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Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Set New NWSL Unbeaten Record

The Pride picked up a league record-setting win on the road in their return to the NWSL regular season.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride (12-0-5, 41 points) returned to NWSL action tonight with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash (3-9-5, 14 points) in Houston, TX. Summer Yates’ 67th-minute goal was the only conversion, though Andressa hit the post for the Dash. The win sets a new NWSL regular-season record with 18 consecutive games unbeaten, a streak that started against Houston last year in the season finale.

Rafaelle’s injury while representing Brazil in the Summer Olympics caused a shift in the starting back line. Emily Sams moved from right back to the center back position she played last year. Despite Carson Pickett joining the squad recently, Cori Dyke got the start at right back. The rest of the lineup included the regular starters in their usual positions.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Kylie Strom, Sams, and Dyke. Angelina and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Julie Doyle, Marta, and Adriana, with Barbra Banda up top.

The Pride were the better team in the first half and probably should’ve had a multi-goal lead heading into halftime but were unable to beat Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell. The hosts came out of the break stronger, creating multiple chances early in the second half. However, a good ball forward, a defensive mistake, and a quality finish by Yates gave the Pride the winning goal. It took some luck to claim all three points, but the Pride will take them.

The Pride nearly had a disastrous start inside the first minute when a heavy touch by Sams enabled Yuki Nagasato to touch it over for Diana Ordonez in the box. Abello came inside to challenge the attacker, resulting in Ordonez going down. Referee Alexandra Billeter didn’t see a foul, allowing Moorhouse to cover the ball.

Billeter got a notification from the video assistant referee the next time the ball went out of play, resulting in a video review. After a lengthy review, Billeter determined that her initial call was correct and no penalty was given.

The Pride got their first decent chance in the seventh minute when Marta lifted the ball forward on the left for Doyle behind the Dash back line. The midfielder’s cross was to the back post where Banda and Adriana were making runs. The ball was just over the head of Banda and fell to Adriana’s feet. The Brazilian volleyed the ball towards goal, but sent it wide.

In the 16th minute, the Pride had a great chance to take the lead when Adriana sent a great ball forward for Banda. The striker used her body to shield her defender and enter the box. While the Zambian international dribbled inside looking for space for a shot, Doyle caught up and was open to the right. However, Banda decided to take the attempt herself, sending the ball into the arms of Campbell.

Houston had its first chance of the game in the 18th minute when Angelina pushed Nagasato over. The set piece into the box was headed out by McCutcheon, but only to Nagasato at the top of the 18. The former Japanese international tried to get over the ball, but sent the volley over the goal.

Adriana sent Banda down the field in the 20th minute for the second time in the game. The striker was surrounded by three defenders without a teammate in sight as she entered the box. The Zambian used her speed to round the last defender and get a shot off, but Campbell was there to catch it at the near post.

Pressure by the Pride resulted in a turnover in the 37th minute. Banda won the ball from Sophie Schmidt in the Houston third before playing it towards the top of the box. Adriana initially looked as though she would take a one-touch shot but let it go for Marta at the top of the 18. The Pride captain took the attempt, but Tarciane was there to block it.

In the 42nd minute, Banda was fouled by Tarciane in the Houston third of the field. The free kick was headed out by Ordonez, but only to Banda in the box. The second touch by Banda was a shot right at Campbell.

Unable to catch the attempt, the block went to McCutcheon, who played it wide for Strom. The center back went down after contact from behind by Avery Patterson, but Billeter didn’t determine it was a foul. McCutcheon ended up with possession and got another shot off. This one was blocked as well, enabling the Dash to clear.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Banda made a strong run into the Houston box before laying the ball off for Adriana. The midfielder looked as though she would shoot, but played it to her right for Doyle instead. Doyle didn’t appear to be expecting the ball, which resulted in her shooting off balance. It was on target but didn’t cause any trouble for Campbell.

At halftime, the Pride had more possession (51%-49%), shots (13-4), and shots on target (4-0), and better passing accuracy (83%-79%). The Dash had more corner kicks (2-1) and crosses (8-5).

