The Orlando Pride were minutes away from a third-place finish but couldn’t hold onto a 1-0 lead in a 1-1 draw vs. the Seattle Reign at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando (11-8-7, 40 points) fell to fourth place in the final standings and will play a home playoff match against Seattle (10-7-9, 39 points), which also slid one spot in the standings on the final matchday to finish fifth.

Substitute Carson Pickett broke the scoreless deadlock in the 76th minute but the visitors equalized just three minutes later on a nearly identical play on the other end, with defender Jordyn Bugg ruining the club’s Fan Appreciation Day in front of an announced crowd of 8,689.

“We did what we set out to do and that was to host a home game in the playoffs,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said after the match. “Obviously we would have preferred the win and finish in that third spot, but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s unique because we get to play against Seattle again this time next week. I’m really pleased with the players. They were phenomenal today. You know, the pressure they put on Seattle and the physicality that they showed throughout the game was really good.”

Hines’ Decision Day starting lineup included Anna Moorhouse in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, and Marta, with Julie Doyle up top in place of Ally Watt, who was a late scratch.

“You’ve got to be adaptable, right? You know, these things happen,” Hines said about losing the more direct (and faster) Watt before the match. “So, it shows the players need to be ready, even though they may not be starting, you know, they’re going to be called upon at any given moment. I thought Julie did a really good job. She’s going to drop a little bit deeper than what Ally would do, and then it’s making sure that we still have like threats in behind.”

The Reign opened the game pressing high and keeping the Pride pinned in their own defensive third, but the visitors couldn’t create any chances out of it as Orlando did well to pass and move out of trouble with patient play.

The first shot of the match came in transition in the third minute when Abello cut inside and shot from outside the area, but she didn’t strike it well, sending a weak dribbler well wide of the right post.

Seattle’s first look came moments later when the Reign attacked down their left and Dyke blocked a cross out of play for a corner. The Reign played the corner short but sent the ball back out wide before sending it to the top right corner of the box, where Bugg was all alone out there but fired well off target in the fifth minute.

The Pride thought they’d opened the scoring two minutes later. Rafaelle sent a beautiful curling long ball for Marta, who beat her defender to it and then fired past Claudio Dickey and in, but the flag came up for offside, keeping the game scoreless.

“We were unfortunate not to get that first goal in the first half,” Hines said. “It was offside. Marginal.”

Marta cut inside from the right in the 10th minute and fired on goal but sent the shot right at Dickey, who made the easy save. McCutcheon shot wide of the left post four minutes later from the top of the area on another wasted opportunity.

Maddie Mercado sent a curling ball over the top of the defense in the 22nd minute, sending Jess Fishlock in behind. The Wales international fired from close range, but Moorhouse made the save and the offside flag came up anyway. Two minutes later, Mercado fired from near the right top corner of the box but missed the target.

Doyle won her team a corner in the 27th minute, setting up an opportunity. Rafaelle got her head to the set piece cross but sent it just wide of the right post. Six minutes later, it was Angelina’s turn to miss the target, sending a shot from inside the box on the right just wide to the left of goal in the 33rd minute.

Moorhouse narrowly escaped embarrassment in the 38th minute. With Mia Fishel pressing her, the goalkeeper tried to send a pass up the pitch but left it too close to the Seattle forward, who stuck out her foot and blocked it. The ball ricocheted toward goal but Moorhouse was able to jump on it.

The Pride could do nothing with a late corner kick and that was the final opportunity of the half.

At the break, Orlando held the advantage in possession (60%-40%), shots (7-0), shots on target (1-0), and corners (2-1). Both teams passed at an 82% success rate.

“You could see that we were very good in our press, winning the ball up the field,” Hines said about the first 45 minutes. “We were switching the point of attack. I think that’s the hardest part of football, right? It’s getting those clear-cut opportunities when a team’s got multiple players behind the ball. You know, the spaces don’t always present themselves like they would, whether you’re in a four back or a team’s high pressing.”

Hines replaced McCutcheon at the half with Summer Yates, looking for a little more bite in the attack. It didn’t exactly work but there were at least goals scored in the second half.

Seattle was more dangerous in the second half after subbing Jordyn Huitema into the match, and the Pride created fewer chances than in the first half, but the game remained scoreless until the final quarter of an hour.

The Reign finally put a shot on target in the 50th minute when Samantha Meza fired a long-range shot that Moorhouse was able to take on the hop for her first save. Moments later, Seattle created a couple of corners but couldn’t make them pay off. Sofia Huerta then fired wide in the 55th minute as the Seattle pressure continued to start the second half.

