Orlando Pride

Takeaways from Orlando’s Matches in the Summer Cup

Here’s what we learned from Orlando’s group stage exit from the Summer Cup.

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2024

Sam Denker

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Before the Orlando Pride even took the field at Inter&Co Stadium Thursday night, they were already eliminated from the inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Qualifying for the semifinals was always going to be a challenge, as several key players were away on international duty, and only a total of four teams could advance from five groups. Of their three matches in the Summer Cup, Orlando drew all three times, finishing third in Group E, a group that included winners North Carolina Courage, as well as Racing Louisville, and C.F. Monterrey Femenil from Liga MX Femenil.

Despite the unceremonious departure from the cup, Orlando’s fans and coaching staff got to see a different side of the club. With six players abroad for the Olympics, the Pride were able to remain undefeated in 2024 using lineups of players not accustomed to being the focal point in attack or defense and young players getting the most minutes of their careers. Of the many takeaways that can be drawn from this short-form tournament, this piece will dive in to how the Pride handled playing in high pressure situations throughout the competition, what injuries occurred during the summer break in NWSL play that may impact the Pride in the league, and how the early elimination from the Summer Cup compares to prior cup appearances.

Beyond this piece, there were several other big topics from the Summer Cup that got their own features on The Mane Land, including what the cup means for the growth of women’s soccer in North America, how Head Coach Seb Hines selected his lineups for the cup, and how Orlando’s young players impressed in the competition.

At the conclusion of the Summer Cup, it is clear that the Pride found themselves challenged in ways that they haven’t been so far in 2024. The first challenge was player availability, which every team in the cup dealt with to varying degrees. Due to the fact that this competition ran at the same time as the Olympics, clubs were forced to rely on players outside of the typical first-choice 11. For Orlando, the absences of Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda for Zambia, Marta, Adriana, Angelina, and Rafaelle for Brazil, and Emily Sams for the U.S. ensured that the Summer Cup would not be business as usual for the club.

Youth Under Pressure

Without their typical starting 11 available to control games start to finish like they have in NWSL league play, the Pride conceded more goals than usual and spent a good chunk of time playing from behind. In their 16 NWSL matches so far this season, Orlando has only trailed for 108 minutes total. Even more astonishing, the Pride have not trailed in a match since the second week of the season, at home against Angel City FC. In the Summer Cup, the Pride trailed for an additional 67 minutes between the matches against the North Carolina Courage and C.F. Monterrey.

Of the match against Monterrey, Seb Hines said, “It’s been a while since we’ve gone a goal down, especially in the regular season, but to be in that situation today at halftime, we talked about what type of team do we want to be when we’re 1-0 down?”

That halftime talk must have been successful, because the Pride went on to find a late equalizer in multiple matches in the Summer Cup. In Orlando’s first match, facing the Courage, the Pride found the equalizer in the 82nd minute after playing from behind since the first half. In the Monterrey match that Hines spoke of, Orlando’s equalizer came in the 83rd minute.

Despite the team being in an unfamiliar position, the players stepped up and showed they could continue to push for points late in matches. Additionally, these late equalizers were only possible because the Pride defense continues to shut opposing teams down late. Regardless of the fact that the defense allowed several uncharacteristic goals in the Summer Cup, the team still did not concede once past the 75th minute. In fact, the latest goal the Pride have conceded all year was a 71st-minute goal by Izzy D’Aquila of the Portland Thorns, which only halved the winning margin for Orlando in that match.

As a reward for these late equalizers, Orlando participated in its first ever competitive penalty shootout against North Carolina, then again against Monterrey, and a final time against Louisville. The winning team from PKs received an additional point in the group standings. While the Pride only won one out of three shootouts, the spot kicks did afford another high stakes situation for the Pride players to experience performing under pressure in an elimination type of setting.

Orlando Health

Results of the Summer Cup aside, a key goal for the break in league play was to stay healthy. Considering their first place position in the NWSL, it was very important for the Pride to remain fit and not impact the remainder of the season. Unfortunately, outcomes on this front were mixed, and the Pride may not be full strength when the NWSL restarts.

In the first match of the Summer Cup, Bri Martinez sustained a lower leg injury that kept her from competing in the following two matches. In the same match, Kerry Abello and Haley McCutcheon both sustained knocks as well, and they were kept out of the second match as a precaution. Both returned for the final match and appeared to be fully fit. However, in that match, it was Cori Dyke who went down with what seemed to be a head injury. While neither Dyke nor Martinez are in the top 10 in the squad in minutes played, they feature regularly in defense, often to help the team see out a close result. If they were to miss time, it would surely impact the club’s defensive depth and adaptability.

