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Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Draw Third Straight

The Pride claimed their third straight result with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars.

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8 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride (0-0-3, 3 points) tied their third straight game to start the 2024 NWSL season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars (2-0-1, 7 points). An Angelina corner kick was headed in by Taylor Malham for an own goal in the 21st minute and Mallory Swanson struck in the 64th minute to equalize. 

The Pride welcomed back a pair of regular starters for this game as Emily Sams returned from an illness and Kylie Strom from a red card suspension. Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Angel City FC last weekend in the home opener. In addition to Sams and Strom, Luana returned to the starting lineup in place of Haley McCutcheon, Celia, and Julie Doyle.

“I think they did great last week and I think it just shows too how versatile we are,” Sams said about the lineup changes. “And, you know, we have that depth. So good on us and good for the players that are stepping in and seamlessly filling those roles and doing well.”

The back four in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Brianna Martinez, Sams, Strom, and Kerry Abello. Morgan Gautrat and Luana were the defensive midfielders behind Adriana, Marta, and Angelina with Ally Watt alone up top for the second consecutive game.

The Pride dominated large portions of this game, possessing the ball for more time and creating many more chances than the opposition. However, they had problems breaking down the Red Stars’ low block and their lack of finishing was detrimental, keeping the visitors in the game. Rather than building a multi-goal lead, they kept a one-goal advantage until the Red Stars found an equalizer in the second half.

The visitors had the first decent attack in the third minute when Swanson won the ball on the left and dribbled towards the end line. Ally Schlegel, Abello, and Moorhouse arrived at the ball in the six-yard box at the same time, colliding together. While Schlegel and Abello got up, Moorhouse remained down holding the back of her head. However, the Pride goalkeeper passed the concussion test and was able to continue.

The Pride had their first good chance in the 14th minute when Marta’s shot from the top of the box was blocked. Luana quickly won it back and her deflected pass ended up with Angelina. The Brazilian shot from just outside of the box, but the attempt was over the crossbar.

In the 18th minute, Chicago was awarded a free kick when Martinez knocked Nadia Gomes down from behind. The set piece into the mixer bounced around before it was laid back for Cari Roccaro just outside the box. However, the midfielder sent the shot over the crossbar for a goal kick.

The Pride converted in the 21st minute when Malham knocked the ball out for a corner kick. Angelina sent the ball to the near post, where Alyssa Naeher, Malham, and Watt were converging. It looked as though Naeher was there to punch it away, but Malham got her head to it first. Unfortunately for the Red Stars left back, the ball went off the top of her head and in for an own goal, giving the Pride their first lead of the 2024 NWSL season.

“I think that’s what we want. We want to obviously take the game to the opponent,” Gautrat said about taking the lead for the first time this season. “And for us, I think we have a lot of new players that are starting to gel together even more and figuring out what we like and what we don’t like and how each other plays. And I think scoring goals in this league is the hardest thing to do. So for us, I feel like for us to go up was great and then to feel that I think is what we want every single game. But obviously heading into these next games, I feel like it’s hopefully going to just click for us to score more goals.”

It was also the third consecutive goal scored by the Pride from a set piece, a first in team history. In the season opener in Louisville, a late free kick was flicked on for Summer Yates, who put in the equalizer. Last weekend, an Angelina corner was converted by Marta, and it was Angelina’s set piece tonight that resulted in the record-setting goal.

The hosts almost doubled their lead three minutes later when Marta sent a dangerous ball into the Red Stars’ box. Sam Staab was the first to the cross and her clearance attempt was headed towards the goal, but went wide of the post.

In the 26th minute, Adriana found space to send an excellent cross into the Chicago box. The ball was aimed for Watt’s head and the forward was nearly able to redirect it on goal, but the ball was just over her head.

A minute later, Angelina laid the ball back for Marta just outside of the box. The Pride captain took a shot that went just over the crossbar. The Pride players appealed for a corner, claiming Naeher tipped it, but referee Anya Voigt awarded a goal kick.

Chicago had a great chance to equalize in the 30th minute when Schlegel got behind Strom. Sent through by Julia Bianchi, the forward had an open shot on goal, but sent the attempt straight to the chest of Moorhouse, enabling the Pride goalkeeper to make an easy stop.

The Pride were definitely the better team in the first half, with more possession (57.2%-42.8%), shots (9-5), corner kicks (6-0), crosses (11-3), and passing accuracy (85.1%-80.3%). However, each team only had one shot on target and an own goal was the difference in the first 45 minutes.

