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Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 5-0 as the Pride Get Dismantled on the Road

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4 years ago

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The Orlando Pride (2-3-2, 8 points) were completely outclassed by the Houston Dash (3-1-2, 11 points), falling 5-0 in Texas. The hosts were led by a Nichelle Prince hat trick, with Rachel Daly and Michelle Alozie adding to the tally in a game the Pride were never in.

Pride Head Coach Amanda Cromwell made some significant changes to the team’s back line to start this game. Celia (illness) and Carrie Lawrence (ribs) were omitted from the team that traveled to Texas entirely. Starting left back Courtney Petersen made the trip but started the game on the bench. As a result, the back four consisted of Kerry Abello, Megan Montefusco, Toni Pressley, and Gunny Jonsdottir. The forward positions were much more typical, with Jordyn Listro, Viviana Villacorta, and Mikayla Cluff in the midfield and the normal front line of Sydney Leroux, Leah Pruitt, and Darian Jenkins.

“We had to make a lot of different moves and move players around and get them out of spots they’re usually in,” Cromwell said about the lineup changes. “It doesn’t make you feel super comfortable, but I know Gunny (Jonsdottir) was down for the challenge (of moving to right back) and she was fine with it.”

This game was all Houston from start to finish. The Pride left too many pockets of space in the back and looked disconnected up top. Several Houston chances were created by bad turnovers and poor marking by the Pride.

The first chance in the game came in the fifth minute when Shea Groom found Daly in the Pride box. The Dash captain found space between the two center backs but couldn’t quite get her foot to the ball, allowing Erin McLeod to collect it.

The Pride got their first chance a minute later when Abello sent a cross into the Dash box. There were forwards charging in, but the cross was too close to Jane Campbell and the Houston goalkeeper was able to catch it.

Orlando had another chance in the 10th minute when a long cross by Jonsdottir reached Leroux near the back post. Leroux dove to get her head to the ball and sent it toward the opposite post, but the attempt went wide. That was the first of several missed opportunities for Leroux on the night.

Following that chance by Leroux, it was all Houston, a common theme for the Pride after the first 10 to 15 minutes of a half. In the 12th minute, Sophie Schmidt found Nichelle Prince darting in behind the Pride back line. However, Montefusco did well to beat her to the ball, allowing the Pride to gain possession.

A minute later, Schmidt attempted to catch McLeod off her line. It appeared as though the ball would beat McLeod if it were on target, but the ball went over the crossbar.

The ineptitude of the Pride in this game was on full display in the 17th minute when Pressley attempted to play the ball back to McLeod. It was a very poor pass that rolled wide of McLeod, leaving the goalkeeper chasing it towards her own net. Fortunately, it went wide and out for a corner kick.

In the 20th minute, Daly found Groom, who quickly played it forward for Prince. The forward controlled the ball inside the Pride box, but Montefusco did well to get back and win it.

After 12 minutes of complete domination by the hosts, the Pride finally got another chance in the 22nd minute. Leroux received the ball on the left side of the box and shot on target, but it was right at Campbell and the Dash shot stopper got down to block it away.

Following that chance, Houston took back control of the game. Maria Sanchez sent a dangerous ball through the box in the 24th minute, but no Dash players could get on the end of it.

Three minutes later, Houston got its much-deserved first goal. Daly had the ball near midfield and sent a long pass for Prince behind the Pride back line. Prince was able to beat Listro and Pressley didn’t do much to cover. As a result, McLeod was forced to cut down Prince’s angle. However, the forward put it past the Pride goalkeeper and on goal. Jonsdottir got her foot to the ball, attempting to clear it off the line, but only put it into the back of the net.

“I think we need to come out stronger in the first half because I feel like we’re always chasing the game,” Pruitt said about conceding the first goal. “So I think we just need to learn how to come out hot in the beginning.”

The Dash nearly scored a second in the 30th minute off of a bad Pride mistake. Listro’s throw-in was quickly played back by Leroux and the defender attempted to play it square to Villacorta. It was a terrible pass that sent Villacorta chasing the ball. Groom was the first to reach the ball and played it to Daly. Fortunately, the Dash’s top goal scorer coming into the game sent it over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, the Dash doubled their lead. Sanchez sent a great ball into the box, but it should’ve been handled by the back line. Despite being between two defenders, Daly was the only one to get her head on the ball, sending it over McLeod, who got caught off her line. The ball sailed just inside McLeod’s left post and the Dash took a 2-0 lead.

The Pride responded well to the second goal, quickly creating a chance of their own. In the 34th minute, Cluff sent a cross into the box for Leroux, breaking in on the back post. The forward was able to get her foot to it in a sliding effort, but the shot was wide of the target.

