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Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Stars FC: Final Score 3-0 as Pride Dominate for First Win of 2026

The Pride claimed their first win of the season, beating Chicago Stars FC 3-0 away from home.

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2 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (1-1-1, 4 points) claimed their first win of the 2026 season, defeating Chicago Stars FC (1-2-0, 3 points) 3-0 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL. First-half goals by Barbra Banda, Jacquie Ovalle, and Hannah Anderson were the difference in the team’s first road game of the year.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made two changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Denver Summit FC on Friday night. Angelina and Solai Washington entered the starting lineup, replacing Seven Castain and Summer Yates.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was Cori Dyke, Anderson, Hailie Mace, and Oihane. Angelina and Ally Lemos were the defensive midfielders behind Ovalle, Haley McCutcheon, and Washington with Banda up top.

Apart from a 10-minute spell to start the second half, the Pride were by far the better team in this game. They created more chances than the opposition and the first half was the best 45 minutes the team has played this year. Most importantly, they converted on multiple chances, something that plagued this team in the first two games.

The Stars were the more threatening team early, creating a pair of corner kicks inside the first five minutes. However, the first chance came in the 10th minute when Jameese Joseph sent Ryan Gareis behind the Pride back line. The midfielder was kept onside by Anderson and was in on goal, but she sent her shot over the crossbar.

The Pride had their first chance in the 13th minute and converted. A poor pass by Washington near the top of the Chicago box gave possession away. But McCutcheon won it back and Lemos sent Banda behind the back line. Sam Staab slid in a desperate attempt to stop the striker, but the Zambian put it past Alyssa Naeher to take the early 1-0 lead. For Lemos, it was her first pro assist.

The goal gave the Pride their first lead of the 2026 NWSL season. It was Banda’s third goal of the year, scoring the first three goals for her team.

“I think it’s so important to score the first goal, especially in this team,” Hines said about the early conversion. “I think the record speaks for itself. It gives you that foundation. It kind of changes the opponent’s game plan.”

“It was huge,” Washington added about scoring first. “Super great of Barbra to be able to convert that super early in the game, because the last few games we’ve been trailing to begin with. So I think just getting that confidence of that first goal really helped us and is a big testament to why we were able to continue to just get more comfortable into the game and kind of play our game and trust in ourselves. And I think that’s what got us three points.”

In the 18th minute, Banda received a pass in the Chicago third and turned Staab, who pulled back the striker. Ovalle took the set piece, sending it toward the back post where Anderson was making a run. However, the ball was a little too far in front of the center back, who was unable to get on the end of it.

The Stars had a chance in the 21st minute off of a short free kick. The ball into the box was headed on by Michelle Alozie and out by Mace. But the center back didn’t get enough on the clearance, allowing Staab to head the ball toward goal. Fortunately, she didn’t get much on it, allowing Moorhouse to make the easy catch.

A minute later, the Pride doubled their advantage. It started when the Pride took the ball away from Maitane Lopez near midfield. Banda tapped the ball back for Angelina who sent it long for Ovalle. The Mexican international reached the top of the box and shot, but it was blocked by Bea Franklin. The ball went right back to Ovalle, who played it wide for Washington. The rookie sent a low pass just behind Ovalle, but the attacker spun and backheeled the ball past Naeher to make it 2-0.

“I got the ball on the width, and at that point, it’s kind of just betting on myself, taking players on one-v-one and just having confidence in myself and then commit to finish,” Washington said about her first professional assist. “And I played it into Jacquie, and she had a fantastic finish, back heel kind of finish. So, you know, super grateful to be able to have, you know, first assist and first start, and obviously just a great finish by Jacquie as well.” 

“It’s always going to be a tough adjustment coming to the league, and I think now we’re starting to see her qualities,” Hines said about Ovalle’s goal “It’s a terrific finish from individuality to see that and apply it is important. And shout out to Solai as well, getting her first assist in the process; that’s important for her to get off the mark.”

The Pride continued to push and found a third goal in the 35th minute. Ovalle went down after some contact from behind by Lopez, earning a free kick in the Chicago half. The free kick by Ovalle was headed out of play by Alozie for the Pride’s first corner kick of the night.

