Podcasts
SkoPurp Soccer Episode 31: Orlando Pride Off-Season Moves
The Pride have been quietly locking players down across multiple position groups this off-season.

Our off-season schedule continues as we reconvene for a December episode and there was more to talk about this time around. The Pride have been busy since our last show and the pattern has started to clarify what the 2024 squad will look like, as well as some of the position groups beyond the next NWSL campaign.
The discussion begins at the back as we talk about the Pride adding one goalkeeper before subtracting another, bringing that position group into focus for the season ahead (and probably beyond). We welcome Sofia Manner in from Finland and say goodbye to the departing Carly Nelson, who is returning to her native Utah.
After the goalkeeper talk, we discussed whether the Orlando Pride overachieved under Seb Hines in 2023. Did Hines get more out of his squad than we should have expected? Did he get the perfect amount? Or did he not quite get as much as the roster had to offer?
Our mailbagbox, asked us about the Pride as a holiday song, what the new midfield signings mean, and about what Haley Carter has brought to the club. 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.
After we answer the mail, we turn our attention to the back line. Orlando has been busily signing the 2023 starting back four to new deals, with three of the four now under contract through 2026, while Rafaelle is under contract through 2025. It’s clear that the club likes this group and it’s putting its money on it. If they can become even more cohesive in 2024, it’ll be a move that pays off.
Finally we turn our attention toward that midfield question from the mailbagbox. The Pride have added a pair of Brazilian internationals to the central midfield and it appears the majority of the roster is now signed through either 2025 or 2026, meaning there should be some continuity across the next couple of seasons. Angelina and Luana, meanwhile, could vastly improve the Pride’s central midfield and they should assimilate quickly since they’re used to playing between defender Rafaelle and attackers Adriana and Marta. They could help spring Orlando’s faster forwards and may also assist with helping the Pride’s fullbacks work the ball up the field with fewer turnovers.
Here’s how Episode 31 went down:
0:15 – The Orlando Pride goalkeeper position seems set for 2024, but who will win the starting job remains to be seen.
17:18 – The mailbagbox is the lifeblood of the show. Thanks for the questions!
24:06 – The Pride’s back line has no anxiety whatsoever about contracts for the next couple of years and the midfield has added even more Brazilian ingredients to the roster.
Podcasts
SkoPurp Soccer Episode 80: San Diego Wave Rewind, Listener Mail, and More
The Pride move to 3-0-0 on the season after a difficult home match against the Wave.

The Orlando Pride made it three wins in three attempts Saturday afternoon on a hot day at Inter&Co Stadium. While the opponents didn’t offer up the usual own goal this week, the Pride needed both a Haley McCutcheon goal and a Marta penalty — taken a second time after hitting the post as Kailen Sheridan left her line early — to get the dub against the San Diego Wave this week. While it wasn’t a crisp performance, it was another win, and you can’t be too unhappy with wins.
We break down the talking points from Orlando’s win over the Wave, check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.
The international break is now upon us, and a couple of Pride players might face each other in this window when the United States Women’s National Team faces Brazil.
This week’s mailbagbox wants to know about Haley McCutcheon’s goal celebration music, players not named Emily Sams suiting up for the USWNT, an interesting hypothetical involving either Kerry Abello or Marta, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. 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.
With no Orlando Pride match to preview this week, the show ends after the mailbagbox, but it was a lengthy one, at least (both this episode, all things considered, and the mailbagbox segment itself). We’ll be back next week to get you ready for the Pride’s trip to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Reign.
If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.
Here’s how Episode 80 went down:
0:15 – The Pride played better against San Diego than they did at Gotham, but it still wasn’t as good as Orlando is capable of playing. We’ll gladly take the win, though.
25:46 – The mailbagbox has plenty of questions this week.
Podcasts
PawedCast Episode 471: LA Galaxy Rewind, Philadelphia Preview, and More
The Lions get an improbable win, OCB preps for Chattanooga, and OCSC heads to Philly.

Orlando City brought three improbable points home from Los Angeles after a wild finish between the Lions and the Galaxy turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 road victory. Another defensive lapse on a possibly offside goal early in the match looked like it might end up being decisive until Eduard Atuesta had his foot stepped on in the box late in the second half. Martin Ojeda dispatched the penalty, and it was game on, with Luis Muriel scoring a crazy winner that John McCarthy failed to handle cleanly. Whatever mojo was working, the Lions will gladly accept the win and move on.
We look back at our score predictions, discuss the critical plays and players in the game, and make our selections for Man of the Match.
The mailbagbox asks about Rafael Santos and Ivan Angulo, whether David Brekalo has a future at left back, whether one of our writers will become a podcast guest, and more. 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.
OCB has a trip to face Chattanooga FC Saturday night, which is a shame, because the Young Lions will start their game just 30 minutes before the MLS side kicks off. We look briefly at the matchup.
Orlando City will head north to wrap up the regular-season series against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The Lions will need to continue to tighten up the defense against one of the league’s most dangerous attacks so far in 2025. The Union will be eager to get back on track after suffering a loss to Miami. We look at the history of the series, select our key matchups in the game, and make our score predictions.
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. 471 went down:
0:15 – The Lions fall behind on a goal that looked offside, but drew a penalty late and then won the game on a crazy free kick blunder.
31:42– The mailbagbox is intrigued by Brekalo at left back.
50:03 – OCB heads to Chattanooga, while the senior squad seeks revenge in Philadelphia.
Podcasts
SkoPurp Soccer Episode 79: Gotham FC Rewind, San Diego Wave Preview, and More
The Pride win their first road match of the year and return home to face the Wave.

The Orlando Pride apparently won’t win every game as easily as they did the season opener, but a 2-0 road win at NJ/NY Gotham FC is a good result every time. The Pride struggled with turning the ball over and had difficulty creating clear-cut scoring chances, but an own goal and a Marta penalty at opposite ends of the first half turned the tide in Orlando’s favor.
We discuss the key moments in the match, look back to see how we did with our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.
This week’s mailbagbox wants to know if the salary cap will go away when the next NWSL collective bargaining agreement is reached and whether a Gotham own goal was preventative medicine designed to stop the fatality opponents suffer when Haley McCutcheon scores the first Pride goal. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. 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.
Finally, the Pride get set to welcome the San Diego Wave to Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Wave have been a thorn in the Pride’s side when they’ve visited Orlando in the past, while things have been easier for the Pride in San Diego in the brief series history. We look at the two combatants, provide our key matchups, and make our score predictions.
If you’d like to support our independent writing and podcasting efforts, we’d love to have you as a subscriber or donor over at our Buy Me a Coffee site.
Here’s how Episode 79 went down:
0:15 – The Pride were not the better side in the run of play but still come home with a 2-0 victory. That’s a good sign.
23:19 – The mailbagbox believes the Gotham own goal was a player playing three-dimensional chess instead of checkers.
36:53 – The Wave come to town and have been a tough out at home for the Pride. We preview!
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