Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Final Score 3-2 as Pride Rebound in Second Half for Seventh Straight Win
The Pride outlast Seattle Reign FC 3-2 for their seventh consecutive win.
The Orlando Pride (7-0-3, 24 points) continued their undefeated start to the season with a 3-2 win today against Seattle Reign FC (2-7-1, 7 points). The Pride took an early 2-0 lead with goals by Emily Sams and Barbra Banda, but the hosts came back with goals from Angharad James-Turner and Bethany Balcer. Banda’s second of the day in the 58th minute proved to be the difference as the Pride won yet again.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the lineup that beat Bay FC 1-0 last Saturday. Ally Lemos and Marta entered the lineup, replacing Morgan Gautrat and Julie Doyle. While Doyle started the game on the bench, Gautrat wasn’t in the team. The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Rafaelle, and Sams. Haley McCutcheon and Lemos were in the defensive midfield behind Summer Yates, Marta, and Adriana, with Banda up top.
It looked like the Pride would run away with this one when they took a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes and appeared to have scored a third. However, the Reign didn’t give up and scored on either side of halftime to make it 2-2. Unlike previous years, the Pride didn’t fall apart after losing the lead and found a winner from their star striker. It was another one-goal affair — their sixth in seven wins — in which the Pride had to hold on for dear life as they attempted to see out the victory.
The Reign got off to the more aggressive start, creating two chances inside the first three minutes. In the second minute, Tziarra King blocked a clearance attempt and it went to Jess Fishlock. The midfielder played the ball across to former Pride midfielder James-Turner, who shot on goal. It was heading inside the post, but Moorhouse did well to get down and collect it.
A minute later, Ji So-Yun sent an aerial ball across the field for Balcer, who quickly played it wide for Sofia Huerta. The right back found Fishlock in the box and the Welsh international attempted a first-touch shot, but she couldn’t get solid contact, sending the ball well off target.
The Pride got their first chance of the game in the seventh minute when Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory got a little too cute with the ball. Attempting to dribble around pressure, her clearance was blocked, ending up at the feet of Banda. The Pride’s leading scorer’s first touch was a shot, but she sent the attempt over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, the Pride grabbed the lead. It started with a long ball down the right for Marta. The Pride captain sent it to the top of the box, where Yates brought it down, but a defender got a foot to it. Fortunately, it went right to Sams, whose first touch was a shot inside the post to give the Pride an early 1-0 lead.
“I just wanted to support the play,” Sams said about her goal. “And it just happened to fall to me and I just took my chance and I scored.”
Since Sams played primarily as a center back last season, she hasn’t had many opportunities to score. However, Hines has deployed her as a right back at times this year, including in this game, and, as a result, she scored her first NWSL goal.
“She finished it like a forward as some would say,” Hines said about the defender scoring her first goal. “Em has done brilliant in having to shift into a new position and she’s embraced it. I think sort of her one-v-one defending’s been brilliant recently and so she gets her reward for going up and supporting the attack, and it’s a lovely finish with her left foot. So yeah, it was a great goal from Em. And if she continues to play that position at right back, maybe there’s a few more down the stretch of the season.”
The Pride’s attacking Brazilians tried to combine for a chance in the 13th minute when Adriana sent a cross into the box for Marta. She got her head to the ball and tried to redirect it on goal, but wasn’t in front of the net at the time. As a result, the header went wide.
The Pride doubled their lead in the 18th minute when a poor clearance was intercepted and sent forward for Adriana. The playmaker used some fancy footwork to create space for a cross, sending it across the face of the goal. Ivory could only get her fingers to it as the ball got past her. Banda was left wide open near the back post and simply headed the ball in to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
In the 25th minute, King tried to catch Moorhouse by surprise after receiving the ball from Balcer. The attacker took a shot from distance, but Moorhouse was able to block it to her side. It was a good stop as the shot was taken from the shadows and into the sunlight.
Balcer had a great chance for herself in the 26th minute when King found her on the far side. The forward outmuscled Abello to get in on goal, but Moorhouse came out strong. Balcer got a shot off, but right into Moorhouse. The attempt bounced off Balcer and out for a goal kick, ending the threat.
The Pride put a third ball in the net in the 31st minute when Marta sent a long ball across the field for Yates. The midfielder took on Lauren Barnes, beating the defender. However, Barnes left a foot out, tripping Yates and giving the Pride a free kick.
The ensuing set piece was sent into the Reign box where Banda got a slight touch to it, but not enough to send it on goal. Instead, it popped up for Strom to get her head on it and give the Pride a 3-0 lead.