Ovalle took the set piece, sending it to the back post where Anderson was making a run. The center back was defended by Tessa Dellarose, but she got behind the left back and volleyed the ball in with her left foot to score her first goal against her former team. It gave Ovalle an assist to go along with her goal.

“Obviously, I know that we have great service, so my job is kind of just to find the ball and get on the end of it,” Anderson said. “Jacquie had a great ball in, and I kind of made a double movement to get to the back of the post. And really, all I was thinking was get good contact on the ball.”

“We talked about set pieces a lot, and it’s becoming a lot more important in the game,” Hines said. “And for Hannah to not only get a clean sheet, but score the goal against her former team as well, I know that felt good for her, so again, really pleased for her, really pleased with the delivery and how we applied it.”

Banda looked for her second goal in the 41st minute after McCutcheon took the ball off Manaka Hayashi. Banda took possession, dribbling to the top of the Chicago box. Despite the Stars defense collapsing around her, Banda found space for a shot from distance and forced Naeher into a diving stop at her near post.

The Pride nearly had a chance for a fourth in the second minute of stoppage time when Banda sent a dangerous ball across the top of the Chicago six-yard box. McCutcheon and Washington were making runs, but the cross was behind both of them.

It was a dominant first 45 minutes for Orlando, which had more possession (52%-48%), shots (6-4), shots on target (4-1), and crosses (11-3). Chicago had better passing accuracy (85%-83%) and both teams won three corner kicks.

The Stars got the second half off to an attacking start. Ivonne Chacon was sent behind the Pride back line fewer than 30 seconds after the restart, but Moorhouse did well to come off her line and collect it.

Seconds later, Julia Grosso made a strong run to the top of the Pride box before Mace touched it away. The ball went to Joseph, who took a hard shot that went just wide of the near post.

Chicago’s high press made it difficult for the Pride to get the ball out of their own end and created another chance for the hosts. In the 49th minute, Grosso collected the ball and made a strong run to the top of the Pride box. Anderson was on her hip, but Grosso got a shot off, sending the attempt high and wide.

“It’s a bit different, because now Chicago are chasing the game, and we had to work at the start,” Hines said about the start of the second half. “I would have liked us to start the second half a bit better, but albeit, we kept the ball out the net, didn’t give them much joy.”

The Pride got their first second-half chance in the 54th minute when Banda drew a foul on Staab. Ovalle sent the ensuing set piece into the middle of the box where Banda flicked it on with her head. It went just wide of the left post.

The Pride nearly had a fourth goal in the 61st minute when Banda played the ball square for Ovalle, who couldn’t control it. McCutcheon took possession and fired from long distance, sending her attempt beyond Naeher’s outstretched arm and off the crossbar.

A minute later, Hines made his first change of the game, replacing Angelina with Yates.

Grosso was more selfish in the second half and it resulted in her creating dangerous chances. That happened again in the 67th minute when the midfielder received the ball near the top corner of the Pride box. She dribbled through defenders and in on goal before firing for the near post. However, Moorhouse stayed on her line and blocked the attempt, ending the attack.

In the 71st minute, Dyke made a run to the end line before her cross was headed over the end line by Jenna Bike. Hines made two more changes during the stoppage, replacing Mace and Washington with Rafaelle and Castain.

Hines made his final two changes in the 82nd minute. Ovalle and Banda came off for Julie Doyle and Marta. It was the club captain’s first appearance of the season.

Lemos received a pass in a seemingly innocuous position. However, the midfielder fired from long distance. It was an excellent strike that forced Naeher to go after the ball, which went just over the crossbar.

Oihane received a long pass across the field in the 86th minute and her first touch was forward for Doyle. Doyle did well to bring the ball down and dribble into the box before sending her shot wide of the near post. The final attempt of the game came in the dying seconds as Doyle dribbled to the end line and played the ball across for Marta entering the six-yard box. The Brazilian tried to redirect the ball on target, but sent it wide.

