Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (3-10-2, 11 points) take on Utah Royals FC (7-6-3, 24 points). This is the third and final meeting this season between the two teams. The Pride sit in last place, after Sky Blue FC beat the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday. Sky Blue also has two games in hand on the Pride. Utah is in fifth place, but is just two points off a playoff spot.
History
Utah leads the all-time series, 2-1-2. The Pride were undefeated against the Royals last season (1-0-2) but the Royals have won both games this season.
Utah and Orlando played to a 1-1 draw in the 2018 season opener. The Royals scored on their first chance of the game. After an impressive spell of possession to start the game, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir volleyed home a Diana Matheson cross and Utah led in the third minute. Marta tied things up from the spot in the 21st minute and the game ended 1-1.
The teams played to a 0-0 draw about a month and a half later. It was a relatively dull night with no goals and the majority of the action in the middle of the field as both teams struggled on the attacking end. There were no shots on target in the first half and just three in the second.
While the first two games ended in draws, the past three had a winner. There was end-to-end action on July 14, 2018, and both teams saw chances in front of the net. Utah found an early goal, this time from Amy Rodriguez, and then Alex Morgan tied it up with a penalty kick just before halftime. In the 52nd minute, a good through ball from Ali Krieger found Kristen Edmonds one-on-one with Utah goalkeeper Abby Smith, who was caught out of position. Edmonds chipped the ball past Smith for the game-winner, and Orlando got its first-ever victory against the Royals.
This season, Utah beat the Pride 1-0 on April 27. Utah gained the ball after the Pride turned it over in the midfield and Christen Press somehow got a shot off near the top of the box. The ball deflected off of Shelina Zadorsky before bouncing into the back of the net for the game’s only goal.
The last time the teams met was on May 25. The Pride’s struggles in front of the net continued, no doubt influenced by missing eight internationals because of the World Cup. Rodriguez and Makenzy Doniak both found the back of the net as Utah went on to win it 2-0.
Overview
The big story in this match will be how the Pride manage with such a depleted roster. Orlando will be without five key players tonight: Sydney Leroux (maternity), Toni Pressley (45-day DL), Emily van Egmond (left ankle surgery), Marta (suspension), and Julie King (suspension). Alex Morgan is also listed as questionable with a knee injury and is unlikely to start, although she could make an appearance off the bench.
Marc Skinner will likely look to Rachel Hill and Chioma Ubogagu up top. Hill has just one goal this season in 1,134 minutes played, her worst goals-per-minute ratio as a professional. Ubogagu has been playing some of the best soccer as a member of the Pride this season, but was poor last week, having a 68% passing accuracy, no shots on goal, and just 22 passes in 88 minutes. The Pride will need to be much sharper to beat Utah.
“[Utah] brings Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez, they’re very good players in this league and have been for a while, and we have to do well to contain them. Christen scored last time we played at home, so we know the danger of them, and we know we have to stop that danger,” Skinner said. “They’re a very good team. There’s no surprise, they had a little bit of a rough patch, but there’s no surprise that they’re putting in performances where they’re getting those goals. We’ve got to do what we do, prepare for those and be ready to beat them anyway regardless of who they’ve got.”
Press and Rodriguez have been the attacking spark for Utah all season long and have combined for 12 of Utah’s 17 goals. While no easy task, Orlando’s focus will be on shutting those two down and limiting their chances in front of the net.
Utah is coming off a 3-1 win over Reign FC. Katie Stengel scored the opening goal, but the Reign’s Shea Groom fired back and leveled the game at one just before halftime. Lo’eau LaBonta and Rodriguez found the back of the net in the second half to earn all three points.
The Pride lost to the Houston Dash 1-0 last week. It was a dull game with not much action until King got a red card in the 61st minute. It was King’s first appearance for Orlando, and now she will serve a suspension tonight. Kristen Edmonds tripped up Kealia Ohai in the box in the 85th minute, and Marta got a red card for shoving Kristie Mewis as the Pride became the first team in NWSL history to get two red cards in a game. Sofia Huerta easily scored the spot kick, and Houston won 1-0.
Utah will be without five players for this match: Brittany Ratcliffe (left knee), Taylor Lytle (left foot), Becca Moros (right leg), Mandy Laddish (concussion), and Kelley O’Hara (left ankle).
Official Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Ashlyn Harris.