Hines made a halftime substitution and it wasn’t a surprising one. Martinez had a difficult first half and was replaced by regular starting right back McCutcheon.

Chicago had more attacking chances to start the second half, keeping the ball in the Pride half. However, the Red Stars were unable to create any good opportunities from their possession. The first shot for the visitors came in the 56th minute, when the ball ended up with Bike just outside of the box, but the midfielder’s shot was soft and right into the arms of Moorhouse.

On the other end, Marta collected the ball at the top of the Red Stars’ box and attempted to double the Pride lead by curling the ball around Naeher and inside the far post. However, she couldn’t get around the ball enough, sending it wide.

Little happened in the early minutes of the second half, but Chicago found its equalizer in the 64th minute. The play started deep in the Red Stars’ half as the visitors carefully worked the ball up the right. A crucial missed tackle by Sams near the Pride box opened space for Bike to find Swanson entering the 18. The USWNT attacker controlled the ball and quickly shot for the far post, getting the ball around Moorhouse and inside the far post to even the game at 1-1.

“I think maybe it was just the way they came out. I think a 1-0 lead is fragile,” Sams said about Chicago’s attack early in the second half. “So I think, as I said, we’ve just got to come out and protect that as best we can. I think we knew they were going to press a little bit harder. So I think the 1-0 lead, we’ve got to protect that and so I think we just got to figure out how to come out faster and harder.”

Hines made his second substitution shortly after the goal, replacing Watt with Doyle.

In the 71st minute, Luana was booked for taking down halftime substitute Jameese Joseph. That was the last action by the defensive midfielder as she was immediately replaced by Yates.

The Pride had a quick succession of shots in the 76th minute when Marta sent Yates through. Her shot to the near post was blocked by Naeher, but only to Doyle in front of goal. Natalia Kuikka blocked that shot, which went directly behind Doyle to Adriana. The Brazilian’s first touch was another shot, but Kuikka did well to get up and block the third attempt, keeping the score at 1-1.

A minute later, Marta sent a long ball for Yates, who had gotten behind Kuikka. The defender lowered her shoulder into the second-year midfielder and Yates went down. Voigt allowed play to continue and the video assistant referee took a look at it when the ball next went out of play. After a lengthy review, Voigt was called to the monitor to check on a possible red card on Kuikka for denial of a goal scoring opportunity. As if the stoppage of play wasn’t long enough, Voigt was at the monitor for an unusually long amount of time reviewing the play. When it was all said and done, the referee determined that it wasn’t a red card.

“I think it’s, especially with VAR, sometimes it’s an emotional roller coaster, because what we see on the field and then obviously the referee has to make a decision and it was a longer stoppage of play, which sometimes people get cold but you have to stay focused,” Gautrat said about the extended review. “And obviously this one didn’t go our way unfortunately, but for us it was just whenever the call that was made, we have to focus and we have to push through.”

Play continued with a Red Stars throw in and they immediately created a chance. After the initial throw by Staab was blocked, she sent a cross into the box that found the head of Ally Cook. The header was towards goal, but over the crossbar.

Largely due to the extended review, Voigt added 10 minutes to the second half. Halfway through stoppage time, the Pride had a chance when Stabb fouled Adriana, resulting in a booking. Angelina took the set piece, which found the head of Adriana near the six-yard box, but the attempt was into the arms of Naeher.

Just before the set piece, Hines made his final change of the game, bringing Amanda Allen on for Gautrat.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Marta was fouled by Sarah Griffith just outside of the box. Angelina lifted the free kick and Doyle put it on goal, but Naeher was there to make the stop. That was the final attempt by either team as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

At full time, the Pride led most statistical categories. They had more possession (59.2%-40.8%), shots (21-9), corners (6-2), crosses (19-16), and passing accuracy (85.6%-79,4%). Meanwhile, both teams put three shots on target.

“I felt that we controlled the majority of the game. I thought we got into some really good areas. I think the last part of that is to get more shots on frame and make the goalkeeper work a little bit harder,” Hines said about the performance. “But overall, I was pleased with the attitude, the desire to go and try and win the game. Chicago were coming into this game top of the table, two games and six points. So we knew that was going to be a difficult game. We knew that they were going to be stubborn and trying to have us break them down. But, you know, it’s defined by fine margins and we continue to grow and, you know, we’re still unbeaten. So you take the positives and we move forward and look forward to the next game.”

