Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride open the 2025 NWSL regular season against Chicago Stars FC. This is the first of two times the teams will meet in the regular season.

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

History

The Pride and Red Stars have played every season since Orlando’s entrance into the NWSL except 2020. The teams have played 21 games, with the Pride going 7-12-2. The Pride have struggled against the Stars in Orlando with a record of 2-7-2, with one of those wins coming in the 2024 playoffs.

The Pride and then-Red Stars last met on Nov. 8, 2024 in the NWSL playoffs in Orlando. It was the Pride’s first-ever home playoff game and they dominated. Ally Watt set up a Haley McCutcheon goal in the 26th minute to give the hosts the lead, and Barbra Banda netted a brace on either side of halftime. Marta made it 4-0 with a penalty in the 57th minute, sealing the result. It would’ve been a clean sheet, but Anna Moorhouse cleared the ball off of Jameese Joseph and into her own net, ending the game with a 4-1 result.

The teams met in in Illinois in the last regular-season meeting on Sept. 8, 2024. Marta’s 37th-minute goal was the difference as the Pride came away with a 1-0 win. On March 29 in Orlando, the Pride took the lead early through a Taylor Malham own goal, but Mallory Swanson equalized in the 64th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

The first meeting of 2023 was on May 27 in Illinois. Orlando dominated the entire 90 minutes, with Chicago only getting two chances on its home field. But the Pride struggled to hit the target, and Yuki Nagasato’s goal was the difference as the Pride fell 1-0.  The Aug. 20 matchup was the debut of Pride center back Rafaelle, and the Brazilian scored in the 15th minute to give Orlando the lead. The hosts continued their attack, resulting in four more goals. Messiah Bright scored a pair, new signing Mariana Larroquette scored her first Pride goal, and Mikayla Cluff capped off the night with a goal as the Pride won 5-0.

The first meeting of 2022 took place on May 22 in Orlando. Sarah Griffin gave the visitors the lead, and Bianca St. Georges and Swanson made it 3-0 Chicago. It appeared as though the Red Stars would run away with the game, but the final 10 minutes saw three goals and two penalties for an exciting finish. Sydney Leroux missed a penalty, but Amy Turner scored the Pride’s first goal late. Swanson converted her penalty moments later, and Leah Pruitt scored her first goal for the Pride a minute after that in a 4-2 Red Stars win. The second meeting of the 2022 season was on June 12 in Illinois. Swanson capitalized on an early Pride turnover and the Red Stars held on for the 1-0 win.

The teams met three times during the 2021 season, but didn’t play until Aug. 8 in Illinois. Jodie Taylor and Leroux scored for the Pride before halftime. The 2-0 win ended a six-game winless streak and was the first NWSL victory for interim head coach Becky Burleigh.

The second meeting was Oct. 13 in Bridgeview, a rescheduled game that was originally supposed to take place Oct. 2. Kealia Watt scored early and the Red Stars defended that lead for 84 minutes on their way to a 1-0 result. The teams met again Oct. 29, 2021, in Orlando in the final game of the regular season. The Red Stars controlled the game but the Pride held off the Chicago attack for 65 minutes, at which point Watt scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Chicago win.

The Pride and Red Stars didn’t play in the 2020 Fall Series, so the last meeting prior to 2021 came in 2019. The first game was June 30 at Exploria Stadium. Goals by Chioma Ubogagu and Marta were topped by a Sam Kerr hat trick as the Red Stars won 3-2. The second game was on Aug. 21 in Bridgeview. The Pride took a 2-0 lead with goals by Rachel Hill and Ubogagu. Tierna Davidson cut the lead in half for Chicago, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride won 2-1. 

The third meeting in 2021 came on Sept. 11 in Orlando. Casey Short stole the game for Chicago with the game’s lone goal five minutes into second-half injury time as the Red Stars won, 1-0.

The 2018 NWSL season saw the Pride and Red Stars meet three times. On May 2 in Bridgeview, Hill and Ubogagu scored in a 2-0 Pride win. They met in the same location May 26, with a Leroux brace and goals by Hill, Alex Morgan, and Dani Weatherholt leading to a 5-2 Pride win. The Red Stars were led by a Kerr brace in a 3-1 Chicago victory on Aug. 25 in Orlando in the third meeting of 2018.