That was the last touch as the final whistle blew, giving the Pride their first win and first clean sheet of the season. Chicago had more possession (52%-48%) and better passing accuracy (85%-82%), but the Pride had more shots (11-8), shots on target (4-2), and crosses (15-10). Both teams ended the game with four corner kicks.

“I thought we were terrific,” Hines said. “You know, we wanted to start off on the right foot. I think, obviously, getting that 3-0 lead in the first half really gives the foundation to go on and win the game. Second half was obviously a little bit different because Chicago put on a bit more pressure. And we had to weather a storm in that sense. And I felt we handled it really well. It was nice to get some players onto the pitch as well, and allow us to rest a few players in the lead up into Sunday’s game. So overall, really pleased. A lot of really good performances. It’s been coming as well. We’ve been disappointed with the results and other performances in the first two games, and so it was nice for it all to come together tonight.”

This game lifted a weight off the Pride in two ways. Despite having the majority of the chances in the first two games, they were only able to net one goal in each. They also conceded in both games, something the team was disappointed in. The ability to score three times lifts a weight off the attackers’ backs, especially Banda and Ovalle, who have had such high expectations going into this season. It was also the most complete performance defensively in the early part of the season.

“I feel like these past two games, we’ve really done well defensively, and kind of the team talks have been like we need to be locked in for all 90 minutes,” Anderson said about the clean sheet. “I think the stats have reflected that we’ve played better than the product of the match. And so, really, the goal was just to make sure we’re locked in, get the shutout. And obviously having three goals definitely helps keeping the balls out of our net, too.”

“We have spoken about it as a collective, especially with the defenders and goalkeeper. And we have a job to do. We have a job to keep the ball out of the net, whatever it takes,” Hines added. “Bodies on the line, blocks, getting close to people. And I thought they were brilliant in that, and it’s not just those at the back, it’s the midfielders, the forwards. It’s dictating the press as well. I think it’s been tough with the first two games as well, because we haven’t given the opponent too many opportunities to score, but we’ve been punished when we have, and so it’s been really pleasing that it was almost close to perfection.”

After a disappointing homestand that saw the Pride only claim one point from two games, their first win of the season provides some confidence going forward. They’re now on four points, tied for sixth, and two points behind the league-leading teams.

It’s a short turnaround for the Pride as they travel to New Jersey for a Sunday night matchup against the defending NWSL champions – and the team that knocked them out in the semifinals last year – NJ/NY Gotham FC.

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

The Pride look to build on their home win against North Carolina against Boston Legacy FC tonight in a midweek contest.

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4 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride (3-3-2, 11 points) take on Boston Legacy FC (1-5-2, 5 points) in Foxborough, MA. This is the first of two games between the teams this year, with the return game in Orlando scheduled for July 15.

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

History

Since this is the first year in the existence of Boston Legacy FC and the first time the two clubs will meet in 2026, there’s no history between the teams. However, Boston’s roster does include forward Amanda Allen, who played for the Pride from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, the Pride will be familiar with several of the opposing players as they have extensive experience in the league.

Overview

This has been an up-and-down season for the Pride so far. It began with a disappointing start as they fell 2-1 to Seattle Reign FC and drew 1-1 with Denver Summit FC. They bounced back from the homestand with an impressive 3-0 win over the Chicago Stars, a scoreless draw with defending NWSL champion NJ/NY Gotham FC, and a 2-1 win over Angel City FC.

Unfortunately, those highs didn’t last long. Orlando fell 3-2 to Racing Louisville FC and 4-2 to the Washington Spirit, before defeating the North Carolina Courage 1-0 Friday night.

The Pride have been carried offensively by striker Barbra Banda, who has eight goals and has scored the team’s five most recent goals. All five have come in the last three games. The team has only played two games in which other players have scored. Jacquie Ovalle and Hannah Anderson converted against Chicago and Haley McCutcheon had a surprising brace against Angel City.

The team got off to a good start defensively, conceding just four goals in the first five games, including two clean sheets. But the Pride were torn apart by Louisville and Washington, giving up seven goals in those two games.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines responded by making adjustments to the back line Friday night. While it was the same back four, Cori Dyke moved from left back to center back, Oihane moved from right back to left back, and Hailie Mace moved from center back to her natural right back position. The changes resulted in the team’s first clean sheet in five games.

