Orlando Pride
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.
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
Seb Hines Has Decisions To Make For Orlando Pride’s Back Line
What will the Pride’s back line look like when everyone is healthy?
As the 2025 NWSL season approaches, the Orlando Pride’s roster is taking shape. While the lineup will mostly remain the same, the departure of Adriana and the addition of Prisca Chilufya will impact changes. Additionally, the team has a key previously injured player returning for next season, something that will force Head Coach Seb Hines to make some tough decisions.
One of the most interesting situations impacting the Pride is the back line. Last season, Rafaelle went down with an injury that forced Emily Sams back to her natural center back position, partnering with Kylie Strom. The duo were terrific down the stretch, lifting their team to 14 shutouts, including in the NWSL Championship.
The move forced rookie Cori Dyke to take a more significant role, starting at right back. It was a tough situation for the 24-year-old, but she handled it brilliantly. Dyke was excellent during the final stretch of the season and especially during the playoffs, helping the team win the league title.
When Rafaelle returns from her injury and is fit to play, Hines will have three center backs, all of which have proven to make strong pairings on the back line. So how will the Pride boss handle the situation? Let’s take a look at some of his options.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
While Rafaelle is a Brazilian international and a great center back, Sams and Strom were fantastic together for much of last season. Sams began the year at right back, while Rafaelle and Strom were the center back pairing. When Sams was forced to move to her natural position, Dyke took over as the starting right back.
Dyke had a strong rookie campaign, especially after taking over. Taking her out of the starting lineup with how she performed would be difficult for Hines. It would be surprising to see Rafaelle healthy and on the bench, but the back line of Kerry Abello, Strom, Sams, and Dyke was the best in the league last year and Hines might not want to rock the boat.
Go Back To The Start of 2024
Another option is to go back to how the back line looked at the start of 2024. While Sams was a regular at center back in 2023, Hines moved her to right back to begin last season. In a corresponding move, Strom — who had been the starting left back since 2022 — moved to center back alongside Rafaelle.
With everyone healthy, Hines could give that lineup another chance. After all, Strom was more solid at center back than left back and Sams proved she’s more than capable of playing right back. This is probably the most likely option and would ensure the team’s three best defenders are on the field.
Return to 2023
The Pride acquired Rafaelle on July 3, 2023, while the league was in the middle of the FIFA Women’s World Cup break. When the Brazilian joined the team, she started with Sams at center back and Strom was the starting left back. Strom has much more experience at left back than Sams does at right back, so Hines could send her back to her original position.
However, Strom had her best season as a member of the Pride in 2024 while playing center back. It’s hard to believe that Hines would send his vice captain back to left back after playing her in the middle all of last year. Rafaelle and Sams are the team’s only other experienced center backs, so this option is a possibility, even if it is unlikely.
Take Advantage of Versatility
When it comes to acquiring defenders, one of the primary things Hines and Haley Carter consider is versatility. Almost everyone on the back line can play center back and at least one of the outside back positions. This gives Hines an opportunity that few coaches have with their rosters.
Hines could move the players around, pairing all three center backs at times and moving Strom to the left and Sams to the right occasionally. Even Dyke can play center back, as she did in college. Moving players around would give them breaks during the season, keeping them fresh.
This decision could also backfire. Players get comfortable with their positions, so moving them around constantly could impact their quality. It would be a risky choice and is unlikely, but given the versatility of the players, it is an option for Hines. He could also take advantage of their versatility by playing a back line of three center backs, using Strom, Rafaelle, and Sams, while pushing Kerry Abello and Dyke up to wingback.
The Pride won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, one of the best seasons for any team in league history. They have most of the team returning, so they’ll be a favorite to repeat in 2025. While most of the lineup will be back, there are still some questions to be answered. One of those is who will start along the back line. We’ll find out soon enough, and it will be interesting to see what Hines decides.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
Pride add to their attack by signing Zambian international Prisca Chilufya from FC Juarez.
The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has signed Zambian forward Prisca Chilufya to a three-year deal that runs through the 2027 season. She’s the third Zambian attacker to join the Pride in the last 10 months.
“We are thrilled to welcome Prisca to the Orlando Pride. Prisca is a dynamic forward who brings exceptional ability, speed, and a proven scoring record to our attack,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Her experience in both international competition with Zambia and her success in Liga MX Feminil demonstrates the kind of top-tier talent we’re committed to bringing to Orlando. She represents both immediate impact and long-term potential, and we believe she will thrive in our environment. Her three-year commitment reflects our shared vision for building something special. We can’t wait for our fans to see her take the pitch in purple.”
The 25-year-old attacker joins the Pride from FC Juarez in Mexico. Since joining the team in 2023, she’s made 48 appearances and scored 14 goals. She’s scored four goals this year in just over half a season.
“I am honored to be joining Orlando Pride, a club with such a strong vision and commitment to excellence in women’s soccer,” Chilufya said in the club’s release. “I’m excited to bring my experience and skills to the NWSL, which is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The opportunity to play alongside such talented teammates and learn from the coaching staff here in Orlando is something I’ve dreamed about. I’ve watched as the Pride have been built something special, and I want to contribute to the team’s success both on and off the field.”
Before moving to Mexico, Chilufya played for Tomris Turan of the Kazakh Women’s Championship, making 14 appearances and scoring 18 goals during the 2022-2023 season. She moved to that club from fellow Kazakh club BIIK Kazygurt — which she helped win the championship in 2021.
On the international level, Chilufya has been a regular for Zambia since making her debut in the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. She took part in all three of Zambia’s games in the 2024 Paris Olympics, serving as an alternate for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most recently, she played in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
What It Means for Orlando
This signing comes on the heels of the Pride transferring Brazilian star Adriana to the Saudi Women’s Premier League. It’s not surprising the club made a move to bring in an attacker and that the player was Zambian.
