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Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC: Final Score 2-0 as Pride’s Unbeaten Run Comes to an End

The Pride suffered their first loss of the season on the road in Portland in their first match since clinching the NWSL Shield.

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6 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (17-1-6, 57 points) saw their season-long unbeaten run come to an end as they fell 2-0 to the Portland Thorns (9-11-4, 31 points) tonight at Providence Park in Portland, OR. Morgan Weaver gave the hosts an early lead and Christine Sinclair doubled the advantage 10 minutes into the second half, lifting their team to a crucial three points.

After saying during the week there would be some changes to provide rest for key players, Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made five changes to the team that beat the Washington Spirit 2-0 Sunday night. Carrie Lawrence, Summer Yates, Julie Doyle, Evelina Duljan, and Ally Watt came into the lineup for Emily Sams, Morgan Gautrat, Adriana, Marta, and Barbra Banda.

“Really important,” Hines said about the getting lesser-used players playing time. “You know, job was done on Sunday. Obviously, our home, you know, the celebrations of winning and being the number one team in the league. And with a quick turnaround, coming to Portland, playing on turf as well is, I don’t know why we’re still doing that in today’s game. But there’s challenges within it and we felt like it’s a good opportunity to play players who haven’t played significant minutes this season.”

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Carson Pickett, Kylie Strom, Lawrence, and Cori Dyke. Yates and Angelina were in the defensive midfield behind Doyle, Duljan, and Kerry Abello with Watt up top.

It was always going to be a challenge to get anything in Portland and the circumstances made it even more difficult. The Pride were 1-8-0 in the city coming into this game and Hines decided it was the right time to provide rest for some key players. Additionally, the team arrived in Portland on Monday night to avoid Hurricane Milton, spending nearly the whole week on the road.

The Thorns desperately needed three points from this game and, despite missing some key players of their own, they looked like it. They pressed the Pride back line, creating turnovers that resulted in attempts on goal. The lack of Sophia Smith due to injury helped to keep the Pride in the game, but Weaver was a constant irritant as she created opportunities for herself and others. Hines brought Banda, Sams, Adriana, and Marta on later in the game, but they were unable to pull their team back and continue the unbeaten run.

Yates created the first decent chance for either team by carrying the ball past Reyna Reyes on the left, drawing a foul near the Thorns box. The ensuing set piece by Pickett was headed away and the Pride were unable to create any shots from the attack.

The first shot of the game came in the sixth minute. Weaver received the ball on the far side of the box with space but was unable to control it. The forward played it to Sinclair in the middle before receiving it back at the top of the 18. This time Weaver attempted to put a shot on target, but her attempt was weak, enabling Moorhouse to easily collect it.

The Pride created a counterattack in the 11th minute, resulting in Yates sending Watt behind the Thorns’ back line. It was a foot race between Watt and Reyes, which the Pride forward won easily. Her second touch was a shot on goal, but it was right at Shelby Hogan, who made an easy save.

In the 12th minute, Olivia Moultrie made a strong run to the end line, and her cross was blocked out of play by Lawrence for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was long to Reyes, who headed it in front of the goal. The back line stepped up, allowing Weaver to easily slip in behind all alone. She tapped the ball in to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

“Obviously, it was like a ball floated back post and, as we tried to clear our lines, there was obviously a defender between that was onside,” Lawrence said about the goal. “So, yeah, just need to clean that up going forward.”

“It definitely just wakes us up,” Watt added about the goal. “And we need to just start getting moving earlier. Yeah, just woke us up. That’s the best thing to say about it.”

The goal saw the Pride trail for the first time since March 22, when they fell behind against Angel City FC in the second game of the season. The Thorns’ goal broke the Pride’s streak of 1,904 minutes without trailing.

Angelina sent Doyle long in the 16th minute behind the Thorns back line and it looked like the attacker would have a good chance. Isabella Obaze did well to stay on Doyle’s hip, putting pressure on the midfielder and causing her to take a weak shot on goal. Doyle felt a foul should’ve been called on the play, but referee JC Griggs disagreed.

A weak pass by Angelina for Duljan in the 28th minute created a chance for Portland when Sam Coffey took possession and played Payton Linnehan into the Pride box. Strom did well to stay in front of the attacker, driving her wide and creating a difficult angle from which to shoot. Linnehan was unable to get a shot off and the Pride escaped a potentially dangerous situation.

Abello won a corner kick in the 33rd minute, which resulted in a good chance for the Pride. The ensuing set piece by Pickett was long to Angelina, who sent a dangerous cross back into the box. Duljan tried to get on the end of it and the ball bounced around the top of the six, but Hogan was eventually able to collect it.

A minute later, Angelina sent another dangerous ball into the Thorns’ box that went just over the head of Doyle. It bounced off Abello, and Doyle tried to get a shot off, but it was cleared before she could shoot.

