Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (9-8-6, 33 points) host the Portland Thorns (9-7-7, 34 points) in their penultimate home game of the regular season. This the second and final time these teams will meet in the 2025 regular season.

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

History

The Pride have struggled historically against the Thorns, with a record of 4-15-2 in 21 games (4-14-2 in league play and 0-1-0 in the playoffs). They’re 4-5-2 at home, much better than their 1-9-0 record in Portland.

The most recent meeting between the two teams came on May 3 in Oregon. The difference was a nice goal by Reyna Reyes, who made a turn to create space and put her shot past Anna Moorhouse to give the Thorns the 1-0 win.

The first game in 2024 took place May 24 in Orlando. It was the Barbra Banda show as the Pride striker scored two goals 10 minutes apart, giving her team a 2-0 halftime lead. Izzy D’Aquila got one back for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough as the Pride won 2-1.

The Pride secured the NWSL Shield the game before the Oct. 11, 2024 match between these teams, so several starters were given a break. It showed on the field as the Pride lost 2-0, ending a league-record 23-game unbeaten run. Morgan Weaver gave hosts the lead early and Christine Sincalir doubled the advantage in the second half.

The first game between the two teams in 2023 took place March 26 at Providence Park. Weaver opened the scoring early and Sophia Smith doubled the advantage a few minutes later. Hina Sugita made it three, and Michele Vasconcelos wrapped up the scoring as the Thorns won 4-0. On June 11, 2023, in Orlando, Smith gave the visitors the lead, but the Pride took over after that. Adriana scored a brace and Messiah Bright’s strike lifted the Pride to a 3-1 win. 

The teams met twice in 2022, with the first coming on Sept. 9 at Exploria Stadium. Yazmeen Ryan gave the visitors the lead and Sugita doubled the advantage as the Thorns won 2-0. That was the second meeting of the season after the teams met on June 19 in Portland. In Seb Hines’ second game as interim head coach, the Thorns smashed the Pride, 6-0.

The teams met earlier in the year during the 2021 season, playing on May 26 in Orlando. The Pride won for only the second time against Portland since the team’s inception. Orlando won 2-1 with goals from Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux. The second meeting that year came on July 18 in Portland, and the home team won again. Smith gave the hosts the lead and Marissa Everett doubled the advantage. Marisa Viggiano got one back in second-half stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough as the Thorns won, 2-1.

They met a third time on Aug. 14. The Pride took an early lead when Courtney Petersen found Jodie Taylor for the opening goal. But Simone Charley equalized and the teams drew 1-1.

The Pride and Thorns didn’t play in 2020 after the season was canceled due to the global pandemic, and they weren’t in the same group for the NWSL Fall Series. As a result, the most recent meeting prior to 2021 was in 2019.

The teams opened the 2019 season against each other in Orlando, but the Thorns got the better of the clash. The game was decided on either side of halftime as Caitlin Foord scored just before the break and Tobin Heath scored minutes after the restart, lifting Portland to a 2-0 win. They met again in Orlando on May 11 and the visitors won again. Toni Pressley gave the Pride an early lead, but it was all Portland after that. Dagny Brynjarsdottir equalized, Andressinha gave Portland the lead, and Foord finished it off.

The final meeting between the two in 2019 was a goal fest in Portland and another Thorns win. Hayley Raso gave the Thorns the lead early in the game and Midge Purce’s goal made it look like it would be a dominant performance by the hosts. But Marta got one back to make it 2-1. Sinclair made it 3-1, followed by a Thorns own goal by Emily Menges. It looked like the Pride would get a rare point through Erin Greening’s 90th-minute goal, but Tyler Lussi scored in second-half injury time, dooming the Pride to another loss in Oregon.

The teams faced off three times in 2018, which featured the Pride’s lone win in Portland. The Thorns won the first game, 2-1 on April 15. But on May 12, goals by Morgan and Christine Nairn gave the Pride a 2-0 lead. Sinclair got one back for the hosts, but the Pride held on for their only result at Providence Park. The third meeting went back to usual, with the Thorns winning 2-0 through Lindsey Horan and Raso.