Five minutes later, the Dash made it three. After receiving the ball on the left from former Pride midfielder Marisa Viggiano, Prince used a sharp cut back to beat Jonsdottir. Her shot on goal was deflected by Montefusco, but the deflection redirected it into the back of the net.

Despite being up 3-0, the Dash didn’t stop their attack. In the 40th minute, another Pride turnover gave Groom enough space to attempt to beat McLeod over the top again. However, the ambitious shot was off target.

The Pride had another attempt and a shout for a penalty in the 42nd minute. Jenkins sent a long cross for Leroux near the back post, very similar to Cluff’s ball earlier in the half. Leroux and Haley Hanson were battling, with the latter appearing to tug on Leroux’s jersey. As a result, Leroux’s shot was right at Campbell who made the save. The Pride players appealed for a penalty, but referee Luis Guardia said no.

After Groom had tried to beat McLeod from distance twice in the first half, Hanson attempted to get on the scoresheet in the 44th minute. The defender took a shot from distance but sent it off target.

Despite the 3-0 halftime scoreline, the statistics looked as though the Pride were much better. Orlando had more possession (52%-48%) and crosses (7-6), as well as better passing accuracy (78.2%-73.9%). However, Houston had more shots (8-6) and shots on goal (3-2).

“One thing that we changed was our formation,” Petersen said about the halftime changes. “We matched them in a 3-5-2 and I think that helped us a lot in the midfield. And at the end of the day, we said we have nothing to lose. You know, we’re going into halftime at 3-0. And we have to push, you know. We have to go for a goal.”

As the second half began, Cromwell made a couple of changes in an attempt to get back into the game. Julie Doyle and Petersen were brought on for Jonsdottir and Pressley. However, it didn’t make much of a difference.

Just four minutes into the second half, the Dash made it a 4-0 game. Groom took the ball towards the end line, where she ran out of space. Doyle tried to push her out of play but was unsuccessful. Montefusco had a chance to clear it away, but her poor attempt went right to Prince.

While it was a poor defensive effort for the Pride, Prince deserves plenty of credit for the goal. Her first touch was a chip over McLeod and just inside the far post, giving her team a 4-0 lead.

The goal marked Prince’s first hat trick at the club level — she had one for Canada — and was the first hat trick in the nine-year history of the Houston Dash.

Despite the bad start to the half and falling behind by four goals, the Pride still attempted to get back into the game. In the 55th minute, Leroux sent a cross into the box but it was cleared away by Katie Naughton.

A minute later, Leroux nearly got one back for the Pride when she got her head to a good Petersen cross. The ball beat Campbell but not the post as it hit the woodwork, allowing Houston to clear.

Leroux had another chance in the 58th minute when she was sent down the left by Petersen. She looked to beat Campbell, but sent the ball high and wide of the target.

The Dash nearly increased the lead to five in the 60th minute when Sanchez found Hanson open in the box. The defender lost Cluff to find the space to get the header on goal, but it hit the crossbar. The rebound went to Sanchez, who followed the play, but her attempt was off target.

Alozie came on in the 81st minute during a double substitution that also saw the hat trick hero leave. The late addition made an immediate impact, nearly making it 5-0. Less than a minute after coming on, the attacker was sent through by Emily Ogle. Montefusco was initially with her but slipped, allowing Alozie to go in alone on goal. She fired past McLeod, but sent her shot wide of the target.

Six minutes later, she had another opportunity and did make it five. Groom made a long run through the midfield, through several tired Pride defenders, eventually sending it forward for Alozie. Parker Roberts, who had come on in the 76th minute, attempted to keep up but the forward was too quick. The two had a brief stumble but Alozie stayed on her feet. After missing her first breakaway, Alozie sent the second chance right by McLeod’s left foot and in for the fifth goal of the game.

Each team had a chance as the game neared full time, despite the result having been decided. In the 89th minute, Kylie Strom had a shot from the penalty spot but sent it well off target.

Houston had its final attempt three minutes into injury time when Groom made another good run and played it through for Joele Anderson. The second-half substitute put it past McLeod but was unable to hold her run and was judged offside. That was the final chance for either team as the Dash came away with a commanding 5-0 win.

In the end, the Pride held more possession (58.2%-41.8%) and were much more accurate with their passes (81.1%-68.8%). However, the Dash had more shots (14-12) and more shots on target (6-3) throughout the 90 minutes.