Lawrence gave the ball away to Jessie Fleming in the 43rd minute, giving the Thorns another counterattack. The midfielder played Weaver forward and she sent the ball into the middle of the box for Moultrie. The teenager was able to get behind Lawrence, but Strom stayed in front of her and blocked the attempt.

Duljan sent Watt forward on the right in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. The forward got around Reyes to create a shot, but it was from a tight angle and created no trouble for Hogan.

The Thorns got the last chance of the half in the final minute of stoppage time. Moultrie dribbled along the left side of the box while Duljan and Lawrence tugged on her jersey. Eventually, she went down and won a free kick in a dangerous position.

Fleming played the set piece short to Moultrie, whose first touch was a shot. The crowd erupted as they saw the ball ripple the net, but it hit the outside. That was the final touch as the game went into the break with the hosts leading 1-0.

It was an even first half with both teams creating multiple chances. Portland had more possession (51%-49%), shots (6-4), and corner kicks (3-2). The Pride had more crosses (11-7) and better passing accuracy (82%-81%), while both teams put two of their shots on target.

The Thorns created the first second-half chance in the 52nd minute when Sinclair laid the ball off for Moultrie, who took a touch inside to create space from Strom. The attacker got a shot off but sent it wide.

Portland created another chance in the 54th minute when Moultrie found Weaver in the box. The forward’s first shot was blocked by a sliding Lawrence, but it went right back to her. Her second shot was blocked by a sliding Dyke.

Shortly after the pair of chances, Hines made his first change of the game, replacing Yates with Ally Lemos.

Immediately after the substitution, Portland doubled its lead. Reyes played the ball to Coffey from the left and the U.S. international made an excellent run to the top of the box before laying the ball off for Sinclair. The veteran’s second touch was a shot into the corner to give the Thorns a 2-0 lead.

“Obviously, they were loud,” Lawrence said about the crowd’s reaction to Sinclair’s goal. “And especially when she scored, that was not great for us. But I think we need to learn to do better in those situations and flip it to get the momentum on our side.”

The Thorns put the Pride under pressure at the back, creating another chance for the hosts. In the 60th minute, Weaver took possession after a poor pass by Angelina in the Pride half of the field. She laid the ball off for Moultrie who shot for the bottom corner, but the ball skipped just wide.

The Pride made a trio of subs in the 65th minute as they looked to get back into the game. Regular starters Banda, Adriana, and Sams came on for Pickett, Lawrence, and Duljan.

The game restarted with a goal kick and the Pride won possession, resulting in Abello sending Banda down the left. The striker beat her defender to the end line and shot, but it was from a tight angle and was easily collected by Hogan.

Abello lost possession in the Portland side of the field in the 75th minute and Sinclair sent it long for Linnehan. The midfielder got behind the back line and took a shot from distance, but sent it to Moorhouse.

Shortly after the attempt, Hines made his final substitution bringing Marta on for Watt. The substitution saw the Pride use the best attacking unit as they tried to climb back into the game.

Linnehan took possession in the 77th minute, turning Dyke inside and out to create space for a shot. However, her attempt from the left side of the box was straight into the arms of Moorhouse.

Banda drew multiple defenders in the 81st minute, causing them to leave Adriana open near the top corner of the box. The Brazilian received a pass back from the striker and tried to curl the ball inside the far post, sending it just wide.

Adriana got behind Marie Mueller in the 85th minute, causing the Thorns substitute to pull her back and earning a yellow card. Angelina and Marta stood over the set piece with the Pride captain taking it. Rather than sending the ball into the box, she tried to beat Hogan, sending the shot just over the top.

A Strom giveaway in her own box in the 88th minute nearly resulted in a third goal for Portland when Obaze took possession and played it back for Izzy D’Aqulia. The attacker sent a shot on goal, but it was caught by Moorhouse.

The Pride had a chance in the 89th minute when Doyle lifted the ball into the box for Adriana. The attacker flicked the ball on with her head, but nobody was making a run, enabling Hogan to fall on the ball.

Banda was fouled in the second minute of added time, giving the Pride a free kick in a dangerous position. Angelina sent the set piece into the box and Doyle was making a run, but the midfielder couldn’t reach it. It ended up going past everyone and out for a goal kick. That was the final chance for either team as the Pride fell for the first time this season.

The Pride ended the game with the edge in possession (58%-42%), crosses (19-10), and passing accuracy (84%-78%), but Portland created more shots (16-10) and put more on target (6-4). Additionally, both teams had four corner kicks.

“I think it’s always a tough place to come play, regardless of the form of Portland,” Hines said. “You know, it was a different team to what everyone has seen in recent games. We decided to make changes that was justified by the efforts of what other players have done throughout the season. And it was also an opportunity to give players a chance to go out and express themselves and get on the field. And I think overall, there wasn’t a lot between the two teams. I think it came down to a defensive set piece and a throw in. And so it’s a good opportunity for us to reflect, review the game, and make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

The loss is the Pride’s first of the season and ends a 24-game unbeaten run in NWSL play, dating back to Oct 6, 2023. While they can no longer become the first team in league history to finish a season unbeaten, Hines said the team can learn from the experience.

