Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash: Final Score 1-1 as Pride Score Late To Claim a Point
The Pride matched Houston’s second-half goal with a late one of their own to claim a road point.
The Orlando Pride (9-8-6, 33 points) ended their road trip with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash (7-10-6, 27 points) at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, TX tonight. Malia Berkely gave the hosts the lead with half an hour to go, but Simone Charley scored late to claim a valuable point for the Pride.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the team that beat San Diego Wave FC 2-1 away from home a week ago tonight. Rafaelle and Carson Pickett came into the lineup for Zara Chavoshi and Julie Doyle.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Oihane. Haley McCutcheon and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind Pickett, Ally Lemos, and Jacquie Ovalle with Ally Watt up top.
The Pride really had no business being in this game. Houston desperately needed three points, and the Pride were a tired team that had been on the road for over a week. It showed as the hosts dominated the first 45 minutes and were unlucky not to be ahead. Charley’s inclusion in the second half was a difference maker, as she was the team’s biggest threat and ultimately scored the goal.
The Dash created the first attack of the game and earned a pair of corner kicks in the third minute, but it was the Pride that took the first shot. Angelina sent the ball down the left in the fourth minute for Watt, making a run behind the Dash’s back line. Berkely and Paige Nielsen caught up to apply pressure, but Watt spun to get a shot off, sending the ball directly to Houston goalkeeper Abby Smith.
The hosts created their first shot in the 12th minute when Berkely sent a cross into the box for Messiah Bright. Oihane headed it out, but only to Kiki van Zanten just outside the 18. The midfielder tried to lift her long-distance shot over Moorhouse, who tipped it wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Yazmeen Ryan got in the box, twisting and turning to create space from Sams. That allowed Rafaelle to get back into position and block the shot. The ball went to Bright making a trailing run and the former Pride striker sent her attempt wide.
The Pride turned over the ensuing goal kick, allowing the Dash to create another opportunity. Ryan was sent towards the end line on the right and Abello got back to knock it out of play. The corner kick ended up with van Zanten near the top of the box and the Jamaican international attempted a volley. However, she couldn’t get much on it, allowing the Pride to clear.
Michelle Alozie played a wonderful ball for Bright in the 17th minute, sending the forward behind the Pride back line. Moorhouse came off her line to block the shot, but the flag went up for offside. In the 28th minute, van Zanten found Bright on the right side of the box. It looked like the striker might get a shot at goal, but Abello knocked it off her foot for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was over everyone but Ryan on the far side of the field. The playmaker sent a low cross that found Avery Patterson’s head, but Oihane blocked it out for another corner kick.
The Pride struggled to clear the ball, allowing Berkely to get off a shot that was blocked by Rafaelle. After Patterson’s ball in was blocked, Delanie Sheehan laid it off for Berkely, who sent her shot off target.
Despite Houston dominating the first half hour, the Pride nearly took the lead in the 35th minute when Lemos sent Watt behind the back line. The forward had enough space for a shot and put it on target, but Smith blocked it wide. The flag went up anyway, indicating Watt was offside.
Pickett lifted the ball over the Dash defense as the game entered the 37th minute, again sending Watt behind the back line. As Smith came out to cut down the angle, Watt sent her shot over the crossbar. The flag went up for offside again, though replays appeared to show that Watt was onside. It was irrelevant since her shot was off target.
Angelina played the ball forward for Watt — who was kept onside by Nielsen — in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, and the forward used her speed to outrun Berkely. The striker got into the Houston box and took a shot, but it was from a tight angle and right at Smith, who made the easy save.
After 45 minutes of action, Houston had more possession (52%-48%), shots (8-2), crosses (18-4), and corner kicks (6-0). However, despite taking 80% of the first-half shots, Houston could only match the Pride’s two shots on frame.
“Just raising the intensity a little bit,” Hines said about his halftime message. “Doing everything a little bit quicker, both in possession and out of possession. But we’re doing all right so far. We just could raise our level. Hopefully get that first goal and it should settle us going into the rest of the game.”
The Pride had a flurry of opportunities in the 52nd minute when McCutcheon sent the ball into the box for Pickett. Nielsen blocked the midfielder’s shot, which fell for Ovalle, who put her shot on target but Smith blocked it away at the near post. The ball went to Ovalle again and she turned Berkely to cross. Smith collided with Patterson as she punched the ball away and McCutcheon was there to head it back in. This time Smith caught the ball as the flag went up for offside.
