Orlando Pride
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.
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.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Final Score 2-0 as Pride Advance to NWSL Playoff Semifinals
The Pride defeated the Reign at home to advance to the NWSL playoff semifinals for the second consecutive season.
The Orlando Pride took another step towards defending their NWSL crown tonight, defeating Seattle Reign FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. Haley McCutcheon gave the hosts the lead in the 21st minute and Luana converted from the spot in the dying moments giving Orlando its fourth consecutive playoff victory over the last two seasons.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines didn’t make any changes to the lineup that drew 1-1 with the Reign Sunday evening. Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. McCutcheon and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, and Marta. Ally Watt was still out with an injury suffered during warmups of the previous game, so Julie Doyle started up top again.
The Pride came out strong, creating several quality chances. While Seattle held more possession and created more shots, the bend-but-don’t-break defense kept the visitors off the board. When the Reign did find a good opportunity, Moorhouse came up big, with a little help from the crossbar. In the end, McCutcheon’s goal held up, and Luana’s penalty conversion sealed the win.
While the Reign got into the Pride third multiple times in the opening minutes, it was the hosts that created the better chances. Angelina took the game’s first shot in the fifth minute. Receiving the ball near the top of the Seattle box, the midfielder took a couple of touches to create space before firing a shot right at Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
Five minutes later, Ovalle dribbled down the left and sent a cross into the box. The ball was headed towards McCutcheon, but Jordyn Bugg got to it first, sending her clearance over the crossbar. The Pride couldn’t create anything from the ensuing corner kick, and the game remained scoreless. Ovalle tried to do it herself in the 12th minute when the Mexican international dribbled into the Seattle box and fired. However, she couldn’t get around the ball, sending it wide of the near post.
The visitors finally got their first chance in the 14th minute when Nerilia Mondesir sent a low cross into the box, where Jordyn Huitema did well to shield her defender. The ball fell nicely for Sofia Huerta, but the defender’s shot was right at Moorhouse.
The Pride had a great chance to open the scoring in the 17th minute when Dyke found Doyle open in the box. However, the forward lost her balance as she shot, scuffing the ball towards goal and allowing Dickey to make the easy stop.
In the 21st minute, the Pride scored a much-deserved goal. Doyle and Marta combined with a give-and-go, with the captain sending a great through ball to free Doyle down the right. Doyle then sent a low cross to McCutcheon near the penalty spot. It wasn’t a pretty strike, but the defensive midfielder tucked it inside the far post to give her team the 1-0 lead.
“Just being opportunistic in the box, honestly,” McCutcheon said about her goal. “And after we played them last, we talked about taking more risks. And so just shoot it on first-time bounce and good things happen.”
“The goal was everything that we talk about. Moving the ball from one side of the field to the other, some really good interchange, really good execution of the cross,” Hines added. “And a really good finish from Haley, who keeps scoring in the playoffs or towards the end of the season.”
It was McCutcheon’s third goal in her fourth NWSL playoff appearance for the Pride. She’s now scored three of her seven goals for the Pride in the postseason.
“I think I just take an extra moment to realize my role on this team,” McCutcheon said about her playoff success. “I think that we all stepped up tonight, and we all step up in the big moments. But especially for me, I’ve just tried to take on that responsibility. And I think playoff McCutchen is back and in full effect.”
The visitors tried to get back into the game, creating a chance in the 31st minute. Maddie Mercado did well to chest down a long ball into the box and lay it off for Mondesir. The attacker had time and space but didn’t get much on the shot, allowing Moorhouse to make an easy stop.
Moorhouse went down on the play, requiring treatment. When play resumed, Seattle created another chance. In the 35th minute, the Pride were unable to clear, resulting in Mercado being sent down the left. She sent a cross into the box for Huitema, but it was just beyond the striker’s reach and off Abello for a corner kick. Huitema headed down the ensuing set piece, but Mondesir was unable to control it. It fell to Huitema, who got a shot herself, but she couldn’t get much on it and Moorhouse collected.