“That we don’t want to feel like that again,” Hines said, referring to what he told his team after the unbeaten run came to an end. “You know, they haven’t experienced that feeling for over a year, so let it sink in and make sure that we don’t experience that feeling again at the end of the game.”

Since the Pride already captured the NWSL Shield against Washington, this game won’t change their position in the standings. However, conceding two goals means they can only give up one in the last two games to break the league record for fewest goals conceded in a season.

After a quick turnaround this week, the Pride will have a longer break before they take the field again. Their next game is the final road contest of the season as they face NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 20.

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Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Final Score 2-0 As Pride Take Three Points Away From Home

The Pride stayed unbeaten with a road shutout win over Gotham.

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5 days ago

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March 23, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride (2-0-0, 6 points) continued their strong start to the NWSL regular season with a 2-0 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC (0-1-1, 1 point) at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. The Pride took an early lead through a Lilly Reale own goal and doubled the advantage just before halftime with a Marta penalty. That was all the Pride needed to claim all three points.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed the same starting lineup as the Challenge Cup draw and season-opening win. Anna Moorhouse started in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Kylie Nadaner, and Emily Sams. Morgan Gautrat and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Angelina, Marta, and Ally Watt with Barbra Banda up top.

While Gotham dominated most of the statistical categories, the Pride were never in any real danger. The visitors created few chances throughout the game, but the back line did a solid job with their bend-but-not-break strategy. As a result, Moorhouse had few saves to make and the Pride held onto their 2-0 halftime lead throughout the second half.

The Pride got off to the best possible start when they won a foul near the top of the Gotham box inside the first minute. Marta’s free kick was flicked on by Banda and heading towards the back post. Before it could reach McCutcheon, Reale knocked the ball past Ann-Katrin Berger and into her own net.

The goal was followed by a lengthy review to determine if McCutcheon — who was in an offside position — was involved in play or if Nadaner committed a foul in the buildup. The decision was for the goal to stand and the Pride took an early 1-0 lead.

“We talk about it all the time. Can we get that first goal in the game? So we always want to start fast whether we’re at home or away,” Hines said. “Regardless of the opponent we’re playing against, that first goal is really important to us. And to get it within one minute of the game was really rewarding.”

It was the second own goal in two league games for the Pride. Chicago Stars center back Hannah Anderson netted an own goal early in the second half in the season opener on March 14.

The Pride nearly scored a second goal in the 14th minute when Marta lifted the ball forward and into the Gotham half for Banda making a run. The striker took possession behind the back line and dribbled into the Gotham box but took a heavy touch and was unable to keep it on her foot. Berger came off her line and the two collided, resulting in a foul on Banda.

Following the missed chance by Banda, Gotham got its first decent look of the game. In the 20th minute, Ella Stevens tried to volley a cross into the box but barely got a touch on it. A minute later, Jaelin Howell took control of a clearance and sent a long-distance shot well over the target.

In the 26th minute, Marta intercepted the ball near midfield, going the other way with Banda. Playing it forward for the striker, Banda played the ball to Marta in the Gotham box. It looked like Marta’s shot was on target, but Berger did well to get down to block it with one hand. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina was cleared away and it was another missed opportunity for the visitors.

A poor pass from Tierna Davidson to Berger in the 30th minute nearly resulted in a chance for the Pride. As Banda pressured the Gotham goalkeeper, she played a short pass to the top of her own box that was intercepted by Watt. The attacker dribbled towards the end line and tapped it to Banda before it crossed out of play. However, the flag went up for offside.

Gotham had a good chance in the 31st minute when Stevens sent Esther Gonzaelz into the Pride six-yard box. Rafaelle did well to keep up with the attacker and got a touch to the shot, causing it to travel wide.

The ensuing corner kick was short to Sarah Schupansky, who sent a dangerous cross into the box. Looking to make up for her early own goal, Reale got her head to the ball and directed it towards the far post. Fortunately, the attempt went wide.

The Pride doubled their advantage just before halftime when Gautrat found Banda near midfield and the striker made a long run into the Gotham third of the field. Angelina was left alone on the far side and Banda found her teammate. As Angelina took a touch inside, Jess Carter left her leg out, catching the Brazilian. Referee Brad Jensen immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the Pride a penalty.

Angelina initially stood with the ball at the penalty spot as the video assistant referee looked at the play. Following confirmation, Marta stepped up to take the spot kick. The Pride captain took the penalty confidently, sending Berger the wrong way and giving her team a commanding 2-0 lead.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Gotham had more possession (54%-46%) and shots (7-3) in the first half. However, the Pride put all three shots on target while Gotham only put one of its seven first-half shots on frame. Additionally, both teams had one corner kick and three crosses, and the Pride had slightly better passing accuracy (79%-78%).

