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Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Win But Fall Short of Playoffs

A late Marta penalty saw the Pride defeat the Houston Dash but miss the playoffs due to tiebreakers.

Published

3 years ago

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride (10-11-1, 31 points) ended their 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash (6-8-8, 26 points) at Exploria Stadium. Marta drew a late penalty and converted it in the 87th minute for the winner. However, results around the league saw the Pride come up just shy of qualifying for the playoffs for the second time in team history.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made one change from the team that lost 3-2 to Racing Louisville FC last weekend. Erika Tymrak entered the lineup for the first time since Aug. 9 and the first time in a league game since July 7, replacing Celia. Haley McCutcheon moved into the defensive midfield last weekend, but returned to her regular right back position tonight.

“You go into film and you see areas that you can exploit. I think Erika’s been buying her time and waiting for her opportunity,” Hines said about starting the veteran. “We felt this was the right time to put her in. Also, the leadership that she brings, the experience that she brings also, and we needed a calm head in those moments. So, yeah, I want to make sure that everyone feels like they’re part of it. And sometimes it may not always be a start, it might be a substitution or, you know, just waiting for the opportunity. And between myself and the staff, we felt Erika was the right person to put in and in this game.”

“That’s part of the game,” Tymrak said about making her first appearance since Aug. 9. “Like, sometimes you don’t play for a month and then you start a game. That’s happened in my career more times than I can remember. So I think that’s just being a pro. You have to stay ready.”

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kylie Strom, Rafaelle, Emily Madril, and McCutcheon. Jordyn Listro and Kerry Abello were in the defensive midfield behind Tymrak, Marta, and Adriana, with Messiah Bright up top.

The Pride were the better team throughout most of the game. Houston had two golden opportunities late in the first half, but few other chances. The hosts were unable to convert most of their opportunities until the late penalty. Those misses will live in their memories during the postseason as they came up short of a playoff spot on goal difference.

The Pride were the aggressors early. In the fourth minute, Tymrak played Bright down the left. Katie Lind got a piece of the ball, sending it out of play. The ensuing corner kick by Marta found Rafaelle, but Maria Sanchez blocked it out for a second attempt. Houston was able to clear the second corner.

McCutcheon created an opportunity in the eighth minute when she sprinted down the right with the ball and sent a cross in before reaching the end line. The ball was aimed for Tymrak near the top of the six-yard box, but was just over her head.

Two minutes later, Marta almost created a moment of magic after a give-and-go with Bright. The Pride captain used quick footwork to beat Lind and Natalie Jacobs, keeping the ball glued to her feet. Unfortunately, the last touch got a little too far away and Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell collected it. Had Marta been able to get a shot off, it probably would’ve been the NWSL’s goal of the season.

In the 15th minute, Tymrak sent Bright behind the Dash defense. The forward’s touch was too strong, forcing her to attempt a cross instead of shooting. The cross was cleared, but only to Adriana at the top of the box. The Brazilian shot with her second touch, but sent the attempt over the target.

Houston got its first attacking opportunity in the 24th minute when Michelle Alozie won a corner kick. The set piece was to the near post and Sophie Schmidt was the first to it, but her header was wide.

Following a hydration break, the Dash created a chance in the 33rd minute when Schmidt sent a beautiful ball behind the back line for Nichelle Prince. The forward got behind Madril and shot, but sent the attempt straight to Moorhouse.

In the 34th minute, Adriana attempted a cross on the right, but it was blocked out of play by Sarah Puntigam. The ensuing corner kick by Marta found the head of Rafaelle, but the center back sent the attempt just over the crossbar.

On the other end, McCutcheon conceded a corner kick and the Dash looked to take advantage. The set piece resulted in multiple shots by the visitors, but the Pride defense stood strong, blocking them away.

Marta made a run through the midfield in the 38th minute and played it wide for Adriana on the right with space. The midfielder attempted a long-distance shot, but it was into the arms of Campbell, who easily collected it.

In the 41st minute, Marta carried the ball into the Houston third again, but this time took it herself. She took a shot from a tight angle that looked to be heading just inside the near post, but Campbell blocked it away. Her ensuing corner kick was headed out, ending up with Listro. The defensive midfielder shot from just outside of the box, sending it right to Campbell.