Both teams made a change at halftime. Yates entered the game for the Pride, replacing Doyle. Houston brought Michelle Alozie in for Ordonez after the latter didn’t have much impact on the game.

In the 48th minute, Alozie collided with Sams, resulting in the forward going down. The Houston medical staff called for a stretcher, but Alozie walked off under her own power. It looked like the hosts would make a substitution, but Alozie eventually decided she could continue.

Adriana made a strong run down the left and into the box in the 55th minute. The midfielder cut inside and then back out to lose her defender before sending a shot towards the back post. Unfortunately, the ball skipped just wide.

In the 58th minute, Patterson’s cross into the box was headed out by Sams. It went to Barbara Olivieri just outside the box and the midfielder volleyed it just wide of the near post.

The Pride were unable to get the short goal kick out of their end, giving the ball away. Elin Rubensson attempted a low cross that Sams couldn’t control, enabling Alozie to get a shot off. The Nigerian international was able to get over the ball, but sent the volley wide of the far post.

It was somewhat of a surprise that Dyke started the game over Pickett, but the veteran right back made her Pride return in the 61st minute, coming on for the rookie.

Despite defending for much of the second half, the Pride opened the scoring in the 67th minute when Angelina found Yates making a run down the left. Natalie Jacobs was in a good position to intercept the pass but missed the ball, enabling Yates to get free on goal. The second-year midfielder didn’t make any mistakes, curling the shot around Campbell to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.

“So me and Ang, we made eye contact. We do it all the time for training, but she played an absolute beautiful ball in behind,” Yates said. “And I knew it was going to get through, just because she has that technical ability. Jane Campbell’s a great goalkeeper, so I had to take a breath before I took that shot. But yeah, it was a great ball by Ang and just overall, good buildup for that goal to happen.”

“Summer fully took her opportunity,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines added. “Great finish, great ball from Ang as well. Recognizing the spacing behind and the calmness to just put it away.”

The Pride nearly doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Marta made a pair of cuts to beat Schmidt and Paige Nielsen before firing on goal. The shot was on target, but Campbell did well to knock it over the crossbar.

The first cut left Schmidt laying on the ground and the midfielder required treatment before the game could continue. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina found the head of Banda and the striker put her attempt on frame, but Campbell was there to catch it.

The Pride nearly conceded in the 76th minute after Pickett gave the ball away in the back. Olivieri took possession and played Rubensson down the right. The midfielder’s cross was headed away by Sams, but it was a poor clearance attempt, not leaving the box. Patterson took possession and played a give-and-go with Andressa before finding Alozie on her left.  Moorhouse came off her line to cut down the angle and made a great stop to maintain her team’s one-goal lead.

Billeter used the stoppage to send the teams to the sideline for the second-half hydration break. During the stoppage, Hines made his third change, replacing Angelina with Ally Watt.

The game restarted with a goal kick and it was immediately won by Houston. The ball ended up with Olivieri who made some moves to weave through the defenders before shooting from outside the box. However, the attempt was well off target, not causing any concern for Moorhouse.

In the 82nd minute, Adriana made a long run to the top of the Houston box. Rather than trying to find a higher-percentage shot, the midfielder took a long attempt for the top far corner. She was unable to get over the ball and it sailed high and wide.

The Dash should’ve equalized in the 86th minute when former Pride defender Courtney Petersen sent a beautiful cross into the box that found the head of Andressa. Left open, it should’ve been an easy finish for the Brazilian, but she hit the post.

Hines made his final two changes in the 88th minute and they were defensive ones as the Pride looked to see out the win. Morgan Gautrat and Evelina Duljan entered the game for Marta and Adriana.

The fourth official showed 11 minutes of second-half stoppage time, but the Dash were unable to create anything in the closing minutes. The closest they came was in the seventh minute when Alozie made a long run down the left and into the Pride third of the field. But Gautrat was able to catch up and win the ball back before the Nigerian could create a chance at goal.

The Pride ended the game with more possession (54%-46%), shots (21-9), shots on target (8-1), and corner kicks (6-2) and better passing accuracy (80%-78%). Meanwhile, Houston ended the game with more crosses (15-13).