Hines made one halftime change, and it was a surprising one as Cori Dyke came into the game for Rafaelle. It wasn’t a surprise to see Rafaelle depart before full time as she returns to full fitness. However, she played 45 minutes against Washington and 62 minutes against Chicago. So it was a surprise to see her come off at halftime.

“It’s disappointing for Raf because she was building good momentum, getting good minutes,” Hines said about the substitution. “It’s just caution. We don’t want to have any sort of setbacks either. So we’re not taking any risks with her.”

The substitution caused a shift in the back line. Dyke took over at right back and Sams moved over to her natural center back position alongside Nadaner. It’s the same change Hines made in the team’s first two games of 2025.

The Pride started the second half how they finished the first, going on the attack. Just over a minute after the restart, Marta sent Banda behind the Gotham back line. The striker dribbled to the top of the box and near the middle before firing a shot that forced Berger into a good save. However, the flag went up for offside on the initial pass, so it was not an official shot or save.

Trailing 2-0, Gotham was the better of the two teams for the next 15 minutes. However, the hosts only created two shots in that time and neither caused any trouble for Moorhouse.

A giveaway by Dyke in the back in the 59th minute created a chance for Gotham when a fancy pass by Schupansky found Taryn Torres. However, the midfielder didn’t get much on the shot from just outside the box.

Hines made his second change in the 61st minute as Prisca Chilufya came into the game for Gautrat.

Shortly after the substitution, Gotham created its best chance when Gabi Portilho sent a beautiful ball into the box that found the head of Jaelin Howell. The attacker redirected the ball towards goal, but the attempt was over the crossbar.

In the 66th minute, Banda beat Gonzalez and was taken down just outside the Gotham box. Angelina’s free kick was cleared, but the Pride soon retook possession. Angelina found Marta, whose shot was blocked. Banda and Chilufya worked the ball around to Watt who shot from the left of goal, but the attempt was into the arms of Berger, ending the attack.

Hines made two more changes in the 79th minute. Summer Yates and Ally Lemos entered the game for Watt and Marta.

Immediately after the changes, Bruninha sent a cross into the box that found the head of Khyah Harper, who was playing in her first NWSL game. The rookie’s header was on target, but Moorhouse made an easy catch.

Gotham had a chance in the 84th minute when Yates blocked a cross out of play for a corner kick. Bruninha’s set piece found the head of Davidson, who outjumped McCutcheon. However, the center back was falling backwards and sent the attempt over the top.

The final Pride substitution came in the 88th minute when Zara Chavoshi came on for Angelina. It was the rookie’s professional debut.

“She played a lot of minutes during preseason, and obviously the league is very different. It’s higher risk, bigger rewards, and a lot more competitive,” Hines said about Chavoshi’s debut. “So just buying that time, finding the right moment to put her in. We felt today was a good time to put her in towards the end as Gotham were delivering more balls into the box, playing a little bit more direct.”

Gotham created a shot in the third minute of stoppage time as the hosts looked to get back into the game. Stevens sent a ball into the box that Gonzalez tried to bicycle, but missed. It went straight to Cece Kizer, who played the ball wide for an oncoming Reale. The defender took a first-touch shot from a tight angle, but it was right to Moorhouse.

At full time, Gotham had the advantage in possession (60%-40%), shots (15-6), corner kicks (6-2), crosses (20-9), and passing accuracy (79%-75%). However, despite the shot differential, both teams put four attempts on target as the Pride came away with the 2-0 win.

“It was a great game. We started off really well, obviously taking an early lead,” Hines said. “I thought we played some really good stuff. Not consistently, but I think there was some really good moments. And we created some really good opportunities to score. Maybe on another day, we capitalize on them. But I think toward the end, it really shows what type of team this is. Coming to a hostile environment, coming to Gotham’s home opener. This is a very good team who narrowly missed out on the playoff final last year, and we showed our character towards the end, making sure that we keep the clean sheet. It’s very easy as the game goes on, and them pushing forward, to lose concentration. But I thought we were phenomenal towards the end to get the shutout. So again, really pleased, couple of goals, another clean sheet, and we continue our momentum.”

“I was definitely relieved that we saw in the game and got the three points and kept our clean sheet,” Abello added. “It probably wasn’t our best, cleanest performance. I thought we were really threatening, but we were definitely under it towards the end of the game. But I was really proud that we saw out the win and got three points.”

The Pride set a bunch of team records last season and they’ve already set a new one. This is the first time the team has had back-to-back clean sheets to start a season.

“It’s been a real focal point of our game model, you would say. We don’t want to concede, it hurts when we concede, and you can see that with the attitude of the players,” Hines said. “It’s not just one or two players. It’s a full collective effort to keep the ball out of the net. You know, you can see the efforts from every single player, not just the stars, but the players coming off the bench. And having their roles and responsibilities to keep the ball out of the net.”