Houston nearly ended the first half by taking the lead. Four minutes into first-half stoppage time, Snachez sent a low pass across the top of the six-yard box that went behind Alozie. It reached Andressa, who flicked it with her heel past Madril and Moorhouse. The ball bounced off the inside of the left post and rolled across the goal line before Strom cleared it away.

That was the final touch of the half as the game went into the break scoreless. Houston had more first-half possession (55.1%-44.9%), but the Pride had more shots (10-8), shots on goal (3-2), corner kicks (4-3), and crosses (11-8). The Dash also had better passing accuracy (79.9%-77%) in the first 45 minutes.

The Pride got the first attempt of the second half in the 49th minute when McCutcheon found Bright in the Houston box. The striker redirected the ball towards goal with her first touch, but sent it wide.

They had another opportunity in the 52nd minute when Bright’s ball into the box was blocked out of play by Schmidt for a corner kick. Marta’s set piece was towards the top of the six-yard box, but too close to Campbell, who caught it.

With the Pride needing goals to keep their postseason chances alive, Hines made his first change of the game in the 55th minute. Forward Ally Watt came on for Tymrak.

The Pride continued to create chances in the 60th minute. First, Strom dribbled in from the left, shooting towards the near post. It went through Campbell’s hands and off the crossbar. Seconds later, Marta took a shot from the top of the box. The attempt was on target, but Campbell made a diving stop, pushing the ball wide.

Hines made two more changes in the 71st minute. Usual starters Julie Doyle and Mikayla Cluff came on for Bright and Listro.

A throw-in for Houston in the 73rd minute resulted in a chance for an opener by the visitors. Receiving the ball on the right, Caprice Dydasco played a short pass to Joelle Anderson, who came on for Prince in the 63rd minute. The substitute shot for the far post and didn’t miss by much, forcing Moorhouse to dive for it. Fortunately, the ball skipped wide.

Out of a hydration break in the 78th minute, Marta nearly connected with Doyle. The Brazilian lifted the ball into the box and the substitute dove for it. However, the ball was just beyond her reach, glancing off her head and wide of the far post.

Adriana felt she should’ve had a penalty in the 79th minute when Schmidt challenged for the ball in the box. The attacker went down, but referee Natalie Simon didn’t see a foul. Adriana appealed for a penalty, but the call was correct as Schmidt got the ball.

In the 84th minute, Doyle sent a long ball into the Houson box. Marta beat Lind to the ball and the defender pushed the attacker down from behind. Simon didn’t hesitate to point to the spot, awarding the Pride a late penalty.

After a brief VAR check, Marta stepped up to take the spot kick. Campbell guessed the correct way, but the shot was under her arm to give the Pride a late 1-0 lead.

“You need to feel the moment, you know? I’m trying to read what the goalkeeper think about and I’m trying to play a little bit with my eyes. Like to try to make sure she don’t take the ball,” Marta said about her penalty. “But it’s about the moment. And then I just, at the last second, I just decide to take her, I think it was her right side. And then it was a goal.”

Immediately following the goal and needing more to make the playoffs, Hines made two final attacking changes. Summer Yates and Mariana Larroquette came on for Abello and Madril.

In the 89th minute, Watt fouled Sanchez and was booked for the challenge. Sanchez’s free kick found the foot of Schmidt, who’s first touch was a redirect on goal. But it was to Moorhouse, who made the stop.

A minute into stoppage time, Adriana blocked a Diana Ordonez cross out for a corner kick. Sanchez’s cross to the near post connected with Schmidt, but the midfielder’s shot was wide.

Two minutes later, Doyle sent a cross into the box. Yates couldn’t handle the pass, but it went to Larroquette, who played it forward for Yates behind the Houston back line. The rookie shot, but sent the ball over the crossbar.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Doyle carried the ball inside and took the shot herself. Campbell got down to make the stop, but it went right to Adriana. The Brazilian chested the ball down and touched it to the side to create space, but the shot was into the arms of Campbell.

