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

Welcome to your match preview and live thread as the Orlando Pride (10-13-3, 33 points) take on San Diego Wave FC (15-8-3, 48 points). This is the second and final time these teams will meet during the 2026 NWSL regular season.

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

History

The San Diego Wave joined the NWSL in 2022 and have only faced the Pride nine times in their existence. The Pride have only lost once in those games, posting a record of 6-1-2 overall and 2-1-1 in Orlando.

The most recent meeting took place on May 24 in San Diego. Nicole Payne scored her first NWSL goal in her first start just before halftime. The Pride held onto that lead throughout the second half for the 1-0 win.

The first meeting in 2025 took place on March 23 in Orlando. Haley McCutcheon scored the opening goal just after halftime to give the hosts the lead before Chiamaka Okwuchukwu equalized minutes later. Marta scored the game winner from the penalty spot after Delphine Carascino fouled Barbra Banda in the box to give Orlando the 2-1 win. It was the third game in a four-game winning streak that lifted the Pride to a strong start to the season.

The Sept. 26 meeting in San Diego last season got off to a fast start with Jacquie Ovalle giving the Pride the lead early and Dudinha responding three minutes later. Things slowed down significantly after, with Carson Pickett’s second-half goal the only remaining conversion, lifting the Pride to a 2-1 win.

The first matchup of 2024 occurred on April 19 in Orlando, Summer Yates scored the game’s lone goal in the first half, lifting the Pride to a 1-0 win. It was the Pride’s first home win in the series. The final meeting of 2024 took place on June 7. Julie Doyle gave the Pride the lead in the first half, but a second-half equalizer by Makenzy Doniak resulted in a 1-1 draw.

The first meeting in 2023 was held at Snapdragon Stadium on April 29 after the Pride’s 0-4-0 start to the season. It looked like it would be a fifth straight loss when Jaedyn Shaw gave the hosts the early lead. But Adriana assisted Mikayla Cluff on the equalizer and McCutcheon scored just before halftime to give the Pride the lead. Adriana scored her first goal of the season to put the game away as the Pride won 3-1.

On Aug. 25, 2023, in Orlando, the Pride got off to a horrible start when San Diego center back Abby Dahlkemper scored early, netting her first goal since 2016. Marta set up Adriana’s equalizer just before halftime, but Kyra Carusa scored the late winner in a 2-1 San Diego win.

The first-ever meeting between the teams took place on Aug. 13, 2022  in San Diego. The lone goal in the game came from the penalty spot after a Doyle cross hit Kaleigh Riehl’s arm in the first half. Meggie Dougherty Howard stepped up and buried the penalty. The Pride held on for 67 minutes to beat one of the top teams in the league, 1-0 away.

The second meeting and first in Orlando kicked off on Sept. 25, 2022, and the Pride got off to a great start. Dougherty Howard opened the scoring in the first half and Gunny Jonsdottir doubled the advantage in the second. It looked like the Pride were headed for six points out of six against the expansion side, but San Diego came storming back. Doniak cut the lead in half and former Pride attacker Taylor Kornieck equalized late, resulting in a disappointing 2-2 draw.

Overview

It’s been a tough year for the Pride, who sit in 11th place in the NWSL. They’re seven points behind the Seattle Reign for the final playoff spot with just four games left. While the Pride are still alive in the playoff race, there’s little room for error with 12 points left on the table.

The Pride are coming off a 3-1 win over Bay FC on Sunday. McCutcheon opened the scoring just two minutes into the game before Racheal Kundananji equalized for Bay. McCutcheon scored again early in the second half, and Ovalle added a third goal in the dying moments to seal the victory.

Banda continues to be the Pride’s biggest attacking threat. She’s scored 16 of the team’s 35 goals this season, putting her second in the NWSL behind North Carolina Courage forward Ashley Sanchez. McCutcheon has also become a bigger part of the attack with six goals on the season, second on the team.

Defensively, the Pride have struggled throughout the year, conceding 41 goals, fourth most in the NWSL. The Pride have also had to deal with some changes in goal after Anna Moorhouse was loaned to Manchester City earlier this month. Cosette Morche has started the team’s recent games, including the win over Bay FC.

The Pride will now return home to face one of the league’s top teams when San Diego comes to town.

The Wave are in second place with 48 points, six behind league-leading NJ/NY Gotham FC. They come into this game on a roll, having won three straight games. They defeated the Courage 2-1 on Sept. 12, the Kansas City Current 2-0 on Sept. 18, and Racing Louisville FC 2-0 on Sept. 25.

The Wave have been particularly strong defensively during their recent run. They’ve recorded consecutive shutouts in their last two games, and their 27 goals allowed are the third fewest in the NWSL. They’ve also won a club-record seven road games this season.

The Wave have plenty of weapons going forward, led by Trinity Byars with 10 goals this season. Melanie Barcenas has added six goals, while Dudinha and Lia Godfrey have five each. The team is without attacking stars Dudinha and Cat Macario, who are both missing with season-ending knee injuries.

While San Diego is on a three-game winning streak, the Pride know they can beat them. The Pride traveled to San Diego on May 24 and came away with a 1-0 victory in the first meeting between the teams this season. However, tonight’s opposition has been slightly better away from home this year.

“It’s a tall task for us. They’re a really good team and they’re in form,” Pride interim head coach Thomas said about tonight’s opponent. “They’re on a hunt for the shield and we’re on a hunt to shut down their shield hunt. So, we’re looking forward to a good game and I expect it to be a difficult match. But, we are excited for the challenge.”

The Pride’s availability list remains unchanged with only Kylie Nadaner (maternity leave) missing. San Diego will be without Luisa Agudelo (excused absence), Trinity Armstrong (knee), Dudinha (knee), Macario (knee), and Kiki Pickett (ankle).

Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Cosette Morche.

Defenders: Hailie Mace, Hannah Anderson, Cori Dyke, Oihane.

Defensive Midfielders: Angelina, Ally Lemos.

Attacking Midfielders: Solai Washington, Jacquie Ovalle, Haley McCutcheon.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: Cara Martin, Kerry Abello, Zara Chavoshi, Rafaelle, Sanne Lekven, Luana, Julie Doyle, Marta, Summer Yates.

San Diego Wave FC (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Sandra Panos.

Defenders: Perle Marroni, Kristen McNabb, Kennedy Wesley, Mimi Van Zanten.

Defensive Midfielders: Kimmi Ascanio, Kenza Dali.

Attacking Midfielders: Gia Corley, Lia Godfrey, Melanie Barcenas.

Forward: Trinity Byars.

Bench: Didi Haracic, Brooklyn Courtnall, Nya Harrison, Laila Harbert, Laurina Fazer, Tatum Wynalda, Barbara Bonansea, Ludmila, Gabi Portilho.

Referees

REF: Alexandra Billeter.
AR1: Jennifer Garner.
AR2: Darren Bandy.
4TH: Lauren Aldrich.
VAR: Laura Rodriguez.
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!