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Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit: Final Score 3-0 as Pride Dominate the Spirit On the Road

The Orlando Pride went on the road and took all three points against the Washington Spirit thanks to a brace from Julie Doyle.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride (5-8-1, 16 points) returned to their winning ways by going on the road and winning 3-0 against the Washington Spirit (6-3-5, 23 points) at Audi Field. Julie Doyle bagged the first brace of her young career by scoring twice early on. An own goal caused by a cross from Ally Watt in the second half gave the Pride their third goal and the defense held on for its third shutout of the year.

The Pride have now swept the Spirit in regular season play — an impressive feat as the Spirit have spent most of the season near the top of the table.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines made a few changes to the starting lineup he used in the 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Current last weekend. Marta and Adriana are with Brazil in preparation for the Women’s World Cup this month and were replaced in the attack by Messiah Bright and Doyle. Erika Tymrak also started, with Jordyn Listro back on the bench.

The Pride played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Anna Moorhouse in goal behind a back line of Kylie Strom, Emily Madril, Megan Montefusco, and Haley McCutcheon. Viviana Villacorta and Mikayla Cluff served as the team’s defensive midfielders, with Doyle, Tymrak, and Kelly Abello creating chances for Bright up top. This was McCutcheon’s 100th regular-season appearance in the NWSL, and she served as the team’s captain.

A lengthy weather delay before kickoff didn’t stop the Pride from starting the game with plenty of energy. They found success early on, especially when attacking through the left wing. It only took eight minutes for the Pride to take the lead. After earning a throw-in, Bright did well to hold off her defender and get the ball to Strom, who made a nice cross that bounced in front of goal and found McCutcheon’s head right in front of goal. Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart came up with a save, but the Spirit couldn’t cleanly clear away the danger. The ball fell to Doyle in the box and she buried it on the half-volley for her first goal of this season.

“The way that we started the game was brilliant,” Hines said regarding the team’s hot start despite the weather delay. “Going after them full of energy and creating momentum, and actually scoring with that momentum that we haven’t seen in the past couple of games, that was a real focal point for us.”

The Pride nearly doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Bright got a powerful header on the end of a corner kick from Abello. The striker’s shot ended up in the back of the net, but the referee blew the whistle for interference that prevented Barnhart from making a play on the cross.

But it didn’t take long for the Pride to find that second goal, as Doyle continued to find room to work her magic on the left. After a nice move to get some separation from her defender, she whipped in a nice cross. Although Cluff wasn’t able to get her head to it in front of goal, her run was enough to force Barnhart into anticipating a shot and the ball curled into the inside netting. Tymrak was credited with the assist, her 20th in her professional career.

“What you saw today is her with a real intent to go after defenders,” Hines said about Doyle’s performance. “Be threatening in the attack and transition, be decisive with her decisions, driving at defenders, getting shots off, being clinical. That’s what we want from all the forwards. You’ve got an opportunity, you must take it, and she took it tonight.”

Doyle missed a majority of the season due to injury and has been easing her way back into action.

“It felt so good,” she said about her first brace. “We needed that. I needed that. There’s been a lot of pressure on getting an end product and so, to finally get three goals, to get a shutout, you definitely saw a team performance tonight and I’m so proud of everyone.

“It doesn’t stop after one goal. I made a small goal tonight to at least get two. Losing Marta and Adriana is a huge loss for us, so I think everyone realized that and knew that we all had to step it up and I think that’s what we did tonight.”

In need of goals themselves, the Spirit went on the attack. With many of their attacking players away with the United States, the Spirit relied on getting long balls over Orlando’s back line to reach Ashley Hatch. The American forward had a good opportunity in the 21st minute by driving in a low cross to Lena Silano, but Silano couldn’t get a piece of it.

Although the Spirit were starting to more effectively impose themselves on the match, the Pride still found chances to extend their lead. In the 29th minute, pressure from Bright in the box caused a poor clearance from Tara McKeown and Abello was there to intercept it in the box. The midfielder put her first shot of the match on frame and Barnhart had to tip it over the bar for a corner kick.