“We said it all last season, everyone knows the job that they have to do, and everyone’s very comfortable in doing that job. Makes my life incredibly easy,” Moorhouse added. “The back line are incredible at keeping chances to a minimum, and keep threatening chances to a minimum. And it’s really, really enjoyable to be involved.”

While it’s still early in the season, the Pride sit on top the NWSL standings with every team having played two games. They’re tied on points with the Kansas City Current, but have a four-goal advantage in the goal differential tiebreaker, largely thanks to their 6-0 win over the Chicago Stars in the first game.

The Pride return home next weekend for an afternoon tilt as they welcome San Diego Wave FC to Inter&Co Stadium for a rare noon kickoff.

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Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Pride head out on the road for the first time this season to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC.

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (1-0-0, 3 points) head out on the road for the first time this year to face NJ/NY Gotham FC (0-0-1, 1 point) in New Jersey. This is the first of two times these teams will face off during the regular season. The return game in Orlando is scheduled for Aug. 29.

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

History

The Pride have faced Gotham 25 times since joining the NWSL in 2016. They’re 8-10-7 in all competitions and 4-3-5 away from home. The Pride’s record in NWSL regular-season games is 8-7-5 with a mark of 4-3-3 in New Jersey.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on Oct 20, 2024 in New Jersey. Sam Hiatt gave the hosts the lead in the 13th minute before Adriana equalized in the 31st. However, Gotham scored on either side of halftime with goals by Rose Lavelle and Ella Stevens to win 3-1. The game on Sept. 1 in Orlando was delayed by inclement weather, but the Pride took control when it began. Adriana gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute and completed her brace in the 19th minute. Those were the only two goals as the Pride won 2-0.

The first meeting of 2023 was a regular-season clash on April 15 in Orlando. It looked to be headed for a draw, but Gotham struck twice in the dying minutes. Midge Purce converted a penalty 10 minutes into stoppage time and then assisted on Lynn Williams’ goal seven minutes later, setting a record for the latest goal in NWSL history as the Pride fell 2-0. They played again on May 14 in New Jersey, where the Pride were the better team and created more chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. The game ended in a scoreless draw.

The Pride and Gotham met twice in the NWSL Challenge Cup following those regular-season matchups. The first was on July 23 in Orlando. A Megan Montefusco header gave the Pride an early lead, but they were unable to hold on. Jenna Nighswonger converted a penalty later in the first half and Gotham took over in the second half with goals by McCall Zerboni and Yazmeen Ryan, beating the Pride 3-1. On Aug. 9 in New Jersey, Messiah Bright gave the Pride the lead in the first half, and the team was in line for all three points until Meleana Shim equalized in second-half stoppage time, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

The two teams met four times during the 2022 season — twice in the NWSL regular season and twice in the Challenge Cup. The first was a Challenge Cup meeting March 30 at Exploria Stadium. It looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw before Purce scored a late winner. The next Challenge Cup meeting was April 23 at Red Bull Arena. Gunny Jonsdottir gave the Pride the lead, but Toni Pressley got tangled up with Ifeoma Onumonu, resulting in a penalty. Kristie Mewis leveled the game from the spot just before the half. Neither team could find a winner and it ended 1-1.

The teams met in the 2022 NWSL regular-season opener on May 1 in Orlando. After two close matchups in the preseason tournament, this one was all Gotham, as goals by Zerboni, Purce, and Mewis lifted the visitors to a 3-0 win. On Aug. 20, they played for the final time in 2022 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Celia and Ally Watt built the Pride a 2-0 lead. Mewis got one back for the hosts, but the Pride held on for a 2-1 win.

The Pride and Gotham also met four times in 2021, with the first coming in the Pride’s inaugural Challenge Cup campaign. On April 14, Paige Monaghan’s goal lifted Gotham to a 1-0 win. The first regular-season game that year came on June 20 in Orlando. The visitors took the lead through Caprice Dydasco, but Courtney Petersen equalized for a 1-1 draw.

On Aug. 29, the teams played at Red Bull Arena. Erika Tymrak’s long-range goal lifted the Pride to a 2-1 win. The teams played one final, high-scoring game on Oct. 9. It was a bad start for the Pride as Gaetane Thiney scored a brace and Purce made it 3-0 late. The Pride came storming back with goals by Tymrak and Marta, falling just short in a 3-2 final.

The Pride and Gotham were in different groups for the 2020 Fall Series, so the last time they met prior to 2021 was in 2019, when the New Jersey-based club was still called Sky Blue FC. They first met that year on June 22 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ. Chioma Ubogagu gave the Pride the lead from the penalty spot and Sarah Killion equalized. The difference was a Gina Lewandowski own goal as the Pride won 2-1.

