The Orlando Pride dominated statistically but got just enough offense to win on a Marta wonderstrike from outside the box in a 1-0 road win on Sunday against the Chicago Red Stars. Although the Pride kept Mallory Swanson quiet, Orlando needed a bit more sharpness in front of goal to open the game up. It never happened, but Marta’s NWSL Goal of the Week helped Orlando secure three more points on the road.

We broke down the game, checked back at our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week had concerns about whether Orlando should stay undefeated in the regular season, whether stoppage time is an issue, whether the soccer gods have an axe to grind with Barbra Banda, and whether Evelina Duljan should play more minutes with Banda. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. 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.

After the mailbagbox, we discussed Amanda Allen’s loan to Lexington, McKinley Crone’s new contract through 2026, and Banda’s recent scoring drought.

Finally, we look ahead to Orlando’s home match Friday against the Kansas City Current. The visitors will be looking for revenge from the first meeting and their perceived slights when Pride players were happy about the result in that match. We also provided our key matchups and score predictions for the game.

Here’s how Episode 60 went down:

0:15 – The Pride kept rolling with another clean sheet and a win at Chicago.

12:59 – Our mailbagbox is chock full, as is our Orlando Pride news segment.

39:50 – Our preview of the rematch against the Kansas City Current, who totally won’t celebrate like crazy if they win after playing more than half the match a player down on the road. Honest.

The Orlando Pride came back from the road and there really is no place like home. After the obligatory Central Florida weather delay, the Pride went out and beat defending NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. Adriana found her scoring boots and bagged herself a brace, and the Pride kept another clean sheet.

We discussed the highlights from the game, checked the result against our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week had concerns about Haley Carter’s role with her new title, wondered if referees are more lenient with the Pride’s opponents, asked which midfielders and formation might be used in Chicago, and questioned what the final score really was on Sunday. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. 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.

After the mailbagbox, we dove into some of the recent Orlando Pride news, including Carter’s new contract, Alex Kerr being waived, and the U-20 USWNT not using Ally Lemos in its 1-0 opening loss to Spain. We’re not saying the U.S. lost to Spain because Lemos didn’t play, but no one can prove the Yanks wouldn’t have won if she had.

Finally, we look ahead to Orlando’s trip to face the Red Stars in Chicago. The Pride usually do better against the Red Stars on the road than at home, which is weird, but hopefully that trend continues. We also provide our key matchups and score predictions for this weekend’s game.

Here’s how Episode 59 went down:

0:15 – The Pride got two goals from Adriana and a big W.

13:55 – Our mailbagbox has anxiety issues, and some bits of Orlando Pride news.

33:18 – Our preview of Orlando’s trip to play the Chicago Red Stars.

A good way to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to one of the Western Conference’s worst teams is by beating one of the Eastern Conference’s worst teams by that same score. Orlando City ran back the goal differential beating it took in Kansas City by thumping Nashville by the same score from the first meeting between the teams in Tennessee. Nashville may not be a barometer on how well Orlando is playing right now, but the task is to beat the team in front of you, and the Lions did just that on Saturday.

We break down the victory, look back at our score predictions, and make our selections for Man of the Match.

This episode’s mailbagbox once again pits Ramiro Enrique against Duncan McGuire and asks for some fatherly advice. 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 dove into OCB’s 2-1 home win over Huntsville City FC. It was a vital win for the Young Lions to stay in the playoff hunt with the regular season winding down. The Young Lions made things tough on themselves but they were able to get the result and jump above the playoff line — for now, anyway — with a crucial six-pointer coming up on the road this weekend.

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. 443 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City bounced back from a tough 3-0 loss in Sporting Kansas City by a not-as-tough 3-0 win at home against Nashville.

17:30 – The mailbagbox calls and we must answer.

25:58 – The Young Lions got the job done but made things difficult on themselves, as usual.