“The first half puts you in a bind and so we changed things up. I’m always a coach, so I’m going to go for it. You know, I’d rather lose 5-0 trying to get it back to three, get some goals, then stay at 3-0 not trying,” Cromwell said about the game. “So we changed formation. Obviously we’re pushing, I think the shots ended 14-12. I think we hit the post, had some chances. But nothing fell our way tonight. Everything they touched in the box was golden and it just feels pretty bad.”

“I think it’s about just forgetting about the previous games and just moving forward,” Pruitt added. “So I think we just need to forget about it, work to the next game, and just try to be positive. And we have talent and we have the mentality to win. So we just have to figure out how to do it.”

The 5-0 defeat matches the worst result in the seven-year history of the Pride. They previously lost 5-0 on April 17, 2019 to the North Carolina Courage away and then lost 6-1 on Sept. 14, 2019 to the same opponent in the same location.

“In the transition game, we have to be so much better defending,” Cromwell said about conceding five times. “We have to help Erin (McLeod) out. We have to help each other out. Be closer in pressure cover situations. There’s a lot of things we could’ve done better defensively to give ourselves a chance in this game.”

While it was a strong performance by Houston, multiple goals were caused by defensive mistakes. The center back pairing of Montefusco and Pressley left too much space for Daly and Prince and too many balls were given away in dangerous positions.

“I think we just need to have confidence on the ball,” Pruitt said about the turnovers. “There is a lot of goals that we’ve given up that were on us. So I feel like if we can fix that and just play together, it’ll be a lot different outcome. And if we can capitalize on the mistakes that other teams make, it could be a totally different game.”

The Pride will now have an extended break as they don’t play until next Sunday. The team will look to bounce back as they face the Chicago Red Stars in Bridgeview, IL.

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Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride look to end their three-game losing streak as they travel north to face the Washington Spirit.

Published

33 minutes ago

on

August 23, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

Welcome to your match preview and live thread as the Orlando Pride (7-11-2, 23 points) travel north to face the Washington Spirit (11-5-4, 37 points). This is the second and final time the two teams will face each other in the regular season.

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

History

The Pride and Spirit have played 30 times since Orlando joined the NWSL in 2016. The Pride are 9-8-6 in regular-season play against Washington and 11-11-8 in all competitions against the Spirit, adding in Challenge Cup and NWSL playoff matchups. Orlando is 4-4-3 against Washington in NWSL play away from home and 4-6-3 away in all competitions.

The last time these two teams met was on May 2 in Orlando. Sofia Cantore got off to a roaring start, netting a brace inside the first six minutes. Barbra Banda then scored two of her own in the 33rd and 39th minutes to send the game into the break even at 2-2. But the Spirit took over in the second half with goals by Claudia Martinez and Trinity Rodman, sealing a 4-2 victory.

The first meeting of 2025 took place on March 7 as the Pride hosted the NWSL Challenge Cup. Rafaelle netted the opening goal to give the Pride a late first-half lead. Leicy Santos equalized in the second half with a terrific strike, and the game finished tied at 1-1. The Spirit won the ensuing shootout 4-2 to claim the preseason trophy. 

The first league game of 2025 was held on April 19 in Orlando. Gift Monday scored the game’s lone goal in the second half, giving the Spirit the 1-0 win. On Oct. 18, in Washington, D.C., Kerry Abello opened the scoring late in the first half with an own goal, then scored one for her own team three minutes later. Cantore gave the Spirit the lead just before the half, but then Marta came on. The Pride captain’s shot off Narumi Miura equalized early in the second half and she converted a penalty later, after Ally Watt drew the foul, securing the 3-2 win.

The first meeting of 2024 took place April 26 in Washington, D.C. Angelina gave the Pride the early lead before Ouleymata Sarr equalized shortly before halftime. A Banda strike and a Summer Yates penalty conversion in the second half seemed to put the game away, but Anna Moorhouse dropped an easy catch from Ashley Hatch’s shot, giving the Spirit a second goal. Fortunately, the Pride held on for the 3-2 win.

They met a second time on Oct. 6 in Orlando. Despite dominating the game, the Pride didn’t convert until Marta scored early in the second half. Tara McKeown deflected an Adriana shot in for an own goal later, lifting the Pride to a 2-0 win and clinching the NWSL Shield. The Pride and Spirit were the best two teams throughout the season and faced each other in the NWSL Championship on Nov. 23 in Kansas City. Banda’s first-half goal was the difference in the game as the Pride won their first-ever league title.