After 45 minutes of action, Seattle had the advantage in possession (55%-45%), shots (6-4), shots on target (3-2), and passing accuracy (84%-78%). Meanwhile, both teams attempted seven crosses and won one corner kick.
The Pride looked to start the second half strong, creating a chance inside the first minute after the restart. Ovalle received a throw-in and dribbled inside before finding Lemos approaching the top of the box. The young midfielder shot from distance, forcing Dickey to dive to her right to make the stop.
It appeared as though the Reign might find an equalizer in the 54th minute when Ainsley McCammon sent Jess Fishlock behind the Pride back line. The halftime substitute had a breakaway, sending her shot wide. It wouldn’t have counted anyway as the flag went up for offside.
Angelina fouled Fishlock in the Pride third in the 59th minute, giving the visitors a free kick. It was taken short, eventually ending up back with Fishock, who shot from the top of the box. However, Rafaelle got a piece of the ball, sending it wide. The Reign were unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick, ending the threat.
Two minutes later, Fishlock laid the ball back for Mercado and the attacker was fouled by Lemos. The stoppage saw Sally Menti come on for McCammon and it was nearly a genius change by Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey. Menti stepped up and sent her free kick off the crossbar, inches from tying the game.
Hines made his first change of the game in the 65th minute. It was a defensive change as right back Oihane came on for Doyle.
In the 73rd minute, Fishlock played a beautiful diagonal ball across the field for Maddie Dahlien making a run down the left. The second-half substitute got into the box, taking a shot that was blocked by Dyke. It went right back to the attacker, who shot again, but this one didn’t cause much trouble for Moorhouse.
Moorhouse was called into action in the 76th minute when Mercado received a long diagonal ball as she entered the Pride box. The attacker turned Dyke to create a shot on goal, but Moorhouse got her left foot to the ball, blocking the attempt.
Rafaelle’s clearance was right back to the Reign, who mounted another attack. Huerta found Mercado in the Pride box, and the attacker turned Dyke again. This time the shot was right at Moorhouse, ending the attack.
Hines made his second change of the game during the next stoppage, replacing Dyke with Carson Pickett.
Marta intercepted a pass in the 82nd minute and dribbled towards the end line. Jordyn Bugg caught up with the Pride captain, putting her arms around Marta’s waist. The attacker went down and wanted a penalty, but referee Abdou Ndiaye disagreed.
Hines made his final two changes immediately after the no-call, replacing Lemos and Ovalle with Luana and Simone Charley.
Charley had a chance to put the game away in the 86th minute when Marta brought down a ball and was knocked forward by a defender. Charley was behind the back line, but Menti did well to catch up and send the ball over the end line for a corner kick. Luana lost the ensuing short corner out of play, ending the attack.
Charley had another chance in the 88th minute when Angelina sent her down the right. The forward cut back when she reached the end line, creating enough space for a shot. However, the attempt was wide of the near post.
Dahlien sent a cross into the box for Menti in the 90th minute, but as the attacker wound up for a volley, Abello stepped in front. Menti’s leg slammed into Abello as the left back cleared the ball, ending the attack.
The fourth official showed five minutes of second-half stoppage time, and Seattle stayed on the attack, desperately looking for an equalizer. Late substitute Emeri Adames took a chance in the fourth minute, releasing a shot from distance. It didn’t cause much concern for Moorhouse, who made the easy stop.
A long ball into the Pride box in the sixth minute of stoppage time was headed out by Pickett, falling to Marta’s feet. The Brazilian sprinted the other way, apparently looking to run the clock out. But it was more than that as she fought through traffic to maintain possession.
She darted towards the other end of the field, tapping the ball past former Pride defender Phoebe McClernon to get behind the back line. As she entered the box, shielding the ball from McClernon, Samantha Meza tripped her. Ndiaye pointed to the spot immediately, awarding the Pride a very late penalty.
“I hate to kick the ball to nobody, so I like to have the ball with me,” Marta said. “I prefer to hold the ball. And, sometimes, you just need to make a way, or find a way, to keep the ball and be strong. At that time, it was more mental than physical, and I did this stuff many times in my career. So there was nothing that I never did before. And it’s nice to show that I can still can do that. Because I don’t know if people believe or think that I can still do stuff like that. So maybe they’ll keep giving me space and let me stay in situations like that. And then I’m gonna keep improving and try to help my team.”