Orlando’s first chance of the second half came off a free kick in the 60th minute. Angelina headed the ball and Dickey scrambled back to tip it over the bar but the play must have been ruled offside as Seattle was awarded a free kick.

Abello fired from outside the box in the 67th minute but again failed to hit the target as Orlando’s wasteful night in front of goal continued.

Sams drew a free kick in a dangerous spot just a few yards outside the box after intercepting a pass and getting taken down from behind by Nerilia Mondesir. Marta took the free kick herself and went for goal, but she didn’t get a lot of power on it and Dickey was able to get over and catch it in the 71st minute.

Four minutes later, the Pride broke the deadlock.

Ovalle got down the right side and sent in a good cross that just cleared the two center backs. It fell for Pickett, who trapped it and blasted it past Dickey to make it 1-0 in the 76th minute.

Jacquie Ovalle drops it in perfectly, and Carson Pickett finishes with ease 💪 pic.twitter.com/8PJYqaxy0z

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 2, 2025

“I knew (Ovalle) was going to get the ball and serve. I mean, I’ve said this a million times, I think she’s one of the best servers in the league, so every single time she hits the ball, I’m trying to get into the box,” Pickett said. “And I honestly saw both of their defenders go for the same ball, so I just backed out, waited, and then it came to me, and luckily I took pretty good first touch and was able to half-volley it.”

“(Pickett’s) got a great left foot and she picks up really good positions on that back shoulder,” Hines said. “Really good first touch, execution of the finish, and she fully deserves it. I know going into the game she was disappointed she wasn’t starting, but this is the best way to react, and that’s important as well.”

The lead didn’t last long. Seattle quickly got forward and won a corner as Sams blocked a Maddie Curry cross out of play. The Pride dealt with the set piece but couldn’t get it out of their defensive third. The recycled ball was sent from left to right and Dyke had the opportunity to head it behind for a corner. Instead, she headed it straight to Bugg, who settled it and then slotted it inside the near post past Moorhouse to equalize in the 79th minute.

Jordyn Bugg on the other end for the equalizer for Seattle 👀 pic.twitter.com/dqeIhCXLti

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 3, 2025

“I mean, it’s a corner, right? And Seattle were very dominant in the air. They’ve got some good height,” Hines said. “I think we did really well with the first ball. And they play it back in, and Cori Held her arms up straight away. She knows that she can clear it a little bit better than what she did, and it’s a good finish in the end. Set pieces are important, as always, making sure that we’re resolute at the back, making sure that we clear it out of dangerous areas.”

Yates conceded a dangerous free kick in the 85th minute and picked up a yellow card in the process. Seattle worked the set play short to Huitema, who was nearly in behind, but Yates redeemed herself by poking the ball away from the Canadian attacker, taking a kick to the back of her calf for her troubles. She needed treatment and went off for a few minutes, but Yates was able to continue.

Neither team mustered anything in the four minutes of stoppage time and the teams split the points, as they usually do. The Pride and Reign have drawn eight times in their history, and five of those times have come in Orlando. The Pride are now 5-7-8 in the all-time series against Seattle and 3-2-5 at home against the Reign.

The Pride finished with the advantage in possession (53%-47%), shots (13-7), and shots on target (3-2). The Reign edged Orlando in corners (4-2) and passing accuracy (81%-80%)

“It was, for the most part, a pretty even game,” Pickett said. “I thought our defending, our press in the first half was really, really good. At halftime we kind of talked about just trying to test their keeper and take some more shots. And so, you know, second half I think we pressed more and got more chances.”

“We’re going to reset, go again next week, and let’s get another win here at home,” Hines said.

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That’s it for the regular season. The Pride’s next match will be in the 2025 NWSL playoffs and it will be a rematch of tonight’s game with the Reign visiting Orlando for a second consecutive weekend. The game will be at a date yet to be announced (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (11-8-6, 39 points) end their 2025 regular season at home against Seattle Reign FC (10-7-8, 38 points). This is the second of the two scheduled meetings between these teams this season.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

History

The Pride and Reign have met 19 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. The Pride hold a 5-7-7 record in those meetings, with an all-time record of 3-2-4 in Orlando. All meetings between the two teams have taken place in the regular season.

The most recent meeting was on April 12 in Seattle. Barbra Banda was the hero of that game, netting the game’s only goal in the 41st minute. It extended the team’s season-opening winning streak to four games.