Sams sent Watt long in the 54th minute and the forward used her speed to reach the ball before Berkely. The striker entered the box and had enough space to shoot, but her attempt was wide of the far post. The Pride had another opportunity in the 59th minute when Lemos and van Zanten fought for the ball and the latter was called for a foul near the Houston box. Ovalle sent the ensuing set piece into the wall. It went right back to her and her second shot was into the wall again.
Alozie used her speed to dribble around Abello and reach the end line in the 61st minute. The left back took her out from behind, earning the game’s first booking.
Patterson took the set piece, sending the ball bouncing off a couple of players in the six-yard box. It fell for Berkely, who put it in to give the Dash the 1-0 lead.
Alozie made a run into the Pride half in the 65th minute before playing a ball to Ryan on the right. The attacker lifted the ball into the box, and it traveled through without taking a touch. Van Zanten picked up the ball with space on the far side. Her first touch was a shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Ryan made a run down the right in the 68th minute and sent in a cross that Sams cleared. Berkely collected the ball well outside the box and shot, but her attempt went just over the crossbar.
Hines used the stoppage in play to make his first two changes of the night, replacing Pickett and Oihane with Charley and Cori Dyke.
Charley looked to put her mark on the game, creating dangerous chances for the Pride with about 15 minutes left. She took a low shot that was well wide in the 75th minute. However, Watt was making a far post run, and she probably would’ve met the ball if she hadn’t pulled up after the shot. A minute later, Ovalle made a run down the left and sent a cross to the top of the six-yard box. Charley was there and tried to get her head on the ball, but it was just out of her reach.
Sams lifted the ball forward and across the field in the 79th minute where McCutcheon was making a run. The defensive midfielder went up with Danielle Colaprico, heading it back and towards the center of the box. Lemos ran onto the ball and took a first-touch shot, but it was right at Smith.
The Pride found their equalizer in the 85th minute, and it was the team’s most impactful player —Charley. Ovalle received the ball in the box with her back to goal. She laid it back for Lemos, who sent it left for McCutcheon. The midfielder sent the ball into the center of the box where Charley beat Berkely, heading it past Smith to even the game at 1-1. It was her first goal in three years as she’s dealt with a pair of longterm Achilles injuries.
“McCutcheon played a beautiful ball in, and I just threw my body across it and headed it.,” Charley said. “And when I saw it go in, I just fell out. And honestly, I just thought about the journey and how hard it’s been. And I’m just really grateful. It’s been a long time coming.”
“You can see her qualities in and around the box, getting across defenders,” Hines added. “And we do get a lot of crosses, so there’s a lot of opportunities for her to score more goals moving forward.”
Charley last scored a goal on Sept. 21, 2022, when she was a member of Angel City FC. This is the first season she’s been able to contribute since her last goal. The ability to play again is something not lost on the 30-year-old forward.
“It’s been so hard these past two and a half years. I think there’s so many times I wanted to quit,” an emotional Charley said after the game. “Honestly, there’s a lot of times I didn’t think I’d ever come back to play again, and I’m so grateful for the people in my corner, on the team, the medical staff, coaching staff, everyone. They’ve been with me every step of the way, and they’re the ones who kept me going and encouraging me when I didn’t think I’d be out here again, let alone scoring and doing what I love. And so, for me, that just kind of flashed in my head of just how grateful I am. I feel like this is the most joy and gratefulness I’ve had playing. And I just thank God for the strength that he’s given me, and the grace to just play, and to play is such a blessing. Playing is such a blessing. So, I’m just grateful.”
“It’s massive. I think, having experienced long-term injuries myself, waiting for that opportunity, just getting back into the field is a goal,” Hines said. “But actually contributing in the way that she did, she should be very proud of herself. As well as the medical team, as well, to put her in that position. She’s progressed really well from the start of this period right now, in the second half of the season. Credit to her and her determination.”
Houston needed three points much more than the Pride and looked to claim a late winner in the final minute of stoppage time. Anna Heilferty sent a high ball across for Ryan, who flicked it to the corner. Lisa Boattin was the first to reach it, knocking it off Dyke for a corner kick.
The Dash brought everyone up into the Pride box, including Smith. The set piece sailed into the six, where Moorhouse got a fist to it, knocking it away. A foul was called on Houston, and the referee blew the final whistle.