“It’s crazy. Like, that was crazy,” McCutcheon added. “If that’s not on all of the highlights and the top 10 whatever, she is unbelievable. And I think that at that moment in the game too, we’re just looking for any possibility to shut out the game and to have her run, I don’t even know, 80 yards and beat three defenders and win a pen. And then, not to mention, give that to Lou (Luana) and let her have that moment, just the awareness and the love that she has for her teammates, it’s everything to this group, and it drives this group.”
“Yes, she could have kicked it away and we squeeze up and then try to defend a throw-in. Or, you know, another ball that gets kicked along into our box,” Hines said. “But to carry it from the distance she did, and ultimately win a penalty as well, that’s who she is. That’s why she’s arguably the greatest player in the world. And to do that in the 95th minute, when we were hanging on towards the end. She wants to show that she’s still got it. She’s still trying to show that she is the player that she was years ago. So, to have that player that can carry the ball and lead — those sorts of actions are really impressive. And I’ve said this multiple times, we’re just pleased that she’s here representing the club.”
Marta initially picked up the ball as the Pride’s primary penalty taker, but immediately handed it to Luana. Handing the ball to her club and country teammate was something she was happy to do.
“I was looking to do something for Luana, not only in this game, but before too. So I had the opportunity to give the ball to her and let her take the penalty,” Marta said. “Also, I know she’s an amazing penalty taker. She does well. She did tonight. You guys saw it. And I just come to her and told her take and finish this f***ing game. And I’m so happy that she converted the penalty, and we ended the game this way. She deserves it. We deserve it.”
“Handing the ball over to Lou epitomizes Marta as an individual,” Hines said. “You know, not putting herself above the team and giving the ball to Lou to have her moment. So, it’s a really inspiring moment for the team and everyone associated with the club.”
The Brazilian stepped up and put her attempt into the left corner of the goal, sealing the victory and scoring her first career NWSL goal.
At full time, Seattle had the advantage in possession (54.7%-45.3%), shots (17-9), shots on target (8-4), crosses (14-10), and passing accuracy (80.1%-76.7%). The Pride ended the game with more corner kicks (3-1) and, most importantly, more goals.
“Really good performance from start to finish,” Hines said. “It was a very unique situation, playing a team that we only just played last week, trying to figure out if Seattle would change anything, whether it’s system or personnel. But I thought we managed it really well in all phases of play. Credit to the players, because they’ve worked so hard to get to this point. They’ve faced so many challenges along this journey to get to the postseason. A big objective of ours was to host a playoff game, finish in that top-four spot, and take value in that top-four spot. So, everyone plays a part, from the players, the staff. The crowd was phenomenal tonight and really got behind the team. And it took everyone, it took a village to get three points tonight.”
“What a performance from the whole group from start to finish,” McCutcheon added. “I think we were just locked in and to have that late penalty and have Luana have that moment, it’s just a dream come true for us. So we’re excited.”
With the quarterfinals behind them, the Pride will now wait to see who, when, and where they’ll play next. If NJ/NY Gotham FC knocks out the top-seeded Kansas City Current, the Pride would host Gotham in the semifinal. If the Current win, the Pride travel to Missouri to face Supporters’ Shield-winning Kansas City.
Regardless, the Pride season extends to next weekend, when they’ll play for an opportunity to compete in their second consecutive NWSL Championship Game.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Pride begin the 2025 NWSL playoffs with a quarterfinal matchup against Seattle Reign FC.
Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (11-8-7, 40 points) host Seattle Reign FC (10-7-9, 39) in the quarterfinals of the 2025 NWSL playoffs. This is the third time the teams will face off this year and the second time this week.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.
History
The Pride and Reign have met 20 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. The Pride hold a 5-7-8 record in those meetings, with an all-time record of 3-2-5 in Orlando. All meetings between the two teams have taken place in the regular season.