The teams started the 2017 season against each other in Portland with the Thorns winning 2-0. They met again in the penultimate game of the season in Orlando, ending in a scoreless draw. The most important game between the two teams was the Pride’s first playoff appearance. Unfortunately, it was all Portland, as the Thorns beat the Pride 4-1.

The first meeting of 2016 was the Pride’s first-ever game. Steph Catley gave the visitors a surprising lead, but Brynjarsdottir equalized and Horan won it for Portland. They met again on June 26 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Two second-half goals by Brynjarsdottir and Horan lifted the Thorns to another 2-1 win.

Overview

The Pride are coming off an interesting eight-day road trip. It started in San Diego, where the Pride beat the Wave 2-1 away from home to claim a much-needed three points. The next game was a midweek affair against Club America in Mexico City, where they were outplayed in a 2-0 Concacaf W Champions Cup loss. They finished the three-game stretch in Houston, resulting in a 1-1 draw against the Dash.

It’s sad to say, but this was among the best weeks in recent months. A team expected to challenge for the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship now sits in sixth, just two points ahead of the last playoff spot. However, the Pride are also only two points behind NJ/NY Gotham FC for third, so the they have a lot to play for.

With only three regular-season games remaining, the Pride desperately need points if they hope to host a playoff game for the second consecutive year. But it’s not going to be easy. The Thorns, Washington Spirit, and Seattle Reign are all in front of the Pride, making claiming a top four spot very challenging. Those are also, coincidentally, all the teams remaining on Orlando’s schedule.

You would typically think the home team has the advantage, but the Pride have been very balanced this year. They currently hold a 5-4-3 record away from home and a 4-4-3 record at Inter&Co Stadium. They’re playing a team that has been much better at home (6-2-4) than on the road (3-5-3).

Similar to the Pride, the Thorns are fighting to host a first-round playoff game. The Oregon-based side currently sits in fourth, a point behind Gotham FC for third and only three points from seventh. For this reason, three points are as vital for tonight’s visitors as they are for Orlando.

The Thorns have had a strong attack this year, scoring 32 goals — third most in the league. Several players have contributed to that goal total, with Olivia Moultrie scoring six, Reilyn Turner with five, Pietra Tordin with four, and Reyna Reyes and Jayden Perry with three each.

Portland has also been quite successful defensively, conceding just 28 goals — fifth fewest in the league. While goalkeeper Bella Bixby returned from maternity leave, the team has stuck with Australian international Mackenzie Arnold, who they acquired from West Ham United last year. The shot stopper has 56 saves and a 1.5 goals-against average.

“It’s going to be an exciting game. Both teams ultimately need to win to put themselves in good position to continue to move up the table,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about tonight’s game. “For ourselves, it’s been a long time since we’ve played at home in front of our own fans, so we’re looking to put an exciting show on for them and come away with three points.”

The Pride are a little healthier tonight, only missing two players. However, the players out are the team’s leading goal scorer, Barbra Banda (hip), and vice captain Kylie Nadaner (excused absence). Additionally, Elyse Bennett (lower leg) is listed as questionable.

The Thorns will take the field without Julie Dufour (knee), Caiya Hanks (knee), Marie Mueller (knee), Nicole Payne (knee), Olivia Wade-Katoa (maternity leave), Morgan Weaver (knee), and Sophia Wilson (maternity leave).

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Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Angelina.

Midfielders: Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, Carson Pickett.

Forward: Ally Watt.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Cori Dyke, Zara Chavoshi, Julie Doyle, Viviana Villacorta, Luana, Simone Charley, Marta, Simone Jackson.

Portland Thorns FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Mackenzie Arnold.

Defenders: M.A. Vignola, Isabella Obaze, Daiane, Reyna Reyes.

Midfielders: Jess Fleming, Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie.

Forwards: Reilyn Turner, Pietra Tordin, Alexa Spaanstra.

Bench: Mimi Alidou, Bella Bixby, Deyna Castellanos, Laila Harbert, Sam Hiatt, Valerin Loboa, Mallie McKenzie, Jayden Perry, Kaitlyn Torpey.

Referees

REF: Shawn Tehini.
AR1: Christian Clerc.
AR2: Matthew Rodman.
4TH: Alejo Calume.
VAR: Alexandra Billeter.
AVAR: Matthew Seem.

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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 @manelanddave.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).

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Enjoy the game. Go Pride!