The final chance of the game for either team came in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Schmidt fouled Yates outside of the box, giving the Pride a dangerous set piece to the left of goal. Adriana sent it to Cluff at the back post. The midfielder’s head connected with the pass, but she couldn’t get enough of it, putting it wide.

Houston ended up with more possession (51.8%-48.2%), but the Pride had more shots (21-11), shots on target (8-2), corner kicks (6-5), and crosses (21-11). The Dash passed more accurately (75.7%-74.9%) and the Pride came away with a 1-0 win to end the season.

“It’s like, we win the game but we lose. So it’s difficult,” Hines said about the game. “I thought the game, we started a little bit slow and not as threatening as I would have liked us to be. But I get it, you know, there’s a lot at stake in this game and a lot of pressure. And I felt like in the second half we were more aggressive. The goal comes from a terrific ball from Julie, a great run from Marta, and she gets in behind the back line and gets brought down. And you think, you know, you’re 1-0 up and you’re looking towards next week. But, you know, it wasn’t meant to be and yeah, it’s a tough one.”

Despite the three points, the Pride fell just short of a playoff spot. OL Reign beat the Chicago Red Stars 3-0, NJ/NY Gotham FC drew the Kansas City Current 2-2, and Angel City FC stunned everyone with a 5-1 win over the Portland Thorns. As a result, the Pride finished tied on points with Angel City and Gotham for fifth, but fell on goal difference.

“I’ve played in leagues all around the world and you always have top teams and then kind of like this big gap and then lower teams. And I think what’s special about the NWSL is that there is no weak team,” Tymrak said about the number of teams fighting for playoff spots. “Every game you play is so hard. There’s no easy game. There’s no break game. But that’s why I think we’re the best league in the world is you have that competitiveness regardless.”

“I’m so proud of this team because from beginning everybody put us in the last. You know, like when you see the list, Orlando Pride was the last one,” Marta said about overcoming preseason expectations. “And look now, so it was too close. And I hope we can, of course we’re going to be sad, but learn about this today and don’t make this happen again next year. Because we’re going to come back strong.”

While the team fell short of the postseason, they have plenty to look forward to in 2024. The hiring of Hines as head coach appears to have been the right decision as they finished in their second-highest position in team history. Additionally, Marta indicated after the game that she’ll be back to captain the team next year, the last of her two-year deal.

It will be a difficult off-season for the Pride as they attempt to reconcile the missed opportunities that could’ve seen them continue their season. However, there’s plenty of optimism going forward with a young squad that’s proven it can compete in this league.

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

The Pride look to build on their home win against North Carolina against Boston Legacy FC tonight in a midweek contest.

Published

6 hours ago

on

May 12, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride (3-3-2, 11 points) take on Boston Legacy FC (1-5-2, 5 points) in Foxborough, MA. This is the first of two games between the teams this year, with the return game in Orlando scheduled for July 15.

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

History

Since this is the first year in the existence of Boston Legacy FC and the first time the two clubs will meet in 2026, there’s no history between the teams. However, Boston’s roster does include forward Amanda Allen, who played for the Pride from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, the Pride will be familiar with several of the opposing players as they have extensive experience in the league.

Overview

This has been an up-and-down season for the Pride so far. It began with a disappointing start as they fell 2-1 to Seattle Reign FC and drew 1-1 with Denver Summit FC. They bounced back from the homestand with an impressive 3-0 win over the Chicago Stars, a scoreless draw with defending NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC, and a 2-1 win over Angel City FC.

Unfortunately, those highs didn’t last long. Orlando fell 3-2 to Racing Louisville FC and 4-2 to the Washington Spirit, before defeating the North Carolina Courage 1-0 Friday night.

The Pride have been carried offensively by striker Barbra Banda, who has eight goals and has scored the team’s five most recent goals. All five have come in the last three games. The team has only played two games in which other players have scored. Jacquie Ovalle and Hannah Anderson converted against Chicago and Haley McCutcheon had a surprising brace against Angel City.

The team got off to a good start defensively, conceding just four goals in the first five games, including two clean sheets. But the Pride were torn apart by Louisville and Washington, giving up seven goals in those two games.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines responded by making adjustments to the back line Friday night. While it was the same back four, Cori Dyke moved from left back to center back, Oihane moved from right back to left back, and Hailie Mace moved from center back to her natural right back position. The changes resulted in the team’s first clean sheet in five games.