The main takeaway from the game was the missed chances by the Pride. Chicago deployed a low block, staying behind the ball and forcing the Pride to take low-percentage shots. As a result, the Pride only put three of their 21 shots on target, enabling the Red Stars to stay in the game.

“They have to reward themselves by putting the ball in the goal or getting the shots off,” Hines said about how to approach such a situation. “We get into really good areas. And it’s hard, you know, it’s really hard to break down a low block when they’ve got so many bodies behind the ball. It’s you almost asking for perfection at times and so we just keep continuing that message.”

While this game will be seen as two points lost, th Pride have now claimed points in all three games this season. They’ve also had all-around better performances week to week. As Hines said, the goal now is to figure out how to put teams away when they dominate possession and chances to take maximum points.

The Pride will have an extended break before they take the field again on April 12 in Utah. Their next home game will be the following weekend against the San Diego Wave.

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Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines Named NWSL Coach of the Year

After a record-breaking regular season, Pride Head Coach Seb Hines has been named the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year.

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2 days ago

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November 19, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The National Women’s Soccer League announced this afternoon that Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines had been named the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year. It’s the first time in the club’s history that a coach has won the award.

In his second year as permanent head coach, Hines led the Pride to a record-breaking season that saw them finish 18-2-6, winning the NWSL Shield. They finished third in the league with 46 goals scored and tied with NJ/NY Gotham FC for a league-best 20 goals conceded. They set five league records this year, including most points in a season (60), most wins in a season (18), longest winning streak (8), longest shutout streak (554 minutes), and longest single-season unbeaten run (23 games). The Pride also tied the league record for clean sheets in a season (13). Dating back to last season’s finale, the club went 24 matches without a loss under Hines. Orlando also drew all three Summer Cup matches this season, giving the Pride 26 matches without a loss in all competitions under Hines in 2023 and 27 games overall dating back to last year. Orlando’s 2.31 points per game in 2024 is second in league history behind the 2018 North Carolina Courage, who had 2.4 points per game. 

The 2024 season caps a rebuild that started following the 2021 NWSL season when the Pride traded away several star players. They hired Amanda Cromwell as head coach for the 2022 season, but she and assistant Sam Greene were suspended and eventually fired for retaliatory behavior. Assistants Michelle Akers and Aline Villares Reis left their positions following the suspensions, leaving Hines as the club’s only option as head coach.

The controversy turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Hines finished the season strong as interim coach, taking the team to a 3-7-5 mark in the final 15 games, which included a seven-game unbeaten run (3-0-4). His performance down the stretch was enough to earn the permanent role. The Pride elevated Hines from interim coach to head coach on Nov. 11, 2022.

In his first year as the club’s permanent head coach, Hines nearly led the Pride to their first playoff appearance since 2017 and second in club history last year, missing out on the goal difference tiebreaker on the final match day of the 2023 campaign. This year, the team came back with the goal of making the postseason and soon became the best team in the league, going the full season without a single home loss in any competition.

Since taking over in June 2022, Hines has become the Pride’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 31-30-12 in league play. His 1.67 points per game and .492 winning percentage also top all previous Pride coaches.

Despite a turnaround that saw the Pride go from one of the worst teams in the league to narrowly missing out on the playoffs, Hines wasn’t a finalist for coach of the year in 2023. It was an easy choice this year as he led the team to its best-ever season and the first trophy in team history.

The team’s 4-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Nov. 8 was the first playoff win in club history and the Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 3-2 Sunday afternoon to secure their spot in the 2024 NWSL Championship, which will be in Kansas City on Saturday night.

The NWSL Coach of the Year Award began with a preliminary round voted on by owners, general managers, coaches, players, and the media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players, and the media to determine the winner. The other finalists were Current Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski and Gotham Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros, last year’s winner.

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Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Final Score 3-2 as Pride Advance to NWSL Championship

The Pride advance to the NWSL Championship after a gutsy home win over Kansas City.