The most recent meeting took place on Sunday in Orlando with the two teams finishing the 2025 NWSL regular season against each other. They were playing to host a quarterfinal game and the Pride were the better team in the first 45 minutes. Substitute Carson Pickett gave the Pride the lead just eight minutes after coming on, but Jordyn Bugg equalized three minutes later. The 1-1 draw was enough for Pride to finish fourth, pushing Seattle down to fifth and setting up a rematch five days later.
The other meeting this year took place April 12 in Seattle. Barbra Banda was the hero of that game, netting the game’s only goal in the 41st minute. It extended the team’s season-opening winning streak to four games.
The first meeting of 2024 occurred on May 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Emily Sams opened the scoring early and Banda doubled the advantage minutes later. However, the Reign scored on either side of halftime through Angharad James-Turner and Bethany Balcer before Banda netted the deciding goal, lifting her team to a 3-2 win.
On Nov. 2, 2024 in Orlando, Ally Watt gave the Pride the lead early, but Jordyn Huitema equalized a minute later. Kerry Abello gave the Pride the lead before halftime, and Marta made it 3-1 in the second half. Maddie Mercado got one back late, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride came away with a 3-2 win. The win capped off a historic regular season.
The first game between the teams in 2023 occurred on July 7 at Exploria Stadium and featured one of the best performances of the year for the Pride. Julie Doyle beat her defenders and found Messiah Bright, who scored the game’s lone goal early in the match as the Pride won 1-0 for their second all-time win over the Reign. On Sept. 3 in Seattle, the Pride got off to a terrible start when goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was sent off in the third minute. Carly Nelson came in and did well in relief, but Huitema scored early in the second half as the Reign won 1-0.
The teams played for the first time in 2022 on Aug. 26 in Orlando. Meggie Dougherty Howard gave the hosts the lead, and the Pride tried to hold onto that one-goal advantage, but Megan Rapinoe found Balcer for an equalizing header. The visitors pushed for a win and Rapinoe got a goal for herself two minutes into second-half injury time, lifting the Reign to a 2-1 win, snapping Orlando’s seven-match unbeaten run.
The return game took place Oct. 1, 2022 at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Pride had already been eliminated from playoff contention and it looked like it, as the team then known as OL Reign dominated the game. Rapinoe opened the scoring early, Huitema doubled the hosts’ lead soon after, and Balcer made it 3-0 just past the half-hour mark. The Pride held the Reign scoreless in the second half but fell 3-0.
The teams played twice during the 2021 season and the first game was July 24 in Orlando. The Reign scored a goal in each half, with Jess Fishlock scoring early and Tziarra King doubling the lead just after the break in a 2-0 win. On Sept. 26 in Tacoma, WA, Balcer opened the scoring early and Eugenie Le Sommer scored a brace, giving the Reign a 3-0 lead at halftime, ultimately beating the Pride by that score.
COVID canceled the teams’ meetings in 2020, but they played three times in 2019. On April 21 in Tacoma, Alanna Kennedy gave the Pride an early lead. But Balcer equalized and the teams drew 1-1. They met again on Sept. 7 in the same location. This time, the Reign took the early lead as Darian Jenkins scored twice inside the first 12 minutes. Beverly Yanez made it 3-0 soon after, effectively putting the game away early. Camila converted a late penalty, but the Reign won 3-1. The final meeting that year came on Oct. 12 in Orlando. The Pride scored first through Rachel Hill, but Jenkins and Jodie Taylor gave the visitors a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Marta equalized late and the teams drew 2-2.
The first meeting in 2018 came on April 28 in Orlando. Allie Long gave the Reign a first-half lead, but Marta equalized, resulting in a 1-1 draw. On June 3, the teams met in Seattle but neither team could find the back of the net as the game ended in a scoreless draw. The final meeting that year took place July 21 in Orlando. Toni Pressley gave the Pride a first-half lead but Taylor equalized late and the teams drew for the third time that year.
The 2017 season saw the Pride and Reign play twice, first meeting on May 21 in Seattle. Yanez gave the hosts the lead just before halftime, but Marta scored just after the break and the teams drew 1-1. They met again on Sept. 7 in Orlando in a game that looked to be ending scoreless but took a surprising turn. Alex Morgan gave the Pride the late lead in second-half injury time, but Fishlock equalized two minutes later and they drew 1-1.
