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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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2 years 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 vs. Boston Legacy FC: Final Score 2-1 as Pride Blow Second-Half Lead in Loss

The Pride fell to Boston Legacy FC in one of the most disappointing results in team history.

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3 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (3-4-2, 11 points) fell to league bottom-dwellers Boston Legacy FC (2-5-2, 8 points) 2-1 tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Marta gave the Pride the lead from the spot in the 14th minute, but a 72nd-minute goal by Aleigh Gambone and an Amanda Gutierres penalty in stoppage time sealed Boston’s second win of the year. 

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made three changes to the team that beat the North Carolina Courage 1-0 Friday night. Ally Lemos, Solai Washington, and Barbra Banda were replaced by Julie Doyle, Marta, and Simone Jackson.

“We put a lot into the last game against North Carolina. Some of the players had minor injuries,” Hines said about the changes. “Didn’t want to rule them out of this game, so had to rotate Barbra out of the lineup. Solai was forced with an injury. I thought Julie at the 10 did really well, running in behind, getting in some dangerous areas. SJ, getting her first start today, did well also.”

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Oihane, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, and Hailie Mace. Angelina and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Doyle, Summer Yates, and Jackson with Marta up top.

On paper, this should’ve been a win for the Pride. They’ve been one of the top teams in the league the last three seasons and were playing an expansion side with only one win. But Boston was the better team throughout the 90 minutes. The Legacy controlled possession and chances, but some poor decision-making left little to do for Moorhouse.

Allowing the hosts to control the game came back to haunt the Pride as they conceded two goals in the final 20 minutes. They’ll feel aggrieved as Boston should’ve had a player sent off right before its first goal and a video review on the late penalty that the Pride weren’t provided. But it never should’ve come to that, even with the changes to the starting lineup.

The hosts had the first attack in the third minute when Oihane lost the ball to Nichelle Prince in her own third. Aissata Traore took possession and attempted to cross, but Angelina knocked it out of play. The ensuing corner kick was sent to the back post where Lais Araujo took the game’s first shot. However, it was blocked and the Pride were able to clear.

The Pride created their first attack in the fourth minute when a poor touch by Araujo allowed Yates to take control. She played Marta into the box, but Emerson Elgin did well to shield the attacker, allowing Casey Murphy to collect it.

Annie Karich tried to surprise Moorhouse in the 10th minute with the goalkeeper slightly off her line. The shot from well outside the box was on target and caused Moorhouse to tip it over the crossbar. The corner kick was headed away by McCutcheon, ending the threat.

Mace played the ball over the top on the right sideline in the 11th minute for Doyle. The midfielder played the ball through the legs of Araujo before firing on target, forcing Murphy to block the ball out of play.

As the ensuing set piece went into the box, Traore pushed Rafaelle over near the far post. While Murphy caught the ball, referee Ekaterina Koroleva blew her whistle and pointed to the spot.

Angelina and Marta stood at the penalty spot as the Boston players argued the decision. Unsurprisingly, it was Marta who took the spot kick. The Pride captain placed the ball under Murphy’s arm on a diving save attempt to give the Pride the early 1-0 lead.

Boston tried to beat Moorhouse from distance again in the 17th minute when Bianca St-Georges received a pass from Karich at the top of the box. The Canadian international’s second touch was a shot that was easily handled by Moorhouse.

Jackson played a beautiful ball down the right in the 25th minute for Doyle. The attacker got behind her defender and sent a cross toward the penalty spot where Yates was making a run. It looked like she might have a free shot on goal, but Jorelyn Carabali stuck her foot in to tap it away.

Boston quickly went the other way, earning a corner kick when St-Georges’ shot was blocked out of play. The ensuing set piece bounced around the box before Traore turned to shoot. However, her attempt was blocked and the Pride were able to clear.

Down a goal, Boston held the majority of possession, continuing to look for a breakthrough. However, nearly all of its chances came from low-percentage attempts from outside the box. Prince sent a shot from outside that sailed over the target, and Karich shot from even further out a minute later, which also went over everything.

