Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (8-7-5, 29 points) return home to face the North Carolina Courage (6-7-7, 25 points). This is the second and final time these two teams will meet during the 2025 NWSL regular season.

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

History

The Pride and Courage have played 27 times since the Western New York Flash moved to North Carolina and became the Courage in 2017. The Pride are 6-13-8 in those games (6-10-3 in the NWSL regular season, 0-0-2 in the Fall Series, 0-3-2 in the NWSL Challenge Cup, and 0-0-1 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.).

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on May 10 in Cary, NC. Feli Rauch scored in the 27th minute to give the hosts the lead and it looked like they would hold on for all three points. But Prisca Chilufya’s equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time saw the game end in a 1-1 draw.

The first meeting in 2024 was held on May 1 in Orlando. Barbra Banda set up Ally Watt for the opener in the first half, and Watt repaid the favor just over 10 minutes later, as the Pride went up 2-0. Julie Doyle added a goal just before halftime, giving the Pride a commanding lead. Emily Sams’ own goal was the only scoring for the Courage, and Banda’s second of the night gave the Pride a 4-1 win.

On June 15, the Pride were the better team with more possession, shots, and shots on target, but the game ended in a scoreless draw. While they were disappointed with the result, the Pride were the first team to take points in North Carolina in 2024. On July 20 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup in North Carolina, Manaka Matsukubo gave the hosts the lead just before halftime before Celia equalized late for the Pride. The game went into penalties and the Courage won the shootout 5-4. 

The first game between the Pride and Courage in 2023 took place April 19 in Orlando. The Pride took the lead after halftime when Summer Yates set up Watt for the opening goal, but Denise O’Sullivan equalized deep in second-half injury time, resulting in a 1-1 draw. On June 17 in North Carolina, it was all Courage. Kerolin and Meredith Speck gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before a Haley McCutcheon own goal made it 3-0 to North Carolina.

The Pride didn’t show up for the July 29 Challenge Cup contest in North Carolina, getting demolished by the Courage. Brittany Ratcliffe and Malia Berkely gave the hosts a 2-0 halftime lead before Frankie Tagliaferri made it three, and a late brace by Haley Hopkins completed the 5-0 beating. The Pride finally got a win over the Courage in 2023 on Sept. 17 at home. Watt scored inside the first minute. After assisting on the first goal, Adriana doubled the lead before halftime. Matsukubo got one back for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough and the Pride won 2-1.

The first meeting in 2022 came on May 18 in North Carolina. Sydney Leroux scored early and Mikayla Cluff doubled the lead with her first professional goal. A late goal by Brianna Pinto got the Courage back within one, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride took the2-1 win. On Sept. 21, 2022, at Exploria Stadium, Debinha scored early, assisted Tess Boade in first-half injury time to double the lead, and later added another goal, dooming the Pride to a 3-0 defeat.

The Pride and Courage were placed in the same division for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, so the teams played twice before the regular season started. The first game took place March 26 in North Carolina. Merritt Mathias converted a penalty after Gunny Jonsdottir was called for a handball in the box, lifting the hosts to a 1-0 win. The return match in the tournament took place on April 16 in Orlando. The Courage scored three goals in the first nine minutes. Darian Jenkins netted a brace to make it 3-2, but a late Debinha goal put the game away and North Carolina won 4-2.

The teams played three times during the 2021 NWSL season. On May 22 in North Carolina, goals by Leroux and Alex Morgan gave the Pride a 2-0 lead late into the game. Jessica McDonald scored late to pull one back but the Pride held on for a 2-1 win. On July 4 in Orlando, Debinha and Havana Solaun goals helped the Courage take home a 2-0 win. The final game was played July 31 in North Carolina. Leroux opened the scoring but Ratcliffe equalized moments later and the teams drew 1-1.

The two teams were also matched up in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup but they only played once in that tournament. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in a scoreless draw.

Similar to the Challenge Cup, the teams were in the same group of the 2020 Fall Series, meeting twice. The first took place Sept. 19 in North Carolina and ended in a scoreless draw. The second was held on Oct. 17 at Exploria Stadium. Led by a Debinha brace, the Courage went up 3-0. But the Pride came back with goals by Marisa Viggiano, Kristen Edmonds, and Ally Haran for an exciting 3-3 draw.

The Pride and Courage played three times during the 2019 season. The first game was on April 17 in North Carolina. The Courage took a 1-0 lead into halftime but scored four times in the second half to win 5-0. They played a second time on June 1 in Orlando. Again, it was a dominant performance by the Courage as the Pride fell 3-0. The final meeting that year was another thrashing by North Carolina as the Pride fell 6-1.

The teams also met three times in 2018. On May 23 in Orlando, goals by Alanna Kennedy and Rachel Hill saw the Pride come back from a 3-1 deficit. But McDonald scored a winner in the 90th minute and the Courage won 4-3. The Pride went down by three goals in the final two games that season, but were unable to come back and fell 3-0 in both contests.