The first meeting of 2023 took place May 10 at Audi Field in NWSL Challenge Cup group play. Tori Hansen gave the Pride a surprising early lead, but late first-half goals by Lena Silano, Sam Staab, and Marissa Sheva made it 3-1 Washington at halftime. Watt scored off the bench early in the second half, but Ashley Sanchez put the game away in injury time as the Spirit won 4-2.

The first regular-season matchup of 2023 was held May 20 in Orlando. Marta converted a first-half penalty, but Staab equalized five minutes later. Kylie Strom netted the winner late as the Pride won 2-1. The Pride dominated the Spirit in the second regular-season matchup on July 1. Julie Doyle had a brace in the first 16 minutes and a McKeown own goal put the game out of reach as the Pride won 3-0.

The final meeting in 2023 was in the Challenge Cup on Aug. 4 in Orlando. The game appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw until Mariana Speckmaier scored eight minutes into second-half injury time, lifting her team to a 1-0 win.

In 2022, the teams first met on May 27 at Exploria Stadium. Rodman gave the Spirit an early lead and Hatch doubled the advantage after halftime. As the game entered second-half stoppage time, it appeared as though the Pride would fall for the second straight time, but late goals by Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins stunned Washington with a 2-2 draw. The teams met again on July 17 at Audi Field, and the Spirit dominated the game statistically but couldn’t find the back of the net, resulting in a scoreless draw.

Prior to the draw in May, the Pride and Spirit played two games in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The first was a scoreless draw held March 19 in Orlando. The second Challenge Cup meeting took place April 3 at Audi Field. Gunny Jonsdottir scored the team’s first goal in four games. However, the Spirit already had a 3-0 lead. Rodman added another goal as the Pride fell 4-1.

The teams played four times during 2021. On April 21 in the Challenge Cup, Sydney Leroux’s goal helped the Pride win 1-0. The Pride opened their regular season by hosting the Spirit on May 16. Hatch gave Washington the lead, but Alex Morgan equalized to claim a 1-1 draw. The second regular-season meeting that year happened on June 6 in Washington. Hatch opened the scoring, but Taylor Kornieck equalized minutes later, resulting in another 1-1 draw. The teams met for the final time in 2021 on Aug. 22 at Audi Field. Marta gave the Pride the lead, but Hatch equalized just two minutes later. It looked like it would be a third straight 1-1 draw, but Sanchez won it for Washington late.

Due to the pandemic, the Pride and Spirit didn’t play in 2020, but they faced each other three times in 2019, first meeting on July 6 in Orlando. Marta scored a brace in the second half, leading the Pride to a 4-3 win. They played again on Aug. 24 in Washington. Crystal Thomas gave the hosts the lead and Marta equalized. Hatch’s goal lifted the Spirit to a 2-1 win. The final game was supposed to be the following weekend but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. The game was eventually played Oct. 9 in Orlando and the Spirit dominated the rubber match, beating the Pride 3-0.

The first of two meetings in 2018 took place March 31 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Hatch scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-0 win for the Spirit. The Pride got their revenge in the second game in the same location. Alanna Kennedy’s goal was the difference as the Pride won 1-0. The final meeting that year was held July 7 in Orlando. Hatch gave the Spirit the lead, but Leroux scored just before halftime and a Marta goal gave Orlando the 2-1 win.

The 2017 season was the first time the teams played three times in a year. Their April 22 meeting was the Pride’s first home game that year. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen gave the visitors the lead, but Danica Evans answered as the teams drew 1-1. They met for the second time that year in Maryland on July 8 when Marta and Mallory Pugh both scored braces in a 2-2 draw. The final game in 2018 was on Aug. 8 in Orlando. Marta, Camila, and Morgan all scored as the Pride ran away with a 3-0 win.

The Spirit swept the first two meetings in 2016, winning 2-0 in Maryland and 2-1 in Orlando.

Overview

It’s been a nightmare for the Pride since the FIFA World Cup break and it’s not getting any better. The team is 2-6-0 and has lost three consecutive games. The stretch started with Orlando challenging for a home playoff game and has seen the team fall all the way to 13th and four points behind the Seattle Reign for the eighth and final playoff position.

The only real positive this year has been the play of Banda, who leads the league with 12 goals. The striker was coming off an injury when play restarted in early July and then departed for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. But she’s back now, a welcome sight since nobody else on the team has been able to score consistently.

Banda played 65 minutes in her return to action, a 2-1 loss to the Portland Thorns on Aug. 15. She’ll likely start again and play even more minutes.

With Banda absent or playing limited minutes, the Pride have found it hard to score. They’ve been shut out four times and only scored multiple goals in one game, a shocking 3-0 win over the Kansas City Current on July 10.