The Pride and Red Stars met three times in 2017 — the first year that they played that many games against each other. A Christen Press goal on July 1 lifted Chicago to a 1-0 win. On July 22 in Bridgeview, a Press brace led her team to a 2-1 win. The final meeting came a week later in Orlando. Morgan and Sofia Huerta traded goals in a 1-1 draw.

The Red Stars won both meetings in 2016 by 1-0 final scores.

Overview

The Pride kicked off their 2025 campaign a week ago at home against the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Rafaelle scored on her return from injury in the 41st minute, but Leicy Santos equalized with a free kick dart in the 72nd minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and Washington took the trophy on penalties.

While the Pride didn’t get off to the start they wanted, tonight’s match counts in the standings. The night will kick off with the raising of the team’s 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship banners. Then, the Pride will look to start the new season with a bang and make it a memorable evening for the fans.

Rafaelle played 45 minutes Friday night in her first game since July 6, 2024. It’s likely she’ll start again tonight alongside Kylie Nadaner with Emily Sams on the right. However, it’s unclear whether the Brazilian is ready to go 90 minutes, and the team doesn’t want to rush her back too early.

The Stars will be missing their best player in Swanson, who has been missing since the start of preseason and remains out due to personal reasons. That will make the task of going up against the Pride’s vaunted back line that much more difficult.

The Pride will likely continue to go with Banda and Watt as the primary attackers in front of club captain Marta. They played together at the end of the 2024 regular season and in the postseason. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines seems to like Watt’s speed to create opportunities for Banda.

It will be interesting to see if we see Angelina in the attacking midfield again. She started there early last season, but found her spot in the defensive midfield. She moved back to her regular role after halftime last weekend when Julie Doyle came on for Rafaelle.

“I am so excited to start the season. It was a short off-season, but I think we are going to pick up right where we left off,” Nadaner said leading into tonight’s game. “Having the core group return along with some new faces is exciting and we are ready to go. We can’t wait to see those banners go up in the rafters before the match and then turn our attention to Chicago and hopefully come away with three points at home.”

There aren’t any surprises in the Pride injury report this week. They’re still without Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Amanda Allen (shoulder), Carson Pickett (foot), Aryssa Mahrt (knee), and Oihane (pending visa);

Meanwhile, the Stars are without Jenna Bike (hamstring), Ava Cook (knee), Natalia Kuikka (knee), Maitane (calf), Leilanni Nesbeth (illness), Ludmila (suspension), and Swanson (excused absence).

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom, Emily Sams.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Angelina, Marta, Ally Watt.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Prisca Chilufya, Viviana Villacorta, Julie Doyle, Cori Dyke, Summer Yates, Ally Lemos, Brianna Martinez, Zara Chavoshi.

Chicago Stars FC (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher.

Defenders: Taylor Malham, Hannah Anderson, Bea Franklin, Camryn Biegalski.

Defensive Midfielders: Julia Grosso, Cari Roccaro.

Midfielders: Shea Groom, Ally Schlegel, Nadia Gomes. 

Forward: Jameese Joseph.

Bench: Catherine Barry, Chardonnay Curran, Justina Gaynor, Sarah Griffith, Manaka Hayashi, Micayla Johnson, Halle Mackiewicz, Sam Staab.

Referees

REF: Shawn Tehini.
AR1: Zach McWhorter.
AR2: Brian Marshall.
4TH: Richonne Clark.
VAR: Katja Koroleva.
AVAR: Rhett Hammil.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Prime Video.

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

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Enjoy the match .Go Pride!

The Orlando Pride opened the 2025 campaign tonight with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup at Inter&Co Stadium, falling 4-2 in penalties. Rafaelle gave the Pride the lead in the 41st minute, but Leicy Santos equalized with a great set piece in the 72nd minute.

This was the first time seeing Pride Head Coach Seb Hines’ starting lineup for 2025. Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Kylie Nadaner, Rafaelle, and Emily Sams. Morgan Gautrat and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Ally Watt, Marta, and Angelina with Barbra Banda up top.

The game saw the return of Brazilian center back Rafaelle, who had been out since July 6, 2024. It was also Angelina’s introduction in the attacking midfield for the first time since early last year. Primarily a defensive midfielder last season, Hines moved her forward where she could be creative.

“Rafa missed a lot of football last year. You can see what she brings when she’s on the field,” Hines said about the center back. “And so getting her to 45 minutes was a goal of ours.”