Before the game could restart, the video assistant referee called down for referee Elijio Arreguin to take a closer look. After further review, Arreguin determined that Banda was offside on the initial ball as she attempted to get behind the back line, disallowing the goal and keeping the game 2-0.
Moorhouse was forced into another save in the 36th minute when the ball was tipped off of Ji’s foot. It went directly to Fishlock well outside of the box and the midfielder took a long attempt at goal. The shot appeared hard to see, but the Pride goalkeeper tipped it over the crossbar for a corner kick.
The ensuing set piece was cleared out but only to James-Turner, whose shot was aiming for the top corner. Moorhouse wasn’t going to get to the attempt, but it was just over the target.
In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, King attempted a shot from inside the Pride box that was blocked by Rafaelle. The Reign retained possession and a long ball was sent into the box for Balcer. However, it was too far ahead of the forward, who pushed Sams into Moorhouse and was booked.
It looked like Adriana would have a chance to get on the scoresheet a minute later when she received the ball in the box from Banda. The Brazilian attempted to cut back and lose Huerta, going down in the process. There was some contact, but the referee determined it wasn’t enough and the Reign were able to clear.
During the final minute of stoppage time, the hosts got a goal back. Ji sent a pass to the top of the box, where James-Turner met it. The midfielder took a shot that likely would’ve been saved by Moorhouse, but it deflected off Strom and went into the corner of the goal, cutting the Pride lead to 2-1.
That was the final attack of the half. After 45 minutes, the Reign had more possession (54%-46%), shots (8-4), shots on target (6-2), and corner kicks (2-1), as well as better passing accuracy (82%-80%). But the two goals and some good goalkeeping by Moorhouse had the Pride leading at the break.
“Just get closer to our opponent. I think we gave them a little bit too much space. And then tactically, offensively, he told us to do a better job of finding Barbara on the front line,” Sams said about Hines’ halftime instructions. “And I think if we’re able to keep the ball more, we don’t really have to worry about the defending side so much if we can keep it and keep adding goals. So that was kind of the halftime talk.”
Hines made one halftime change, replacing Yates with Doyle.
The goal just before halftime seemed to spark the hosts as they began the second half on the attack. In the 46th minute, King received the ball on the left, shielded her defender, and attempted to send the ball across the face of the goal. However, Moorhouse was able to block it away. The Pride were unable to clear the ball and Ji gained possession. The South Korean shot from distance, but it was off target.
A minute later, the Reign found the equalizer. It started in the Pride box when halftime substitute Shae Holmes won the ball from Banda and sent it forward. Two passes later, Fishlock sent a long ball to Balcer behind the Pride’s back line. The forward lifted the ball over Moorhouse to even the game at 2-2.
The hosts continued their attack and created another shot in the 51st minute. It was Ji again creating space and attempting a shot from long range. However, it was blocked and the Pride gained possession before it got close to Moorhouse.
The Pride created their first good chance of the second half in the 54th minute when Olivia Van der Jagt fouled Marta. The Pride captain took the set piece, sending a dangerous ball into the box. It somehow went through several players before going out for a goal kick.
In the 57th minute, King knocked the ball out of play while trying to shield it from Lemos. The Pride rookie took the corner kick, which was punched out wide by Ivory. It went right back to Lemos, who sent in a shot that went over the arm of Ivory and off the crossbar. The ball was sent out of play by a Reign defender and the Pride had a corner kick on the other side.
The second corner kick was taken by Marta and headed through by Alana Cook. However, it didn’t get very far, enabling Banda to get her foot on the ball. The defense gave the star striker too much space and Banda turned to score her second goal of the game, taking back the lead for the Pride.
The Pride nearly doubled their lead in the 62nd minute through their captain. Banda made a good run down the right, beating her defender, and sent a cross into the box. It was a little behind Marta, but she was able to get her foot around the ball and put it on target. Ivory made an excellent save with her foot to keep it out of the net and her team’s deficit at one goal.
Hines made his second change in the 63rd minute and it was a defensive one, as Cori Dyke came in for Adriana.
In the 73rd minute, Lemos committed an unnecessary foul on Phoebe McClernon, giving the Reign a free kick in a dangerous position. Ji played it short for Huerta, who sent the ball towards the far post. It looked like the ball was going out of play, but stayed in. It resulted in a shot that was blocked and the Pride were able to clear.
A Pride throw-in in the 75th minute resulted in an interesting situation as Abello sent Banda down the left. Cook was unable to keep up with the striker, but pulled her back and then put her studs into Banda’s stomach. Banda required medical attention, but was able to continue. While the play was checked for a possible red card, it wasn’t given.