The first-ever meeting between the two teams occurred on May 8, 2016 in Orlando. Sarah Hagen gave the Pride an early lead and Lianne Sanderson added a second in a 2-0 Pride win. The return game in Seattle took place July 23 and was the highest-scoring game between the two teams. Kim Little and Fishlock made it 2-0 Reign at halftime. Manon Melis scored a third for the hosts. Jasmyne Spencer responded for Orlando, but Kendall Fletcher made it 4-1 four minutes later. A Pressley own goal and late strike by Kristen Edmonds added one more goal to each team’s tally in a 5-2 Reign win.
Overview
The Pride and Reign met Sunday evening in Orlando with a playoff hosting spot on the line. While the Pride probably deserved all three points, Seattle stayed close and was able to pull out a draw. But that was enough for the Pride to finish in fourth, allowing them to remain home.
Seattle decided to stay in Central Florida this week rather than flying across the country twice. There’s even more on the line tonight than at the beginning of the week, with the loser seeing their 2025 season end in disappointing fashion.
The Pride were the better team for most of the game Sunday, holding more possession (53%-47%) and creating more shots (13-7). However, putting shots on frame was a determining factor, as the Pride only put two of their 13 shots on target. Meanwhile, Seattle put two of their seven shots on goal. That ratio will have to change for the Pride to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive season.
One thing that can help tonight is a better 90 minutes from Marta. The team captain was an offensive threat in the first half, but disappeared in the second. Eventually, she was replaced by Simone Jackson in the 80th minute.
Hines has made some smart changes in recent games and that happened again Sunday. Pickett received some starts after moving to the midfield and coul have started there against Seattle. But Hines went with Ally Lemos instead, bringing Pickett off the bench. It was an inspired change, as she scored just eight minutes later.
On an even more positive side, the Pride continue to play well defensively. They kept Mia Fishel and Jess Fishlock from creating chances and did the same to Huitema when she replaced Fishel at halftime. However, the Pride were able play for a draw Sunday evening, something they won’t have the luxury of doing tonight — a draw would necessitate penalties.
“It’s a big deal. Reason why the cameras are here,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “It’s postseason, tournament football, must-win games. We want to make the most out of the home-field advantage in front of our own fans. We hope that a lot of fans come out and turn up and support the team, so we’re all excited about the prospect ahead of us.”
The Pride will take the field tonight without Banda (hip), Kylie Nadaner (excused absence), Ally Watt (knee), and Summer Yates (lower leg). Seattle will be without Lynn Biyendolo (maternity leave), Veronica Latsko (lower leg), Cassie Miller (leg), and Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence).
Official Lineups
Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.
Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.
Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.
Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, Marta.
Forward: Julie Doyle.
Bench: McKinley Crone, Oihane, Zara Chavoshi, Simone Jackson, Viviana Villacorta, Luana, Grace Chanda, Carson Pickett, Simone Charley.
Seattle Reign FC (5-3-2)
Goalkeeper: Claudia Dickey.
Defenders: Sofia Huerta, Lauren Barnes, Jordyn Bugg, Phoebe McClernon, Madison Curry.
Midfielders: Nerilia Mondesir, Samantha Meza, Ainsley McCammon.
Forwards: Jordyn Huitema, Maddie Mercado.
Bench: Maddie Prohaska, Maddie Dahlien, Angharad James-Turner, Jess Fishlock, Emily Mason, Sally Menti, Mia Fishel, Shae Holmes, Emeri Adames.
Referees
REF: Abdou Ndiaye.
AR1: Tom Felice.
AR2: Brian Marshall.
4TH: Jaclyn Metz.
VAR: Danielle Chesky.
AVAR: Melissa Beck.
How to Watch
Match Time: 8 p.m.
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.
TV: None.
Streaming: Prime Video.
Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).
Enjoy the game. Go Pride!
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Can’t Hold Late Lead
The Pride finish fourth in the NWSL after failing to hold the lead at home against Seattle.