Boston had one of itsr few close-range chances in the 34th minute when Carabali made a run to the top of the Pride box before finding Alba Cano making a diagonal run. The attacker turned to shoot, forcing Moorhouse to make a save.

Barbara Olivieri played the ball through Cano to Prince on the right side, creating one of Boston’s best chances of the half. Prince’s first touch was a ball to Olivieri, who continued her run into the box. The Venezuelan had space for a shot but sent her attempt over the top.

Boston had one last attack in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Olivieri made a strong run to the end line before her cross was blocked out of play by Mace. The corner kick to the near post was knocked down by Prince for Traore, whose shot was blocked into the side netting. Cano’s second corner kick skipped off the head of St-Georges, the last chance for either team.

After 45 minutes, Boston had the advantage in possession (61%-39%), shots (14-3), shots on target (3-2), crosses (17-3), corner kicks (6-2), and passing accuracy (80%-74%). But the penalty was the difference as the Pride took a one-goal lead into the break.

Hines made three changes at halftime. Banda, Lemos, and Hannah Anderson came on for Marta, Angelina, and Rafaelle.

“Really, just stay with the game. Don’t, don’t overthink. Don’t overcomplicate,” Raabe said about the message to the substitutes. “Go in, do your thing, work with the team, work together.”

Rafaelle’s departure was due to a concussion, so the teams were given a sixth substitution.

Boston continued to hold possession, but it also continued to shoot from long range. In the 47th minute, Karich played the ball square for Olivieri. The Pride left the attacker alone, daring her to shoot from distance. Olivieri took the opportunity and put the shot on target, but it didn’t cause any trouble for Moorhouse.

Banda made her presence felt in the 48th minute when she shielded Araujo and drew a foul in the Boston third of the field. Lemos’ set piece was initially headed away by St-Georges, but it went to Banda, who turned to shoot. The attempt was off Doyle to McCutcheon, who sent a weak shot to Murphy.

While neither attempt caused any problems for Boston, they were the Pride’s first shots since Marta’s 14th-minute goal.

Jackson intercepted a poor pass in the 52nd minute and played it forward for Doyle. The attacker initially looked to lay the ball off before seeing Banda one-on-one with Araujo. The Zambian did well to shield the defender, forcing Elgin to leave Mace making a run from the back. Banda found her teammate with plenty of space for a shot, but the right back sent it wide of the target.

Hines made his fourth change in the 57th minute. Doyle, who was on a yellow card, came off for Luana.

Luana immediately made an impact, drawing a foul on Josefine Hasbo in the Boston third. Lemos sent the set piece into the box, finding the head of Banda. The striker tried to tuck the shot inside the far post but missed wide.

In the 62nd minute, Yates went down as Mace shielded Sammy Smith to earn a goal kick. As Yates limped off the field, she was replaced by Seven Castain.

The Pride should’ve been a player up in the 69th minute when Carabali went studs up over the ball on Banda. The forward went down and received attention, though she was able to continue. Koroleva didn’t even call a foul on a play that should’ve been a red card.

Hines made his final change of the night in the 71st minute, replacing Jackson with Reagan Raabe.

A minute later, Boston found its equalizer. A long ball into the Pride box was headed back nicely by Gutierres for Gambone making a trailing run. The second-half substitute struck the ball cleanly past Moorhouse to even the game at 1-1.

The Pride quickly went on the attack, nearly finding their second goal in the 74th minute. Castain sent a long ball down the field for Banda, who collected it in a seemingly innocuous position. But the striker cut back and fired for the far post. The ball took a deflection off a defender, likely keeping it from going in.

The ensuing set piece found Castain, who headed it wide.