When Banda got up, Hines made two more changes. Brianna Martinez and Ally Watt came into the game for Marta and Lemos.
After being booked late in the first half, Balcer received her second yellow card in the 83rd minute. Upset with a foul call, she approached the referee while her team made a substitution. Arreguin clearly wasn’t happy with what she said, giving her a second yellow card and a subsequent red card. As a result, the Reign had to finish the game with 10 players.
The Pride had chances to make the player advantage pay off. In the 88th minute, they had a three-on-three, but Abello lost control before she could play one of her teammates on either side of her. In the 90th minute, Banda made a strong run and had Watt to her right. Unfortunately, the pass was too soft and the Pride lost possession.
The Pride made their final change after the missed opportunity as Amanda Allen entered the game for Banda.
The Pride did well defensively to limit opportunities, but the Reign had a good chance in the seventh minute of stoppage time. A long ball into the box by Cook was headed out by Sams, but only to Emeri Adames. The substitute had plenty of space to shoot from just outside of the box, sending the attempt over the target.
That was the last chance for either team as the Pride held on for their seventh straight win and their first in Seattle. At full time, the Reign had more possession (52%-48%), shots (15-8), and shots on target (10-6), with better passing accuracy (81%-80%). The Pride had more corner kicks (4-2), crosses (18-14), and most importantly, outscored the Reign 3-2.
“I thought the first 43 minutes of the game, we were really good. I thought we played some terrific football, playing between the lines, caused a lot of problems, and to concede so late on in the first half is something that we need to reflect and review moving forward,” Hines said about the game. “And then the second half, I mean it was a grind. It was great determination. Going through that adversity as well. conceding so early on in the second half, to come back and get that third goal was really important for us.”
“I think the first half was definitely the better half. I think we did well, got those two goals, but letting in the goal at the very end, I think kind of gave them some momentum,” Sams added about the performance. “And then I think the second half we kind of let our standards drop and we had to fight for that win. We got the win and that’s amazing (and) shows our character. So obviously we’re satisfied with that.”
The win extends the Pride’s winning streak to seven games — the longest in team history — and ties the league record held by, coincidentally, the Seattle Reign in 2014. Their unbeaten run extends to 10 games and they move into sole possession of first place after the Kansas City Current drew yesterday.
“It’s a great feeling to have that record and it just shows the world how strong we are,” Rafaelle said about the seven straight wins. “A lot of people doubted us in the beginning of the season. Now, we’re proving that we’re a good team and we have a good chance to win the shield, but also we want to break the record. We’re going to play at home next game. We’re going to try everything to win that game and break the record.”
Additionally, this is the first time that Pride have ever won a game in Washington. The two teams have now faced off nine times in the Evergreen State and the Pride are 1-5-3 all-time. It’s another first in what is quickly becoming the best season in team history.
The Pride will look to break the NWSL record for consecutive wins, remain unbeaten, and stay in first place Friday night when they host the Portland Thorns.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride’s Biggest Strength Suddenly Has Glaring Holes
The Pride’s center back group has been a strength over the past three seasons, but now there are more questions than answers.
As the 2026 NWSL season approaches, rosters are starting to take shape. For the Orlando Pride, one former position of strength for the team has quickly become one of the team’s primary concerns.
The Pride’s rebuild that led to their historic 2024 double-winning season went from back to front. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse joined in 2022 and was initially Erin McLeod’s backup, taking over the starting role for the 2023 campaign.
The next step was the center back pairing. The Pride drafted Emily Sams with the third overall pick in 2023. The center back was initially paired with Caitlin Cosme, before being joined by Megan Montefusco. The Pride signed Brazilian international Rafaelle on July 3, 2023, who joined Sams in the starting lineup for the rest of the season.
Rafaelle’s second season in Orlando was marred by injuries, resulting in the need for a shift. Left back Kylie Nadaner — who joined the club in 2021 — moved to center back, creating arguably the best center back pairing in the league.
The 2024 season saw the Pride flirt with conceding the fewest goals in NWSL history. It’s a record they might have broken had Head Coach Seb Hines kept his back line together for the final games instead of resting them. However, his plan worked, as Orlando won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship — the first trophies in team history.
As for individual honors, Sams was awarded 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year. It was just the second time a Pride player won a league end-of-season individual award after Ashlyn Harris was named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016.