The Orlando Pride were minutes away from a third-place finish but couldn’t hold onto a 1-0 lead in a 1-1 draw vs. the Seattle Reign at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando (11-8-7, 40 points) fell to fourth place in the final standings and will play a home playoff match against Seattle (10-7-9, 39 points), which also slid one spot in the standings on the final matchday to finish fifth.
Substitute Carson Pickett broke the scoreless deadlock in the 76th minute but the visitors equalized just three minutes later on a nearly identical play on the other end, with defender Jordyn Bugg ruining the club’s Fan Appreciation Day in front of an announced crowd of 8,689.
“We did what we set out to do and that was to host a home game in the playoffs,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said after the match. “Obviously we would have preferred the win and finish in that third spot, but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s unique because we get to play against Seattle again this time next week. I’m really pleased with the players. They were phenomenal today. You know, the pressure they put on Seattle and the physicality that they showed throughout the game was really good.”
Hines’ Decision Day starting lineup included Anna Moorhouse in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, and Marta, with Julie Doyle up top in place of Ally Watt, who was a late scratch.
“You’ve got to be adaptable, right? You know, these things happen,” Hines said about losing the more direct (and faster) Watt before the match. “So, it shows the players need to be ready, even though they may not be starting, you know, they’re going to be called upon at any given moment. I thought Julie did a really good job. She’s going to drop a little bit deeper than what Ally would do, and then it’s making sure that we still have like threats in behind.”
The Reign opened the game pressing high and keeping the Pride pinned in their own defensive third, but the visitors couldn’t create any chances out of it as Orlando did well to pass and move out of trouble with patient play.
The first shot of the match came in transition in the third minute when Abello cut inside and shot from outside the area, but she didn’t strike it well, sending a weak dribbler well wide of the right post.
Seattle’s first look came moments later when the Reign attacked down their left and Dyke blocked a cross out of play for a corner. The Reign played the corner short but sent the ball back out wide before sending it to the top right corner of the box, where Bugg was all alone out there but fired well off target in the fifth minute.
The Pride thought they’d opened the scoring two minutes later. Rafaelle sent a beautiful curling long ball for Marta, who beat her defender to it and then fired past Claudio Dickey and in, but the flag came up for offside, keeping the game scoreless.
“We were unfortunate not to get that first goal in the first half,” Hines said. “It was offside. Marginal.”
Marta cut inside from the right in the 10th minute and fired on goal but sent the shot right at Dickey, who made the easy save. McCutcheon shot wide of the left post four minutes later from the top of the area on another wasted opportunity.
Maddie Mercado sent a curling ball over the top of the defense in the 22nd minute, sending Jess Fishlock in behind. The Wales international fired from close range, but Moorhouse made the save and the offside flag came up anyway. Two minutes later, Mercado fired from near the right top corner of the box but missed the target.
Doyle won her team a corner in the 27th minute, setting up an opportunity. Rafaelle got her head to the set piece cross but sent it just wide of the right post. Six minutes later, it was Angelina’s turn to miss the target, sending a shot from inside the box on the right just wide to the left of goal in the 33rd minute.
Moorhouse narrowly escaped embarrassment in the 38th minute. With Mia Fishel pressing her, the goalkeeper tried to send a pass up the pitch but left it too close to the Seattle forward, who stuck out her foot and blocked it. The ball ricocheted toward goal but Moorhouse was able to jump on it.
The Pride could do nothing with a late corner kick and that was the final opportunity of the half.
At the break, Orlando held the advantage in possession (60%-40%), shots (7-0), shots on target (1-0), and corners (2-1). Both teams passed at an 82% success rate.
“You could see that we were very good in our press, winning the ball up the field,” Hines said about the first 45 minutes. “We were switching the point of attack. I think that’s the hardest part of football, right? It’s getting those clear-cut opportunities when a team’s got multiple players behind the ball. You know, the spaces don’t always present themselves like they would, whether you’re in a four back or a team’s high pressing.”
Hines replaced McCutcheon at the half with Summer Yates, looking for a little more bite in the attack. It didn’t exactly work but there were at least goals scored in the second half.