“Obviously, pleased with the win. Pleased with the three points,” Hines said. “We continue our momentum from the last away game against Kansas. I think, overall, pleased with the result. I think we can play a lot better. I think the performance wasn’t quite there, but one thing with this team is their attitude, their mentality, even towards the end, their calmness to keep the ball, run down the clock, was great. Keep the clean sheet away from home and then, you know, we got the goal that we much needed. We rode our luck as well with them hitting the post and not going in, but sometimes you need that. Sometimes you need a bit of luck on your side. So overall, pleased with the result, but a lot to build on moving forward.”

The Pride snapped the Kansas City Current’s 17-game unbeaten run in the last game before the Olympic break, tying their record. The win tonight is the team’s 18th consecutive NWSL regular-season game unbeaten, setting a new league record.

Tonight’s win also snaps a run of negative results against the Dash in Houston. It’s their first win in the city since June 17, 2017 (eight games) and their first point in the city since June 15, 2019 (five games).

This is the 12th win for the Pride during the 2024 NWSL season, a new club record. The team’s previous highest win total of 11 was set in 2017, the last time the Pride qualified for the NWSL playoffs.

“Records are great. It’s nice when you break them, but we want something at the end of it to show,” Hines said. “I think you can see the effort. You can see the attitude of the players. You know, their desire, again, a lot of hard work’s been put into their craft and what they’ve done this year. You can see their togetherness. Players coming off the bench and making a difference. You know, Summer coming off the bench and scoring the winning goal. Really, really pleased for her as well. And so again, everyone has to contribute. Everyone has to play a part in it. And we just want to continue to keep winning and staying undefeated throughout the season.”

The clean sheet is Moorhouse’s eighth of the 2024 NWSL season, topping her total of seven last year. As a result, she extended her club record for clean sheets in a single season. Additionally, she ties Ashlyn Harris for most all-time regular-season clean sheets for a Pride goalkeeper.

“It sounds pretty good. I’ve been here for three years. I’ve only played for two years. So it’s pretty incredible that I’ve broken both of those records,” Moorhouse said. “That’s something that I’m proud of. And yeah, I don’t think I can take all the credit for it to be honest. It’s definitely a team game. I have a great 10 players in front of me. I can’t even say back line because we defend so well as a team. So yeah, I think the plaudits have to go to them really. I have a great, great team in front of me, and I definitely couldn’t do it without them.”

The Pride now sit on 41 points and remain atop the NWSL standings. They’re six points ahead of the Current, though the Current have a game in hand and play in Washington on Sunday.


The Pride return home next Sunday for their first home league game since June 21 when they welcome NJ/NY Gotham FC to Inter&Co Stadium.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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)

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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.

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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.

Post-2024 Orlando Pride Player Contract Statuses

(Current club players in italics)

  • Kerry Abello — Under Contract
  • Amanda Allen — Under Contract
  • Adriana — Under Contract
  • Angelina — Under Contract
  • Barbra Banda — Under Contract
  • Grace Chanda — Under Contract
  • Simone Charley — Under Contract
  • McKinley Crone — Under Contract
  • Celia — Retired
  • Julie Doyle — Under Contract
  • Evelina Duljan — Out of Contract
  • Cori Dyke — Under Contract
  • Morgan Gautrat — Under Contract
  • Mariana Larroquette — Under Contract
  • Carrie Lawrence — Retired
  • Ally Lemos — Under Contract
  • Luana — Under Contract
  • Sofia Manner — Under Contract
  • Brianna Martinez — Under Contract
  • Haley McCutcheon — Under Contract
  • Megan Montecusco — Retired
  • Anna Moorhouse — Under Contract
  • Marta — Out of Contract
  • Carson Pickett — Under Contract
  • Rafaelle — Under Contract
  • Emily Sams — Under Contract
  • Kylie Strom — Under Contract
  • Viviana Villacorta — Under Contract
  • Ally Watt — Under Contract
  • Summer Yates — Under Contract

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