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Orlando Pride vs. CF Pachuca, Concacaf W Champions Cup: Final Score 1-1 as Draw Knocks Pride Out of Competition

The Pride’s lack of finishing bit them as a draw wasn’t enough to see Orlando into the Champions Cup knockout rounds.

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1 month ago

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Image of Marta playing the ball against CF Pachuca.
Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride (2-1-1, 7 points) drew 1-1 with CF Pachuca (2-1-1, 7 points) in their final game of the 2025-2026 Concacaf W Champions Cup tonight at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Marta gave the Pride the lead in the first half, but a second-half goal by Chinwendu Ihezuo saw the game end even.

The two teams came into tonight’s game even on points for the final advancing spot in Group A. However, Pachuca had a better goal difference, so the Pride needed a win to continue their campaign.

With the Pride still fighting for a home playoff game, Head Coach Seb Hines made several changes to the lineup to provide rest before Saturday’s match at Washington. Cosette Morche started in goal behind a back line of Cori Dyke, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Julie Doyle. Summer Yates, Marta, Viviana Villacorta, and Luana were the midfielders with Simone Jackson and Simone Charley up top.

Nothing less than three points was enough for the Pride, so the team came out attacking. They created several opportunities throughout the game, missing inches wide multiple times and hitting the crossbar in the second half. The inability to finish proved costly as the visitors converted in the second half to get the point they needed to move into the semifinals.

The Pride got the first chance of the game in the second minute when Jackson was sent down the left. The attacker’s cross was intercepted by Ohale Osinachi, but Yates took it right off her foot. The midfielder shot toward the far post from a tight angle, but it skipped just wide.

Yates made a run to the top of the Pachuca box in the sixth minute, finding Marta with space near the penalty spot. The Pride captain settled the ball and aimed for the near post, but her shot went just wide of the diving Pachuca goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras and the post.

Pachuca created its first opportunity in the 10th minute when Charlyn Corral sent Ihezua behind the back line. Morche came out in an attempt to beat the attacker to the ball, but Ihezua got there first, but her shot bounced wide of the target.

In the 17th minute, Kenti Robles made a run on the left and Corral played her into the Pride box. Myra Delgadillo was trailing and Robles played it back. Delgadillo’s shot went wide of the far post.

The Pride felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 20th minute when Jackson was sent into the Pachuca box. She dribbled through Robles before going down after contact with Delgadillo. Jackson’s teammates appealed for a penalty, but referee Carly Shaw-MacLaren disagreed.

Pachuca had a breakaway in the 22nd minute when Nina Nicosia sent Ihezuo behind the Pride back line. Morche came off her line and had to get the challenge right to avoid a red card, but the goalkeeper did well and cleared the ball away.

The Pride finally found their goal in the 25th minute and it was all from one person. Dribbling inside, Marta drew a foul from Minota about 25 yards from the goal. The Pride captain took the set piece and went for the near post, placing the ball past Barreras in the upper right corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

“I saw the goalkeeper was a little bit far away from the angle where I wanted to put the ball. And then I just concentrated with it and then I told myself, I’m gonna go for the goal,” Marta said. “I didn’t even realize the ball went in, but it was a good hit. I’m happy with that.”

“It’s a great free kick, top corner, no keeper is saving that. And she executes well,” Hines added. “So, yeah, we’re just happy to have her back, fit, and available for us. It adds another piece to the quality that we already have. And it was a very iconic Marta moment for her and for the team. And we’d like to see more of that.”

Pachuca almost responded right away when Delgadillo got in behind the Pride back line. The forward slipped the ball behind Morche but it rolled just wide of the left post.

The visitors had another opportunity in the 34th minute when Yates took Delgadillo down about 30 yards out. The set piece was played short to Robles, who sent a dangerous cross into the box. Delgadillo got across the front of Sams, but headed the ball right to Morche.

The Pride again thought a penalty was warranted in the 42nd minute, when Jackson was sent down the left. As she entered the box, Osinachi put her whole body into Jackson’s back, causing her to go down. The Pride players again appealed for a penalty but to no avail.

Yates nearly converted with 40 seconds remaining in first-half stoppage time. The attacker dribbled across the top of the box before sending a shot toward the near post that skipped just wide.

After 45 minutes, Pachuca had more possession (53.2%-46.8%), shots (9-6), and crosses (8-2). While neither team had a corner kick and each put one shot on target, the Pride had better passing accuracy (82.6%-81.5%) and scored the first half’s lone goal.

The Pride made three halftime changes. Carson Pickett, Angelina, and Haley McCutcheon came into the game for Rafaelle, Villacorta, and Luana.

