The Orlando Pride left the pitch after their 2-1 home loss to the San Diego Wave technically still not eliminated in the NWSL playoff race, but with so many thing necessary to make it happen, it might as well be official. The Pride were hardly a threat to the San Diego goal most of Friday night, but they had some excellent chances in the first half that could have turned the game around had Solai Washington and Oihane done a little better with their opportunities.

Instead, a pair of horrible defensive mistakes gifted the visiting Wave a 2-0 lead that wasn’t threatened, despite Barbra Banda doing her part to give Orlando a chance to get something from the game.

We discuss the likely dagger in Orlando’s bid for a third consecutive postseason appearance, look back at our score predictions, and make our choices for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about hype music, the possibility of Pride players repping the USWNT, 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.

With no Pride match this weekend, that was just about it for the show, although we briefly discussed Orlando players on international duty, although I mistakenly referred to Angelina when I should have been saying Oihane. My bad. [/Raises hand in apology.]

Here’s how Episode 141 went down:

0:15 – The Pride couldn’t finish their few chances or create more in a home loss to the Wave.

18:47- The mailbagbox is not in touch with the hype music that today’s youth is into.

Orlando City had a weekend off during the international break, but the Lions are about to pay for that with three matches in eight days, starting Saturday.

We begin this episode with discussion of the USMNT winning three games to open the international window and Justin Ellis’ first matches in the Red, White & Blue. It’s great to see the United States pinging the ball around with some beautiful one-touch soccer.

The international break wasn’t kind to Orlando City winger Tyrese Spicer, who hurt his foot and underwent surgery. The Lions have plenty of coverage in the wing positions, but Spicer’s ability to come off the bench and score critical goals is hard to replace.

Our mailbagbox asked us about Lions out on loan, the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, 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.

After the mailbagbox, we looked ahead to the Lions’ home game on Saturday against the Columbus Crew. Orlando City needs every point, but so does Columbus, so it’ll be a battle. We looked at the series history, provided our key matchups, and made our predictions for the final score of the match.

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. 554 went down:

0:15 – The USMNT has played well so far this window in Justin Ellis’ first call-up, and Tyrese Spicer’s season looks like it’s over.

13:49 – The mailbagbox suggests an asterisk is in order in 2027.

28:13 – The Crew arrive in Orlando on Saturday for a match both teams need in the playoff race

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.