Orlando Pride
Summer Break Review: A Look At Orlando Pride International Performances
Here’s a look at how the Pride players have performed this summer in major international tournaments.
Following the Orlando Pride’s 2-0 loss to Racing Louisville on June 20, several players departed to join their national teams for the summer. Six of those players took part in major tournaments.
The NWSL decided to take more than a month off to avoid teams playing league games without key players. But, now that we’re less than a week from the start of the second half of the season, let’s take a look at how some of those players have done.
England Wins Women’s Euros
Anna Moorhouse was named to the England squad for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 as the Lionesses looked to retain their crown as European champions. However, the Pride shot stopper was behind Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who played every minute of the tournament.
Despite not appearing, Moorhouse will bring back a winner’s medal for being part of the squad that defeated World Cup champion Spain on penalties. The accomplishment comes just over a year after the 30-year-old made her debut for the England senior team.
Zambia Bows Out In Quarterfinals
Zambia had the largest contingent of Pride players this summer, with Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda all taking part in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Copper Queens finished second in their group to Morocco before losing to Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
Banda captained the side in the tournament and got off to a great start, scoring inside the first minute of the tournament.
Later, she assisted Bay FC striker Racheal Kundananji in a 2-2 draw with Morocco. She also scored a brace in the second game, a 3-2 win over Senegal.
But that was it for the scoring as the striker was held goalless against Congo and Nigeria.
Chilufya also started the first two games and came on for Mercy Chipasula in the 70th minute in the final group contest against Congo. Chanda was booked in the first two matches, so she was suspended for the final group match. However, all three stared in the team’s 5-0 quarterfinal loss to Nigeria.
In total, Banda played all 360 minutes, Chilufya played 240 minutes, and Chanda played 236 minutes. Banda made the biggest impact with three goals and an assist, but all three players had a significant role in the tournament for Zambia.
Brazil Reaches Semifinals of Copa America Femenil
The final two Pride players to compete in major tournaments this summer are the two most experienced. While Angelina was unsurprisingly a member of Brazil’s Copa America Femenil squad, Marta was a surprise inclusion, as she announced her international retirement after the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Brazil head coach Arthur Elias has had Marta and Angelina in and out of the squad. The duo started the first game and were on the bench for the second. Marta started the third match while Angelina came on at halftime, and Angelina started the final group game with Marta coming on in the 79th minute.
The most significant play for either player came in the third group game against Paraguay when Angelina lifted the ball for Duda Sampaio in the 75th minute. The attacker fired a shot past the Paraguayan goalkeeper to seal the 4-1 win.
In total, Marta has started two games and come off the bench twice, recording 199 minutes. Meanwhile, Angelina has started twice and come off the bench once, recording 215 minutes and an assist.
However, while the other Pride players are finished, the Brazilians are still playing. They’ll face Uruguay in the semifinal Tuesday night before taking part in either the third-place match or the final next weekend.
The Pride return to action Sunday night, and all but Marta and Angelina should be in action. Fortunately, that game is at home against the Utah Royals, the league’s worst team. They should be back to full strength for the following match against Racing Louisville and the all-important game in Kansas City on Aug. 16.