Unfortunately, the defense hasn’t been any better. The Pride have conceded multiple goals in each of their last three games, including five against the North Carolina Courage on July 31, three against Racing Louisville FC on Aug. 7, and twice on Aug. 15 against Portland.

The Pride need to turn things around, but it won’t be easy today. The Spirit are one of the best teams in the league, currently sitting in second place on 37 points. They’re six points behind Gotham FC atop the standings and are trying to hold off the Utah Royals and San Diego Wave, just one point back.

While the Pride are struggling on both ends of the field, the Spirit have been excellent everywhere. Their 30 goals rank fifth in the league and their 18 goals conceded are second fewest. Their goal difference of +12 is second only to Gotham, which has a goal difference of +13.

If there’s a time to play the Spirit, this might be it. They’ve hit a rough patch the last few games, falling 1-0 to San Diego on Aug. 2, losing 4-3 to North Carolina on Aug. 8, and drawing Angel City FC 1-1 on Aug. 16.

Superstar forward Rodman has led the Spirit attack this year. Her 10 goals place her third behind Banda and North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez in the NWSL Golden Boot race. She’s followed in goals by Santos and Cantore with five each, Martinez and Rebeca Bernal with three apiece, and Tara Rudd, Monday, and Hal Hershfelt, who have each scored once.

Defensively, the Spirit have been without their leader, goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, who had a baby last month. In her place, Sandy MacIver has done well to keep things heading in the right direction. It helps that she’s had a consistent back line of Kate Wiesner, Esme Morgan, Rudd, and Gabrielle Carle. All four have played at least 16 of the team’s 20 games this year. Helping matters for the Washington defense is the return of central midfielder Andi Sullivan from injury.

“It’s always a tough game going to Washington. They have a good set of players,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about today’s opponent. “Historically, we’ve done all right there over the last couple of occasions we’ve been to Audi Field. That should give us a lot of confidence that we can go out there and get three points.”

The Pride will take the field today without Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), Marta (excused absence), Kerry Abello (thigh), and Solai Washington (head). The Spirit are without Melissa Bethi (excused absence), Lucia Di Guglielmo (lower leg), Kingsbury (maternity leave), Casey Krueger (maternity leave), Monique Ngock (excused absence), and Santos (hip).

Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Hailie Mace, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Ally Lemos, Angelina.

Attacking Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Haley McCutcheon, Nicole Payne.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Sandy MacIver.

Defenders: Kate Wiesner, Esme Morgan, Tara Rudd, Gabrielle Carle.

Defensive Midfielders: Rebeca Bernal, Andi Sullivan.

Attacking Midfielders: Trinity Rodman, Hal Hershfelt, Paige Metayer.

Forward: Sofia Cantore.

Referees

REF: Matthew Corrigan.
AR1: Colin Ashley.
AR2: Tom Felice.
4TH: Max Alatorre.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: Brian Marshall.

How to Watch

Match Time: 4 p.m.

Venue: Audi Field — Washington, D.C.

TV: ESPN2.

Streaming: ESPN App.

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

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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The Orlando Pride Turn to New Additions Amid Injuries, Absences

The Pride have been forced to accelerate the integration of their newest additions.

Published

6 days ago

on

August 17, 2026

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Image of Orlando Pride forward Gabi Nunes.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride have suffered some significant injuries and absences all season, but especially in recent weeks, forcing Head Coach Seb Hines to turn to his newest players sooner than expected.

The Pride signed 19-year-old midfielder Zoe Matthews on July 16 and veteran forward Gabi Nunes on Aug. 4 with the intention of gradually integrating both into the squad. Instead, injuries and a key international absence have accelerated that timeline, calling on both attackers to contribute before Hines originally planned.

Barbra Banda missed time while representing Zambia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Zambia finished third in Group C and was eliminated Aug. 5. Banda was then able to return to Orlando, but her absence came during an important stretch of the Pride’s season.

The Pride entered their match against Portland having scored 22 goals through 17 games, an average of just 1.29 goals per game. They’ve also struggled to score during their recent run, scoring only once across their losses to the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville FC before Saturday’s game in Portland.

That has made the timing of the arrivals of Matthews and Nunes particularly important.

Matthews was the first to make her debut, appearing off the bench on July 31 in a 5-0 loss in North Carolina. The teenager’s appearance came just 15 days after her signing. While Hines would have preferred to give her more time to get comfortable with her new surroundings, the Pride needed another option off the bench.

“It happened sooner than we would’ve wanted to,” Hines said after Matthews’ debut. “We needed her to get up to speed, but we needed options off the bench. And we felt Zoe was an option off the bench.”