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4 days ago

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November 17, 2024

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 3-2 at Inter&Co Stadium this afternoon to claim a spot in the NWSL Championship. The Current took the lead through Debinha, but Haley McCutcheon scored eight minutes later to make it 1-1 at the break. Barbra Banda gave her team the lead in the 53rd minute and an excellent individual effort by Marta in the 82nd minute appeared to put the game away. Vanessa DiBernardo converted a penalty deep in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride advanced to their first-ever final.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed almost the same lineup that beat the Chicago Red Stars 4-1 on Nov. 8. The only change was Adriana re-entering the lineup for Summer Yates, who left the Chicago game with a first-half injury. However, Yates was on the bench for this one.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. McCutcheon and Angelina were in the defensive midfield behind Ally Watt, Marta, and Adriana, with Banda up top.

This game started slowly with neither team able to create chances in the early minutes. Once the teams settled in, both had opportunities to take the lead. A great cross by Michelle Cooper in the 33rd minute and a missed clearance by Sams assisted Debinha in the opener. But the Pride fought back and equalized through McCutcheon shortly before halftime.

The Pride were the better team through most of the second half, mainly because of the power and speed of Banda. They took the lead in the 53rd minute and continued to push for a third goal, eventually converting in the 82nd minute. The Current were given a lifeline with 12 minutes of stoppage time and won a penalty with a handball by Abello in the box, but they nearly had an equalizer in the 15th and 16th minutes of stoppage time. The Pride ultimately survived and advanced to the NWSL Championship for the first time.

The first chance of the game didn’t come until the 11th minute and it was due to a mistake by Adriana. After the Pride won a throw-in, Adriana’s pass for Abello was directly to Cooper. The attacker split Abello and Adriana before shooting for the far post. Moorhouse seemed to have the shot the whole way, watching it roll wide.

Banda used a strong move on the left in the 15th minute to beat Hailie Mace and get into the box. As Mace caught up to her from behind, Banda went down. However, while Banda threw her arms up, there was very little contact and referee Danielle Chesky didn’t consider pointing to the spot to award a penalty.

The Pride maintained possession and created another pair of chances. It started when Marta’s cross was knocked out of play by Alana Cook, earning a corner kick. The set piece was chested out by Cook, but only to Abello, whose shot was blocked. Angelina took possession just outside the box and shot, but she fired her shot attempt wide.

The visitors created their second chance in the 14th minute when Claire Hutton dribbled towards the Pride box before pulling up and shooting from distance. The midfielder was unable to get over the ball and it sailed over the target without threatening Moorhouse.

In the 18th minute, Banda had a chance when Watt played her wide on the right. The forward created enough space from Ellie Wheeler for a tight-angle shot that was blocked over the crossbar by Current goalkeeper Almuth Schult. The ensuing corner kick was blocked out by Cook and the second corner went out of play for a goal kick, ending the attack.

Marta intercepted a pass in the 32nd minute, moved around her defender and made a long run to the Kansas City box. She had Banda and Adriana on either side of her, but decided to take the shot herself. Unfortunately, the attempt was directly into a defender.

On the other end, the Current took the lead in the 33rd minute. DiBernardo played the ball wide for Cooper, who sent a gorgeous ball across the face of goal. It was just beyond the reach of Sams and found Debhina at the far post. The Brazilian didn’t make any mistakes, tapping it past Moorhouse to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

“I think just to stay calm and we knew that we were better than them and that we could score on them,” Sams stated about what was said in the team huddle after the goal. “It was unfortunate that we had to go down, but I think too, we just kept our composure and stuck together as a team and knew that we would be able to break them down at some point.”

Eight minutes later, the Pride found their equalizer and it was McCutcheon for the second straight game. Watt made a strong run to the end line, beating Wheeler to get a cross off. It initially looked like Adriana would tap it in, but McCutcheon was making a run completely unmarked into the six. The defensive midfielder tapped it in and, after not scoring since April 29, 2023, she has now scored in back-to-back playoff games.

“The first goal was brilliant,” Hines said after the game. “You know, playing through the middle to then get out wide. Ally Watt, you know, dribbling, driving, great cross. And McCutcheon scores a goal. And, you know, she’s two in two right now. So it’s not bad for a holding midfielder.”

The Pride nearly got a second just before halftime when Watt played a dangerous ball into the box for Banda. The striker had her back to goal and tried to backheel it, but she couldn’t get anything on it and the Current were able to clear. That was the last chance for either team as the game went into the break at 1-1.

At halftime, the Current had more possession (55%-45%), but the Pride had more shots (7-5), shots on target (2-1), corner kicks (3-2), and crosses (12-6). Both teams completed 79% of their first-half passes.