They’ll look to build on their most recent result tonight against a team that sits at the bottom of the NWSL standings. Through five games, Boston has just one win, a 3-2 victory over fellow newcomers Denver at home. However, they sandwiched that win with a 2-2 draw against the Courage and a 1-1 draw with Gotham away from home on Saturday.

With only seven goals this season, there hasn’t been much of a threat from this new team. Aissata Traore and Alba Cano lead the way with two goals each, while Bianca St-Georges, Sammy Smith, and Nichelle Prince have one goal each. Prince also has a team-leading two assists.

Defensively, Boston is led by league veteran goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who spent the last five seasons with the Courage and has made her way into the U.S. National Team setup. The team has seen several defensive units and formations since the start of the season as it looks to find the best lineup.

Tonight’s hosts face a tough challenge as they welcome the league-leading goal scorer in Banda. Meanwhile, the Pride will undoubtedly see this game as an opportunity to create some momentum as the schedule creeps closer to the FIFA World Cup break.

“I think it is going to be a tough game. I think any game in this league is tough, regardless of where the standings are,” Hines said ahead of tonight’s game. “Boston are in good form right now. I think they are unbeaten in three games, so we are looking to build on our performance this last week against North Carolina. Hopefully, get three points away from home and start that journey on our away form as well. Always expect a tough match. They have some tough players as well, and we have to put our best game forward.”

The Pride will take the field tonight without Kerry Abello (hip), Zara Chavoshi (lower leg), Cosette Morche (ankle), Jacquie Ovalle (thigh), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), and Solai Washington (knee). Boston will be without Kaka (ankle) and Fauzia Najjemba (thigh), while Nicki Hernandez (thigh) is listed as questionable.

Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

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

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Ally Lemos.

Attacking Midfielders: Summer Yates, Haley McCutcheon, Marta.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Boston Legacy FC (3-1-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy.

Defenders: Lois Araujo, Bianca St-Georges, Emerson Elgin.

Defensive Midfielder: Annie Karich.

Attacking Midfielders: Sammy Smith, Josefine Hasbo, Alba Cano, Nichelle Prince.

Forwards: Amanda Gutierres, Barbara Olivierei.

Referees

REF: Katja Koroleva.
AR1: Sharon Gingrich.
AR2: Kristin Patterson.
4TH: Jeremy Scheer.
VAR: Brad Jensen.
AVAR: Matthew Seem.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Gillette Stadium — Foxborough, MA.

TV: None.

Streaming: Victory+.

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

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Win on Banda’s Late Goal

North Carolina hadn’t allowed a goal in the second half all season until Banda’s breakthrough.

Published

4 days ago

on

May 8, 2026

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Image of Barbra Banda celebrating her winning goal against the Courage.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

A sloppy first 85 minutes finally gave way to a moment of brilliance from Barbra Banda as she worked her way free for the one and only goal to get the Orlando Pride (3-3-2, 11 points) back to their winning ways. Banda’s eighth of the season led to a 1-0 Pride win over the North Carolina Courage (2-3-3, 9 points) at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride are still waking up from the international break, having lost the last two to Racing Louisville, a team well below them in the standings, and the Washington Spirit at home. Banda has scored five goals in the last three games, leading the NWSL in goals, but she’s the only one scoring.

“We’ve met as units. We watch film, we go over things,” Pride forward Simone Jackson said in preparation for this game. “We’re talking to each other. We’re working on shifting faster and covering splits and making change for this North Carolina game and making sure that our press is matching their style of play.”

Head Coach Seb Hines put the same lineup on the field as the previous game against the Spirit, with Anna Moorhouse in goal. The only changes were in where the players started. Cori Dyke moved from left back to right center back, with Oihane and Rafaelle to her left and Hailie Mace at right back. Additionally, Haley McCutcheon dropped into central midfield with Ally Lemos, while Angelina joined Summer Yates and Solai Washington in the attacking midfield with Banda up top.