Defenders: Erin Greening, Shelina Zadorsky, Kristen Edmonds, Ali Krieger.
Midfielders: Marisa Viggiano, Alanna Kennedy, Joanna Boyles.
Forwards: Chioma Ubogagu, Rachel Hill, Claire Emslie.
Bench: Haley Kopmeyer, Alex Morgan, Bridget Callahan, Abby Elinsky, Dani Weatherholt, Carson Pickett, Morgan Reid.
Utah Royals (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Nicole Barnhart.
Defenders: Katie Bowen, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Weber.
Midfielders: Desiree Scott, Lo’Eau LaBonta, Katie Stengel, Veronica Boquete.
Forwards: Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez.
Bench: Abby Smith, Makenzy Doniak, Sydney Miramontez, Erika Tymrak, Gaby Vincent, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Michelle Maemone.
Referees
Ref: Malik Badawi.
AR1: Walter Heatherly.
AR2: Tiffini Turpin.
4th: Anya Voigt.
How to Watch
Match Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Venue: Exploria Stadium — Orlando, FL.
TV: None.
Streaming: Yahoo! Sports app (U.S.), NWSLsoccer.com, NWSL app (international).
Twitter: For live updates, follow along at the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride) and with The Mane Land’s Twitter live tweeting the Orlando City game, you can follow along at my own account, @scottcarnevale.
Match Thread Rules
This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. So use our comments section below to talk about the game in real time with other supporters. If you’re new, welcome to our happy home! While you’re here, please observe a few basic rules:
- Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They can get us in trouble, and no one wants that.
- Try not to be the person who spews nothing but venom and hate for the team. It’s OK to be critical, and, let’s face it, sometimes even the best teams can be frustrating to watch, but being overly negative relentlessly can sap the enjoyment for others.
- Keep it somewhat clean and fair when criticizing players / officials. You never know who might be reading.
- Do unto others in the match thread, the way you would have others do unto you. We are a fun community and want to keep it this way. We have a moderator, but we’d rather let him enjoy the game instead of having to play babysitter.
Enjoy the match! Go Pride!
Opinion
Three Orlando Pride Games to Circle on the Calendar
Let’s take a brief look at three games to pay extra attention to during Orlando’s upcoming NWSL campaign.
We got the release of the Orlando Pride’s 2025 schedule on Wednesday, which means we’re that little bit closer to the start of the season on March 7. The nature of the 14-team National Women’s Soccer League means that there are fewer scheduling quirks than with the 30-team Major League Soccer, with each team playing the other 13 clubs twice each. Still, there’s plenty to dig into with regards to how the scheduling shakes out, and now that I’ve had time to examine what 2025 holds, I’ve got three games in particular that I’ve got circled on my match calendar. Behold.
March 7 — vs. Washington Spirit
You had to know this was coming, right? There’s so much to like about this game. Not only is it the home opener, but as the NWSL Challenge Cup match, it’s also a chance to win another piece of silverware in a rematch of last year’s NWSL Championship game. This game sells itself on just about every level imaginable. The Pride return almost everyone from a wildly successful 2024 season, and while there aren’t a ton of new signings to familiarize ourselves with, getting healthy versions of Grace Chanda and Simone Charley is essentially like getting two brand new players. It’ll be our first chance to gauge where the Pride stand as they try to continue on from the high standards that were set last year, and we should also get a couple new banners hoisted into the rafters. You can hardly ask for more than all that.
Aug. 16 — at Kansas City Current
The Current were excellent in 2024, finishing fourth and boasting the league’s best attack, with 57 goals scored in 26 games, for an over two goals per game average. The Pride, meanwhile, had the league’s third-best attack, with 46 goals, and the joint-best defense with just 20 conceded. Orlando never lost to Kansas City in 2024, as the Pride drew and won the regular-season contests and then won again in the semifinal matchup between the two teams. The pair have made a habit of putting on entertaining affairs, and with the match placed as one of the first ones to occur after the league’s July break, it might go a long way towards setting the tone for the back half of Orlando’s season.
