. Before this game, Orlando had a total of six shots on goal all season. The Pride finished with 49% possession and 17 fouls, compared to Portland’s eight.
The Pride are back in action Saturday, May 25 when Orlando travels to Rio Tinto Stadium to take on Utah Royals FC at 8 p.m. ET.
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.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
Pride add to their attack by signing Zambian international Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez.

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has signed Zambian forward Prisca Chilufya to a three-year deal that runs through the 2027 season. She’s the third Zambian attacker to join the Pride in the last 10 months.
“We are thrilled to welcome Prisca to the Orlando Pride. Prisca is a dynamic forward who brings exceptional ability, speed, and a proven scoring record to our attack,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Her experience in both international competition with Zambia and her success in Liga MX Feminil demonstrates the kind of top-tier talent we’re committed to bringing to Orlando. She represents both immediate impact and long-term potential, and we believe she will thrive in our environment. Her three-year commitment reflects our shared vision for building something special. We can’t wait for our fans to see her take the pitch in purple.”
The 25-year-old attacker joins the Pride from FC Juarez in Mexico. Since joining the team in 2023, she’s made 48 appearances and scored 14 goals. She’s scored four goals this year in just over half a season.
“I am honored to be joining Orlando Pride, a club with such a strong vision and commitment to excellence in women’s soccer,” Chilufya said in the club’s release. “I’m excited to bring my experience and skills to the NWSL, which is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The opportunity to play alongside such talented teammates and learn from the coaching staff here in Orlando is something I’ve dreamed about. I’ve watched as the Pride have been built something special, and I want to contribute to the team’s success both on and off the field.”
Before moving to Mexico, Chilufya played for Tomris Turan of the Kazakh Women’s Championship, making 14 appearances and scoring 18 goals during the 2022-2023 season. She moved to that club from fellow Kazakh club BIIK Kazygurt — which she helped win the championship in 2021.
On the international level, Chilufya has been a regular for Zambia since making her debut in the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. She took part in all three of Zambia’s games in the 2024 Paris Olympics, serving as an alternate for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most recently, she played in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
What It Means for Orlando
This signing comes on the heels of the Pride transferring Brazilian star Adriana to the Saudi Women’s Premier League. It’s not surprising the club made a move to bring in an attacker and that the player was Zambian.
Chilufya is the third Zambian international the Pride have signed in the last year. It started with the acquisition of striker Barbra Banda, who quickly became a focal point of the Pride’s attack. Then they signed Grace Chanda, whose injury during the Olympics has thus far kept her from making her Pride debut.
The impact Chilufya will make on the team is unknown, but it won’t be easy to break into the lineup. With Adriana gone, Chanda will likely move into the attacking midfield if she’s healthy. Meanwhile, the club re-signed club captain Marta to a new two-year deal, and she’ll obviously play the 10 role. Julie Doyle and Summer Yates both played on the left side in 2024 and are expected to continue sharing responsibility there in 2025. Such competition for a starting spot can only help the club, pushing all of these attackers to develp their game.
Regardless of which players seize a starting spot, the Pride have added depth, something Carter continually tries to do. Head Coach Seb Hines will have plenty of choices in an attacking midfield that can be devastating to NWSL defenses at times. It’s a good move for the Pride after losing a key piece in the attack.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
The club has secured one of the highest transfer fees in NWSL history for the Brazilian attacker after she requested a transfer.

The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has secured a club-record transfer fee from Al Qadsiah FC of the Saudi Women’s Premier League in exchange for Brazilian international attacking midfielder/forward Adriana. The club announced that the sale was one of the three highest in NWSL history, with Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer reporting the fee as $500,000.
“We are incredibly grateful for Adriana’s contributions to the club, and while we will miss her presence both on and off the pitch, we are happy to support her in this next chapter of her career,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “At the Pride, we believe in empowering our players to pursue opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. The record transfer fee we received reflects both Adriana’s exceptional talent and our commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships in the global transfer market. These resources will help us continue to attract world-class talent to Orlando as we build for the future. We wish Adriana all the best and she will always be part of the Pride family.”
The move, which was requested by Adriana, comes shortly after the start of training camp as the Pride prepare to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship titles.
“I want to thank the Orlando Pride, my teammates, and especially our amazing fans for making Orlando feel like home,” Adriana said in the club’s release. “This club gave me an incredible opportunity to grow as a player and person, and I will always be grateful for my time here. The Pride organization has been very supportive of my desire to take on this new challenge overseas. They worked hard to make this move possible while ensuring it benefited everyone involved. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed.”
The Pride signed Adriana almost exactly two years ago on Jan. 19, 2023, from Brazilian giants Corinthians. That deal was through the 2025 season, meaning her contract would have been up at the end of this year. As Orlando typically extends players’ deals before they expire, the timing makes some sense, despite it happening during the Pride’s preseason.
In two seasons with Orlando, Adriana was a key player for the Pride with the versatility for Seb Hines to deploy her in multiple ways. She was primarily used as a winger during her time in Orlando, appearing in 46 NWSL regular-season games with 38 starts, logging 3,333 minutes. She scored six goals and added four assists, sharing the team lead in those categories in 2023. Her contributions in 2024 raised her career regular-season totals with the Pride to 12 goals and five assists across two seasons.
Adriana appeared in all three of the Pride’s playoff games during her stay in Orlando, starting two and logging 197 minutes. She did not make a goal contribution, attempting six shots with only one of those hitting the target. She tallied five key passes and one successful long ball in the Pride’s run to the title.
Additionally, the Brazilian made one appearance in the NWSL Challenge Cup, playing just eight minutes off the bench in 2023 without a goal contribution. She was on international duty during four of the Pride’s six matches in that competition. Adriana was away at the Olympics during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, so she did not play in that competition.
What It Means for Orlando
Losing a player of Adriana’s caliber does not make a team better, but the club got a big return for an attacking piece that had started splitting time with Summer Yates during Orlando’s final stretch of the season in 2024. The Pride’s younger players are starting to demand more minutes with their performances, and while the team’s depth takes a hit with Adriana’s departure, the club has the resources to find a roster replacement.
Someone will have to replace Adriana’s six goals per year. Yates scored five in her second season in the league, but a jump to 11 in her third year seems unrealistic. However, more minutes for Yates may mitigate some of Adriana’s lost offense. Others who can contribute to replacing those goals include Grace Chanda, Simone Charley, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle. The first two on that list are talented, but still have yet to play their first game for the Pride. It’s also conceivable that Barbra Banda can score more goals in her second NWSL season.
In Adriana, the Pride also lost one of the team’s better penalty takers. Adriana was two-for-two from the spot in 2024. Someone else will need to step up and take up the secondary penalty-taker role (to Marta) in 2025.
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