“We felt we had conceded seven goals in two games and we needed to make a shift in the back line,” Hines said after the game. “Cori Dyke has played center back for me and Hailie Mace is a new player to the club and just finding a bit more comfort with her playing right back. We just felt we needed to shift a bit — not change the personnel but shift the personnel.”

The Pride opened the match with a free kick from 40 yards out that Lemos sent straight to Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. North Carolina was able to get to the end line four minutes later but the cross went straight to Moorhouse. At the eight-minute mark, Angelina intercepted a long ball and headed it to Yates at the top of the box, whose first touch failed her and snuffed out the counter.

Banda got her elbow up high in the 10th minute and caught Natalia Staude in the chin. That prompted a delay as the video assistant referee evaluated it for a red card offense but eventually play resumed without incident. Banda then showed her immense talents three minutes later, outracing and outmuscling center backs, Staude and Uno Shiragaki for 40 yards, but the double team eventually won out.

Moorhouse and Lemos collided defending a free kick at the 18-minute mark, which caused Lemos to take a moment to gather herself. Yates picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute for sliding under Riley Jackson and catching her with her studs in the fallout of a foul she herself had drawn on the play. Washington slipped by Jackson with a great move in the 25th but the play ended up with a corner that turned into nothing.

As a light rain (that eventually turned into a full-on downpour) settled in with 18 minutes to play in the half, the Pride definitely had shown more promise on offense but no real threats. It was a good start for a team that had fallen behind early previously but more precision was going to be needed on the offensive side. Washington worked herself free in the box but, again, the shot went wide.

The first real threat from the Courage came in the 31st minute as Manaka Matsukubo got on the end of a deflected corner and pushed it just wide of the far post. Yates went to the ground a minute later after she took a shot to the ribcage by Lauryn Thompson.

Whether it was the rain picking up or a tactical adjustment, the game flowed to where North Carolina started owning possession but without any real threats. The Pride couldn’t get out of their own end until the 40th minute when a pass from Lemos to Banda at the top of the box allowed her to open up enough space to rocket a shot just wide of the near post.

Thompson tried to chip a cross towards the Pride goal but ended up skying it into the stands in the 43rd minute. With five minutes added to the first half for the various video reviews and injuries, The Courage kept Orlando bottled up in their own defensive end. Trying to escape, Oihane overhit a touch and kicked the legs out of Thompson, picking up a yellow card in the third minute of added time. A shot by McCutcheon a minute later deflected off Banda just wide.

To wrap up the half, Lemos picked up a yellow card in the fifth minute of added time for tripping Matsukubo. North Carolina’s ensuing free kick went long and ended the half just as the rain let up.

It wasn’t a great half of soccer by either team, highlighted by minimal threats and mostly defined by turnovers. The Pride trailed possession (58%-42%), crosses (7-5) and passing accuracy (83%-76%) but led on shots (4-3). Both teams had two corners and neither put a shot on goal.

The Pride came out with energy in the second half trying to change that. Just 30 seconds in, Washington crossed it to Banda at the penalty spot but she scuffed the volley. One minute later, Banda held off Shiragaki to open up a shot but put it just over the bar.

“Honestly, to be switched on from the beginning,” Angelina said when asked about the halftime message. “We know that in past games we got scored on pretty early coming back from the half. That was a big goal for us to come and be disciplined.”

Dani Weatherholt elbowed Washington to the ground in the 50th minute, picking up the Courage’s first yellow card. Matsukubo unleashed a 40-yard through ball to Thompson at the 53-minute mark, freeing Thompson for a shot wide.

Hines decided to try to bring some precision to the attack in the 55th minute, bringing in Marta for Yates and Seven Castain for Washington. It didn’t lead to anything immediately and, in the 60th, Shinomi Koyama got free at the top of the box and put it just over the bar.

However, just seconds later, Banda held off her defender at midfield and dribbled to the middle, laying it off to Marta in the box, who worked herself free for the first shot on target for either team. Sheridan kept it out with a huge save. The ensuing corner by Lemos rattled off the near post, leading to nothing. Lemos was subbed off a minute later in the 64th, with Julie Doyle taking her place.