Nov. 2 — vs. Seattle Reign
The NWSL is bringing back Decision Day this year, and the Pride have been blessed with a home game on the league’s final day of regular-season play. On paper, Orlando has also been handed a favorable matchup against a Seattle team that struggled last year and is in the midst of a rebuild. Given how tight the margins tend to be in the upper reaches of the league, every point takes on added importance, and playoff scenarios can swing wildly when everyone is playing at the same time. It’s always nice to be able to play at home in a situation that variable, and it can make for a truly memorable atmosphere that will (hopefully) set Orlando up for another postseason run on the right note.
It feels a little cheap to highlight the first and last games of the season, but I can’t help liking what I like. Are there any games that you’re especially looking forward to this season? Be sure to have your say down in the comments. Vamos Orlando!
I know that it probably seems greedy to ask for anything more after the Orlando Pride won both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in 2024, but I’m still going to do so. If the Pride want to repeat their success in 2025, they will need a little bit more than in 2024. Let’s look at my wish list for the defending champs.
No Banda Slump
Barbra Banda scored 12 goals with five assists in her first 12 matches with the Pride. She then scored one goal with one assist in the next 10 regular season matches. I know that players have slumps. Strikers in particular tend to be streaky when it comes to goal contributions. I’m just asking that Banda not have another slump quite that big in 2025.
It might be that teams did a better job of double- or triple-teaming her on defense. Perhaps she just got a little unlucky during the slump. Whatever the reason, I hope that her familiarity with her teammates, the league, and Seb Hines’ style of play allows her to significantly increase her goal contributions this season.
A Healthy Chanda and Charley
Neither Grace Chanda nor Simone Charley were able to see the pitch much for the Pride last season. That hopefully changes in 2025. Adding these two players is almost like signing new players, except they’ve been there for everything. There’s no need to adapt to the culture of the club, as they are already a part of it all.
Chanda not only brings international experience, but she has played with Banda for the Zambian National Team. I expect she’ll be able to make an immediate impact when she integrates into the attack. As for Charley, she will be yet another speedy striker the Pride can utilize in their potent attack.
Adding Depth Contributions
The 2024 season saw some players step up a level. Ally Watt had one of her best seasons, Summer Yates impressed everyone, and Cori Dyke earned a starting spot after an appearance on SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast. If we can have other young players make the same type of jump in 2025, it bodes well for the club.
Despite having the best defense in the league, the Pride are a little light along the back. I’d like to see Brianna Martinez and new signee, Zara Chavoshi, make some noise on the back line when they get some minutes. There’s also the possibility of a non-roster invitee impressing enough to get a contract. Depth is incredibly important for a team looking to repeat.
Overcoming History
Winning back-to-back anything in any sport is difficult. Every other team will bring their best against you. The weight of expectations can also be very heavy. That being said, if any club can do it, this Pride team can.
The coaches and players already dealt with the pressure of the undefeated streak last season. They dealt with the pressure of winning the NWSL Cup after winning the NWSL Shield. They have dealt with plenty of pressure. Now, they will need to find the proper motivation to propel them to the top yet again. There will be no sneaking up on the league this year.
Those are some of the things I want to see in 2025, but I want to know your thoughts on these points. Perhaps you have some wishes of your own. Let me know in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Announce 2025 NWSL Schedule
We now know who, where, and when the Pride will play in 2025 as they seek to defend their two shiny trophies.
The National Women’s Soccer League schedule was released this afternoon, telling us who, where, and when the Orlando Pride will play this year as they look to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. The 2025 season once again includes a balanced schedule with each team playing the other 13 teams once at home and once away. As previously announced, the Pride will take part in the NWSL Challenge Cup against the Washington Spirit on March 7 at 8 p.m. at Inter&Co Stadium prior to the regular season.
The Pride will open the season at home against the Chicago Red Stars at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 14. The first road contest will take place on Sunday, March 23 at NJ/NY Gotham FC. Like last year, the season will end with a Decision Day matchup at home against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday Nov. 2 at a time to be announced later.
The postseason will start with the quarterfinals taking place Nov. 7-9, with matches televised on ESPN/ABC, CBS/Paramount+, and Prime Video. The semifinals will be played the weekend of Nov. 14-16 and broadcast on CBS/Paramount+ and ESPN/ABC. The final will take place in primetime and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
The Pride’s longest homestand this season will be just two games, which happens four times if counting the Challenge Cup match against the Spirit and season opener against the Red Stars. Orlando will host Washington and Angel City on April 19 and 25, respectively; the Utah Royals and Racing Louisville on Aug. 3 and 9, respectively; and Bay FC and the North Carolina Courage on Sept. 13 and 19, respectively.