They’ll look to build on their most recent result tonight against a team that sits at the bottom of the NWSL standings. Through five games, Boston has just one win, a 3-2 victory over fellow newcomers Denver at home. However, they sandwiched that win with a 2-2 draw against the Courage and a 1-1 draw with Gotham away from home on Saturday.

With only seven goals this season, there hasn’t been much of a threat from this new team. Aissata Traore and Alba Cano lead the way with two goals each, while Bianca St-Georges, Sammy Smith, and Nichelle Prince have one goal each. Prince also has a team-leading two assists.

Defensively, Boston is led by league veteran goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who spent the last five seasons with the Courage and has made her way into the U.S. National Team setup. The team has seen several defensive units and formations since the start of the season as it looks to find the best lineup.

Tonight’s hosts face a tough challenge as they welcome the league-leading goal scorer in Banda. Meanwhile, the Pride will undoubtedly see this game as an opportunity to create some momentum as the schedule creeps closer to the FIFA World Cup break.

“I think it is going to be a tough game. I think any game in this league is tough, regardless of where the standings are,” Hines said ahead of tonight’s game. “Boston are in good form right now. I think they are unbeaten in three games, so we are looking to build on our performance this last week against North Carolina. Hopefully, get three points away from home and start that journey on our away form as well. Always expect a tough match. They have some tough players as well, and we have to put our best game forward.”

The Pride will take the field tonight without Kerry Abello (hip), Zara Chavoshi (lower leg), Cosette Morche (ankle), Jacquie Ovalle (thigh), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), Viviana Villacorta (knee), and Solai Washington (knee). Boston will be without Kaka (ankle) and Fauzia Najjemba (thigh), while Nicki Hernandez (thigh) is listed as questionable.

Projected Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Oihane, Rafaelle, Cori Dyke, Hailie Mace.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Ally Lemos.

Attacking Midfielders: Summer Yates, Haley McCutcheon, Marta.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Boston Legacy FC (3-1-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy.

Defenders: Lois Araujo, Bianca St-Georges, Emerson Elgin.

Defensive Midfielder: Annie Karich.

Attacking Midfielders: Sammy Smith, Josefine Hasbo, Alba Cano, Nichelle Prince.

Forwards: Amanda Gutierres, Barbara Olivierei.

Referees

REF: Katja Koroleva.
AR1: Sharon Gingrich.
AR2: Kristin Patterson.
4TH: Jeremy Scheer.
VAR: Brad Jensen.
AVAR: Matthew Seem.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Gillette Stadium — Foxborough, MA.

TV: None.

Streaming: Victory+.

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.

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage: Final Score 1-0 as Pride Win on Banda’s Late Goal

North Carolina hadn’t allowed a goal in the second half all season until Banda’s breakthrough.

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4 days ago

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May 8, 2026

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Image of Barbra Banda celebrating her winning goal against the Courage.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

A sloppy first 85 minutes finally gave way to a moment of brilliance from Barbra Banda as she worked her way free for the one and only goal to get the Orlando Pride (3-3-2, 11 points) back to their winning ways. Banda’s eighth of the season led to a 1-0 Pride win over the North Carolina Courage (2-3-3, 9 points) at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride are still waking up from the international break, having lost the last two to Racing Louisville, a team well below them in the standings, and the Washington Spirit at home. Banda has scored five goals in the last three games, leading the NWSL in goals, but she’s the only one scoring.

“We’ve met as units. We watch film, we go over things,” Pride forward Simone Jackson said in preparation for this game. “We’re talking to each other. We’re working on shifting faster and covering splits and making change for this North Carolina game and making sure that our press is matching their style of play.”

Head Coach Seb Hines put the same lineup on the field as the previous game against the Spirit, with Anna Moorhouse in goal. The only changes were in where the players started. Cori Dyke moved from left back to right center back, with Oihane and Rafaelle to her left and Hailie Mace at right back. Additionally, Haley McCutcheon dropped into central midfield with Ally Lemos, while Angelina joined Summer Yates and Solai Washington in the attacking midfield with Banda up top.