Seattle was more dangerous in the second half after subbing Jordyn Huitema into the match, and the Pride created fewer chances than in the first half, but the game remained scoreless until the final quarter of an hour.
The Reign finally put a shot on target in the 50th minute when Samantha Meza fired a long-range shot that Moorhouse was able to take on the hop for her first save. Moments later, Seattle created a couple of corners but couldn’t make them pay off. Sofia Huerta then fired wide in the 55th minute as the Seattle pressure continued to start the second half.
Orlando’s first chance of the second half came off a free kick in the 60th minute. Angelina headed the ball and Dickey scrambled back to tip it over the bar but the play must have been ruled offside as Seattle was awarded a free kick.
Abello fired from outside the box in the 67th minute but again failed to hit the target as Orlando’s wasteful night in front of goal continued.
Sams drew a free kick in a dangerous spot just a few yards outside the box after intercepting a pass and getting taken down from behind by Nerilia Mondesir. Marta took the free kick herself and went for goal, but she didn’t get a lot of power on it and Dickey was able to get over and catch it in the 71st minute.
Four minutes later, the Pride broke the deadlock.
Ovalle got down the right side and sent in a good cross that just cleared the two center backs. It fell for Pickett, who trapped it and blasted it past Dickey to make it 1-0 in the 76th minute.
“I knew (Ovalle) was going to get the ball and serve. I mean, I’ve said this a million times, I think she’s one of the best servers in the league, so every single time she hits the ball, I’m trying to get into the box,” Pickett said. “And I honestly saw both of their defenders go for the same ball, so I just backed out, waited, and then it came to me, and luckily I took pretty good first touch and was able to half-volley it.”
“(Pickett’s) got a great left foot and she picks up really good positions on that back shoulder,” Hines said. “Really good first touch, execution of the finish, and she fully deserves it. I know going into the game she was disappointed she wasn’t starting, but this is the best way to react, and that’s important as well.”
The lead didn’t last long. Seattle quickly got forward and won a corner as Sams blocked a Maddie Curry cross out of play. The Pride dealt with the set piece but couldn’t get it out of their defensive third. The recycled ball was sent from left to right and Dyke had the opportunity to head it behind for a corner. Instead, she headed it straight to Bugg, who settled it and then slotted it inside the near post past Moorhouse to equalize in the 79th minute.
“I mean, it’s a corner, right? And Seattle were very dominant in the air. They’ve got some good height,” Hines said. “I think we did really well with the first ball. And they play it back in, and Cori Held her arms up straight away. She knows that she can clear it a little bit better than what she did, and it’s a good finish in the end. Set pieces are important, as always, making sure that we’re resolute at the back, making sure that we clear it out of dangerous areas.”
Yates conceded a dangerous free kick in the 85th minute and picked up a yellow card in the process. Seattle worked the set play short to Huitema, who was nearly in behind, but Yates redeemed herself by poking the ball away from the Canadian attacker, taking a kick to the back of her calf for her troubles. She needed treatment and went off for a few minutes, but Yates was able to continue.
Neither team mustered anything in the four minutes of stoppage time and the teams split the points, as they usually do. The Pride and Reign have drawn eight times in their history, and five of those times have come in Orlando. The Pride are now 5-7-8 in the all-time series against Seattle and 3-2-5 at home against the Reign.
The Pride finished with the advantage in possession (53%-47%), shots (13-7), and shots on target (3-2). The Reign edged Orlando in corners (4-2) and passing accuracy (81%-80%)
“It was, for the most part, a pretty even game,” Pickett said. “I thought our defending, our press in the first half was really, really good. At halftime we kind of talked about just trying to test their keeper and take some more shots. And so, you know, second half I think we pressed more and got more chances.”
“We’re going to reset, go again next week, and let’s get another win here at home,” Hines said.
That’s it for the regular season. The Pride’s next match will be in the 2025 NWSL playoffs and it will be a rematch of tonight’s game with the Reign visiting Orlando for a second consecutive weekend. The game will be at a date yet to be announced (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)
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