On July 20 the teams met at Exploria Stadium. Marisa Viggiano’s goal won it for the Pride, 1-0. The final game occurred on Sept. 29 in New Jersey. Shelina Zadorsky gave the Pride the lead, but Carli Lloyd equalized in a 1-1 draw.

The teams met three times in 2018, starting on June 16 in Orlando, when a Sydney Leroux brace led the Pride to a 3-2 win. They met again in Orlando on Aug. 5, with the Pride giving up a 1-0 lead after Marta’s opening goal. But Dani Weatherholt equalized in a 2-2 draw. The final meeting in 2018 came on Sept. 8 in New Jersey — the final game of the season. There was only one goal in this one as Lloyd won it for Sky Blue FC.

The 2017 season saw the Pride and Sky Blue meet three times. The first was May 27 in New Jersey, where the Pride lost 2-1. They met again in New Jersey on June 28 and the Pride won, 3-2. The final meeting was on Aug. 12 in Orlando and the Pride won by its largest margin in team history to that point, beating Sky Blue, 5-0.

The 2016 season was the first time the two teams met, with the inaugural game coming on Sept. 7 in New Jersey. Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr swapped goals in a 1-1 draw. They met again three days later in Orlando, with Sky Blue winning, 2-1.

Overview

The Pride got 2025 off to a disappointing start by drawing 1-1 with the Washington Spirit in the Challenge Cup and falling on penalties. However, they took their frustration out on Chicago Stars FC on Mar. 14. Haley McCutcheon got the scoring started in the seventh minute and they didn’t stop. Watt and Julie Doyle goals were split by a Hannah Anderson own goal before Barbara Banda netted a late brace. The 6-0 win tied a club record, matching last year’s 6-0 win over the Utah Royals.

Apart from the six goals, Rafaelle got more time on the field in the most recent game. After coming off at halftime against Washington, she played 62 minutes against Chicago as she continues to build her fitness following her season-ending injury last year.

The excitement about Rafaelle’s return is quelled by the injury to Doyle, who came off with a knee injury after only 11 minutes on the field against Chicago. The attacking midfielder came off the bench in the first two games, and it looks she could be out for a considerable amount of time.

Gotham drew its season opener in Seattle 1-1 without two key players in Lavelle and Purce. Lavelle remains out after undergoing off-season ankle surgery and Purce only recently signed a new deal to return to Gotham.

This is a different Gotham team than Pride fans saw last year. Delanie Sheehan, Hiatt, and Ryan left while remaining in the league. Crystal Dunn left for Paris Saint-Germain, and Nighswonger went to Arsenal this off-season.

Gotham had a strong attack last year with 41 goals and should be at least as good this year. In addition to Purce, tonight’s hosts return Esther Gonzalez and Stevens, while new Brazilian Gabi Portilho — who scored in her debut — joins the squad. The losses of Hiatt and Nighswonger hurt defensively, but the team returns Jess Carter, Emily Sonnett, and Tierna Davidson.

While the Pride looked great in their season-opening game, this is the first time they’ve played away from home this season. It will tell us a lot about how this team will do away from the friendly confines of Inter&Co Stadium. Regardless, you can expect to see the same lineup from the Chicago game as the Pride look to get on a roll early in the 2025 season.

“I thought we were terrific (against Chicago). I thought it was a pretty much complete performance from our side,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “And going into this game, we want to build on that. Build on that momentum from the first game. We know it’s going to be a competitive game. We know that it’s always a tough environment to go play in. But we’ve shown our quality in the last two games that we’re more than capable of getting something out of this game against Gotham.”

There aren’t any surprises in the injury report for the Pride this weekend. They’re without Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Amanda Allen (shoulder), Aryssa Mahrt (knee), and Doyle (knee). Gotham will be without Sofia Cook (thigh), Mandy Freeman (suspension), Lavelle (ankle), Purce (knee), and Jessica Silva (eye).

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

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

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Angelina, Marta, Ally Watt.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

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

NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Ann-Katrin Berger.

Defenders: Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Lilly Reale.

Midfielders: Ella Stevens, Nealy Martin, Gabi Portilho.

Forwards: Jaelin Howell, Esther Gonzalez, Sarah Schupansky.

Bench: Shelby Hogan, Ryan Campbell, Bruninha, Cece Kizer, Taryn Torres, McKenna Whitham, Khyah Harper, Stella Nyamekye.

Referees

REF: Brad Jensen.
AR1: Jennifer Garner.
AR2: Zeno Cho.
4TH: Ryan Homik.
VAR: Elijio Arreguin.
AVAR: Tom Felice.

How To Watch

Match Time: 5 p.m.

Venue: Red Bull Arena — Harrison, NJ.

TV: ESPN 2.

Streaming: ESPN+.

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

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Stars FC: Final Score 6-0 as Pride Open The Season With A Dominant Performance

Pride start 2025 NWSL season with a dominating home win over Chicago Stars FC.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride (1-0-0, 3 points) opened the 2025 NWSL season with a dominant 6-0 win over Chicago Stars FC (0-1-0) tonight at Inter&Co Stadium. Haley McCutcheon, Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle netted goals for the Pride, while Barbra Banda scored a brace. The other goal was an own goal by Hannah Anderson just after halftime.