“We felt we had conceded seven goals in two games and we needed to make a shift in the back line,” Hines said after the game. “Cori Dyke has played center back for me and Hailie Mace is a new player to the club and just finding a bit more comfort with her playing right back. We just felt we needed to shift a bit — not change the personnel but shift the personnel.”

The Pride opened the match with a free kick from 40 yards out that Lemos sent straight to Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. North Carolina was able to get to the end line four minutes later but the cross went straight to Moorhouse. At the eight-minute mark, Angelina intercepted a long ball and headed it to Yates at the top of the box, whose first touch failed her and snuffed out the counter.

Banda got her elbow up high in the 10th minute and caught Natalia Staude in the chin. That prompted a delay as the video assistant referee evaluated it for a red card offense but eventually play resumed without incident. Banda then showed her immense talents three minutes later, outracing and outmuscling center backs, Staude and Uno Shiragaki for 40 yards, but the double team eventually won out.

Moorhouse and Lemos collided defending a free kick at the 18-minute mark, which caused Lemos to take a moment to gather herself. Yates picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute for sliding under Riley Jackson and catching her with her studs in the fallout of a foul she herself had drawn on the play. Washington slipped by Jackson with a great move in the 25th but the play ended up with a corner that turned into nothing.

As a light rain (that eventually turned into a full-on downpour) settled in with 18 minutes to play in the half, the Pride definitely had shown more promise on offense but no real threats. It was a good start for a team that had fallen behind early previously but more precision was going to be needed on the offensive side. Washington worked herself free in the box but, again, the shot went wide.

The first real threat from the Courage came in the 31st minute as Manaka Matsukubo got on the end of a deflected corner and pushed it just wide of the far post. Yates went to the ground a minute later after she took a shot to the ribcage by Lauryn Thompson.

Whether it was the rain picking up or a tactical adjustment, the game flowed to where North Carolina started owning possession but without any real threats. The Pride couldn’t get out of their own end until the 40th minute when a pass from Lemos to Banda at the top of the box allowed her to open up enough space to rocket a shot just wide of the near post.

Thompson tried to chip a cross towards the Pride goal but ended up skying it into the stands in the 43rd minute. With five minutes added to the first half for the various video reviews and injuries, The Courage kept Orlando bottled up in their own defensive end. Trying to escape, Oihane overhit a touch and kicked the legs out of Thompson, picking up a yellow card in the third minute of added time. A shot by McCutcheon a minute later deflected off Banda just wide.

To wrap up the half, Lemos picked up a yellow card in the fifth minute of added time for tripping Matsukubo. North Carolina’s ensuing free kick went long and ended the half just as the rain let up.

It wasn’t a great half of soccer by either team, highlighted by minimal threats and mostly defined by turnovers. The Pride trailed possession (58%-42%), crosses (7-5) and passing accuracy (83%-76%) but led on shots (4-3). Both teams had two corners and neither put a shot on goal.

The Pride came out with energy in the second half trying to change that. Just 30 seconds in, Washington crossed it to Banda at the penalty spot but she scuffed the volley. One minute later, Banda held off Shiragaki to open up a shot but put it just over the bar.

“Honestly, to be switched on from the beginning,” Angelina said when asked about the halftime message. “We know that in past games we got scored on pretty early coming back from the half. That was a big goal for us to come and be disciplined.”

Dani Weatherholt elbowed Washington to the ground in the 50th minute, picking up the Courage’s first yellow card. Matsukubo unleashed a 40-yard through ball to Thompson at the 53-minute mark, freeing Thompson for a shot wide.

Hines decided to try to bring some precision to the attack in the 55th minute, bringing in Marta for Yates and Seven Castain for Washington. It didn’t lead to anything immediately and, in the 60th, Shinomi Koyama got free at the top of the box and put it just over the bar.