The Pride ended the game with more possession (51%-49%). While Houston had more shots (13-12), the Pride put more on target (6-3). The Dash had more crosses (29-9) and corner kicks (7-0), and both teams completed 80% of their passes.
“Hard fought draw. I think we’re disappointed that we didn’t come away with the three points,” Hines said. “Disappointed with the goal that we conceded. But showed a lot of grit, determination to get ourselves back into the game. Well taken goal from Simone as well. She’s been working hard to get that opportunity, so she took it well. And yeah, I think with the week that we’ve had, been on the road for 10 days, any points that you get away from home is a good point. So, overall, pleased with the performance. We move on. We look forward to the next week, being back home in front of our fans.”
“I think it was a hard-fought game,” Charley added. “We’ve had three games back to back, one internationally as well. And so I think for us, it was just about mentality and grit and digging deep. And I think you saw that with how we were able to fight back and get a tie. Obviously, we want three points, and that’s what we were heading for. But at the end of the day, I feel like we showed our grit, and I’m proud of us for that.”
The point moves the Pride up to fourth in the standings, even on points with the Seattle Reign and one point behind NJ/NY Gotham FC. However, this was the only Friday night game, so the rest of the league has a game in hand.
The Pride return home for the first time since Sept. 19 on Oct. 10 as they welcome the Portland Thorns to Inter&Co Stadium.
Orlando Pride
Haley Carter Departs the Orlando Pride
The mastermind behind the Orlando Pride’s success is leaving the club to pursue other opportunities.
In a surprising move, the Orlando Pride announced today that Vice President of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter is leaving the club to pursue new opportunities. Carter was an integral part of the club’s success during her three-year tenure, architecting the 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship and bringing in star players like Barbra Banda and Jacquie Ovalle, two of the four largest transfers in league history.
The former Houston Dash goalkeeper joined the Pride as vice president and general manager on Jan. 30, 2023, becoming the first person to hold that position and following Ian Fleming as GM. She signed a new contract that was supposed to keep her in Orlando through 2026 with an option year for 2027 just over a year ago on Aug. 30, 2024.
Carter became an accomplished business executive, coach, licensed attorney, and former U.S. Marine officer following her playing career. She is a certified professional football scout, holding Level I and II Talent Identification certification through the Professional Football Scouts Association. Carter brought a level of professionalism and experience to a Pride club that needed to turn things around, and that is exactly what she did, helping create a new club culture.
With the NWSL’s mandatory 28-day minimum break period starting, Carter and the club did not want the players hearing about the decision from anyone else and held a team call to let them know.
“We’d like to extend our gratitude to Haley for her contributions to the Pride over the past three years,” Orlando Pride Owner and Chairman Mark Wilf said in a club press release. “Haley played a key leadership role with our club, positioning the Pride among the NWSL’s and world’s elite clubs. Our family is incredibly excited about the future of the Pride and we look forward to continuing our commitment to invest in world-class players and building teams that continually compete for championships and positively represent Orlando and our supporters.”
“I’m beyond thankful to Mark Wilf and the entire ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be part of this club and for their unwavering support throughout my time here,” Carter said in the club’s release. “The Wilf family’s continued investment in this team, both on and off the field, is a reflection of their genuine belief in the Pride’s potential and in the future of women’s soccer. Their commitment to leading a world-class club is the foundation for continued success.
In her time here, Carter also made it a habit to lock down players to new contracts before those contracts ended to keep the team’s core together, maintaining continuity and building a leadership group. Obviously, her biggest accomplishment was building the team that won the NWSL double in 2024.
“We have begun a diligent and methodical search for a new soccer leader who will have the opportunity to work with a championship-caliber roster and coaching staff,” Wilf said in the club’s release. “Combined with our clear vision for the future and positive club culture, I am confident that the Pride is well positioned to continue its trajectory of success.”
Per the club, Carter will work with management to ensure a seamless transition.
What it means for Orlando
The phrase “to pursue new opportunities” in the club’s press release leads one to believe Carter already has her next gig lined up. If that’s within the NWSL, it’ll be a hard pill to swallow for Pride fans. We’ll have to wait for news on that.
Losing Carter is obviously a blow to the club, and it won’t be easy to find a replacement. Whoever comes in will need to maintain and build on the solid foundation Carter leaves behind. The Pride went from being a bottom-of-the-table team for whom players didn’t want to play to one of the more attractive destinations in the NWSL. While average players used to seek trades away from Orlando, now the club can, and has, make record transfers to the Pride happen.