Matthews’ debut came on the same night Marta suffered a head injury, adding to the Pride’s list of absences. The timing meant that while Matthews was still learning her new team, the Pride were also losing one of the team’s most experienced and influential players.

Nunes faced a similar situation, with even less time to prepare.

The Pride signed the 29-year-old forward Aug. 4, and she made her debut Saturday night against Portland Thorns FC just 11 days later. Nunes entered as a second-half substitute as the Pride searched for an attacking spark, eventually falling 2-1 after the Thorns scored in second-half stoppage time.

Hines acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding Nunes’ debut were not what he had envisioned.

“We would’ve liked to enter (Nunes) in different circumstances,” Hines said. “She hasn’t trained with the team too much since she came in here.”

Nunes arrived with extensive professional and international experience, but even an experienced player needs time to learn a new team’s system and develop chemistry with new teammates. In Nunes’ case, that process has been compressed because the Pride need attacking options immediately.

Hines also indicated that Orlando is being mindful of Nunes’ physical readiness. After noting that she had not trained much with the team, he said the Pride need to make sure they are “doing the right things” by following the recommendations of the medical staff.

The Pride have not publicly indicated that Nunes is dealing with a specific injury, so Hines’ comments should not necessarily be interpreted as meaning she arrived in Orlando injured or recovering from an injury. They do, however, show that the club is considering her physical workload as she adjusts to a new team after having limited training time.

The situation leaves Hines balancing two competing needs.

On one hand, Matthews and Nunes need time. Matthews is 19 and is adjusting to professional soccer in Orlando, while Nunes is learning a new system and new teammates in the middle of a season.

On the other hand, the Pride need them.

The Pride have struggled to score consistently throughout the season, increasing the importance of every available attacking option. They entered Saturday’s match in Portland having scored only 22 goals through the first 17 games.

The recent results have made the problem more pressing. The Pride lost 1-0 to Utah on July 18, were thumped by North Carolina on July 31, and lost 3-1 to Racing Louisville on Aug. 8 before Saturday’s defeat in Portland. The only positive result in that stretch was a 1-0 win over the last-place Chicago Stars at home on July 24.

Their inability to consistently produce goals has made the addition of Nunes particularly important. She was not brought in simply to add another name to the roster. She was brought in to provide another attacking option during a stretch when the Pride needed one.

But Hines can’t expect Nunes to immediately replace what the team has been missing.

There is a learning curve involved. A forward needs to understand where teammates want the ball, when they make runs, and how the team creates chances. Those connections normally develop through weeks of training and matches.

Nunes has had 11 days. Matthews has had only a little longer. The Pride have essentially been forced to shorten that learning curve.

There can be benefits to getting new players onto the field quickly. Competitive matches provide opportunities that training can’t completely replicate, allowing players to experience the speed and pressure of their new environment while learning how their teammates play.

But Hines’ comments make clear that this was not necessarily the preferred plan. With Matthews, the Pride needed an option off the bench. With Nunes, they needed an attacking option despite her limited time with the team.

The circumstances have made patience difficult.

The Pride’s loss to Portland was the club’s third consecutive defeat, dropping Orlando to 7-11-2 on the season and 11th in the NWSL standings. With 10 regular-season matches remaining, the team has little time to wait for its newest players to become fully comfortable before asking them to contribute.

The next opportunity comes Sunday away to the Washington Spirit.

By then, Matthews will have had more time with the team. Nunes will have had another week of training and another opportunity to understand what Hines wants from her.

That time could make a difference. For now, however, the Pride have had to ask their newest players to learn on the job. The circumstances are not ideal and Hines has said as much about both players. But with Marta unavailable, Banda having missed time for international duty, and an attack searching for more goals, the Pride have needed options sooner than expected.

Matthews and Nunes were brought in to help the Pride over the final stretch of the season. The final stretch simply arrived for them earlier than planned.

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Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC: Final Score 2-1 as Pride Fall on Late Goal

The Pride conceded a second-half stoppage time goal to lose their third consecutive game.

Published

1 week ago

on

August 16, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride (7-11-2, 23 points) lost their third consecutive game Saturday night, falling 2-1 to Portland Thorns FC (10-6-4, 34 points) at Providence Park in Portland, OR. Deyna Castellanos gave the hosts the lead in the 58th minute before Jacquie Ovalle equalized in the 63rd minute. But a second-half, stoppage-time goal by Caiya Hanks doomed the Pride to another defeat.