However, just seconds later, Banda held off her defender at midfield and dribbled to the middle, laying it off to Marta in the box, who worked herself free for the first shot on target for either team. Sheridan kept it out with a huge save. The ensuing corner by Lemos rattled off the near post, leading to nothing. Lemos was subbed off a minute later in the 64th, with Julie Doyle taking her place.

Marta’s influence on the game started to become even more apparent with a slick left-footed inside-of-the-boot pass that curled perfectly to Banda, but she dribbled in too deep and didn’t get a shot off, losing the ball to Sheridan while trying to round the keeper. Ryan Williams put a shot over the bar 90 seconds later off a block.

Marta rifled a corner in the 69th minute that Sheridan parried right to McCutcheon, who fired it just wide. The Courage then made their first substitutes, bringing in Chioma Okafor for Thompson and Ally Schlegel for Evelyn Ijeh. Ijeh is listed as the forward for the Courage, yet this is the first mention she got in this writeup.

There was a lot of back-and-forth play over the next few minutes until Sanchez pushed a shot just past the far post in the 76th minute. North Carolina then brought in Carly Wickenheiser for Jackson in the 77th minute.

Marta shook herself loose in the 81st and thought she had a corner off a Sheridan tip but it was judged as a missed shot. Angelina went down in the ensuing Courage possession and was subbed off for Luana at the 84th-minute mark. The Courage made a substitution in the 85th, bringing in Ivy Younce for Sanchez.

In the 87th, the Pride broke the scoreless deadlock. Rafaelle intercepted a long pass and fired it over the top to Banda, who was kept onside by Staude. Banda worked her way into the box on the left. The Zambian international sent a curling shot around Sheridan and inside the right post, finally converting and giving the Pride the lead they had been knocking on for a while. Banda had been wasteful all game, but a striker just needs one. The Courage had not surrendered a second-half goal all season but they hadn’t played Banda yet either.

Banda went down in the ensuing celebration and then again five minutes later after a tough shoulder-to-shoulder challenge. She was able to return and, 60 seconds later, held off three defenders while transitioning the ball all the way down the field. She looked winded at this point, but the Pride had used all their subs.

Rafaelle picked up a yellow card in the seventh minute of added time for an over-the-top challenge. That produced the last meaningful action of the half as the Pride wrapped up the win.

The Pride ended up with roughly the same amount of possession as in the first half, finishing behind the Courage (56%-44%). They trailed in shots (12-9) but led in shots on target (2-1). The Courage led in crosses (13-8), but the Pride had one more corner (5-4). Passing accuracy picked up for the Pride in the second half, but they still ended up trailing (82.4%-79.6%).

The Pride now head out on a long road trip. They’ll head to Boston for a game against the Legacy on Tuesday, fly to Denver for a Saturday game against the Summit. Orlando will then get an eight-day break before going to San Diego to play the Wave.

“Sometimes road trips are nice, because you get to bond as a team,” Moorhouse said. “You’re with your teammates 24/7, so you get to bond a bit and hopefully this win will now snowball.”

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

The Pride look to end their two-game losing streak as they welcome the North Carolina Courage to Inter&Co Stadium.

Published

4 days ago

on

May 8, 2026

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Image of Rafaelle playing the ball.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your preview and match thread as the Orlando Pride (2-3-2, 8 points) look to bounce back from a tough loss as they welcome the North Carolina Courage (2-2-3, 9 points) to Inter&Co Stadium (8 p.m., Prime Video). This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season, with the return game in Cary, NC scheduled for July 31.

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

History

The Pride and Courage have played 28 times since the Western New York Flash moved to North Carolina and became the Courage in 2017. The Pride are 6-11-3 in the all-time series in NWSL play and 6-14-8 in all competitions (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.). Orlando is 3-6-0 at home in league play and 3-7-2 in home matches against the Courage in all competitions.

The most recent meeting between the two teams took place Sept. 19, 2025. The game appeared to be headed towards a scoreless draw until the end of normal time, when Shinomi Koyama converted to give the Courage the 1-0 win.