In addition to the Summer Cup, the Olympics have also yielded concerning injury news for the Pride. Brazilian defender Rafaelle left her national team’s quarterfinals matchup with France with an injury and was seen afterwards using crutches. Her absence from any NWSL match would loom large, though Hines and the squad managed a prior period without her at start of league play due to a separate injury. Considering the risk of further injuries, it is not all bad news that Orlando was eliminated from the Summer Cup in the group stage. Winning the group would have meant another match this week and potentially a match in late October during the final days of the regular season. More congestion at that pivotal time in the hunt for the NWSL Shield could have been a detriment to Orlando’s biggest goals.

Comparing Cup Performances

The final takeaway for this piece is that despite Orlando’s year-over-year improvement in NWSL league play, the team’s finishes in cup competitions have not kept pace. Below is a table showing the outcomes and records from five competitions, including the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup that Orlando was forced to withdraw from due to several positive COVID-19 tests in the squad.

Competition by Season	Record (W-L-D)	Result
2020 NWSL Challenge Cup	0-0	Withdrew due to COVID-19
2021 NWSL Challenge Cup	1-1-2	Eliminated in the group stage
2022 NWSL Challenge Cup	0-4-2	Eliminated in the group stage
2023 NWSL Challenge Cup	0-4-2	Eliminated in the group stage
2024 Summer Cup	0-0-3	Eliminated in the group stage

The most striking point from the table above is that in 19 cup matches to date, the Pride have only won once. Each year, the competitions have been different formats and timeframes, but results have stayed relatively the same. In the early years of the Challenge Cup, Orlando struggled significantly in NWSL play, too. The past two years, however, league and cup play have diverged. As mentioned above, player availability is a significant factor, and Orlando’s coaches value player rotation and opportunities for young players as much as the scoreline in these games. Regardless, the number and/or size of cup competitions may grow in coming seasons, and the Pride will not be missing players due to the Olympics, so a change in fortune in non-league competition could be a reasonable goal.

The 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup was a new and exciting way to fill the month-long gap in NWSL play for the Olympics. While many key players were missing, the Pride were able give a couple matches’ worth of minutes to players who don’t typically play as often. After spending a large part of the matches playing down a goal and looking for an equalizer, it is impressive that Orlando continued its undefeated streak in 2024.

After the club’s final game in the Summer Cup, Head Coach Seb Hines had this to say about the experience, “I think, looking back, it’s been a good test for us, especially with so many players away on international duty. It allowed us to give other players an opportunity to go out there and perform and still stay at a high standard and see where players are at.”

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Sign Goalkeeper Kat Asman

The Pride have signed goalkeeper Kat Asman to a two-year contract through the 2026 NWSL season.

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon that the club has signed Kat Asman to a two-year contract through the 2026 season. The Portland Thorns selected Asman in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

“Kat is a phenomenal addition to our goalkeeping corps and is someone we expect to provide competition and push this group to be even better than they have been,” Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “We are so excited for what she brings to the group both on and off the pitch and are confident she will play an important role in our upcoming season. Kat is a great fit for our club, and we look forward to providing her the atmosphere and tools to grow her game and make an impact in Orlando.”

Asman was selected by the Thorns with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. The Thorns needed a goalkeeper due to starter Bella Bixby’s pregnancy, which would cause her to miss significant time. While the rookie was on the roster, she was behind Shelby Hogan, Mackenzie Arnold, and Lauren Kozal. As a result, she didn’t make any NWSL or NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup appearances in 2024.

The Roswell, GA, native was already fourth-choice goalkeeper and Bixby will likely return to her starting position in 2025, leaving the rookie with no place in the squad. The Pride came to her rescue by signing the 24-year-old to a two-year contract.

“I am extremely excited to join the reigning NWSL champions,” Asman said in the club’s release. “A big reason I felt so drawn to joining the Pride is their drive to creating a connected team culture that thrives on building relationships off the field in order to cultivate results on the field. Over the last season, I’ve been able to watch Orlando have an unforgettable season, and I feel very blessed that I get to be a part of everything this team will continue to build in the future.”

Prior to being drafted by the Thorns, Asman spent four years starting for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where she was a teammate of Pride defenders Kerry Abello and Cori Dyke. She played 87 games in State College with 323 saves and 27 clean sheets. Additionally, she became one of four women in Penn State history to win 50 games.

Internationally, Asman has participated in training camps for the USWNT U-14 through U-18 youth teams.