Seb Hines made four changes to the team that fell 3-1 to Racing Louisville FC on Aug. 8. Oihane, Haley McCutcheon, Solai Washington, and Barbra Banda re-entered the lineup, replacing Zara Chavoshi, Angelina, Nicole Payne, and Simone Jackson.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Hailie Mace, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, and Oihane. Ally Lemos and McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Ovalle, Washington, and Julie Doyle with Banda up top.

This was a game of two halves. The Pride were the better team in the first 45 minutes and the Thorns dominated the second period of play. However, while the Pride were unable to convert on nine first-half shots, some poor goalkeeping and lackadaisical defending allowed Portland to claim all three points.

The Pride had a great opportunity to take the early lead in the third minute when Ovalle played the ball back for Mace and the left back sent a long ball over the top for Banda. The striker got behind the Portland back line and was in on goal but her first touch was a shot wide.

In the fifth minute, Nina Nijstad fouled Ovalle near the Thorns box, giving the Pride a second opportunity. Lemos lifted the ball into the box and Banda outjumped her defenders to redirect it on target. But the header was right into goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s arms.

Doyle made a strong run into the Portland third of the field in the 10th minute before finding Ovalle near the top of the box. The midfielder’s first touch was a shot on target, but — similar to the Banda chance — was right at Arnold.

Mace played Washington down the left in the 14th minute and the young attacker found Doyle making a run to the top of the six-yard box. Doyle attempted to redirect the ball on target with her first touch, sending the ball over the crossbar. Doyle had another chance in the 16th minute near the top of the Portland box. The attacker took a long-distance shot that again sailed over the target.

The Thorns finally created their first shot of the game in the 18th minute. Pietra Tordin made a strong run into the Pride third and cut inside to create space between two defenders. The attacker fired from outside the box and Moorhouse felt it was worthy of a dive. However, the ball curved wide of the far post.

Washington played Banda to the top of the Thorns box in the 23rd minute. The striker dribbled across the middle as she attempted to find space for a shot. It looked like she’d have a clear attempt, but Isabella Obaze made a last-ditch slide to deflect the ball wide. The Pride weren’t able to create anything from the ensuing corner kick, ending the attack.

McCutcheon fouled Castellanos in the Pride third of the field in the 29th minute, providing an opportunity for the attacker. Castellanos went for goal and was able to make the ball dip, but it wasn’t quick enough as the shot was over the top of the goal.

Washington forced Arnold into a good save in the 32nd minute. The play began when some quick passing gave Banda possession at the top of the Thorns box. The striker laid the ball off for Lemos, who sent it forward and to the left for Washignton. The attacker brought the ball down nicely and fired on target, but Arnold pushed the ball wide of her near post.

Oihane sent a low cross into the box for Banda in the 37th minute, but the striker got the ball caught in her feet. Four defenders quickly converged, forcing the ball to the top of the box. Both Lemos and Ovalle approached, attempting to shoot from outside of the area. Lemos was the one to take the shot, sending her attempt out of the reach of the diving Arnold but wide of the goal.

While possession was split in the first 45 minutes, the Pride created most of the chances. They ended the first half with more shots (9-2), shots on target (3-0), and corner kicks (6-0). However, a good save by Arnold — and some shots directly at her — kept the game scoreless.

The first chance of the second half was for the Thorns after Doyle fouled M.A. Vignola, earning a yellow card. Castellanos played the set piece to Marie Muller, whose shot from 35 yards out was over the target. Vignola then made a strong run past Washington and Doyle before sending a low cross into the box. Lemos blocked it, but Portland kept possession. Castellanos’ ball into the box found Muller, who took an off-balance shot that Rafaelle blocked. She had a second attempt but couldn’t get much on it, sending the ball wide.

Jessie Fleming carried the ball into the Pride third in the 58th minute, finding Tordin at the top of the box. McCutcheon defended her well, forcing her to play it wide for Castellanos. The attacker sent the ball towards the far post, lifting it over Moorhouse — who was off her line — to give the Thorns the 1-0 lead. Moorhouse seemed to have a shot at tipping it over at the last minute, but she never attempted a jump, continuing a trend of poor goals conceded by the Pride in 2026.

The Thorns had all the momentum in the game and attempted to use it to double their advantage. Castellanos dribbled into the Pride third of the field in the 60th minute before finding Sophia Wilson to her right. Portland’s leading goal scorer settled the ball and put it on target, but Moorhouse was there to block it away.

The Pride quickly went the other way, looking for an equalizer. McCutcheon played Ovalle over the midfield stripe and continued her run into the Portland box. In the meantime, Ovalle played the ball to Doyle on the right, and the midfielder sent a cross to the top of the six-yard box. McCutcheon got her head on the ball, but put it straight into the ground. It caused little concern for Arnold, who easily fell on the attempt.