Along with ownership, Head Coach Seb Hines and his staff, and the front office, she created a culture that values the players while remaining focused on winning.
It now falls to President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon, his staff, and ownership to find the person to take the Pride back to the promised land. The organization is in a better place now than when Carter arrived. This is a position that needs to be filled, but bringing in the right person — even if it takes a little longer — is more important than filling it quickly. That said, the off-season will require some new pieces be brought in and some contract decisions that still need to be made, and someone will need to make those — likely before Carter’s replacement arrives.
Orlando Pride
2025 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Cosette Morché
The backup goalkeeper joined the Pride in the summer and appeared in a couple of Concacaf W Champions Cup matches.
The Orlando Pride signed goalkeeper Cosette Morché on Aug. 6 to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option year for 2028. Morché had spent the previous season with Fort Lauderdale United FC in the USL Super League, but her signing was necessary as a third goalkeeper after Kat Asman was loaned to Lexington FC in the USL Super League on July 2. It was a surprisingly long contract for the former Seattle Reign goalkeeper, considering Asman is under contract with the Pride through 2026.
The Texas A&M product appeared only a couple of times with the Pride in Concacaf W Champions Cup competition in her first year in Orlando.
Let’s look back at Morché’s first season in the City Beautiful.
Statistical Breakdown
Morché did not appear in an NWSL regular-season match or a playoff game. She made her Pride debut on Sept. 16 in Orlando’s 5-0 win at Chorrillo FC, as the Pride won their first game on foreign soil. Morché started two matches in the Concacaf W Champions Cup, going the full 90 in both for 180 total minutes and backstopping the club to a 1-0-1 record in her two starts in the competition. The native of Lawrenceville, GA allowed one goal across the two contests for a stellar 0.50 goals-against average. She faced a total of 27 shots from her opponents with eight of those on target. Morché made seven saves on those eight shots on frame, giving her a save percentage of 87.5%. She passed at a solid 90% rate on 70 attempts but did not attempt a long ball. in her two matches.
Best Game
It would be easy to take her lone win and shutout, but the truth is Morché had a lot more to do in the 1-1 draw against Pachuca on Oct. 15, facing twice as many shots (18) as she faced against Chorrillo (9) and…hahaha, I’m just kidding, I’m going with the shutout. Morché made four of her seven saves on the season in that match, and I felt she could have done a bit better on the shot that got past her against Pachuca — a goal that ultimately knocked the Pride out of the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
Against Chorrillo, Morché stopped all four shots on target that she faced on nine total attempts by the hosts. It was also a road match in international competition, which is a difficult environment for anyone making their first start for their club. She completed 32 of her 35 passes (91%) that night in Panama to effectively distribute the ball as well. It was a small sample size, so I’ve got to go with the shutout and the game with more saves and a better passing accuracy.
2025 Final Grade
Morché fell well short of the required 400 minutes across all competitions to qualify for a season grade after her first season in Orlando. Therefore, The Mane Land staff has no choice but to give an incomplete grade for the 2025 season.
2026 Outlook
With a contract through 2027, Morché doesn’t figure to be going anywhere unless a transfer is arranged, she is sent out on loan, or the player and club mutually agree to terminate the contract. The Pride have Morché, Asman, McKinley Crone, and Anna Moorhouse all under contract in 2026, which more or less settles the goalkeeper situation. It appears the club is happy with Moorhouse as the starter and Crone as the primary backup, although Morché may get a chance to win the backup job in camp. Barring injuries, Morché won’t likely see the pitch much in 2026 unless she is loaned out, but she’ll provide depth at a critical position.
Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)
- Luana (11/17/25)
Orlando Pride
2025 Orlando Pride Season in Review: Luana
Luana returned from cancer treatment and recovery to make an emotional impact in 2025, culminating in her first goal for the Pride.
The Orlando Pride signed Brazilian international midfielder Luana on Dec. 14, 2023, inking her to a two-year deal with an additional option year. Along with fellow Brazilian international Angelina, the Pride had high hopes for a solid central midfield that could not only break up opposition play, but also break lines with quick, incisive passes to transition quickly from defense to attack.