The 2025 season began with Nadaner and Rafaelle in the middle of the back line and Sams on the right. However, when the oft-injured Brazilian ended up back on the injury list, it was Nadaner and Sams once again. They continued to be one of the best center back pairings in the league and a significant reason why the Pride finished fourth in the league despite the club’s lack of offensive production.
The Pride were in an envious position midway through the 2025 campaign. They had two excellent center backs starting and an international caliber defender on and off the injury list. When all three were healthy, few teams could compete, allowing the Pride to focus on other aspects of the roster.
Unfortunately, that’s all changed.
Nadaner’s final game of the 2025 season came on Aug. 29 against NJ/NY Gotham FC. For the remainder of the year, the club’s vice captain was listed as out with an “excused absence.” That typically means either problems with the club or pregnancy. Since Nadaner still joined the club on road trips, it was clearly the latter.
That suspicion was confirmed on Jan. 7 when the club shared a post from the center that she’s due in May.
While it’s happy days for the Nadaner clan, that meant the Pride were down a center back for a large portion of the 2026 season. Then, things got worse.
On Jan.9, the Pride traded Sams to Angel City FC for $650,000 in intraleague transfer funds. The reliable center back requested the move, leaving the team with just one of the three defenders available for the start of the 2026 season.
If you had to choose one of the three players to remain, Rafaelle would probably be last, but that’s not based on production. While the Brazilian plays at a high level when healthy, she’s been injured regularly. The center back started the 2024 season out of action and suffered an injury during the 2024 Olympics. That injury kept her out for the rest of the season.
Rafaelle lasted fewer than two games before she was back on the shelf. She would play sparingly the remainder of the season which will be largely remembered as another lost one for the Brazilian.
With Nadaner and Rafaelle unavailable, the other starting center back role went to rookie Zara Chavoshi. The Wake Forest product held her own for much of the season, though she was inconsistent and often assisted by excellent play by Sams.
As we near the 2026 season, there are more questions than answers when it comes to the center back position. It should be fine as is if Rafaelle can stay healthy, but that’s a big ask since she’s been injured in each of the last two seasons.
Another injury to the Brazilian would leave Chavoshi as the only natural center back on the roster. The other starting spot could go to Cori Dyke or Kerry Abello, both having played there briefly in college and once at the professional level. Hines could also insert Hailie Mace or Hannah Anderson into the role. But, like Dyke and Abello, that’s not their primary position.
The more preferable option is for the Pride to sign at least one new center back. While they’re unlikely to find someone as good as Sams or Nadaner, a starting-quality addition would provide comfort in case Rafaelle goes down with another injury. It would also sure up a position that has now become a problem.
The Pride’s recent success is largely due to the team’s stingy defense, and that’s primarily because of the center back play. But one of the three has departed the club and another will be out for a large portion of the 2026 season. As a result, a former strength has quickly become a glaring weakness.
It’s something that has to be addressed if the Pride hope to build on the last few seasons and fight fro another trophy.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Trade Emily Sams to Angel City
The 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year is on her way to California after requesting a trade.
In a surprising turn of events, the Orlando Pride have sent 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year to Angel City FC in a trade, as the Emily Sams era in the City Beautiful has come to a shock end. In exchange, the Pride receive $650,000 in intraleague transfer funds. She departs after three seasons in Orlando, during which she established herself as one of the league’s best defenders.
The Pride had just extended Sams’ stay in Orlando 11 months ago with a new contract that runs through 2027.
“Emily requested the opportunity to consider other options, and while she will be missed, we pride ourselves on being a club that supports players’ personal ambitions or choices, on and off the field,,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said in a club press release. “She leaves a lasting legacy in Orlando and we are grateful for all that she has done for the club and our community. We wish her nothing but success as she begins this next chapter of her career.”
Sams will now play out her contract in Los Angeles after asking out of Orlando — a painful reminder of a time in the Pride’s history when players regularly asked out before Haley Carter and Hines built a new, positive club culture from the ground up.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Orlando Pride organization for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to grow as a player and a person over the last few years,” Sams said in the club’s release. “The support from the team, staff and fans has meant the world to me, and I’ll always have a huge appreciation for the city of Orlando and this club. I wish the Pride all the best moving forward and am looking forward to my next chapter of my career.”
Orlando selected the former Florida State star with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Sams, a two-time national champion (2018 and 2021) signed a contract with the National Women’s Soccer League through 2025 after leaving the Seminoles and was loaned to Swedish side BK Hacken FF prior to being drafted. After a stellar first year with Orlando, in which she played all but three minutes in the regular season, Sams was rewarded by the Pride with a new contract through 2026 before signing her extension last February.