“We felt tonight that was an area that we could exploit with Washington’s press,” Hines said about starting Angelina in the attacking midfield. “We would have liked to get her the ball a lot more in that first half in that position. But again, it’s that understanding in chemistry and more work on the training field that would have helped us get her in those positions where she can be threatening.”

The Spirit had the first chance of the game in the 10th minute when the Pride tried to play the ball out of the back. They worked it from left to right, ending up on the foot of Sams. She played it central for McCutcheon, but the pass was off target. Santos took possession and shot from outside of the box but missed wide. 

Watt nearly gave the Pride the lead in the 14th minute when the attacker tried to chip Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. The goalkeeper got a touch to the ball, causing it to hit the top of the crossbar. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina was too close to Kingsbury, who caught it.

Ally Watt checks in on the crossbar 👋 pic.twitter.com/bBdNPZJSGM

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 8, 2025

The Spirit had another good chance in the 18th minute when Gabrielle Carle played a beautiful ball forward for Brittany Ratcliffe on the right. Teenage midfielder Chloe Ricketts was making a run to the top of the box and Ratcliffe found her. Ricketts tried to beat Moorhouse to her right post, but the Pride shot stopper did well to get down and make the save.

A Watt cross caused problems for the Spirit in the 21st minute when Kingsbury lost control. It was free for a brief time, but nobody in purple was there to jump on it. Kingsbury was able to get back on the ball and end the threat.

In the 36th minute, Watt stuck her foot out and intercepted Narumi Miura’s pass back for Esme Morgan. As the attacker entered the box, Miura tripped her from behind and referee Alex Billeter pointed to the spot.

As Marta stood over the ball, the video assistant referee called for Billeter to take a second look. Replays showed that the contact between Miura and Watt was just outside the box. Billeter agreed and awarded the Pride a free kick instead. That could have been a major talking point, because Billeter did not allow play to continue after the foul, although Banda was first to the loose ball, appeared to have advantage, and may have scored had the whistle not blown.

However, on the set piece, Angelina tapped the ball to Marta, who fired a shot into the wall. The ball bounced back to Rafaelle, who sent it through several bodies and into the far corner to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

Rafaelle marks her return to the pitch for the first time since last July with a gorgeous goal! pic.twitter.com/kG2ceI6mQZ

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 8, 2025

“It’s always a great pleasure to score, especially with my whole team supporting me and happy for me to be back,” Rafaelle said. “First of all, I’m really happy to be back. I know scoring is a big moment in the game, but for me, just playing a few minutes and being with the team, that’s the best feeling ever.”

In the second minute of first-half injury time, Watt knocked the ball off Casey Krueger’s foot and out for a corner kick. Rafaelle got her head to Marta’s set piece, sending the ball towards goal. However, Kingsbury was there to catch it before it reached the goal line.

Banda turned McKeown in the third minute of stoppage time and went on a strong run into the box. McKeown went down while challenging Banda and the striker got into the box. The center back caught back up with Banda as she challenged Carle. There was contact and Banda went down, but Billeter determined it wasn’t enough to point to the spot for a second time.

The final attempt of the first half came in the dying seconds. Ashley Hatch did well to turn McCutcheon and create space for a shot from outside the box. However, the attempt was right into the arms of Moorhouse, who caught the ball as the halftime whistle blew.

Hines made one halftime change, and it was an interesting one. While Rafaelle coming off wasn’t surprising, Julie Doyle replaced her. As a result, Sams moved from right back to center back, McCutcheon moved from the defensive midfield to right back, and Angelina moved from the attacking midfield to defensive midfield.

“We would have liked to keep her (Rafaelle) on the field for longer,” Hines said about the substitution. “But, you know, you’re putting a player at risk at that moment. So it was nice to see her contributing and getting a goal because we know that she can contribute in goal-scoring moments as well.”

The Pride took the first attempt at goal of the second half when Banda dribbled inside and shot from outside the box. The attempt was off the head of McKeown, who crumbled to the ground and received treatment before continuing.

The visitors got their first second-half attempt in the 50th minute when Ricketts played the ball wide for Krueger, who sent it into the box. Ratcliffe made a run between Sams and Nadaner, diving to head the ball. However, the attempt went wide of the near post.

Things got a little feisty in the 52nd minute when Ricketts came in late on Sams in the Pride box, taking out the center back. Moorhouse took exception to the challenge and sprinted out to confront Ricketts. As more players came running in, Billeter told everyone to back up and eventually regained control of the situation.