The 2017 season saw the teams meet for the first time. The Courage took the first game 3-1 on April 29 in North Carolina. They played a second time two weeks later in Orlando when the Pride took the 3-1 win. The final meeting in 2017 came in the final game of the season on Sept. 30. Kennedy netted a late winner, leading the Pride to a 3-2 win.

Overview

The Pride continue to struggle in the league, currently on an eight-game winless run. The lack of goals has been the primary issue, with the Pride only netting two goals in a game once in that stretch. Unfortunately, that came when the defense fell apart, giving up five against the Chicago Stars in Evanston, IL.

The most recent league game was a 1-1 draw against Bay FC Saturday night. While it was another disappointing result, it snapped a three-game losing streak.

Following that draw, the Pride flew down to Panama for the team’s first-ever game outside of the United States. Head Coach Seb Hines made major changes to the lineup, but the Pride still had little trouble with the weakest team in their Concacaf W Champions Cup group. Summer Yates netted the second hat trick in team history as the Pride dominated Chorrillo FC 5-0.

It might seem like the performance could lift the Pride out of their offensive struggles, but they were playing a far inferior team from a far inferior league. Tonight’s opponent will be much more difficult to score against. But they’ll need to produce offensively to end their winless streak.

The Pride need a win tonight more than any other game this season. They’ve dropped all the way to seventh in the NWSL, three points ahead of Racing Louisville and four points ahead of the Courage. However, they’re only one point behind the Seattle Reign, San Diego Wave, Portland Thorns, and NJ/NY Gotham FC. So, they could be in third at the end of the weekend.

Tonight’s opponent is also fighting for one of the final playoff spots, though they’re in a less advantageous position than the Pride. The Courage have 25 points from 20 games and sit one point behind Louisville for the final playoff position. They’re also only two points ahead of the Houston Dash and Angel City, making a good result essential.

North Carolina sits in the middle of the league in both goals scored and goals conceded. Their 25 goal scored ranks sixth in the 14-team league and the Courage’s 30 goals conceded ranks eighth. While they have a negative goal difference, it’s better than the three teams within three points of them.

The Courage came out of the summer break similar to the Pride, struggling to find a win. The team’s 2-1 victory over Angel City Saturday night snapped a six-game winless run that dated back to a 2-1 win over the Houston Dash on June 21.

Manaka Matsukubo has been the main threat for the Courage this season. Her six goals, four assists, and 23 shots on target all lead the team. Even if you’re able to control the 21-year-old Japanese international, Ashley Sanchez and Tyler Lussi can cause trouble for the  back line.

Casey Murphy has been a mainstay on the Courage since 2021, even making her way into the U.S. National Team. However, following a 3-3 draw with the Chicago Stars and a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Current, she’s been relegated to the bench in the last two games in favor of Marisa Jordan.

“It’s a quick turnaround. It was only yesterday we were in Panama, but this is the schedule, this is the league, and we have to move on,” Hines said about tonight’s game. “It’s an opportunity for us to bounce back from a disappointing result (in NWSL play). I think the performance was there. I think we had good intentions to go out there and beat Bay FC, but it wasn’t meant to be. We got a positive result this past Tuesday in Panama. We want to continue that momentum at home in front of our own fans. North Carolina is always a tough opponent, and they’ve got a set way of playing regardless of who’s in charge. So, it should turn out to be an exciting game for everyone.” 

The Pride will be without Barbra Banda (hip), Kylie Nadaner (excused absence), and Rafaelle (ankle). Emily Sams (arm) and Prisca Chilufya (thigh) are listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

The Courage are without Denise O’Sullivan (lower body), Feli Rauch (lower body), and Olivia Wingate (lower body). Brianna Pinto (lower body) and Ashley Sanchez (lower body) are questionable.

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Zara Chavoshi, Emily Sams, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Marta, Ally Lemos.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Luana, Cori Dyke, Viviana Villacorta, Carson Pickett, Julie Doyle, Grace Chanda, Elyse Bennett, Summer Yates.

North Carolina Courage (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Marisa Jordan.

Defenders: Maycee Bell, Kaleigh Kurtz, Dani Weatherholt, Ryan Williams.

Defensive Midfielders: Shinomi Koyama, Riley Jackson.

Midfielders: Cortnee Vine, Manaka Matsukubo, Payton Linnehan.

Forward: Tyler Lussi.

Bench: Casey Murphy, Katie Cappelletti, Natalie Jacobs, Natalia Staude, Meredith Speck, Heather MacNab, Hannah Betfort, Aline Gomes, Oli Pena.

Referees

REF: Matthew Thompson.
AR1: Zeno Cho.
AR2: Jennifer Garner.
4TH: Andrew Musashe.
VAR: Mark Verso.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.

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How to Watch

Match Time: 8 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: None.

Streaming: Prime Video.

Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter (@ORLPride) or Bluesky (@orlpride.com) feed.

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Enjoy the game. Go Pride!