Unfortunately, after only three matches in 2024, Luana was forced off the pitch by a health crisis after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The club made the announcement public on April 29 after Luana had a string of excused absences, placing the midfielder on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list as she began treatment.
Luana made it through treatment and spent a lot of time recovering and regaining her strength, returning to the pitch in early September of this year, capping an emotional time for both her and her teammates. She was rewarded for her perseverance and her play with a new one-year contract for 2026 with a mutual option year for 2027 just four days ago.
Let’s look back at Luana’s abbreviated second season in Orlando.
Statistical Breakdown
In NWSL play, Luana appeared in four regular-season games (all off the bench), totaling just 38 minutes. She did not contribute to a goal or attempt a shot in the regular season, completing 18 of her 24 passes for a 75% success rate, but she did not misplace a single pass in her final two outings of the regular season, going 12/12. She created one scoring chance in her limited playing time with one key pass, and she had one successful cross on three attempts and three complete long balls on five attempts (60%). On the defensive end, Luana contributed two tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance. She committed two fouls, drew one on her opponents, and she was booked once, receiving a yellow card against Portland late in the season.
In the playoffs, Luana appeared in one of Orlando’s two matches, coming off the bench against the Seattle Reign in the quarterfinals. The Brazilian played only seven minutes, but she made an impact. Luana scored her first Pride goal from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time to put the match out of reach as Orlando won 2-0. The goal was Luana’s only shot attempt, so she put her one shot on target for her lone goal contribution of the season. She completed two of her three passes (66.7%) without a key pass or a cross attempt, hitting one of her two long balls (50%). On the defensive end, Luana contributed a tackle and a clearance to Orlando’s winning effort, and she did not commit or draw a foul and she was not booked.
Luana appeared in four Concacaf W Champions Cup matches with the Pride this year, starting three and playing 171 minutes. She did not register a goal contribution in the tournament and neither of her two shots were on target. Luana completed 74.1% of her 85 passes, contributed three tackles, and committed eight fouls without drawing one on an opponent. She was booked once, receiving a yellow card against Club America.
Best Game
There aren’t many matches to choose from, as Luana made only nine appearances. However, two stand out and they were both in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Luana came off the bench and played 20 strong minutes in her 2025 debut against Alajuelense. However, I’ll go with her 45 minutes as a starter in the team’s next game in the competition, a 5-0 win over Chorrillo on the road on Sept. 16. It equaled her second-longest outing of the year. Luana did not record a goal contribution or put her only shot attempt on target, but she was a stabilizing force in the middle for the Pride. She completed 76% of her 25 passes, recorded a tackle, and provided plenty of grit in Orlando’s midfield, breaking up play and committing three fouls without picking up one of the Pride’s three yellow cards on the night. The 32-year-old made way for Ally Lemos at halftime but turned in a good performance on the night.
2025 Final Grade
Luana fell 22 minutes shy of earning the minimum 400 total minutes to earn a rating from The Mane Land this season. This comes after she also received an incomplete rating for 2024 after missing the bulk of the season for her treatment and recovery. It’s safe to say that due to her unfortunate diagnosis last year, we still haven’t really seen what Luana can bring to the club. Hopefully that will change next season.
2026 Outlook
Luana signed a new contract through 2026 just days ago, and her new deal includes a mutual option year for 2027. While she will have an opportunity to earn a starting spot in preseason training camp, it will be difficult to unseat either member of the current central midfield pairing of Haley McCutcheon and Angelina. One would expect her to be a key backup, however, if she can continue to work her way back to the form she had prior to her Hodgkins lymphoma treatment in 2025. There is precedence for athletes returning to their previous form after such treatment — most notably NHL legend Mario Lemieux.
With a full off-season to continue getting stronger and working her way back, Luana may have an opportunity to make an incredible comeback and become an impact player in 2026. This would be a boost for an Orlando team that needs to improve to get back to the top and could use Luana’s bite in the midfield, her great vision, and her ability to unlock opposing defenses and break lines.
This is the first of our 2025 Orlando Pride Season in Review articles. Every player who played minutes this past season and who finished the year on the club roster (i.e., not Ally Watt, who is technically on loan from Denver) will be reviewed.
Players who logged more than 400 minutes (combined regular season plus playoffs and Concacaf W Champions Cup) will receive a composite score between 1 and 10 as determined by a panel of The Mane Land writers, while those who did not reach that threshold will receive an incomplete grade.
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