Marta tried to make something happen in the 65th minute, twisting and turning to find space for a shot. Morgan knocked the first attempt away, but it went right back to the Pride captain. She used some nifty footwork to create a second shot but sent it high and wide of the target.

Hines made his second change shortly after, bringing Ally Lemos on in the 67th minute. This time it was a more straightforward change as she replaced Gautrat.

The Spirit went on the attack following the substitution, creating chances deep with set pieces. The first was in the 70th minute when Marta fouled Hal Hershfelt. Makenna Morris’ free kick found McKeown in the box. She volleyed the ball into the box, but McCutcheon knocked it away. It ended up back with McKeown, whose shot went across the box and nowhere near the target.

The visitors got another chance in the 72nd minute when Angelina was called for a foul on Miura near the top of the Pride box. Santos took the set piece. Moorhouse got her hands to it but couldn’t keep it from slipping inside the near post to even the game at 1-1.

Leicy Santos steps into the spotlight and delivers a magical moment for Washington 🤩 pic.twitter.com/MoscTDLSrL

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 8, 2025

“Great goal by them,” Nadaner said about the goal. “Sometimes you just got to put your hands up.”

The Pride went on the attack after the equalizer, trying to retake the lead. Marta won a corner kick in the 75th minute, which Angelina sent into the box. The cross was behind the attackers, but Marta got her head to it. She tried to turn it on goal, sending it wide.

Hines made two more changes in the 82nd minute as Summer Yates and Prisca Chilufya replaced Watt and Banda. It was a Pride debut for Chilufya, who joined the team this off-season.

The Pride nearly retook the lead in the 85th minute when McCutcheon played Banda at the near post. The striker had the inside position on the defender and tried to turn it on goal, but it went wide.

The Spirit nearly had a chance in the 87th minute when Krueger sent a high ball down field and Sams misplayed it. Hatch controlled the ball and dribbled into the box, but Abello did well to come across and knock it out for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece was tipped by Moorhouse, going to Santos beyond the back post. Her shot was blocked and the Spirit players called for a handball, but Billeter decided it wasn’t, as it deflected up off Chilufya’s foot and onto her hand.

It looked like the Pride had a late winner when Yates was taken down by Carle in the 90th minute. Angelina sent the ball behind the back line and Nadaner dove, heading it past Kingsbury. However, the flag went up for offside, a correct decision.

Orlando offside on what would have been a late winner 😱 #NWSLAfterDark pic.twitter.com/dnH8HJFrwj

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 8, 2025

That was the final decent chance for either team as the 90 minutes ended 1-1. Since it’s the Challenge Cup, the game went to penalties to see who got the trophy.

Doyle and Angelina converted the first two attempts, but were equaled by Hatch and Rebeca Bernal. Yates took the third kick for the Pride, sending it wide. Miura took the third for the Spirit. Moorhouse got her hands to it, but it was too strong and Washington took the lead.

The Pride’s fourth penalty was a weak one to the right by Lemos and Kingsbury made the stop. That left it up to McKeown. The forward-turned-center back powered it past Moorhouse to give Washington the trophy.

Pure CHAOS from the spot! 😱🔥

Relive the penalty shootout drama from the 2025 Challenge Cup finale!

Presented by @elfcosmetics pic.twitter.com/rkqPk3pJ7I

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 8, 2025

The Pride ended the game leading every major statistical category, including possession (52.2%-47.8%), shots (13-9), shots on target (4-3), crosses (11-7), corner kicks (7-1), and passing accuracy (80.8%-79%).

“Football’s a cruel game, you know? Losing to penalties is never nice,” Hines said about the game. “I thought we did really well throughout the game. I thought our press was really, really good, and we had some good opportunities. But again, we have to take into consideration this is the first game of the year. And it’s a final. And, obviously, you want to win every game, but I think it’s always hard losing a final and losing a trophy. But I think it’s going to help us have that hunger to continue to start where we left off from last year.”

This is the first time the Pride have lost to the Spirit since Aug. 4, 2023, in the previous version of the Challenge Cup. Last season, they went 3-0-0 against tonight’s opponent, clinching the NWSL Shield and winning the NWSL Championship against the Spirit.

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With the Challenge Cup behind them, the Pride now look forward to the NWSL regular season. They’ll kick off the new campaign next Friday night when they host the Chicago Stars.

Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride face the Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. Now a Super Cup, it’s a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship, which the Pride won 1-0.