The Spirit’s first shot of the match didn’t come until the 32nd minute. Hatch laid the ball off for Ines Juarena to have a go from distance, and the French midfielder’s shot skipped wide of goal.

Abello had another chance in the 34th after Bright used some skill and speed to get downfield and find her at the top of the box. This time, Abello’s shot wasn’t on target and went well over the crossbar.

The Pride didn’t slow down their push to score and Doyle had a chance for a hat trick in the 40th minute by driving a headed shot towards goal that went inches wide of the post.

Both teams had chances after the referee indicated there would be three minutes of stoppage time before halftime. Hatch continued to facilitate things for the Spirit and played a nice ball in for Nicole Douglas on the right side, but the cross harmlessly went out for a goal kick.

A minute later and the Pride were on the attack once again. Doyle blocked a clearance, chased down the ball before it could go out of play, and then raced down the wing. Bright made a good decision to find a pocket of space away from the mouth of goal instead of continuing her run, and Doyle found her wide open. Her shot was on target, but deflected out for a corner, which the Pride couldn’t capitalize on before the halftime whistle blew. Doyle and the rest of the Pride offense were electric throughout the first half, playing with the same energy no matter what the score was.

“The best defense is a good offense, so if we can keep the ball in our attacking half then we’ll make everyone’s life easier,” Doyle said following the match. “I think that we know that we can do that and if we’re going at them, why let off?” 

Although the Pride had less possession (45.5%-54.5), they bossed the Spirit for a majority of the first half. They finished the first half with nine shots, putting four of the on target, while none of the Spirit’s three shots were on target. The Pride had a clear advantage on the wings and funneled their attack out wide often, leading the Spirit in crosses (14-2) and taking more corners (5-1). Orlando also had better passing accuracy (76.4%-74.4%).

The Spirit made a pair of changes at halftime, bringing in attackers Chloe Ricketts and Civana Kuhlmann for Douglas and Amber Brooks. Ricketts made her presence felt quickly, surging down the wing until taken down by a challenge from Abello that earned her the first yellow card of the match.

Madril misplayed a pass back to Moorhouse that had nowhere near enough power behind it, giving Hatch a golden opportunity in the 57th minute. Montefusco’s rush to close down on Hatch didn’t stop the Spirit forward from easing around her slide tackle, but it gave Madril enough time to recover and Hatch’s shot was sent sailing into the stands.

Doyle came off for Ally Watt before the ensuing goal kick took place and it didn’t take long for the substitute to make an impact. Abello found Watt in space and the forward used her speed to get down the wing and serve up a low cross that deflected off of McKeown and into her own net. It’ll ultimately go down as an own goal, but Watt did well to put the ball in a dangerous area.

“There were a couple times where we were pinned back,” Hines said, “but there was a lot of good concentration and focus on the task. A two-goal lead is always difficult, that next goal is the most important. I’m glad in the second hald we got that next goal and from there we seemed pretty focused and comfortable.”

The Pride made their second change in the 64th minute, with Celia replacing Bright as the Pride aimed to close the game out. Bright performed well in this match, particularly when holding up play for other players to get involved in the attack.

A long ball from McKeown found Hatch in the Pride’s half and Hatch beat Montefusco to go on the attack. Although the Pride had players behind the ball, Montefusco brought Hatch down and received a yellow card. It was a strange foul to commit considering Hatch was alone with Pride players ready to defend. The Pride didn’t pay the price for it though as they were able to handle the ensuing free kick.

The Spirit had another dangerous free kick in the 70th minute after a flurry of attacks and they created yet another opportunity for Hatch. Sam Staab curled in a venomous cross and a diving header from Hatch certainly had enough power behind it, but it went wide of goal.

The Pride then had a chance of their own from a set piece of their own soon after. A long ball into the box from Montefusco in the center circle found Watt, who headed it down for Cluff right in front of goal. Cuff took her shot quickly, but Staab did well to deflect it. The rebound went to Watt, who sent her shot over the goal.

Madril then got some redemption for her miscue earlier by putting herself between a long ball over the top and Hatch. The defender showed plenty of strength to hold off the veteran attacker, who received a yellow card for bringing Madril down.

