Orlando Pride
Top 10 Moments of 2025: Luana Returns to the Pitch Following Cancer Treatment
Our No. 5 moment was an emotional one as Orlando Pride midfielder Luana made her return to professional soccer after undergoing cancer treatment that kept her off the field for over a year.
As we count down to the new year of 2026 — which will be Orlando City’s 12th in MLS, the Orlando Pride’s 11th in the NWSL, and OCB’s fourth in MLS NEXT Pro — and say goodbye to 2025, it’s time to look back at the club’s 10 best moments of the year as selected by The Mane Land staff via vote.
Some moments in sports are bigger than the scoreboard, the game, or the season. Sometimes it’s more about life and the celebration of it. Such was the case in the Orlando Pride’s otherwise unremarkable 3-0 win over an outmatched LD Alajuelense side at home on Sept. 2. Sure, it was the Pride’s first win in Concacaf W Champions Cup play. In fact, it was the club’s first-ever match in the competition.
The Pride were clearly the better side but were struggling to put the ball in the net against the visitors from Costa Rica. The game remained scoreless at halftime despite Orlando holding an advantage in possession (67.6%-32.4%), shots (15-5), shots on target (4-1), crosses (15-4), corner kicks (5-1), and passing accuracy (82.7%-63.9%).
But the magic happened in the second half, and it had only a little to do with the three goals Orlando scored after the break. Julie Doyle finally snapped the scoreless deadlock just four minutes after the restart, almost apologetically redirecting a Carson Pickett pass into the net in the 49th minute.
Once the ball went in, the Pride seemed more comfortable and played their own game. Orlando doubled the lead in the 64th minute with Pickett adding a goal to go along with her assist. Left in too much space near the left corner of the box, the defender-turned-winger blasted a missile into the top right corner to make it 2-0.
But as good as those things made Orlando Pride fans feel, it paled in comparison to what happened six minutes after Pickett made it 2-0. Brazilian midfielder Luana subbed into the match for Ally Lemos, making her first appearance for the Pride since March 29, 2024, against the Chicago Red Stars.
Following that game, Luana was listed on the availability report as out due to an excused absence for the next three matches. Eventually, the club revealed on April 29, 2024, that the midfielder had been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and placed her on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list. She immediately started going through chemotherapy treatment.
The Pride rallied around their stricken teammate, often celebrating goals by holding their hands up in an ‘L’ shape to pay tribute to the Brazilian. Orlando rattled off an astounding 24-game unbeaten run en route to the 2024 NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship.
Getting back to that night in September of 2025, Luana ran onto the field with much shorter and curlier hair than she was sporting in her previous Pride match, having not played in the club’s last 48 consecutive competitive matches (41 regular-season games across 2024 and 2025, three NWSL x Liga MX Femenina Summer Cup matches, three NWSL playoff games, and the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup).
Luana had only recently returned to the matchday squad on Aug. 3 in Orlando’s 1-1 home draw vs. the Utah Royals, but she did not play in that game. Five competitive matches later, the midfielder finally trotted out onto the pitch to replace Lemos in the 70th minute with the sound of cheers from the hometown faithful ringing in her ears. She instantly made an impact on the game, looking lively and controlling play with flair and confidence.
Just one minute after coming on, Luana sent a cross onto Doyle’s head, although the forward couldn’t steer it on frame. Simone Jackson added a third goal to put the game to bed just 11 minutes after Luana was introduced, and the Pride went on to win the match 3-0.
But the result, as nice as it was for the Pride, was superfluous. Because some moments in sports are bigger than the scoreboard, the game, or the season. Sometimes it’s more about life and the celebration of it. Such was the case with Luana’s return to the field after undergoing a difficult treatment and recovery period. The impact she had on her teammates was visible, and the crowd at Inter&Co Stadium gave the Brazilian a warm reception. It was a moment for tears of joyful emotion for all the right reasons. And it was certainly worthy of inclusion of our list of the club’s top moments of the year.
Previous Top Moments of 2025
10. Orlando City clinches a playoff berth for a sixth consecutive season on Alex Freeman’s late game-tying goal.
9. Luis Muriel’s hat trick powers Lions to Leagues Cup knockout rounds.
8. Martin Ojeda scores Orlando City’s first hat trick since Cyle Larin did so all the way back in 2015.
7. Orlando City sweeps rival Inter Miami during the regular season, winning both games by three goals.
6. Martin Ojeda breaks Orlando City’s single-season record for goal contributions.