What It Means for Orlando

This signing may not have much of an impact on the Pride in 2025, although the addition may bring into question Sofia Manner’s future with Orlando. Anna Moorhouse started all 26 regular-season games and all three playoff games in 2024, while McKinley Crone was the backup in all of those games. Manner was only on the team sheet for the Summer Cup matches, playing the second game and being an unused sub in the other two.

The Pride will likely have three goalkeepers on the roster for 2025, meaning one of the four currently under contract is likely on their way out. The club signed Crone to a new contract through 2026 on Sept. 6, indicating she’s part of the Pride’s future plans. With Moorhouse under contract next season, it might mean Manner is departing. The Finnish shot-stopper signed a two-year deal on Dec. 1, 2023, with an option for 2026. But with her lack of ability to lock down even the primary backup role this year, we could see a corresponding move in the coming days.

Regardless of who makes way for Asman, it’s likely she’ll be third string. The club seems content with Moorhouse and Crone as the top two goalkeepers and Asman has yet to make a professional appearance. There isn’t much for Carter to do this off-season to beef up the team, but determining who will be the third goalkeeper next season will be something to watch.

Orlando Pride

2024 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Haley McCutcheon

The veteran midfielder spent her third year in purple and contributed to the team’s run to glory.

Published

3 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Haley McCutcheon was still known as Haley Hanson when she joined the Orlando Pride on Aug. 18, 2022 in a midseason trade with the Houston Dash. The Pride gave up $75,000 in Allocation Money and a second-round draft selection. She joined Orlando for the stretch run, making her debut with the Pride on Aug. 20 in a 2-1 win over Gotham FC. Following the 2022 season, the Nebraska product signed a new contract through 2024 on Oct. 26 of last year. The Pride extended McCutcheon’s stay in Orlando on Dec. 20, 2023 by inking her to a deal through 2026.

Once again, the versatile veteran contributed in a number of different roles on the pitch, but she saved her best for last, scoring her first goals of the season in the Pride’s playoff run, helping Orlando get past Chicago and Kansas City and into the NWSL Championship against Washington.

Let’s look back at McCutcheon’s third year with the Pride.

Statistical Breakdown

McCutcheon appeared in 22 games during the regular season, starting 18 and logging 1,700 minutes, which was the sixth-most playing time among all outfield players behind three of the team’s defenders (Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, and Emily Sams), and attackers Marta and Barbra Banda. Of her 18 starts, the first two games of the season saw her at left back, while she was in the midfield for her last 16 starts, although there were a few moments here and there where she moved around as needed when subs were made.

She did not score a goal or provide an assist in the regular season, largely due to a lack of clinical finishing, as she put only two of her 18 shot attempts on frame. She completed 80.4% of her passes, but tallied no key passes and completed just three crosses and 12 long balls on the season. Defensively, however, she shone brightly with 31 tackles and 23 interceptions, winning 69 headed duels. She committed 16 fouls, drew eight, and was booked twice.

In the NWSL playoffs, McCutcheon started in all three games, logging 270 minutes. She scored two goals, finishing the two of her three shots that hit the target, but did not record an assist or a key pass in the postseason. The midfielder connected on 62.8% of her 75 postseason passes. She contributed three tackles and three interceptions on the defensive end. She committed two fouls, did not draw one on the opposition, and was booked once.

McCutcheon made two appearances in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup (both starts), playing 162 minutes. She did not have a goal contribution or attempt a shot, but she was successful on two of three dribble attempts and completed 84% of her 55 passes, albeit without a completed cross or key pass and only one successful long ball. Defensively, she won four of her five tackle attempts (80%), recorded no interceptions, and won a headed duel. She committed two fouls, drew none on the competition, and was not booked. She attempted one penalty shot but saw her potential winning effort saved against North Carolina.

Best Game

There were a few decent options for McCutcheon’s top match of the year, but the standout for me is the Pride’s 3-2 playoff semifinal win over the Kansas City Current on Nov. 17. Ironically, it was one of her poorest passing performances of the season at just a 49% completion rate, but she managed to contribute in important ways on both ends of the pitch.

Her most important contribution came in the 41st minute with Orlando trailing 1-0. Ally Watt took the ball to the end line up the right channel and cut a pass back into the middle of the penalty area. With Adriana and Barbra Banda occupying the defenders, McCutcheon made a smart late run into the box, splitting her two teammates to get into an open area just as the ball arrived. McCutcheon’s first touch was a hard shot close to the goalkeeper, but the movement was too quick for Almuth Schult to recover and keep it out. With her second goal of the postseason, McCutcheon pulled the Pride level and they kicked on to take a 3-1 lead, ultimately winning 3-2 and advancing to the NWSL Championship.