Watt dribbled from the right to the top of the Kansas City box in the 49th minute. Chawinga challenged her from behind and the attacker ran directly into Nichelle Prince. It appeared as though Watt had her breath knocked out of her after being caught in the neck area, requiring attention. After receiving some treatment, she walked off on her own and was able to continue.

Marta and Angelina stood over the ball, with Marta taking the set piece. Her shot was aimed for the near post, but Schult had it well covered, collecting the free kick.

The Pride took their first lead of the game in the 53rd minute when Strom lifted the ball into the Kansas City box. Banda used her body to turn Kayla Sharples before hitting a hard shot past Schult to give her team a 2-1 lead.

“Defenders will always be tight, but as a striker, you need to have a lot of creativity as a striker for you to score,” Banda said about her goal. “I’m a goal machine, so I had to figure it out how I’m going to score for this. So it came into my mind, and I saw the defender. Then I had to take my advantage.”

The Pride had a chance to extend their lead in the 57th minute when Mace fouled Banda hard near the Kansas City box, earning a yellow card for the challenge. After Banda received some treatment, Adriana stepped up to take the set piece. However, she hit the attempt over the top of the goal.

The Current had a chance to get back on even terms in the 61st minute when Chawinga was sent long by Mace. Dyke kept up with the attacker and slid in to win the ball but didn’t connect with it. Sams was between Chawinga and goal as the forward shot for the near post, missing wide.

The visitors nearly found an equalizer in the 65th minute when Cooper volleyed a ball across the box in front of the goal. Prince volleyed the ball on target, but it was blocked by Sams. It went straight to Chawinga, who tried to put a first-touch shot on target, but she sent it over the top.

A mistake at midfield nearly cost the Pride in the 71st when Angelina lost possession. Chawinga carried the ball to the top of the box while Pride defenders tried desperately to get in front. The forward shot before entering the 18, but hit the attempt wide.

Hines made his first changes of the game in the 79th minute, as Julie Doyle and Yates came on for Adriana and Watt.

Banda won the ball from Sharples in the 82nd minute before going down, knocking it to Marta, who took it from there. The Pride captain dribbled to her left and cut back, resulting in Sharples and Cook going down. She dribbled past Schult before passing the ball in to make it 3-1.

“It was so amazing. I just saw all the defenders went down, but I know that’s what Marta can do,” Banda said about Marta’s goal. “So, I know it’s an assist because I was down, unfortunately. But she scored and we know her for that.”

“I feel like she’s been in situations like that before,” Sams added. “And, you know, I feel like she might take the shot earlier. So just to see her like, you know, see two players go to ground and slide, and Marta cuts them back, and then cuts back the goalkeeper and just slots it home. I mean, it’s just such a hard goal. I mean, she’s the GOAT and she proves it. And she proved it tonight.”

It was a fantastic goal by Marta, but the celebrations were cut short as Banda remained down near midfield and required medical assistance. She had to be helped off the field and was replaced by Carson Pickett. Fortunately, she was soon seen laughing on the bench with Watt, which suggests she was fine.

The fourth official showed 12 minutes of second-half stoppage time and the Current had to find something quick trailing by two goals. In the sixth minute, they won a corner kick and sent Schult to the other end. The Pride knocked the first attempt out of play and cleared the second one.

Hines made his third change of the game in the seventh minute of added time, replacing Dyke with Celia. While the substitution might’ve been to waste some time, it also gave Celia one last chance to play at Inter&Co Stadium as she announced she’s retiring following the season.

Marta looked for her second goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time, dribbling into the left side of the box. She split a pair of defenders and shot, but the attempt sailed well wide.

In the 10th minute of stoppage time, Mace took a shot from just inside the Pride box. Abello blocked the attempt, sending it out of play for a corner kick. However, the ball was off of Abello’s arm and the video assistant referee indicated that Chesky should have a second look.

After a brief check, Chesky returned to the field and pointed to the spot. DiBernardo stepped up to take the spot kick and took it well. As Moorhouse dove to her right, DiBernardo sent the attempt the other way to make it 3-2.

The visitors continued to push as the game neared its end. In the 15th minute of stoppage time, Wheeler cut back to lose her defender and fired on goal, but she missed the target. A minute later, Chawinga was sent down the right and took possession when Moorhouse came way off her line and missed the ball. Chawinga had Sharples making a run into the six as Celia came over to cover her. The center back got her head to the ball, but sent the attempt over the crossbar. That was the last chance as the Pride came away with a 3-2 win.