The first meeting of 2024 was on May 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Emily Sams opened the scoring early and Banda doubled the advantage minutes later. However, the Reign scored on either side of halftime through Angharad James-Turner and Bethany Balcer before Banda netted the deciding goal, lifting her team to a 3-2 win.

On Nov. 2, 2024 in Orlando, Ally Watt gave the Pride the lead early, but Jordyn Huitema equalized a minute later. Kerry Abello gave the Pride the lead before halftime, and Marta made it 3-1 in the second half. Maddie Mercado got one back late, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride came away with a 3-2 win. The win capped off a historic regular season.

The first game between the teams in 2023 occurred on July 7 at Exploria Stadium and featured one of the best performances of the year for the Pride. Julie Doyle beat her defenders and found Messiah Bright, who scored the game’s lone goal early in the match as the Pride won 1-0 for their second all-time win over the Reign. On Sept. 3 in Seattle, the Pride got off to a terrible start when goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was sent off in the third minute. Carly Nelson came in and did well in relief, but Huitema scored early in the second half as the Reign won 1-0. 

The teams played for the first time in 2022 on Aug. 26 in Orlando. Meggie Dougherty Howard gave the hosts the lead, and the Pride tried to hold onto that one-goal advantage, but Megan Rapinoe found Balcer for an equalizing header. The visitors pushed for a win and Rapinoe got a goal for herself two minutes into second-half injury time, lifting the Reign to a 2-1 win, snapping Orlando’s seven-match unbeaten run.

The return game took place Oct. 1, 2022 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Pride had already been eliminated from playoff contention and it looked like it, as the team then known as OL Reign dominated the game. Rapinoe opened the scoring early, Huitema doubled the hosts’ lead soon after, and Balcer made it 3-0 just past the half-hour mark. The Pride held the Reign scoreless in the second half but fell 3-0.

The teams played twice during the 2021 season and the first game was July 24 in Orlando. The Reign scored a goal in each half, with Jess Fishlock scoring early and Tziarra King doubling the lead just after the break in a 2-0 win. On Sept. 26 in Tacoma, WA, Balcer opened the scoring early and Eugenie Le Sommer scored a brace, giving the Reign a 3-0 lead at halftime, ultimately beating the Pride by that score.

COVID canceled the teams’ meetings in 2020, but they played three times in 2019. On April 21 in Tacoma, Alanna Kennedy gave the Pride an early lead. But Balcer equalized and the teams drew 1-1. They met again on Sept. 7 in the same location. This time, the Reign took the early lead as Darian Jenkins scored twice inside the first 12 minutes. Beverly Yanez made it 3-0 soon after, effectively putting the game away early. Camila converted a late penalty, but the Reign won 3-1. The final meeting that year came on Oct. 12 in Orlando. The Pride scored first through Rachel Hill, but Jenkins and Jodie Taylor gave the visitors a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Marta equalized late and the teams drew 2-2.

The first meeting in 2018 came on April 28 in Orlando. Allie Long gave the Reign a first-half lead, but Marta equalized, resulting in a 1-1 draw. On June 3, the teams met in Seattle but neither team could find the back of the net as the game ended in a scoreless draw. The final meeting that year took place July 21 in Orlando. Toni Pressley gave the Pride a first-half lead but Taylor equalized late and the teams drew for the third time that year.

The 2017 season saw the Pride and Reign play twice, first meeting on May 21 in Seattle. Yanez gave the hosts the lead just before halftime, but Marta scored just after the break and the teams drew 1-1. They met again on Sept. 7 in Orlando in a game that looked to be ending scoreless but took a surprising turn. Alex Morgan gave the Pride the late lead in second-half injury time, but Fishlock equalized two minutes later and they drew 1-1.

The first-ever meeting between the two teams occurred on May 8, 2016 in Orlando. Sarah Hagen gave the Pride an early lead and Lianne Sanderson added a second in a 2-0 Pride win. The return game in Seattle took place July 23 and was the highest-scoring game between the two teams. Kim Little and Fishlock made it 2-0 Reign at halftime. Manon Melis scored a third for the hosts. Jasmyne Spencer responded for Orlando, but Kendall Fletcher made it 4-1 four minutes later. A Pressley own goal and late strike by Kristen Edmonds added one more goal to each team’s tally in a 5-2 Reign win.

Overview

The season has largely come down to this game. The Pride sit in third place, one point ahead of Seattle, two points ahead of sixth place, and three points ahead of seventh. They likely need a win to finish in the top four and secure a home playoff game. However, a loss would likely see Orlando spend the postseason on the road.