The Pride refused to stay on the back foot against the Spirit. Watt and Cluff continued to attack out wide, but Barnhart and the rest of the Spirit defense prevented them from widening the lead any further. A cross from Cluff was snuffed out by Barnhart and a nice cutback pass from Watt didn’t wind up with a shot taken.

Moorhouse started to get more involved in things as the Spirit got more desperate to score. Hatch slipped a through ball to Camryn Biegalski, but Moorhouse closed down the angle and Biegalski dribbled it out of play trying to work around the goalkeeper. Moorhouse then came up with a save against Kuhlmann in the 82nd minute, jumping to parry the ball over the crossbar and out for a corner. The goalkeeper punched away the first corner for another, which ended up as a goal kick after a missed shot.

The Pride had a few more chances to truly put the game to rest. Watt had a decent opportunity in space, but sent her shot well off target from a tough angle. Abello was a bit closer with her shot from a free kick a minute later, not missing the top right corner of the goal by much.

Hines made his final changes in stoppage time, with Amanda Allen and Brianna Martinez coming on for Tymrak and Abello.

Moorhouse secured her clean sheet with a save against Hatch and the Pride were able to hold on for the 3-0 victory.

At full time, the Pride had less possession (44%-56%) but did much more with the ball. They finished the game with more shots (12-9), putting four of them on target while the Spirit put just two on frame. The Spirit created more chances in the second half than the first, but the Pride still had more crosses (27-9) and both teams had five corner kicks. The Spirit also had better passing accuracy (81.7%-79.9%), but the Pride dominated in the one stat that matters most in the 3-0 win.

“Seb [Hines] said from the beginning that he was just going to expect more out of us, ” Cluff said after the win. “We know what we’re capable of. We’ve shown it in spurts throughout the season and we can play such quality soccer and beat the best of the best. But it just kind of comes down to our determination and our desire when we step on the field every single game, no matter who we’re playing. So that was kind of the message going into this game and I think that we obviously accomplished that tonight.

This was just the Pride’s second win away from Exploria Stadium this season and snapped a two-game losing skid after defeats to the North Carolina Courage and Kansas City Current. Hines spoke on how the Pride took all three points on the road against one of the league’s best teams.

“[Tonight} was more about ourselves. We needed to have a reaction after the last two defeats. Recently, we haven’t been ourselves and going to an environment like Washington, it’s difficult, of course. But, we wanted to come here with loads of energy, loads of desire, commitment, and put a real good performance together for our fans, because they deserve it. The players know it, as well, we haven’t been ourselves. Go back to our identity and when we show what we’re capable of doing, that’s where you get your success. So I was really pleased with, the not just the goals, but their overall performance and their attitude leading into this game.”


The Pride will turn their attention to Friday’s match against OL Reign at Exploria Stadium before the break in regular-season action for the World Cup. Following that match, the Pride will play four consecutive NWSL Challenge Cup matches from July 23 to Aug. 9.

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride vs. San Diego Wave FC: Final Score 2-1 as Pride Win Third Straight

An eventful second half resulted in the Pride extending their win streak to three matches to start the season.

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

The Orlando Pride (3-0-0, 9 points) won their third straight game to start the 2025 season with a 2-1 win over San Diego Wave FC (1-1-1, 4 points) this afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium. Haley McCutcheon gave the Pride the lead early in the second half before Chiamaka Okwuchukwu equalized in the 62nd minute. Marta netted a penalty in the 76th minute to give her team the win.

The Pride had only one change from the lineup that defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0 Sunday night. Rafaelle was out injured and replaced by Cori Dyke. Emily Sams moved over to her natural center back position to make room for the second-year right back.

Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Kylie Nadaner, Sams, and Dyke. Haley McCutcheon and Morgan Gautrat were in the defensive midfield behind Angelina, Marta, and Ally Watt with Barbra Banda up top.