Marta’s influence on the game started to become even more apparent with a slick left-footed inside-of-the-boot pass that curled perfectly to Banda, but she dribbled in too deep and didn’t get a shot off, losing the ball to Sheridan while trying to round the keeper. Ryan Williams put a shot over the bar 90 seconds later off a block.

Marta rifled a corner in the 69th minute that Sheridan parried right to McCutcheon, who fired it just wide. The Courage then made their first substitutes, bringing in Chioma Okafor for Thompson and Ally Schlegel for Evelyn Ijeh. Ijeh is listed as the forward for the Courage, yet this is the first mention she got in this writeup.

There was a lot of back-and-forth play over the next few minutes until Sanchez pushed a shot just past the far post in the 76th minute. North Carolina then brought in Carly Wickenheiser for Jackson in the 77th minute.

Marta shook herself loose in the 81st and thought she had a corner off a Sheridan tip but it was judged as a missed shot. Angelina went down in the ensuing Courage possession and was subbed off for Luana at the 84th-minute mark. The Courage made a substitution in the 85th, bringing in Ivy Younce for Sanchez.

In the 87th, the Pride broke the scoreless deadlock. Rafaelle intercepted a long pass and fired it over the top to Banda, who was kept onside by Staude. Banda worked her way into the box on the left. The Zambian international sent a curling shot around Sheridan and inside the right post, finally converting and giving the Pride the lead they had been knocking on for a while. Banda had been wasteful all game, but a striker just needs one. The Courage had not surrendered a second-half goal all season but they hadn’t played Banda yet either.

Banda went down in the ensuing celebration and then again five minutes later after a tough shoulder-to-shoulder challenge. She was able to return and, 60 seconds later, held off three defenders while transitioning the ball all the way down the field. She looked winded at this point, but the Pride had used all their subs.

Rafaelle picked up a yellow card in the seventh minute of added time for an over-the-top challenge. That produced the last meaningful action of the half as the Pride wrapped up the win.

The Pride ended up with roughly the same amount of possession as in the first half, finishing behind the Courage (56%-44%). They trailed in shots (12-9) but led in shots on target (2-1). The Courage led in crosses (13-8), but the Pride had one more corner (5-4). Passing accuracy picked up for the Pride in the second half, but they still ended up trailing (82.4%-79.6%).

The Pride now head out on a long road trip. They’ll head to Boston for a game against the Legacy on Tuesday, fly to Denver for a Saturday game against the Summit. Orlando will then get an eight-day break before going to San Diego to play the Wave.

“Sometimes road trips are nice, because you get to bond as a team,” Moorhouse said. “You’re with your teammates 24/7, so you get to bond a bit and hopefully this win will now snowball.”

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Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride look to end their two-game losing streak as they welcome the North Carolina Courage to Inter&Co Stadium.

Published

4 days ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

Image of Rafaelle playing the ball.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride (2-3-2, 8 points) look to bounce back from a tough loss as they welcome the North Carolina Courage (2-2-3, 9 points) to Inter&Co Stadium (8 p.m., Prime Video). This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season, with the return game in Cary, NC scheduled for July 31.

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

History

The Pride and Courage have played 28 times since the Western New York Flash moved to North Carolina and became the Courage in 2017. The Pride are 6-11-3 in the all-time series in NWSL play and 6-14-8 in all competitions (0-0-2 in the Fall Series, 0-3-2 in the NWSL Challenge Cup, and 0-0-1 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.). Orlando is 3-6-0 at home in league play and 3-7-2 in home matches against the Courage in all competitions.

The most recent meeting between the two teams took place Sept. 19, 2025. The game appeared to be headed towards a scoreless draw until the end of normal time, when Shinomi Koyama converted to give the Courage the 1-0 win.

Prior to that game, the teams met on May 10 in Cary, NC. Feli Rauch scored in the first half to give the hosts the lead and it looked like they would hold on for all three points. But Prisca Chilufya’s equalizer in second-half stoppage time saw the game end in a 1-1 draw.

The first meeting in 2024 was held on May 1 in Orlando. Barbra Banda set up Ally Watt for the opener in the first half, and Watt repaid the favor just over 10 minutes later, as the Pride went up 2-0. Julie Doyle added a goal just before halftime, giving the Pride a commanding lead. Emily Sams’ own goal was the only scoring for the Courage, and Banda’s second of the night gave the Pride a 4-1 win.