Prior to that game, the teams met on May 10 in Cary, NC. Feli Rauch scored in the first half to give the hosts the lead and it looked like they would hold on for all three points. But Prisca Chilufya’s equalizer in 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 went into the three-week international break on a four-game point streak, recording a pair of wins and a pair of draws. However, they’ve had two poor results since then, a 3-2 loss to Racing Louisville on the road and a 4-2 loss to the Washington Spirit at home.

The most recent game got off to a terrible start as Sofia Cantore scored twice in the first five and a half minutes to give the Spirit a 2-0 lead. It looked worse when Ally Lemos had her penalty saved by Sandy MacIver. But Banda scored twice before the break to even the game at 2-2.

Unfortunately, Claudia Martinez and Trinity Rodman scored in the second half, lifting the visitors to a two-goal win and handing the Pride their second consecutive loss. The losses put the Pride in 12th place in the league standings, but just one point behind eighth.

With Kerry Abello and Kylie Nadaner out, the Pride’s back line has consisted of Cori Dyke, Rafaelle, Hailie Mace, and Oihane. Together with starting goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, the defensive unit has conceded seven goals in the last two games. But that’s not the only reason they’ve struggled the last two weeks.

Finishing has been another problem for the Pride. The only player able to convert has been Banda, who has scored four goals in the two most recent games. As previously mentioned, that included a Lemos penalty saved against the Spirit.

Tonight, the Pride face a foe in a similar position, as the Courage also sit on nine points. They’ve played three games since the break. They returned from the international break with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash before drawing Boston Legacy 2-2 and losing to the Kansas City Current 2-1.

The Courage are tied for the sixth-most goals conceded through their first seven games. That’s despite adding Canadian international goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who joined from San Diego Wave FC, where she was one of the league’s top shot stoppers.

The back line in front of Sheridan has been consistent recently, consisting of Dani Weatherholt, Maycee Bell, Uno Shiragaki, and Ryan Williams. However, Bell missed the team’s loss against Kansas City with a lower body injury.

Offensively, the Courage are led by U.S. international Ashley Sanchez, who has five goals. Matsukubo is second on the team with two goals and Weatherholt has the remaining one.

Williams leads the Courage with three assists so far this season, followed by Carly Wickenheiser, Matsukubo, Payton Linnehan, and Shinomi Koyama with one each.

“I think in any game in this league, it’s always going to be a tough matchup. I think they’re looking to bounce back from a defeat this past weekend. Similarly, we are as well,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said leading into tonight’s game. “We want to get our home form going again. Looking back at the Washington game, we’re very disappointed in the goals we conceded. We created some of our own as well and we have to capitalize on those moments. But there’s been a big emphasis on getting back to who we are as a team and not conceding sloppy goals.”

The Pride will play tonight without Kerry Abello (hip), Hannah Anderson (illness), Zara Chavoshi (lower leg), Cosette Morche (ankle), Jacquie Ovalle (thigh), Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave), and Viviana Villacorta (knee). The Courage are without Maycee Bell (knee), Payton Crawford (knee), Natalie Jacobs (ankle), Feli Rauch (suspension), and Olivia Wingate (knee).

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Oihane, Raelle, Cori Dyke, Hailie Mace.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Ally Lemos.

Attacking Midfielders: Solai Washington, Angelina, Summer Yates.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Nicole Payne, Reagan Raabe, Luana, Seven Castain, Julie Doyle, Simone Jackson, Marta

North Carolina Courage (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan.

Defenders: Dani Weatherholt, Natalia Staude, Uno Shiragaki, Ryan Williams.

Midfielders: Manaka Matsukubo, Shinomi Koyama, Riley Jackson.

Forwards: Ashley Sanchez, Evelyn Ijeh, Lauryn Thompson.

Bench: Molly Pritchard, Sydney Schmidt, Cameron Brooks, Ivy Younce, Carly Wickenheiser, Ally Schlegel, Hannah Betfort, Cortnee Vine, Chioma Okafor.

Referees

REF: Lauren Aldrich.
AR1: Zeno Cho.
AR2: Seun Yinka-Kehinde.
4TH: Elvis Osmanovic.
VAR: Anya Voigt.
AVAR: Kaili Terry.

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.

Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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