The longest road trip this year will also be two games, occurring four times: at Portland and North Carolina May 3 and 10, at Bay FC and Louisville June 13 and 20, at Kansas City and Angel City Aug. 16 and 21, and at San Diego and Houston Sept. 26 and Oct. 3.
There are no regular-season matches scheduled in July, meaning the league is taking a break for any potential summer international friendlies/tournaments or an as-yet-unannounced cup competition. The Pride’s busiest month will be August, in which they’ll play five matches, with three at home and two on the road. There will be four Pride matches in March (counting the Challenge Cup), May, and September; three each in April, June, and October, and one — the regular-season finale — in November.
Here’s the month-by-month breakdown for the regular season:
- March – 3 (plus the Challenge Cup)
- April – 3
- May – 4
- June – 3
- July – 0
- August – 5
- September – 4
- October – 3
- November – 1
The most common day the Pride will play this year will be on Friday (11 times, or 12 times counting the Challenge Cup), including four consecutive Friday games late in the season. They’ll play 10 Saturday games, four Sunday matches, and once on Thursday (at Angel City Aug. 21).
Here is the Pride’s schedule by day in the regular season:
- Friday – 11 (plus the Challenge Cup)
- Saturday – 10
- Sunday – 4
- Thursday – 1
Pride games will air on various platforms again in 2025, including Prime Video, ESPN 2, ESPN, ION, NWSL+, Paramount+, CBS, and CBS Sports Network.
A new NWSL Rivalry Weekend has been added to the schedule in 2025. While the Pride have some rivalries growing naturally against Kansas City and Washington, they have been pitted against Racing Louisville for some reason. Both teams wear purple, I guess.
Fans who support both Orlando City and the Pride will be interested to know the teams play on the same day eight times this season, but only twice do the game times overlap — on May 3, when the Pride play at 7:30 p.m. at Portland and the Lions play at 8:30 p.m. at Chicago; and on May 10, when the Lions host New England at 7:30 and the Pride and Courage kick off in North Carolina at the same time. However, the teams cut it close a couple other times, with the Pride hosting the Washington Spirit at 5 p.m. April 19 and the Lions playing at Montreal at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sept. 13, with the Pride hosting Bay FC at 5 p.m. and Orlando City facing D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. The other four times the teams play on the same day, the kickoffs are at least three hours apart and as many as 10.5 hours apart (March 29).
2025 Orlando Pride Schedule (All Times Eastern)
- Friday, March 7 — vs. Washington Spirit, 8 p.m. (Prime Video) – NWSL Challenge Cup
- Friday, March 14 — vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Sunday, March 23 — at NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Saturday, March 29 — vs. San Diego Wave, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
- Saturday, April 12 — at Seattle Reign FC, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
- Saturday, April 19 — vs. Washington Spirit, 5 p.m. (ION)
- Friday, April 25 — vs. Angel City FC, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Saturday, May 3 — at Portland Thorns, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
- Saturday, May 10 — at North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
- Friday, May 16 — vs. Kansas City Current, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Friday, May 23 — at Utah Royals, 9:30 p.m. (NWSL+)
- Saturday, June 7 — vs. Houston Dash, 7 p.m. (NWSL+)
- Friday, June 13 — at Bay FC, 10 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Friday, June 20 — at Racing Louisville, 8 p.m. (NWSL+)
- Sunday, Aug. 3 — vs. Utah Royals, 6 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Aug. 9 — vs. Racing Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ION)
- Saturday, Aug. 16 — at Kansas City Current, 4 p.m. (CBS)
- Thursday, Aug. 21 — at Angel City FC, 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
- Friday, Aug. 29 — vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Sunday, Sept. 7 — at Chicago Red Stars, 3 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Sept. 13 — vs. Bay FC, 5 p.m. (ION)
- Friday, Sept. 19 — vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m. (NWSL+)
- Friday, Sept. 26 — at San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m. (NWSL+/Paramount+)
- Friday, Oct. 3 — at Houston Dash, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Friday, Oct. 10 — vs. Portland Thorns, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Saturday, Oct. 18 — at Washington Spirit, 12:30 p.m. (CBS)
- Sunday, Nov. 2 — vs. Seattle Reign FC, TBA (broadcast platform TBA)
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