Mace intercepted a poor pass in the 62nd minute and found Ovalle entering the Portland third of the field. Ovalle’s pass into the box was touched on by Banda behind Doyle. Banda followed the ball and took possession but lost it to Vignola, who was able to clear the danger.

The Pride regained possession, resulting in the equalizing goal. Lemos played it forward for Banda and the striker shielded her defender, allowing Doyle to take possession. Doyle played it wide for Oihane, who sent a lovely cross to the top of the six-yard box. As Arnold came off her line, the ball bounced off her, a defender, and Ovalle, rolling over the line to even the game at 1-1 in the 63rd minute.

“Jules gave me a great ball. I had a lot of time to think about it,” Oihane said. “I saw Jacquie going in and I just crossed it and it went in. So, that’s a good idea and we need to keep going and doing those things.”

Hines made his first two substitutions of the game in the 65th minute. Angelina and Summer Yates entered the contest, replacing Banda and Doyle.

“We would’ve liked for her to have played the whole game,” Hines said about Banda. “But we have to take the recommendations from the medical staff. It’s incredibly difficult becuase she’s such a high impact for us.”

The Pride head coach made his third change in the 76th minute, replacing Oihane with Chavoshi.

In the 77th minute, Ovalle attempted a back heel pass to Yates that Fleming intercepted. Tordin battled with the Pride defenders, resulting in the ball popping out to Fleming. With time and space to shoot, Fleming sent her shot just wide of a diving Moorhouse and the post.

Tordin won a battle with Mace for the ball in the 86th minute, playing the ball through a falling Rafaelle and into the Pride box. Wilson took possession and had plenty of time and space for a shot as Moorhouse came off her line to cut the angle down. The Pride goalkeeper did well to block the shot with her legs and fall on the rebound to keep the game even.

Hines made his fourth substitution in the 89th minute, replacing Rafaelle with Zoe Matthews.

The fourth official showed eight minutes of stoppage time, giving both teams an opportunity to find a winning goal. In the foruth minute, Vignola fouled Yates near the right sideline in the Portland third of the field. Lemos’ set piece found Matthews just inside the box. The new signing tried to head it on target, but she was unable to get over it, allowing Arnold to make the easy catch.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Portland found the winner. The Pride were unable to clear the ball out of their half, allowing Vignola to take possession on the left. The defender played the ball centrally for second-half substitute Hanks, who dribbled to the top of the box before curling the ball around Moorhouse and inside the far post.

Hines made an attacking change in the eighth minute of stoppage time, replacing Mace with Gabi Nunes. It was a Pride debut for Nunes, who joined the team on Aug. 4.

“We would’ve liked to enter (Nunes) in different circumstances,” Hines said. “She hasn’t trained with the team too much since she came in here. We’ve got to make sure we’re doing the right things, taking the recommendations from the medical staff.”

It was a desperate attempt to get something from the game. Unfortunately, the Pride were unable to create any more opportunities and lost a tough one away from home.

At full time, the Thorns had slightly more possession (51%-49%) and better passing accuracy (79%-77%). The Pride ended the game with more shots (12-10), shots on target (6-4), and corner kicks (6-0). But poor finishing and two long-distance conversions saw the Pride lose their third-straight game.

“I thought we were terrific in the first half. I thought we came to Providence Park with loads of intent. Put them under pressure. Didn’t create any clear-cut opportunities, but we had a lot of good momentum,” Hines said. “The first-half was terrific, and have to give the players the compliments because they were aggressive, they put Portland under immense pressure. And second half was fairly balanced. Obviously, they created some opportunities. So, disappointed with the first goal. Can we get a little more pressure? it’s a great strike from that distance. And then we get ourselves back in the game and stuff happens. It’s just not going our way with some of the calls, bounce of the ball, those kind of things. I’ve got to say, everyone is absolutely devastated. We put all the hard work into today’s performance and you hate to lose in that manner. You hate to lose, but to lose in that manner that we did is devastating.”

“Obviously, disappointed with the result. But I think we had a good game,” Oihane added. “We just needed to focus on the small details and score on the opportunities that we have.”

The Pride continue their string of poor results since returning from the FIFA World Cup break. They’ve now lost six of their last eight games, seeing them tumble from the top half of the playoff spots to 11th place. The teams around them all have games in hand, including the Houston Dash, who have played two fewer games and are only three points back. That means the Pride could fall even further in the standings.

The Pride will continue this tough road trip when they face the Washington Spirit on Aug 23.

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