The Current ended the game with more possession (51.8%-48.2%), shots (20-13), and corner kicks (4-3). The Pride had the advantage in shots on target (5-4), crosses (11-9), and better passing accuracy (78%-75.2%).

“They sat back, waited for transition moments. And, you know, they’re very good at it,” Hines said about the game. “You know, they’ve built that in the last second half of the season. Get the threatening players running in behind. But I thought in moments we were really good.

“What an effort from the players. I can’t speak highly enough for them. They’ve put so much work and effort, and they really wanted this tonight. You know, in front of our home fans and their hunger and desire.”

The Pride have played ahead most of the season, not needing to come from behind. The last time they came back from a deficit to win prior to this game was a 3-1 win over the Portland Thorns on June 11, 2023. They hadn’t come from behind to claim points since the second game of the season on March 22, something they did in each of the first two games of the season.

It’s rare that playoffs go according to plan, but this NWSL postseason has done just that. The higher-seeded team has won every game in this postseason, resulting in the top two teams meeting in Kansas City for the championship. That might bode well for the Pride, who finished the season with the league’s best record, making them the higher seed for the final.

“It’s great,” Hines said about reaching the championship. “You know, you’ve put all the hard work and effort into it. Obviously, in the regular season, 26-game group stage to then get into a three-game tournament. So we’ve done two of it, and there’s one more to go. So obviously, the spirits are really high right now, and we’re ready to go on Saturday.”

The Pride have six days before they take the field again. The Washington Spirit drew NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-1 Saturday and advanced on penalties to claim the other spot. So the top two teams will meet at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City Saturday night at 8 p.m. for the NWSL Championship.

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Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride host the Kansas City Current in the NWSL semifinals.

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4 days ago

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November 17, 2024

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Image courtesy of Kansas City Current / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your match preview as the Orlando Pride host the Kansas City Current with a chance to advance to the NWSL Championship. This is the first time the two teams have met in the postseason and the third time they’ve played this year.

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

History

The Current joined the NWSL in 2021 after the team’s ownership group bought the Utah Royals and relocated the club to Kansas City. It’s the second NWSL team in the city — FC Kansas City played there from 2013 to 2017 before moving to Utah — and the team was known as NWSL Kansas City for its inaugural season.

The Pride and Current have played seven games against each other, all in the regular season. Orlando has a 3-2-3 record in the series and is 1-1-2 at home.

The two teams last met on Sept. 13 in Orlando. The teams combined for 27 shots, but neither converted as the game ended in a scoreless draw.  On July 6 in Kansas City, Barbra Banda gave the Pride the lead, but the hosts responded two minutes later through Temwa Chawinga. Despite a second yellow card for Carrie Lawrence dropping the Pride to 10 players just before halftime, Marta converted a second-half penalty, lifting her team to a 2-1 win.

The first time the teams met in 2023 was on April 23 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. It was scoreless after an hour before the Current got a quick flurry of goals by Debinha and CeCe Kizer, lifting Kansas City to a 2-0 win. On June 23, 2023 in Orlando, the visitors took the lead through Debinha, and Kizer doubled the advantage just before halftime. Marta converted a penalty to pull one back, but the Pride fell 2-1.

Their first meeting in 2022 came on July 31 in Kansas City while the Pride were in the middle of their seven-game unbeaten run. The Pride opened the scoring when Erika Tymrak found the head of Celia and doubled the lead just after halftime through Julie Doyle. The Current stormed back with goals by Elyse Bennett and Kizer, pulling out a 2-2 draw.

The first meeting in 2022 was on May 14 at Exploria Stadium. The Pride took the lead early in the second half on a Gunny Jonsdottir goal. Bennett scored late in the second half, and the visitors appeared to win the game a minute into injury time through Kristen Hamilton. However, Kylie Strom was pulled down in the box five minutes later, resulting in a penalty. With Marta injured, the only player willing to step up to take the penalty was center back Toni Pressley, who drilled the ball into the roof of the net, pulling out a 2-2 draw.

The teams played twice during the 2021 NWSL season, with the first game occurring May 30 at Exploria Stadium. Courtney Petersen found Alex Morgan just outside the six-yard box and the striker headed in the game’s lone goal as the Pride won 1-0.