This was a game of two halves. Both teams looked lethargic with the noon kickoff, creating few chances. In fact, only five shots were taken in the first 45 minutes. However, the Pride went on the attack in the second half, scoring inside the first 10 minutes after the break. Add in a little chaos and it was an eventful second 45 minutes.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said earlier in the week the Pride needed to start fast and they tried to do so, creating the first chance inside the first minute. McCutcheon found Banda going forward off a throw-in. The striker took a couple of touches inside to create space for a shot, but the attempt traveled wide of the target.

Angelina sent Banda forward in the fourth minute and the striker took her second shot in the early minutes. She dribbled inside again and shot from the top of the box, but Kristen McNabb got in front of the attempt to block it.

The Wave created their first decent chance in the eighth minute when Kenza Dali found Perle Morroni on the far left. The left back sent a cross into the box looking for Adriana Leon, but Abello was there to knock it out of play.

The ensuing corner kick resulted in a pair of shots, first by Leon and then by Delphine Cascarino. However, Watt and Banda got in front of the attempts, ensuring Moorhouse wasn’t challenged by either.

The Pride should’ve had a good chance in the 27th minute when Banda played a cross to the top of the San Diego box. McCutcheon and Angelina both converged on the ball but clearly didn’t speak as they ran into each other, ending the threat.

The Pride won their first corner kick in the 37th minute when Banda’s cross was blocked out of play by McNabb. The ensuing set piece was cleared back out to Angelina, who sent another cross into the box. Banda and Savannah McCaskill collided and the ball fell for Watt. However, the whistle blew as McCaskill went to the ground. Referee Adorae Monroy called the foul on Banda though it didn’t appear there was much in it.

Leon tried to send Maria Sanchez through in the 43rd minute, playing the ball between Dyke and Sams. It initially looked like Sanchez might reach it and get in on goal, but Dyke did well to slide in and win the 50-50 ball.

Cori Dyke with the well-timed tackle 💪

NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-03-29T17:18:11.734Z

The Pride had one last chance in the final seconds of the first half when Kennedy Wesley grabbed Banda near the Wave third of the field. Marta’s free kick into the box found the head of Sams, who tried to redirect it on goal, but sent it wide.

After 45 minutes of action, San Diego had the advantage in possession (57%-43%), crosses (8-6), corner kicks (2-1), and passing accuracy (87%-81%). Both teams took three shots and none were on target.

“We are not the team that we showed in the first half. It was the first thing that I told everybody,” Marta said about the first half. “And second, we need to complete our passes because we kill ourselves all the time. When we take the ball back, we give it so fast back to them and there was a little bit suicide for us.”

“First half, it was a little bit flat, a little bit lethargic,” Hines added. “Misplaced some tackles, misplaced some pressing moments, but we were still in the game.”

The Pride made one halftime substitution as Summer Yates came on for Gautrat. The attacking change saw Angelina move into a more defensive role with Yates entering the attacking midfield.

The Pride came out attacking and Yates sent Banda behind the Wave back line in the 48th minute. The striker was free on goal and tried to beat Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to her near post, but the Canadian international got down to tip it wide.

A minute later, Watt received the ball about 35 yards from goal. After taking a couple of touches forward, the attacker fired. It was an ambitious attempt and on target, but it was straight down the middle, allowing Sheridan to tip it over the top.

Marta’s ensuing corner kick was to the back post, where Banda ran onto it. The ball bounced off Wesley and went straight to McCutcheon. It was an easy finish for the defensive midfielder, who put it in for her second goal of the season.

Haley McCutcheon? More like Haley McCLUTCHeon 😮‍💨

NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-03-29T17:26:41.254Z

Despite her position, McCutcheon has now scored in each of her last four home games.

The Pride should’ve had a second in the 53rd minute when Banda played the ball to the penalty spot where Marta was waiting. The captain slipped as she hit the ball, sending it further to the left for Yates. The halftime substitute had a great chance to double her team’s advantage, but sent her shot over the top.

The Wave made a triple substitution in the 60th minute, including Okwuchukwu. The Nigerian immediately made an impact, creating a chance for her team in the 61st minute. Receiving a pass forward from Morroni, Okwuchukwu beat a sliding Sams and found Morroni continuing her run to the top of the box. The left back tried to find a teammate making a run, but the Pride were able to clear.

Seconds later, