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Orlando Pride Deal Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris to NJ/NY Gotham FC

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The Orlando Pride have dealt defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris to NJ/NY Gotham FC, completing a move that was first reported by Meg Linehan of The Athletic ($) last week. In return, the Pride have received a 2022 NWSL Draft first-round selection, a 2023 NWSL Draft natural third-round pick and $50,000 in Allocation Money. The 2022 pick is the one that Gotham received from the Chicago Red Stars in a previous trade, with the pick number to be officially locked in at 8 p.m. Dec. 17. 

“We have great gratitude for Ashlyn and Ali, two players who have been so ingrained in our club and community, so this was an extremely difficult decision,” Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said in a club press release. “However, we believe this will be in the long-term best interest of Ashlyn, Ali, and the Pride. We wish them nothing but the best in their new opportunity with Gotham FC. Each decision we make is not done in a vacuum, and with these acquired assets we will continue to work hard to develop our roster to best position this club for success and bring a championship to Orlando.”

“On behalf of the club and the Orlando community, we want to thank Ashlyn and Ali for their dedication and leadership at the Pride over the last six years,” Orlando Pride Owner and Chairman Mark Wilf said in the press release. “They both have been great ambassadors for our organization as well as great players. We wish them the best of luck on this next chapter of their careers. As we move forward, we continue to be very optimistic about the future as we build the Pride toward long-term success on the field.”

Harris, 36, was one of the first players to join the Pride back in 2015. The Cocoa Beach native returned home via the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft as the team’s second pick (the first was defender Meghan Klingenberg, who was immediately sent to Portland as part of a previous agreement from the Alex Morgan trade). She was joined a year later by her now wife, Krieger, 37, after the two played together in Washington, D.C.

Harris has made a team-record 89 appearances in all competitions since 2016, recording 7,923 minutes. She’s conceded 135 goals from 456 shots for a 1.53 goals against average for the Pride. So far, her record for the team is 25-38-17.

Krieger joined the Pride in Nov. 2016 and has made 86 appearances for the club — second all-time behind Harris. She’s recorded 7,603 minutes and had seven assists as a right back and center back.

What It Means for Orlando

This trade is a major step in the rebuild of the Pride. The core of the team has been aging, with Harris (36) and Krieger (37) being two of those players. The two have also had their salaries subsidized by the U.S. Soccer Federation thus far in their Pride careers, due to being regulars in the USWNT pool. That hasn’t been the case since the start of the 2021 NWSL season and it is expected that neither will be allocated players in 2022. That means Orlando would be on the hook for their salaries.

The trade will ultimately be judged by what the Pride do with the assets collected, but it seems like an underwhelming return for a starting goalkeeper who won 10 NWSL Save of the Week awards in the regular season and went five-for-five in stopping penalties in 2021, along with a starting center back. The Pride must make a smart pick with the first-round choice (or trade it for a player of value), use the Allocation money wisely, and even get a useful player from the third-round pick — something that isn’t easy to do.

As things stand now, the Pride have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Trading Krieger and Harris as a package deal is likely more difficult than it seems on the surface. While they’ve never publicly said they must play together, they are a married couple, so it’s logical to assume they want to play in the same city. While both players can still be productive in the NWSL, it’s not a seller’s market when shopping two players on the wrong side of 35 years old. Having them as a package deal in a 10-team league (soon to be 12) doesn’t make it any easier finding a trade partner.

Trading Krieger could pave the way for a center back pairing of Phoebe McClernon and Amy Turner in 2022. The 23-year-old McClernon was a second-round pick of the Pride in the 2020 NWSL Draft. She started the season well, but primarily came in as a sub in 2021 after the arrival of Turner.

The Pride have three goalkeepers — Canadian Women’s National Team backup Erin McLeod, Brittany Wilson, and Kaylie Collins — but all are believed to be out of contract. McLeod, Wilson and Collins were all signed through the 2021 season and would need new deals to stay on. McLeod, who originally signed a one-year deal in 2020 with an option year for 2021, played well when called upon in 2021, but she will turn 39 prior to the 2022 season.

While the assets acquired in this trade will do little in the short term to console Pride fans who have supported Krieger and Harris during their time in Orlando, the real value won’t be known for some time.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride begin the 2025 NWSL playoffs with a quarterfinal matchup against Seattle Reign FC.

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Image of Carson Pickett celebrating scoring a goal against Seattle.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (11-8-7, 40 points) host Seattle Reign FC (10-7-9, 39) in the quarterfinals of the 2025 NWSL playoffs. This is the third time the teams will face off this year and the second time this week.

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

History

The Pride and Reign have met 20 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. The Pride hold a 5-7-8 record in those meetings, with an all-time record of 3-2-5 in Orlando. All meetings between the two teams have taken place in the regular season.

The most recent meeting took place on Sunday in Orlando with the two teams finishing the 2025 NWSL regular season against each other. They were playing to host a quarterfinal game and the Pride were the better team in the first 45 minutes. Substitute Carson Pickett gave the Pride the lead just eight minutes after coming on, but Jordyn Bugg equalized three minutes later. The 1-1 draw was enough for Pride to finish fourth, pushing Seattle down to fifth and setting up a rematch five days later.

The other meeting this year took place 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 occurred 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 Pride and Reign met Sunday evening in Orlando with a playoff hosting spot on the line. While the Pride probably deserved all three points, Seattle stayed close and was able to pull out a draw. But that was enough for the Pride to finish in fourth, allowing them to remain home.

Seattle decided to stay in Central Florida this week rather than flying across the country twice. There’s even more on the line tonight than at the beginning of the week, with the loser seeing their 2025 season end in disappointing fashion.

The Pride were the better team for most of the game Sunday, holding more possession (53%-47%) and creating more shots (13-7). However, putting shots on frame was a determining factor, as the Pride only put two of their 13 shots on target. Meanwhile, Seattle put two of their seven shots on goal. That ratio will have to change for the Pride to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive season.

One thing that can help tonight is a better 90 minutes from Marta. The team captain was an offensive threat in the first half, but disappeared in the second. Eventually, she was replaced by Simone Jackson in the 80th minute.

Hines has made some smart changes in recent games and that happened again Sunday. Pickett received some starts after moving to the midfield and coul have started there against Seattle. But Hines went with Ally Lemos instead, bringing Pickett off the bench. It was an inspired change, as she scored just eight minutes later.

On an even more positive side, the Pride continue to play well defensively. They kept Mia Fishel and Jess Fishlock from creating chances and did the same to Huitema when she replaced Fishel at halftime. However, the Pride were able play for a draw Sunday evening, something they won’t have the luxury of doing tonight — a draw would necessitate penalties.

“It’s a big deal. Reason why the cameras are here,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “It’s postseason, tournament football, must-win games. We want to make the most out of the home-field advantage in front of our own fans. We hope that a lot of fans come out and turn up and support the team, so we’re all excited about the prospect ahead of us.”

The Pride will take the field tonight without Banda (hip), Kylie Nadaner (excused absence), Ally Watt (knee), and Summer Yates (lower leg). Seattle will be without Lynn Biyendolo (maternity leave), Veronica Latsko (lower leg), Cassie Miller (leg), and Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence).


Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, Marta.

Forward: Simone Charley.

Seattle Reign FC (5-3-2)

Goalkeeper: Claudia Dickey.

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

Midfielders: Jess Fishlock, Samantha Meza, Ainsley McCammon.

Forwards: Mia Fishel, Maddie Mercado.

Referees

REF: Abdou Ndiaye.
AR1: Tom Felice.
AR2: Brian Marshall.
4TH: Jaclyn Metz.
VAR: Danielle Chesky.
AVAR: Melissa Beck.


How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Prime Video.

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


Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Can’t Hold Late Lead

The Pride finish fourth in the NWSL after failing to hold the lead at home against Seattle.

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Image of Carson Pickett and Marta celebrating Orlando's goal in a 1-1 home draw vs. Seattle.
Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

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.

“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.

“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.


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)

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Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride wrap up their 2025 NWSL regular season campaign as they welcome Seattle Reign FC to Orlando.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

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).


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.


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).


Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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