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

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride open their ninth season in the NWSL, taking on Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. This is the first of two times the teams will face off with the return game in Orlando occurring on May 5.

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

History

This game marks the start of the fourth season of existence for Racing Louisville. The two teams have played eight times so far, with the Pride going 2-3-3 (2-3-2 in NWSL games and 0-0-1 in the NWSL Challenge Cup). The Pride are winless in Louisville (0-3-0 in league play, 0-3-1 overall).

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on Oct. 6, 2023 in Louisville. The Pride got off to a great start with goals by Marta from the spot early and an excellent individual effort by Kerry Abello to make it 2-0. However, Messiah Bright took Savannah DeMelo down in the box just before halftime and Nadia Nadia converted the penalty. A five-minute swing started in the 70th minute with goals by Kristen Davis and an own goal by Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, resulting in the Pride losing the critical game 3-2.

The other meeting in 2023 was on May 6 at Exploria Stadium. Bright gave the Pride an early lead and the hosts held on for 69 minutes for the 1-0 win. It was the first home win of 2023 for the Pride and their second win of the season.

The first meeting between the two in 2022 was on Sept. 16 in Louisville. The Pride got off to a quick start, but Louisville struck first when Nadia Nadim was left open in front of goal for a tap-in. The hosts doubled their lead on a great strike by Savannah DeMelo from outside of the box, and the Pride fell 2-0.

The first meeting of 2022 was in a unique setting, taking place at Daytona International Speedway on July 3. The game was a part of the 2022 Daytona SoccerFest and was the first time a soccer game was played at a racetrack. Emina Ekic gave Louisville a halftime lead and DeMelo doubled the lead shortly after the break. However, the Pride fought back with goals by Kylie Strom and Darian Jenkins, pulling out a 2-2 draw. The game launched a seven-game unbeaten run that pulled the Pride back into the playoff race.

The first year the two teams met was in 2021 during the NWSL Challenge Cup in Louisville. CeCe Kizer gave the hosts the lead early, but Taylor Kornieck equalized just before halftime. It looked like the Pride would win when Abi Kim scored late, but Brooke Hendrix equalized in second-half injury time and the teams drew 2-2.

The teams played three times in the 2021 regular season, with the first meeting coming on July 9 in Orlando. Ebony Salmon gave Louisville the lead, but Sydney Leroux scored to force a 1-1 draw with a goal in second-half injury time. The second meeting was on Sept. 11 in Orlando. The Pride took a 2-0 lead into the break with goals by Leroux and Marta. Kizer got one back, but Alex Morgan’s conversion sealed three points for the Pride.

The final meeting of 2021 was in the penultimate game of the year for both teams. The Pride needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and they got off to a good start when Jodie Taylor scored in the third minute. However, the game slipped away as Salmon and Katie McClure scored on either side of halftime and Yuki Nagasato made the final 3-1.

Overview

The Pride have made some big moves this off-season as they attempt to make the NWSL playoffs for the first time since 2017. While the defenders remain the same, they’ve added some key pieces in the midfield and up top. Brazilian internationals Angelina and Luana were signed earlier this preseason as well as U.S. women’s national team midfielder Morgan Gautrat and Swedish international Evelina Duljan.

Arguably the biggest move of the NWSL preseason was the Pride signing Zambian international Barbra Banda. The Pride also return attacking pieces Ally Watt, Marta, and Adriana. After focusing on defense following the 2022 campaign, the team improved its attack, despite the loss of starting striker Bright.

Tonight, the Pride take on a racing Louisville team in transition. The opening day opponent parted ways with former head coach Kim Bjorkegren, promoting assistant Bev Yanez to the position.

Louisville returns much of its starting lineup from 2023, a team that finished ninth in the NWSL. The returners include USWNT midfielder Savannah DeMello and captain Jaelin Howell. Former Pride defender Carson Pickett is still on the team and welcomes other former Pride players Taylor Flint (nee Kornieck) and Marisa DiGrande (nee Viggiano).

Controlling DeMelo in the midfield will be key for the Pride’s success today. The addition of Flint from the San Diego Wave should bolster their attack, requiring focus from the Pride back line. While the Pride return their entire defensive unit, they’ll be without Brazilian international Rafaelle, who fractured her foot during the Concacaf W Gold Cup semifinal against Mexico.

In addition to the center back, the Pride will play their season opener without Simone Charley (right leg), Megan Montefusco (right heel), and Viviana Villacorta (left knee), who are out with season-ending injuries, as well as Watt (right thigh).

Louisville is without Milly Clegg (thigh) and Yuuka Kurasoki (lower leg) for this game. Additionally, Ary Borges (lower leg) and Kirsten Wright (lower leg) are listed as questionable.

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kylie Strom, Kerry Abello, Emily Sams, Haley McCutcheon.

Defensive Midfielders: Morgan Gautrat, Luana.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Angelina.

Forward: Adriana.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Brianna Martinez, Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Ally Lemos, Summer Yates, Evalina Duljan, Amanda Allen, Mariana Larroquette.

Racing Louisville (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Katie Lund

Defenders: Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä, Lauren Milliet.

Defensive Midfielders: Taylor Flint, Savannah DeMelo.

Attacking Midfielders: Reilyn Taylor, Elexa Bahr, Jordan Baggett.

Forward: Uchenna Kanu.

Referees

REF: Laura Rodriguez.
AR1: Matthew Rodman.
AR2: Ben Rigel.
4TH: Kevin Fikar.
VAR: Samantha Martinez.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 4 p.m.

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium — Louisville, KY.

TV: None.

Streaming: NWSL+.

Twitter: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @TheManeLand and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

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Enjoy the match. Go Pride!