Just five games ago, the Pride seemed destined to finish near the bottom of the playoff places. But they’ve been much better in recent weeks, winning three of their last four. All three of those wins were against fellow playoff teams and the other game was a 1-1 draw at the Houston Dash on short rest and in the third road match in eight days without coming home.

The most recent game was on Oct. 18 away to the Washington Spirit and was an eventful afternoon. Kerry Abello scored a goal for both teams three minutes apart and the Pride were down 2-1 at the half. Then Marta came on and changed the game. The captain created an own goal in the 47th minute to even the score and converted a penalty in the 72nd minute to claim all three points. It moved the Pride up into third place and put them in prime position to finish in the top four.

Orlando enters tonight’s match just 5-4-3 at home this season.

Tonight’s opponent is nipping at the heels of the Pride. The Reign currently sit in fourth with 38 points. As a result, they can finish as high as third and as low as seventh. The Reign will be going all out to claim all three points and secure a home playoff game for themselves.

Like the Pride, the Reign are on a four-game point streak, with their last loss coming on Sept. 20 in a 2-0 defeat to the Kansas City Current. Since then, they’ve beaten the North Carolina Courage and Utah Royals while drawing NJ/NY Gotham FC and Bay FC. Seattle is an even 4-4-4 on the road in 2025.

Unlike last year, when the Pride secured the NWSL Shield in advance, Pride fans might have to keep an eye on other games today. While a win secures the third spot, a draw or loss could see the team fall multiple spots, potentially moving below the hosting places. If the Pride drop points, you’ll want to keep an eye on San Diego Wave FC, Portland Thorns FC, and Gotham FC, as all three can jump the Pride if they draw or lose.

“There’s still a lot to play for. Both teams will be wanting to reach those top four spots and have that home-field advantage going into the playoffs,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about today’s game. “Credit to Laura (Harvey); she’s done a terrific job this year with Seattle, getting a young group of players playing alongside each other and being competitive. It will be a really tough game for us. Obviously, coming off the back of an international break is never easy as well, but I think the advantage is that we’re playing at home in front of our own fans. We’re ready to get going now.”

The Pride will take the field in the season finale without Banda (hip), Kylie Nadaner (excused absence), Oihane (ankle), and Simone Charley (head). Seattle will be without Lynn Biyendolo (maternity leave), Veronica Latsko (lower leg), Cassie Miller (leg), and Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence).

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, Marta.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Carson Pickett, Zara Chavoshi, Luana, Viviana Villacorta, Julie Doyle, Summer Yates, Simone Jackson, Elyse Bennett.

Seattle Reign FC (5-3-2)

Goalkeeper: Claudia Dickey.

Defenders: Sofia Huerta, Lauren Barnes, Jordyn Bugg, Phoebe McLernon, Madison Curry.

Midfielders: Jess Fishlock, Samantha Meza, Ainsley McCammon.

Forwards: Mia Fishel, Maddie Mercado.

Bench: Maddie Prohaska, Shae Holmes, Emily Mason, Sally Menti, Angharad James-Turner, Nerilia Mondesir, Emeri Adames, Jordyn Huitema, Maddie Dahlien.

Referees

REF: Brad Jensen.
AR1: Tiffini Turpin.
AR2: Zach McWhorter.
4TH: Russell Miller.
VAR: Greg Dopka.
AVAR: Brian Marshall.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 5 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: NWSL+.

Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

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Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

The Orlando Pride took a big step toward roster construction for 2026 today by re-signing Brazilian international center back Rafaelle to a new contract through the 2028 NWSL sesaon. The 34-year-old native of Bahia, Brazil was set to be out of contract following the 2025 season but Orlando Pride Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter obviously prioritized a new deal for the defender with a deal that will keep her in Orlando beyond her 37th birthday.

“Since arriving at our club, Rafaelle has proven to be an exceptional leader both on the pitch and in the locker room,” Carter said. “She’s one of the best center backs in the world, and her experience, composure under pressure, and tactical awareness have been instrumental in strengthening our back line. Securing her commitment through 2028 is a major statement as we continue building a championship-caliber squad for Orlando.” 