The Pride and Current met again on June 23 at Legends Field in Kansas City. The Pride had a weakened squad as then-coach Marc Skinner left some key players at home, preparing to lose them to the Olympics. It looked to be costly when Mariana Larroquette gave the hosts the lead late in first-half injury time. But the Pride responded well. Two minutes after Larroquette’s goal, Sydney Leroux’s shot took a deflection off a defender and went in to make it 1-1. Shortly after halftime, Leroux scored on a great individual effort from just outside the box. Marta then scored the goal of the game, beating Kansas City goalkeeper Abby Smith from the top of the center circle, lifting the Pride to a 3-1 win.

Overview

The Pride had a record-setting regular season and were on their way to an unbeaten record until they lost two of their last three games. Even with their 3-2 win over Seattle Reign FC in the regular-season finale, they conceded two goals for the first time at home this year. The performances caused questions about how the team would play in the postseason and whether the Pride could reach their ultimate goal of an NWSL Championship.

Those questions were seemingly put to rest in the team’s first-ever home playoff game when they dominated the Chicago Red Stars 4-1 in the quarterfinals. They gave up a goal on a mistake by Anna Moorhouse, enabling Jameese Joseph to block the clearance in for Chicago’s lone goal of the night. However, the Pride were already up 4-0 at that point, and the result was already determined.

The team only gave up one goal defensively, the fewest goals the Pride conceded in four games. The match also saw Banda score a brace, her first goals since Sept. 20 against Bay FC. If the Pride are getting back to their best, it can’t be at a better time as they’re about to face one of the league’s best teams.

Like the Pride, the Current were unbeaten in their first 15 games of the season, a run that ended with their 2-1 loss to the Pride on July 6. While they weren’t able to keep up with the Pride’s pace, the Current finished the regular season in fourth. They’ll be motivated to get revenge on the Pride for their loss earlier this year and the opportunity to play in the championship game at their home stadium.

The Current were one of the best teams offensively and defensively this season. Their 31 goals conceded was fifth fewest in the league and their 57 goals scored were the most, six more than the Washington Spirit, who were second in goals scored.

While the Pride are led offensively by Zambian international Banda, Malawian international Temwa Chawinga is the biggest threat for the Current. The favorite for the NWSL Most Valuable Player award finished the regular season with a league-leading 20 goals in 26 games and scored the lone goal in Kansas City’s 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage in the first round of the NWSL playoffs last weekend.

The pair of African natives will be the key factor in this game. Banda snapped her goalless drought against Chicago and the Pride will need her to continue producing to reach the championship game. Additionally, Orlando’s defensive unit will need to keep Chawinga from taking over the game. It’s a tall task for a team that has conceded goals from defensive mistakes in each of its last four games.

“An exciting one,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about today’s game. “You know, it’s the semifinals of the playoffs. Winner goes all the way to the championship game, so stakes are high, and obviously we want to be the team that is on that flight to Kansas at the end of the game. So we expect two teams going after it. Obviously, we’ve played them two times in the regular season, (they’ve) been really competitive games, and we expect nothing different going into this game.”

All of the players missing for the Pride tonight are those already out with season-ending injuries and illnesses. Those players include Rafaelle (thigh), Megan Montefusco (heel), Luana (illness), Simone Charley (ankle), and Grace Chanda (thigh).

The Current will be without Hildah Magaia (leg), Alex Pfeiffer (knee), Gabrielle Robinson (knee), Mallory Weber (knee), and Bia Zaneratto (foot). Additionally, Lo’eau LaBonta (leg) is listed as questionable.

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Marta, Adriana.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Celia, Summer Yates, Carrie Lawrence, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Viviana Villacorta, Julie Doyle, Carson Pickett.

Kansas City Current (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Almuth Schult.

Defenders: Ellie Wheeler, Kayla Sharples, Alana Cook, Hailie Mace.

Midfielders: Claire Hutton, Vanessa DiBernardo, Lo’eau LaBonta.

Forwards: Temwa Chawinga, Debinha, Michelle Cooper.

Bench: AD Franch, Regan Steigleder, Elizabeth Ball, Nichelle Prince, Desiree Scott, Stine Ballisager, Izzy Rodriguez, Bayley Feist, Kristen Hamilton.

Referees

REF: Danielle Chesky.
AR1: Jennifer Garner.
AR2: Darren Bandy.
4TH: Abdou Ndiaye.
VAR: Shawn Tehini.
AVAR: Tom Felice.

How to Watch

Match Time: 3 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: ABC.

Streaming: ESPN+.

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

Enjoy the match. Go Pride!

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