On June 15, the Pride were the better team with more possession, shots, and shots on target, but the game ended in a scoreless draw. While they were disappointed with the result, the Pride were the first team to take points in North Carolina in 2024. On July 20 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup in North Carolina, Manaka Matsukubo gave the hosts the lead just before halftime before Celia equalized late for the Pride. The game went into penalties and the Courage won the shootout 5-4. 

The first game between the Pride and Courage in 2023 took place April 19 in Orlando. The Pride took the lead after halftime when Summer Yates set up Watt for the opening goal, but Denise O’Sullivan equalized deep in second-half injury time, resulting in a 1-1 draw. On June 17 in North Carolina, it was all Courage. Kerolin and Meredith Speck gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before a Haley McCutcheon own goal made it 3-0 to North Carolina.

The Pride didn’t show up for the July 29 Challenge Cup contest in North Carolina, getting demolished by the Courage. Brittany Ratcliffe and Malia Berkely gave the hosts a 2-0 halftime lead before Frankie Tagliaferri made it three, and a late brace by Haley Hopkins completed the 5-0 beating. The Pride finally got a win over the Courage in 2023 on Sept. 17 at home. Watt scored inside the first minute. After assisting on the first goal, Adriana doubled the lead before halftime. Matsukubo got one back for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough and the Pride won 2-1.

The first meeting in 2022 came on May 18 in North Carolina. Sydney Leroux scored early and Mikayla Cluff doubled the lead with her first professional goal. A late goal by Brianna Pinto got the Courage back within one, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride took the2-1 win. On Sept. 21, 2022, at Exploria Stadium, Debinha scored early, assisted Tess Boade in first-half injury time to double the lead, and later added another goal, dooming the Pride to a 3-0 defeat.

The Pride and Courage were placed in the same division for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, so the teams played twice before the regular season started. The first game took place March 26 in North Carolina. Merritt Mathias converted a penalty after Gunny Jonsdottir was called for a handball in the box, lifting the hosts to a 1-0 win. The return match in the tournament took place on April 16 in Orlando. The Courage scored three goals in the first nine minutes. Darian Jenkins netted a brace to make it 3-2, but a late Debinha goal put the game away and North Carolina won 4-2.

The teams played three times during the 2021 NWSL season. On May 22 in North Carolina, goals by Leroux and Alex Morgan gave the Pride a 2-0 lead late into the game. Jessica McDonald scored late to pull one back but the Pride held on for a 2-1 win. On July 4 in Orlando, Debinha and Havana Solaun goals helped the Courage take home a 2-0 win. The final game was played July 31 in North Carolina. Leroux opened the scoring but Ratcliffe equalized moments later and the teams drew 1-1.

The two teams were also matched up in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup but they only played once in that tournament. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in a scoreless draw.

Similar to the Challenge Cup, the teams were in the same group of the 2020 Fall Series, meeting twice. The first took place Sept. 19 in North Carolina and ended in a scoreless draw. The second was held on Oct. 17 at Exploria Stadium. Led by a Debinha brace, the Courage went up 3-0. But the Pride came back with goals by Marisa Viggiano, Kristen Edmonds, and Ally Haran for an exciting 3-3 draw.

The Pride and Courage played three times during the 2019 season. The first game was on April 17 in North Carolina. The Courage took a 1-0 lead into halftime but scored four times in the second half to win 5-0. They played a second time on June 1 in Orlando. Again, it was a dominant performance by the Courage as the Pride fell 3-0. The final meeting that year was another thrashing by North Carolina as the Pride fell 6-1.

The teams also met three times in 2018. On May 23 in Orlando, goals by Alanna Kennedy and Rachel Hill saw the Pride come back from a 3-1 deficit. But McDonald scored a winner in the 90th minute and the Courage won 4-3. The Pride went down by three goals in the final two games that season, but were unable to come back and fell 3-0 in both contests.

The 2017 season saw the teams meet for the first time. The Courage took the first game 3-1 on April 29 in North Carolina. They played a second time two weeks later in Orlando when the Pride took the 3-1 win. The final meeting in 2017 came in the final game of the season on Sept. 30. Kennedy netted a late winner, leading the Pride to a 3-2 win.