During her stay in Orlando, the Pride set numerous club and league records in 2024 en route to winning both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship. In 86 appearances with the Pride across all competitions — seventh-most in club history —Sams scored one goal and added two assists. In 2024, Sams helped Orlando set the NWSL record for the most team clean sheets in a season (13) and most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal (554).
The Pride returned to the playoffs in 2025 and came within a whisker of reaching their second straight final before falling on a last-gasp set piece goal against eventual champion Gotham FC. That success was due in no small part to the team’s defense, as the Pride struggled to score goals last season.
Orlando gave Sams the stage to play her way onto the United States Women’s National Team, and she’s earned seven caps so far, coming off the bench late on Nov. 28 in front of her club fans at Inter&Co Stadium in a 3-0 win over Italy.
“It was great, great to hear all the fans chanting my name, and just so fun to be able to represent Orlando for the national team,” Sams said after that game. “Great to see so many familiar faces that normally are in Pride gear, and today they’re in the U.S. gear. So, very cool to see all of them.”
What It Means for Orlando
Obviously, this isn’t news Orlando fans will want to hear. The Pride will be without Kylie Nadaner until she gives birth and has had time to get back into playing shape. Meanwhile, fellow starter Rafaelle has been injury prone since her arrival in Orlando. That puts a lot of pressure on others to perform, and it likely means Orlando will need to add another center back. Newly acquired Hannah Anderson and Cori Dyke can play the position, but that’s hardly a replacement and not an ideal situation, nor is relying on second-year player Zara Chavoshi, who has shown promise but has been inconsistent so far. The club does, however, have an influx of cash to spend on a replacement.
While the $650,000 in intraleague transfer funds is a club record, the second-highest total in league history, and a record sum for a defender, it still feels like an underwhelming return for a recent NWSL Defender of the Year winner when compared to some of the recent transfer fees for players who have signed in England. Still, the Pride surely shopped around to find the best deal they could while trying to respect the player’s wishes on a landing spot. How the club uses that return for Sams will ultimately determine how this transaction will be viewed in the future. For the short term, the team has a gaping hole on the back line.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride, Grace Chanda Mutually Part Ways
The Zambian international midfielder departs without making much of a lasting impression on the pitch.
The Orlando Pride announced today that the club and midfielder Grace Chanda have mutually agreed to part ways. The news comes just over six months after the club and the Zambian international made the mutual decision to exercise the 2026 option year on her contract. That seemed like an odd decision at the time, given her lack of playing time, but her time in the City Beautiful has now come to an end.
The move allowed Chanda to sign with FC Gallos Quérétaro in Mexico.
“Grace is an exceptional athlete and person, and we are grateful for the contributions she made during her time with the Pride,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said in a club press release. “After discussions with Grace, we mutually agreed that this is the best step for her career and personal goals. We wish her nothing but success in her next chapter and look forward to seeing her continue to grow both on and off the field.”
The Pride signed Chanda on May 30, 2024 to a two-year contract, but the Zambian was injured during the 2024 Olympics in France and was put on the Season Ending Injury (SEI) list with a ruptured quadriceps tendon. That delayed Chanda’s Pride debut until she came off the bench March 19, 2025, making the first of just seven appearances across all competitions with the Pride.
Chanda made made four appearances in the 2025 NWSL regular season (all off the bench) and logged a total of just 36 minutes without a goal contribution and without putting any of her three shot attempts on target. She completed 14 of her 19 passes (73.7%) but did not record a key pass or attempt a cross or a long ball on the season. Defensively, the Zambian midfielder contributed one tackle and one interception but no blocks or clearances in her limited action. She committed two fouls, did not draw any on her opponents, and she was not booked in her first four NWSL games.
The 28-year-old native of Lusaka, Zambia appeared in three matches in the Concacaf W Champions Cup (all starts) and played all 270 available minutes in those games. She did not register a goal contribution, taking seven shots and putting three on target. She completed 78 of her 100 passes (78%) without a key pass. On the defensive end, Chanda contributed 14 tackles in the tournament. She committed five fouls, drew three on her opponents, and was not booked in the competition.
What It Means for Orlando
Ultimately, this move won’t affect the club much. Chanda barely played and wasn’t especially effective when she did. This is a move that will allow the player to find a better situation where she may receive more minutes. The club, meanwhile, merely frees up a roster spot that wasn’t producing.
While the addition seemed like a good one at the time, it ultimately didn’t work out for either side.
Orlando Pride’s Biggest Strength Suddenly Has Glaring Holes
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