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

History

The Pride and Spirit have faced off 26 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016. Orlando has a record of 10-9-7 in all competitions against Washington and a 9-6-6 record in NWSL play (regular season and playoffs combined).

The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 23, 2024 in the NWSL Championship. Barbra Banda’s 37th-minute goal was the difference in the game as the Pride won their first-ever league title.

The game prior to the championship was on Oct. 6, 2024 in Orlando. Despite dominating the game, the Pride didn’t convert until Marta scored in the 53rd minute. An Adriana shot was deflected by Tara McKeown for an own goal in the 73rd minute, lifting the Pride to a 2-0 win and clinching the NWSL Shield. On April 26 in Washington, D.C., Angelina gave the Pride the early lead before Ouleymata Sarr equalized shortly before halftime. A Banda strike and a Summer Yates penalty conversion in the second half seemed to put the game away, but Anna Moorhouse dropped an easy catch from Ashley Hatch, giving the Spirit a second goal. Fortunately, the Pride held on for the 3-2 win, extending their early-season winning streak to three games.

The first meeting of 2023 was on May 10 at Audi Field in NWSL Challenge Cup group play. Tori Hansen gave the Pride a surprising early lead, but late first-half goals by Lena Silano, Sam Staab, and Marissa Sheva made it 3-1 Washington at halftime. Ally Watt scored off the bench early in the second half, but Ashley Sanchez put the game away in injury time as the Spirit won 4-2.

The first regular-season matchup of 2023 was on May 20 in Orlando. Marta converted a first-half penalty, but Staab equalized five minutes later. Kylie Strom netted the winner late, and the Pride won 2-1. The Pride dominated the Spirit in the second regular-season matchup on July 1. Julie Doyle had a brace in the first 16 minutes and a McKeown own goal put the game out of reach as the Pride won 3-0.

The final meeting in 2023 was in the Challenge Cup on Aug. 4 in Orlando. The game appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw until Mariana Speckmaier scored eight minutes into second-half injury time, lifting her team to a 1-0 win.

The first game between the teams in 2022 came on May 27 at Exploria Stadium. Trinity Rodman gave the Spirit an early lead and Hatch doubled the advantage after halftime. As the game entered second-half stoppage time, it appeared as though the Pride would fall for the second straight time, but a pair of late goals by Mikayla Cluff and Darian Jenkins stunned Washington with a 2-2 draw. The teams met again on July 17 at Audi Field and the Spirit dominated the game statistically. They had more possession, shots, and shots on target but couldn’t find the back of the net, resulting in a scoreless draw.

Prior to the draw in May, the Pride and Spirit played two games in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The first was on March 19 in Orlando, playing to a scoreless draw. The second Challenge Cup meeting came on April 3 at Audi Field. Gunny Jonsdottir scored the team’s first goal in four games. However, the Spirit already had a 3-0 lead. Rodman scored a late goal to put the game away as the Pride fell 4-1.

The two teams played four times during 2021. The first was on April 21 in the Challenge Cup. Sydney Leroux’s goal was the only scoring as the Pride won 1-0. Just two games later, the Pride opened their regular season by hosting the Spirit on May 16. Hatch gave Washington the lead, but Alex Morgan equalized to claim a 1-1 draw. The second regular-season meeting that year was on June 6 in Washington. Hatch opened the scoring, but Taylor Kornieck equalized minutes later, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The final meeting of 2021 came Aug. 22 at Audi Field. Marta gave the Pride the lead, but Hatch equalized just two minutes later. It looked like it would be a third straight 1-1 draw but Sanchez won it for Washington late.

Due to the pandemic, the Pride and Spirit didn’t play in 2020 but faced off three times in 2019. The first was on July 6 in Orlando. Marta scored a brace in the second half, leading the Pride to a 4-3 win. They played again on Aug. 24 in Washington. Crystal Thomas gave the hosts the lead and Marta equalized. But Hatch’s goal lifted the Spirit to a 2-1 win. The final game was supposed to be the following weekend but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Instead, the game was played Oct. 9 in Orlando. The Spirit dominated the rubber match, beating the Pride 3-0.

The first of two meetings in 2018 was on March 31 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Hatch scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-0 win for the Spirit. The Pride got their revenge in the second game in the same location. Alanna Kennedy’s goal was the difference as the Pride won 1-0. The final meeting that year was on July 7 in Orlando. Hatch gave the Spirit the lead, but Leroux scored just before halftime and Marta’s goal gave Orlando the 2-1 win.