Overview

The Pride went into the three-week international break on a four-game point streak, recording a pair of wins and a pair of draws. However, they’ve had two poor results since then, a 3-2 loss to Racing Louisville on the road and a 4-2 loss to the Washington Spirit at home.

The most recent game got off to a terrible start as Sofia Cantore scored twice in the first five and a half minutes to give the Spirit a 2-0 lead. It looked worse when Ally Lemos had her penalty saved by Sandy MacIver. But Banda scored twice before the break to even the game at 2-2.

Unfortunately, Claudia Martinez and Trinity Rodman scored in the second half, lifting the visitors to a two-goal win and handing the Pride their second consecutive loss. The losses put the Pride in 12th place in the league standings, but just one point behind eighth.

With Kerry Abello and Kylie Nadaner out, the Pride’s back line has consisted of Cori Dyke, Rafaelle, Hailie Mace, and Oihane. Together with starting goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, the defensive unit has conceded seven goals in the last two games. But that’s not the only reason they’ve struggled the last two weeks.

Finishing has been another problem for the Pride. The only player able to convert has been Banda, who has scored four goals in the two most recent games. As previously mentioned, that included a Lemos penalty saved against the Spirit.

Tonight, the Pride face a foe in a similar position, as the Courage also sit on nine points. They’ve played three games since the break. They returned from the international break with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash before drawing Boston Legacy 2-2 and losing to the Kansas City Current 2-1.

The Courage are tied for the sixth-most goals conceded through their first seven games. That’s despite adding Canadian international goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who joined from San Diego Wave FC, where she was one of the league’s top shot stoppers.

The back line in front of Sheridan has been consistent recently, consisting of Dani Weatherholt, Maycee Bell, Uno Shiragaki, and Ryan Williams. However, Bell missed the team’s loss against Kansas City with a lower body injury.

Offensively, the Courage are led by U.S. international Ashley Sanchez, who has five goals. Matsukubo is second on the team with two goals and Weatherholt has the remaining one.

Williams leads the Courage with three assists so far this season, followed by Carly Wickenheiser, Matsukubo, Payton Linnehan, and Shinomi Koyama with one each.

“I think in any game in this league, it’s always going to be a tough matchup. I think they’re looking to bounce back from a defeat this past weekend. Similarly, we are as well,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said leading into tonight’s game. “We want to get our home form going again. Looking back at the Washington game, we’re very disappointed in the goals we conceded. We created some of our own as well and we have to capitalize on those moments. But there’s been a big emphasis on getting back to who we are as a team and not conceding sloppy goals.”

The Pride will play tonight without Kerry Abello (hip), Hannah Anderson (illness), Zara Chavoshi (lower leg), Cosette Morche (ankle), Jacquie Ovalle (thigh), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), and Viviana Villacorta (knee). The Courage are without Maycee Bell (knee), Payton Crawford (knee), Natalie Jacobs (ankle), Feli Rauch (suspension), and Olivia Wingate (knee).

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

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

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Ally Lemos.

Attacking Midfielders: Solai Washington, Angelina, Summer Yates.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Nicole Payne, Reagan Raabe, Luana, Seven Castain, Julie Doyle, Simone Jackson, Marta

North Carolina Courage (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan.

Defenders: Dani Weatherholt, Natalia Staude, Uno Shiragaki, Ryan Williams.

Midfielders: Manaka Matsukubo, Shinomi Koyama, Riley Jackson.

Forwards: Ashley Sanchez, Evelyn Ijeh, Lauryn Thompson.

Bench: Molly Pritchard, Sydney Schmidt, Cameron Brooks, Ivy Younce, Carly Wickenheiser, Ally Schlegel, Hannah Betfort, Cortnee Vine, Chioma Okafor.

Referees

REF: Lauren Aldrich.
AR1: Zeno Cho.
AR2: Seun Yinka-Kehinde.
4TH: Elvis Osmanovic.
VAR: Anya Voigt.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.

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 (@ORLPride) or Bluesky (@orlpride.com) feed.

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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