The fans showed up for the celebration with an announced attendance of 19,237. That’s the second-highest home attendance in club history and the largest crowd for a Pride game at Inter&Co Stadium.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines displayed the same lineup that drew 1-1 with the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup last Friday night. Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Kylie Nadaner, and Emily Sams. Morgan Gautrat and McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Angelina, Marta, and Watt. Banda took her usual starting position up top.

The night started on a high as the Pride celebrated their double last season. Recently retired alumni Carrie Lawrence, Celia, and Megan Montefusco carried the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship trophies onto the field before the two banners were raised above The Wall.

“It’s great. It’s, again, an incredible achievement to get both the shield and the championship,” Hines said. “It’s incredibly difficult as well in this league. The parity between the teams and all the challenges that come along with it. But to do that for the city, or we said, we always wanted to give back to the city and bring a championship to the city. And you know, as a representation of what we did last year, to see the banners in our home stadium is great for us.”

“Kylie and I were looking at them. They’re so beautiful,” McCutcheon said about the new banners. “But I think what’s even more beautiful is seeing those fans out there. I don’t know how many we had tonight, but it was absolutely electric and I think one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”

When the game started, the Pride went on the early attack, putting the Stars on their heels. In the second minute, Watt was unable to control Marta’s cross, but the ball went right to McCutcheon. The defensive midfielder’s shot was deflected and blocked by Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Chicago was unable to clear, allowing Banda to get a shot of her own. However, Naeher was up to the task, tipping it over the crossbar.

In the seventh minute, the Pride took the lead. Angelina sent Banda into the box and the forward shielded Bea Franklin off the ball. Her shot from a tight angle was blocked by Anderson, going right to Gautrat. The midfielder laid it off for McCutcheon, who blasted her shot past Naeher to give the Pride an early 1-0 lead.

It was the quickest goal the Pride have scored in a season-opening game in club history. Additionally, McCutcheon has now scored in three of the last four games after scoring in two of the three playoff games last year.

“I think that with the special players we have and their qualities, they take a lot of attention from defenders,” McCutcheon said of her goal streak. “And so if I can find myself getting those opportunities, I just feel like I’ve been in the right place at the right time and made the most of that. So I want to continue to do that.”

In the 17th minute, Banda made a run down the right, sending a cross into the box. She was looking for Marta or Angelina making runs into the six, but it was blocked by Anderson. The ball went directly to Abello at the top of the box, but her shot was blocked by Shea Groom. Finally, the Pride got a shot that reached the end line when Gautrat took a shot from the top of the box. However, her attempt missed wide.

The Stars got their first real chance in the 29th minute when Ally Schlegel’s cross into the six-yard box was blocked out of play by Moorhouse for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found the head of Franklin, who put the attempt on target, but it was right to Moorhouse and didn’t cause the Pride shot stopper any trouble.

Moorhouse immediately threw the ball long and to the right for Marta. The Pride captain cut inside to beat Camryn Biegalski with Banda sprinting down the middle of the field. The Brazilian sent a hard ball across that Banda did well to chest down. The Zambian shot, but Naeher was up to the task, blocking it wide for a corner kick.

Marta’s ensuing corner kick headed out and cleared away by Nadia Gomes.

In the 34th minute, an Angelina corner kick was cleared out wide where the Brazilian took control. She sent another cross that was just out of the reach of Rafaelle and off Nadaner. Unfortunately, neither could redirect the ball on goal.

In the 37th minute, Watt dribbled to the end line and her cross was blocked out of play by Anderson for another corner kick. Marta’s set piece was to the near post where Watt outjumped Biegalski and Taylor Malham, knocking it past Naeher to give the Pride a 2-0 lead.

“I saw the ball come off Marta’s foot and I ran into the front post. And I just hoped to God I don’t get punched in the face, because I know Alyssa (Naeher) was coming off her line,” Watt said about her goal. “And we’ve been working so hard on set plays for the last week, because we get a lot of corners. We get a lot in attack, we get a lot of corners, and honestly, we should score off more. But, I just, I made my run. I keep making my run, and then Marta always puts in a fabulous ball. So I just had to make sure I was in the right spot. And I was.”

In the second minute of stoppage time, Rafaelle tried to send Banda behind the Chicago back line. Franklin got there first but misplayed the ball. Banda took possession and turned her, attempting to beat Naeher to the near post. However, the ball hit the outside netting.

“It’s renowned that 2-0 is always a dangerous scoreline and that next goal is vitally important. And so we talked about that at halftime with the team that we have to continue our momentum, our aggressive nature,” Hines said about his halftime speech. “And getting that third goal so early into the second half really kind of put the game at rest. And we could have the ability to rotate and make some substitutions and get players time on the field while still being aggressive and still trying to score more goals.”