In the 79th minute, Gutierres sent a long ball forward for Smith. But Oihane knocked it out for a corner kick. The corner kick by Gambone was to the top of the box where Gutierres was waiting. The attacker volleyed the ball just wide of the post, keeping the game even.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a second penalty in the 86th minute when Banda dribbled into the Boston box and sent a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball hit the arm of Karich as she attempted to tuck it behind her. Banda’s arm went up, but Koroleva decided Karich didn’t make herself bigger.

The fourth official showed five minutes of stoppage time and the Pride nearly found a winner in the third minute. Banda used her physicality to win a long ball that Elgin looked to have under control. She dribbled into the box before firing at the near post.

Murphy blocked the ball and it appeared to be heading out of play, but Raabe kept it in. She sent a very dangerous ball across the face of goal with Castain approaching it, but it was just beyond her reach.

Boston went to the other end and won a corner kick when Oihane cleared the ball over the end line. The ensuing set piece went beyond the far post where Karich collected it. The midfielder took a touch inside before firing on goal. Anderson blocked the attempt, though Moorhouse was in position to make the save.

The next time the ball went out of play, Koroleva signaled for a video review. The corner kick went off the hand of Luana, whose arms were above her head. As a result, Boston was awarded a penalty.

Gutierres stepped up to take the spot kick. The Brazilian sent Moorhouse the wrong way and tucked the ball into the corner to give the hosts a late 2-1 lead.

With only a minute added onto added time, the Pride were unable to create anything on the attacking end and came away with a devastating loss.

At full time, Boston had the edge in possession (62%-38%), shots (22-11), shots on target (7-4), crosses (31-8), corner kicks (11-4), and passing accuracy (79%-72%). The Pride defended for nearly the entire game, a strategy that came back to haunt them.

“Frustrated. Disappointed. Never like losing, especially in the manner that we lost the game,” Hines said. “It was a tough game, physical game, took the lead. Going into halftime, lots of positives. Trying to maintain that defensive structure, not give them too many opportunities. A lot of their opportunities in the first half came from distance. I felt in moments we could have been more threatening in transition, making sure that we have the willingness to run and support the attack. Obviously had to make some changes at halftime that were forced on us. And then, obviously, overall, we’re not happy with the defeat.”

The biggest surprise about this game was how much Boston controlled it. The hosts were the aggressors throughout the game, putting the Pride on their heels. Chances for the visitors were few and far between, even in the second half when they brought on Banda.

“We knew what we were going into. We knew that they were aggressive. We knew that they, at times, want to press individually,” Hines said about the gameplan. “So how do you create that space when the team is so aggressive in those moments? You have to pull them out of positions and then exploit the space that they’ve left in behind. And I think that’s where we had a lot of joy in the first half, with Marta as the nine dropping down and Julie as the 10 running in behind. I would have liked to see that a little bit more with other players, other than Julie running in behind as well.”

The loss sees the Pride tied with Seattle Reign FC on 11 points for the eighth and final playoff spot after nine games. It’s a crowded group as the Houston Dash and Bay FC are one point behind and one point behind the Kansas City Current.

The Pride will have to shake this loss off as they stay out on the road against expansion sides, facing Denver Summit FC in Colorado Saturday night.

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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

14 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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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.

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

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

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Haley McCutcheon.

Attacking Midfielders: Julie Doyle, Summer Yates, Marta.

Forward: Simone Jackson.

Bench: Cara Martin, Hannah Anderson, Nicole Payne, Ally Lemos, Reagan Raabe, Luana, Seven Castain, McKinley Crone, Barbra Banda.

Boston Legacy FC (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy.

Defenders: Emerson Elgin, Lais Araujo, Jorelyn Carabali.

Midfielders: Josefine Hasbo, Annie Karich, Barbara Olivierei, Alba Cano.

Forwards: Bianca St-Georges, Aissata Traore, Nichelle Prince.

Bench: Laurel Ivory, Amanda Allen, Sammy Smith, Amanda Gutierres, Ella Stevens, Chloe Ricketts, Aleigh Gambone, Nicolette Hernandez, Laurel Ansbrow.

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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