Rafaelle signed with the Pride on July 3, 2023, with the club using Allocation Money to secure her services. However, she did not join her new team until after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Since joining the Pride, Rafaelle has made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals. She made seven appearances in 2023 (all starts), playing 610 minutes. The center back finished the season with 31 clearances, seven blocks, and 11 interceptions. She won nine of her 11 tackles (81.8%), 32 of her 50 duels (64%), and 17 of her 23 aerial duels (73.9%). Rafaelle completed 79.7% of her 305 passes. She did not register an assist, a key pass, or a cross on the season, but she took seven shots, putting four on target, and scored her lone goal of 2023 in her Pride debut. Additionally, she won one foul and conceded six, but no penalties and she was not booked. In her first season with Orlando, The Mane Land gave Rafaelle a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 for her play as she upgraded the Pride back line.

Injuries limited Rafaelle to just nine appearances (six starts) for the Pride in 2024 — all in the regular season, in which she played a total of just 618 minutes. The Brazilian defender did not record a goal contribution in 2024, attempting three shots and putting one on target. She completed 86% of her 324 passes without a key pass or successful cross, however, she managed to connect on 30 long balls in her short season, which is impressive. Defensively, she contributed nine tackles, nine interceptions, and 23 headed duel wins. She committed four fouls, suffered one, and was booked once. Due to injury, Rafaelle did not appear in Orlando’s playoff run, and because she was away at the Olympics, Rafaelle also did not participate in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenina Summer Cup. The Mane Land gave Rafaelle a composite score of 7 out of 10 for her 2024 season performance, as she was great when healthy.

This season, Rafaelle has again battled injuries, but she started the season strong, scoring her second Pride goal in the season-opening Challenge Cup draw against the Washington Spirit, with Orlando losing the trophy on penalties. Rafaelle has appeared in just 11 matches (nine starts) during the 2025 NWSL regular season, logging 723 minutes heading into the season finale on Sunday against Seattle. She has no goal contributions and has attempted six shots, putting one on frame. Rafaelle is passing at an 85.3% rate this season with two key passes. Defensively, she’s contributed 12 tackles, 11 interceptions, and eight blocks and has won 63.5% of her duels and 83.3% of her aerial duels. She has been disciplined, committing seven fouls, winning three, and receiving three yellow cards with no red cards.

Orlando is 16-5-5 in the 26 NWSL regular-season matches in which Rafaelle has appeared, and she’s helped the Pride reach the postseason in two of her three seasons in Orlando, with just a goal differential tiebreaker preventing a perfect three-for-three.

Prior to joining Orlando, Rafaelle was with Arsenal in 2022-2023, playing 35 games with the Gunners. She contributed four goals playing mainly center back, although she can also play midfield. Rafaelle helped the Gunners win the Conti Cup — the FA Women’s League Cup — in March of 2023, causing an own goal in the tournament’s final, which Arsenal won, 3-1.

Prior to joining Arsenal, Rafaelle spent the 2021-2022 season with Palmeiras in Brazil, where she helped win the Copa Paulista in 2021. Before Palmeiras, she spent 2016-2021 with Changchun Shuoyue in China. She began her professional career in the NWSL in 2014 with the Houston Dash, where she was Carter’s teammate. With the Dash, Rafaelle made 16 appearances, contributing one assist for expansion Houston. 

Rafaelle played three years of college soccer in the U.S. for the University of Mississippi. She ranks second in school history in career points (108) and goals (44) and single-season points (33) and goals (22).   

On the international stage, Rafaelle made her debut with the Brazilian Women’s National Team in 2012 and has logged more than 80 caps, representing As Canarinhas in the 2015 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Olympics.

What It Means for the Pride

When healthy, Rafaelle is (as Carter said above) one of the best center backs in the world. The problem in each of the last two seasons has been that she’s missed a considerable amount of time due to injuries. Players as physical as Rafaelle likes to play is more prone to picking up knocks at this stage of their careers. However, if she can stay on the pitch for the majority of the next three seasons and maintain her level of play, this move will be an outstanding one for Orlando.

It’s almost too much of a good thing to have Rafaelle healthy, as Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines tends to push Emily Sams out to right back when he has his top three center backs available. Sams can play wide, as she did with the USWNT Wednesday night, but fits more naturally at center back, and at least to the eye test, Rafaelle and Sams seem to make up the club’s best pairing in the middle of defense. When Kylie Nadaner is available, however, Hines seems loathe to push her out to the left to allow his best center back pairing to play together, and he likes Nadaner’s leadership too much to keep her on the bench as a quality backup. Using all three center backs together, playing with wingbacks, would seem a good solution, but that doesn’t seem to be the preferred choice.

With Rafaelle signed through 2028, Sams through 2027, and Nadaner through 2026, the middle of Orlando’s defense is set for the next couple of years.