Two games in a row with a goal 🔥#NWSLPlayoffs Haley McCutcheon is next level! pic.twitter.com/Byhvt9fYxe
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 17, 2024

That wasn’t McCutcheon’s only contribution, although it was her only shot attempt of the match. Her 51 touches in the game showed how involved she was, and her two tackles and two interceptions illustrate her importance to the defensive effort as the Pride held off the Current’s desperation rally attempt. She picked up one foul in the game and was booked in the 12th minute of stoppage time after Danielle Chesky awarded Kansas City a penalty, perhaps trying to give Vanessa DiBernardo a little more time to think about it. Aside from her stats and her goal, McCutcheon showed leadership, often pointing out assignments like an extra coach on the field. She was solid throughout Orlando’s postseason run, but this match was probably her biggest contribution to the three-game postseason sweep.

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gives McCutcheon a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 for the 2024 season. This is an improvement over the 6 we gave her last year and the 5 out of 10 grade she received in 2022. She was in the lineup nearly every game, missing just four games from Sept. 20 to Oct. 11. She sat out two of those (officially) with a knock and the last of those was an extra day of rest after the Pride had clinched the NWSL Shield. Other than that, she was on the field.

2025 Outlook

I don’t expect McCutcheon’s role to change much next season, although Seb Hines might like to get her more rest in 2025. With Luana’s illness and injuries to Angelina and Morgan Gautrat, McCutcheon ate up minutes in the Orlando midfield in 2024. Fewer injuries to that position group and/or adding depth in th off-season — and potentially the development of Ally Lemos — could help McCutcheon manage her minutes next year. Regardless of how much time she spends on the pitch, she will likely be one of the key, and vocal, veteran leaders pushing the Pride forward as they try to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride Announce Roster Decisions Following 2024 NWSL Season

There aren’t many surprises in the Pride’s roster status update following the 2024 NWSL season.

Published

1 day ago

December 10, 2024

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

The Orlando Pride updated the team’s roster status today following the 2024 NWSL season and announced some off-season decisions. The team is well intact for the 2025 season with 25 players currently under contract and only four players officially departing.

The players under contract for 2025 or beyond include forwards Amanda Allen, Barbra Banda, Simone Charley, Julie Doyle, Mariana Larroquette, Adriana, and Ally Watt; midfielders Kerry Abello, Angelina, Luana, Grace Chanda, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon, Viviana Villacorta, and Summer Yates; defenders Cori Dyke, Brianna Martinez, Carson Pickett, Emily Sams, Rafaelle, and Kylie Strom; and goalkeepers McKinley Crone, Sofia Manner, and Anna Moorhouse.

The long list of players under contract is largely due to the work done during the season to sign several players to new contracts. Yates, Doyle, Gautrat, Crone, Watt, Villacorta, Dyke, Martinez, and Abello all re-signed midseason before their contracts expired.

Celia, Carrie Lawrence, and Megan Montefusco announced their retirements from professional soccer during the season, effective at the end of the year. Additionally, Evelina Duljan is out of contract and the club has decided not to bring the young attacker back.

Probably the biggest news from the updates is that the club is in discussions for club captain Marta to return for the 2025 season. The Brazilian saw her two-year contract expire, but had a resurgence at 38 years old, resulting in being named an NWSL MVP finalist.

Just as important to re-signing players were the midseason contract extensions of Pride Head Coach Seb Hines and Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter. The pair that led the Pride to the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship signed new deals earlier this year through the 2026 season with options for 2027.

What It Means for Orlando

There weren’t going to be any major surprises because 25 of the 30 players were already under contract and three had announced their retirements. Duljan’s departure is a little surprising because she’s only 21 years old and was a highly-touted addition prior to the season. However, she only played in 11 games in all competitions and didn’t appear to be a major factor going forward with the young players in the squad.

The other big news is that the club is in discussions about a return for Marta. The captain has been with the Pride for eight seasons and lost a step after suffering a torn ACL two years ago. However, she was excellent this year, scoring 11 goals and leading the team to the double. The question was whether the club would want to re-sign the attacker — who will be 39 in February — or if she would want to ride off into the sunset with the most successful season in Pride history. The Brazilian sports icon has repeatedly said when asked that she would like to play one to two more years. That being the case, the most likely place for her to do that was in Orlando.

Regardless of the Marta decision, the Pride are in great shape moving forward. They have nearly all of their key players returning next season, setting them up for potentially another run at an NWSL Championship. However, Carter has vowed to continue trying to make the squad better, so having a lot of returning faces doesn’t mean there won’t be some activity this off-season.