The 2017 season was the first time the teams played three times in a year. Their April 22 meeting was the Pride’s first home game that year. Line Sigvardsen-Jensen gave the visitors the lead, but Danica Evans answered as the teams drew 1-1. They met for the second time that year in Maryland on July 8 when Marta and Mallory Pugh both scored braces in a 2-2 draw. The final game in 2018 was on Aug. 8 in Orlando. Marta, Camila, and Morgan all scored as the Pride ran away with a 3-0 win.

The Spirit swept the first two meetings in 2016, winning 2-0 in Maryland and 2-1 in Orlando.

Overview

Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter has done well in keeping her championship squad together. The team returns 10 of its 11 regular starters from the 2024 championship run. However, the Pride will likely feel the departure of Adriana after Carter shipped the Brazilian off to Saudi Arabia at the end of January.

It’s unclear who will replace Adriana, although top candidates include back-from-injury Grace Chanda and new signing Prisca Chilufya, but the rest of the team remains intact. Marta signed a new two-year deal to remain with the team and will captain the side tonight. Banda remains up top, making the Pride a threat going forward. However, it’s more important that the back line returns.

The Pride were the best defensive team in the league last year, giving up just 20 goals. They had a chance to set the record for fewest goals conceded in a season, but Head Coach Seb Hines decided to rest players for the playoffs after winning the NWSL Shield. 

The Spirit are largely the same team the Pride played in November, but they did make a significant move. Andi Sullivan is out with a torn ACL, suffered in the Oct. 6 meeting between these two teams in Orlando. So the Spirit went out and got Japanese midfielder Narumi Mirua — who spent the last two seasons in North Carolina — to replace her.

Rodman, Sarr, and Hatch remain on the front line for the Spirit, making them a threat going forward. Sarr and Rodman led the team last year with eight goals each, and Hatch was just behind them with seven. They helped lead the Spirit to 51 regular-season goals, second in the league last season. However, the Spirit will be without Sarr and possibly Rodman tonight.

“It goes without saying, it’s been a short off-season and a short preseason, but we wouldn’t swap it for anything,” Hines said leading into this game. “Going through the highs of last year and winning the championship and going to the last game of the year is incredible. Then you’re straight into reality with the preseason. We’ve had a really good preseason and played some really competitive games. The challenge is internationals always going away in pivotal moments within preseason, but everybody’s fit and ready to go into this game against Washington in the Challenge Cup. We’re excited, we’re looking forward to it, and we’re looking forward to putting on a show in front of everyone, especially our fans who have been waiting to see us since the championship game. We’re ready to go.” 

The Pride will enter this first game of the season without six players, some of whom were expected to be missing. The list includes Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Amanda Allen (shoulder), Carson Pickett (foot), Aryssa Mahrt (knee), and Oihane (excused absence). Additionally, Cori Dyke (thigh) is listed as questionable.

The Spirit are without Croix Bethune (knee), Emma Gaines-Ramos (knee), Rosemonde Kouassi (knee), Lyza Jessee (wrist), Paige Metayer (knee), Sarr (back), Sullivan (knee), Courtney Brown (hip), Heather Stainbrook (hip), Kysha Sylla (knee), and Kate Wiesner (hip). Rodman (back) is listed as questionable.

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Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Kylie Nadaner, Rafaelle, Emily Sams.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Ally Watt, Marta, Angelina.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Prisca Chilufya, Viviana Villacorta, Julie Doyle, Grace Chanda, Summer Yates, Ally Lemos, Brianna Martinez, Zara Chavoshi.

Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Kingsbury.

Defenders: Casey Krueger, Esme Morgan, Tara McKeown, Gabrielle Carle.

Defensive Midfielders: Hal Hershfelt, Narumi Muiura.

Midfielders: Brittany Ratcliffe, Leicy Santos, Chloe Ricketts.

Forwards: Ashley Hatch.

Bench: Rebeca Bernal, Meg Boade, Margie Detrizio, Kiley Dulaney, Sandy MacIver, Trinity Rodman, Makenna Morris.

Referees

REF: Alexandra Billeter.
AR1: Katarzyna Wasiak.
AR2: Matthew Rodman.
4TH: Shawn Tehini.
VAR: Greg Dopka.
AVAR: Rhett Hammil.
RAR: Melissa Gonzalez.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Prime Video.

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

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Enjoy the match. Go Pride!