That was the final chance of the first half as the Pride took a 2-0 lead into the break.

The Pride started the second half like they ended the first, striking early. In the 47th minute, Gautrat sent a cross into the six-yard box for Banda, but Anderson stepped in the way. However, the ball bounced off the center back and in to give the Pride a 3-0 lead.

“I think tonight, coming in at 2-0 at halftime is always kind of a weird scoreline. And so to start off, I think we scored the first two minutes into the second half,” McCutcheon said about the early second-half goal. “So again, just when we come out on the front foot, not only from half to half, but dead balls, things like that. We’ve really just tried to lock in on. We call them big five moments.”

The Pride had a chance for a fourth in the 49th minute when Naeher misplayed a pass back from Franklin. The goalkeeper was attempting to clear the ball upfield, but gave it right to Watt instead. The attacker had plenty of time and tried to curl her second touch into the top left corner, but sent the attempt off target.

Hines made his first three changes in the 62nd minute. Cori Dyke, Julie Doyle, and Prisca Chilufya came on for Rafaelle, Gautrat, and Watt. The Rafaelle change wasn’t surprising as she returns to full fitness. The move sent Dyke to right back and moved Sams to center back alongside Nadaner.

The Pride netted a fourth in the 65th minute and it was one of the substitutes. It started when Sams collected a Stars clearance and played Banda down the right. The striker used a nice touch to beat Anderson, giving her a path into the box. She played the ball central, where Chilufya was making a run, but Doyle called for it behind her. Chilufya wisely let it go and Doyle put it in to give the Pride a 4-0 lead.

In the 72nd minute, Doyle went down with a non-contact injury. After passing the ball forward for Banda, the midfielder held her right knee with tears in her eyes. After receiving treatment from the medical staff, she was helped off the field and replaced by Ally Lemos.

When play resumed, the Pride were given a good chance when Angelina’s shot was off the arm of Franklin just outside the box. Marta stepped up to take the set piece, curling it around the post.

Banda netted her first of two goals in the 80th minute when Chilufya played her forward. Anderson got to it first, but misplayed the ball, allowing Banda to split her and Franklin. Malham tried to challenge the striker, but was no match. Banda opened up and took the attempt well, putting it past Naeher to make it 5-0.

Three minutes later, Hines made his final change of the game as Viviana Villacorta came into the game for Marta.

The best goal of the night came in the 87th minute and it was Banda again. She intercepted a weak pass from Malham to Franklin, giving herself a shot from distance. It was a rocket over the outstretched arm of Naeher to give the Pride a 6-0 lead.

The goal tied a club record that was set on June 24, 2024 when the Pride won 6-0 over the Utah Royals in the same stadium. Banda scored a brace in that game as well.

“I think that’s huge. I think scoring goals is usually the last thing to come as we’re going through preseason and finding ourselves in the first match. So to get a six right off the bat is really good to kind of get in a flow,” McCutcheon said about tying the club record. “That’s something that we’ve worked really hard all preseason doing. And so we want to just be more dynamic on all fronts. And obviously we did that, and you score six goals, it’s going to be tough to lose that game, so we’re feeling good about it.”

It looked like the Pride scored a club-record seventh goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time when McCutcheon played the ball long for Chilufya. Banda made a diagonal run to the middle and her international teammate found her. Chilufya passed the ball in, but the flag went up because Banda was offside on the initial pass from McCutcheon.

That was the final attempt for either team as the Pride came away with a 6-0 win. The Pride dominated this game in every way, ending with more possession (63.6%-36.4%), shots (26-8), shots on target (8-2), crosses (23-3), and corner kicks (13-2). They also had better passing accuracy (88.6%-76.2%) in the 90 minutes.

“It’s a good start to the year, especially with the celebration at the start and the banners and the trophies being in front,” Hines said. “It was always worrying because, obviously, that’s in the past, and that was all that we achieved last year. And trying to flip that mindset to the task at hand. And obviously priority was winning the game tonight and getting off to a good start. And yeah, I thought we played some really good football. I thought we were defensively pretty solid. And yeah, to score six goals in NWSL is a massive achievement. So yeah, it’s been a really good day for all of us.”

In addition to tying the club record for most goals in a game, it’s the Pride’s first-ever season-opening win. Previously, they’d drawn three times and lost five times to open seasons. It’s the first time the Pride have won a home opener since 2016, when they defeated the Houston Dash in front of a club-record crowd of 23,403.

The Pride continue their recent domination over the Stars. They’re now 3-0-1 in their last four games, dating back to 2023. They’ve outscored Chicago 10-1 in the last two games, which includes the playoff game last year and tonight’s season opener.

The Pride will look beyond this celebratory night as they prepare for their first road game of 2025. They’ll travel north to face NJ/NY Gotham FC on March 23 in New Jersey.

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