The first chance of the second half came in the 51st minute after Marta’s shot was blocked out of play by Osinachi. The ensuing set piece was poorly cleared by Andrea Pereira, landing at Angelina’s feet. The halftime substitute took a shot from just outside the box that sailed over the target.

The visitors pulled even in the 54th minute through some misfortune for the Pride. Delgadillo lost Jackson and sent a ball into the box that Robles flicked on for Ihezuo. It hit Dyke but fell right back to the forward’s feet. Her shot deflected off Sams and went in to even the game.

Needing a goal to advance, Hines replaced Charley with Jacquie Ovalle in the 61st minute.

Sams tried to take the ball away from Ayo Oke in the 65th minute, but conceded a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was headed by Sams and Pereira, landing at Robles’ feet. After settling the ball, she took a shot that Yates deflected over the target by Yates. The second corner kick from the opposite side found Pereira, running toward goal. However, she sent her header over the crossbar.

Hines made his final substitution in the 69th minute, replacing Jackson with Elyse Bennett.

Corral made a run to the end line in the 71st minute before Dyke blocked her cross out of play. The ensuing set piece went short to Oke, whose shot from outside the box was straight to Morche.

The Pride had an opportunity to retake the lead in the 79th minute when Marta found Yates at the top of the box. Yates did well to spin around Osinachi to find space for a shot but sent it wide for a third time.

Angelina found Yates making a run into the Pachuca box in the 85th minute. With Robles on her back, Yates was in on goal, with Ovalle open to her right. Yates shot, but left it too close to Barreras, who blocked the attempt with her right foot.

Doyle lifted the ball into the Pachuca box from near midfield in the 88th minute. Marta outjumped the defenders to get her head to it, sending it right to Barreras.

A Pachuca goal kick as the game entered stoppage time nearly resulted in a goal when Pereira played Corral behind the Pride back line. The attacker got in behind, but her shot was right at Morche.

The Pride nearly found their winner in the second minute of stoppage time. Ovalle received a pass in the box and laid it off for McCutcheon. The defensive midfielder shot from the top of the box but it hit the crossbar.

The visitors had one last chance at goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Oke’s shot deflected out for a goal kick. That was the last opportunity for either team as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Pachuca ended the game with more possession (50.8%-49.2%), shots (18-16), crosses (17-10), and corner kicks (4-3). The Pride put more shots on target (5-4) and had better passing accuracy (78.9%-80.8%). Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to score a second goal and claim all three points.

“Obviously, disappointed that we didn’t come away with a win tonight. I thought we did enough, created enough chances,” Hines said. “Obviously, they had a few opportunities in the first half, and I think we took away those moments in the second half. And we’re obviously disappointed with the goal that they scored, but it’s a good reminder for us. When it’s games like this, where it’s a must-win situation, it should lead as well going into playoff football as well. And, of course, we’re disappointed to be out of this competition, because it was something that we set out to do was qualify at the start of the year, and it wasn’t meant to be.”

“You have the opportunity, you need to kill the game,” Marta added. “I think they had a good first half against us. They created a lot of chances. They should’ve scored two or three goals. They don’t. And in the second half, unfortunately, we didn’t clear the ball 100% and then they scored. And then after that, we had chances, had a lot of chances to score our second or third goal but it didn’t happen. So it’s details, and we need to be better with it.”

The game saw an end to the Pride’s inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign, much earlier than they wanted. Hines put more emphasis on the league than the continental tournament, as shown by his weakened lineups. That proved costly as the Pride struggled to convert against the Mexican sides.

The match was Marta’s 150th appearance in all competitions as a member of the Pride. She becomes the first player in club history to reach the milestone, though she says she hopes she isn’t.

“Of course, I’m happy. I want to achieve more and more for this club,” she said. “And I hope the young players see this as something positive and look to break my record. Come to my age and keep playing at a high level, and keep feeling hungry for the game. Like the same passion, the same feeling as I was like when I was 17, 18. So I just want them to see me as an example that they can follow.”

With the Champions Cup behind them, the Pride turn their attention back to the league. They currently sit in third, which would see them host a first-round playoff game. There are only two games left.

That quest continues Saturday afternoon when the Pride take on the second-place Washington Spirit at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Then they return home for the regular-season finale on Nov. 2.

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Haley Carter Departs the Orlando Pride

The mastermind behind the Orlando Pride’s success is leaving the club to pursue other opportunities.

Published

9 hours ago

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November 18, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

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.

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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.

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16 hours ago

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November 18, 2025

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Image of Cosette Morche taking a goal kick against Pachuca.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

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.

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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.

Published

2 days ago

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November 17, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

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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