Chilufya is the third Zambian international the Pride have signed in the last year. It started with the acquisition of striker Barbra Banda, who quickly became a focal point of the Pride’s attack. Then they signed Grace Chanda, whose injury during the Olympics has thus far kept her from making her Pride debut.
The impact Chilufya will make on the team is unknown, but it won’t be easy to break into the lineup. With Adriana gone, Chanda will likely move into the attacking midfield if she’s healthy. Meanwhile, the club re-signed club captain Marta to a new two-year deal, and she’ll obviously play the 10 role. Julie Doyle and Summer Yates both played on the left side in 2024 and are expected to continue sharing responsibility there in 2025. Such competition for a starting spot can only help the club, pushing all of these attackers to develp their game.
Regardless of which players seize a starting spot, the Pride have added depth, something Carter continually tries to do. Head Coach Seb Hines will have plenty of choices in an attacking midfield that can be devastating to NWSL defenses at times. It’s a good move for the Pride after losing a key piece in the attack.
Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
The club has secured one of the highest transfer fees in NWSL history for the Brazilian attacker after she requested a transfer.
The Orlando Pride announced today that the club has secured a club-record transfer fee from Al Qadsiah FC of the Saudi Women’s Premier League in exchange for Brazilian international attacking midfielder/forward Adriana. The club announced that the sale was one of the three highest in NWSL history, with Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer reporting the fee as $500,000.
“We are incredibly grateful for Adriana’s contributions to the club, and while we will miss her presence both on and off the pitch, we are happy to support her in this next chapter of her career,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter said in a club press release. “At the Pride, we believe in empowering our players to pursue opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. The record transfer fee we received reflects both Adriana’s exceptional talent and our commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships in the global transfer market. These resources will help us continue to attract world-class talent to Orlando as we build for the future. We wish Adriana all the best and she will always be part of the Pride family.”
The move, which was requested by Adriana, comes shortly after the start of training camp as the Pride prepare to defend their NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship titles.
“I want to thank the Orlando Pride, my teammates, and especially our amazing fans for making Orlando feel like home,” Adriana said in the club’s release. “This club gave me an incredible opportunity to grow as a player and person, and I will always be grateful for my time here. The Pride organization has been very supportive of my desire to take on this new challenge overseas. They worked hard to make this move possible while ensuring it benefited everyone involved. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed.”
The Pride signed Adriana almost exactly two years ago on Jan. 19, 2023, from Brazilian giants Corinthians. That deal was through the 2025 season, meaning her contract would have been up at the end of this year. As Orlando typically extends players’ deals before they expire, the timing makes some sense, despite it happening during the Pride’s preseason.
In two seasons with Orlando, Adriana was a key player for the Pride with the versatility for Seb Hines to deploy her in multiple ways. She was primarily used as a winger during her time in Orlando, appearing in 46 NWSL regular-season games with 38 starts, logging 3,333 minutes. She scored six goals and added four assists, sharing the team lead in those categories in 2023. Her contributions in 2024 raised her career regular-season totals with the Pride to 12 goals and five assists across two seasons.
Adriana appeared in all three of the Pride’s playoff games during her stay in Orlando, starting two and logging 197 minutes. She did not make a goal contribution, attempting six shots with only one of those hitting the target. She tallied five key passes and one successful long ball in the Pride’s run to the title.
Additionally, the Brazilian made one appearance in the NWSL Challenge Cup, playing just eight minutes off the bench in 2023 without a goal contribution. She was on international duty during four of the Pride’s six matches in that competition. Adriana was away at the Olympics during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, so she did not play in that competition.
What It Means for Orlando
Losing a player of Adriana’s caliber does not make a team better, but the club got a big return for an attacking piece that had started splitting time with Summer Yates during Orlando’s final stretch of the season in 2024. The Pride’s younger players are starting to demand more minutes with their performances, and while the team’s depth takes a hit with Adriana’s departure, the club has the resources to find a roster replacement.
Someone will have to replace Adriana’s six goals per year. Yates scored five in her second season in the league, but a jump to 11 in her third year seems unrealistic. However, more minutes for Yates may mitigate some of Adriana’s lost offense. Others who can contribute to replacing those goals include Grace Chanda, Simone Charley, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle. The first two on that list are talented, but still have yet to play their first game for the Pride. It’s also conceivable that Barbra Banda can score more goals in her second NWSL season.
In Adriana, the Pride also lost one of the team’s better penalty takers. Adriana was two-for-two from the spot in 2024. Someone else will need to step up and take up the secondary penalty-taker role (to Marta) in 2025.
PawedCast Episode 463: Orlando City Off-Season News, Scrimmage Rewinds, and More
Lion Links: 2/11/25
Orlando City Signs Colombian International Midfielder Eduard Atuesta
-
Opinion2 weeks agoOrlando City’s Lack of Off-Season Signings Starting to Become a Concern
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks agoOrlando Pride Transfer Adriana to Saudi Side Al Qadsiah FC
-
Orlando City3 days agoOrlando City vs. CF Montreal: Final Score 2-1 as Wasteful Lions Suffer First Preseason Loss
-
Orlando City7 days agoOrlando City Signs Croation Winger Marco Pasalić as a Designated Player
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks agoOrlando Pride Sign Zambian Forward Prisca Chilufya
-
Orlando City B2 weeks agoOrlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract
-
Lion Links2 weeks agoLion Links: 1/28/25
-
Lion Links1 week agoLion Links: 2/3/25