Just one game after clinching the 2024 NWSL Shield, the Orlando Pride gave some starters a much-needed rest. While lineup changes have not prevented the Pride from getting positive results throughout the season, this time it was different. There were too many new faces in the lineup and the players attached to those faces did not perform well against what had been a struggling Portland Thorns side — but a proud franchise desperate to reach the postseason for its retiring captain. The venue, the surface, the crowd, the circumstances, and the rotation were too much for Orlando to overcome in their totality. Even the insertion of key starters in the second half couldn’t turn the tide in a 2-0 road loss.

Still, one loss may teach the team more than all the wins and draws that came before it. That will be the hope of Seb Hines as his team approaches the postseason as the league’s top seed.

For the first time all season, we look back on a Pride loss. We also check our score predictions from last week, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week asked us about electrical stuff, songs, which teams will make the playoffs, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we spent some time digesting the (awful) name of the new NWSL franchise in Boston. We also discussed some Pride international call-ups.

Finally, we looked ahead to the Pride’s matchup Sunday at Gotham FC. Last years champs have a defense like Orlando’s as well as a good offense and Gotham will be seeking revenge for its recent loss at Inter&Co Stadium. We give the two teams’ tale of the tape, select our key matchups, and make our score predictions.

Here’s how Episode 65 went down:

0:15 – The Pride went west and rested some starters. Things went…poorly.

23:51 – Our mailbagbox is both soccer-related and random. Plus, a bad team name and more Pride news.

51:45 – The Pride look to get back on track against Gotham FC on the road.

Orlando City won its third straight game and its sixth in the last seven, doing its part to try to lock down home field for the best-of-three, first-round playoff series. However, since Nashville could not take points from New York City FC on Sunday, the Lions will have to try to clinch the fourth spot on Decision Day against rival Atlanta. Ramiro Enrique had a big night in southwest Ohio, as did Cincy native Kyle Smith and left wing Ivan Angulo, and it was good to see Orlando City beat a contender on the road as the playoffs approach. FC Cincinnati is a team Orlando could see again in the postseason if the men in purple can keep getting results.

We broke down the Lions’ road victory, looked back at our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Man of the Match (which were unanimous).

This episode’s mailbagbox proposed a donation for the site based on how well we answered a trivia question. Let’s just say we didn’t get the top prize. We also answered a spooky season-themed question. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

After the mailbagbox, we discussed OCB’s Sunday afternoon matchup with FC Cincinnati 2. The scoreline was the same one the senior teams finished with, but this time Orlando was not on the good side of it. It wasn’t a good outing by the Young Lions, who gave up two early goals and could never find their footing, even though they were better in the second half. As a result, OCB will travel to Chicago Fire II in the playoffs rather than hosting a team of its choosing.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.

Here’s how No. 450 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City took care of business Saturday night but Nashville offered no help against NYCFC.

19:47 – The mailbagbox offers us money for answering a trivia question in three tries. That’s new.

39:52– The Young Lions also played at Cincinnati but it was a poor performance and as a result they missed out on a postseason home game.

The Orlando Pride have done it! The 2024 NWSL Shield belongs to Orlando after a 2-0 home win over the second-place Washington Spirit that wasn’t easy. The Spirit came in with a lot of resolve, and on a rainy night with a slick field, anything could happen. Sometimes it almost did. But, in the end, Barbra Banda earned a penalty, Marta scored it, Anna Moorhouse (and others) made some huge stops, and Adriana’s foot provided some breathing room, even though she wasn’t credited with a goal.

We broke down the game, checked our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Player of the Match. David Rohe provided some insight from his trip down from Tallahassee to see the game, as well.

Our mailbagbox this week asked us about longitude and latitude, cheating cheaters who cheat, and when the Pride most tested our loyalty. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we looked ahead to Orlando’s trip out west to play the Portland Thorns. With Hurricane Milton threatening Florida, the team had to go spend some extra days in the Pacific Northwest, so the Pride will be battling hotel legs, a new time zone, a letdown after winning the shield…oh, and also the Portland Thorns, who the Pride have only beaten once on the road. Ever. We discuss the Thorns’ season to date, the series history, our key matchups for Friday night, and our final score predictions.

Here’s how Episode 64 went down:

0:15 – The Pride took care of the league’s second-place team and claimed the Shield without putting us through any unnecessary drama over the last few games of the season.

19:21 – Our mailbagbox gets scientific this week. We learned to always trust Jimmy Buffett songs.

39:22 – The Pride have a lot going against them on this trip to Portland. Can they keep the positive results going?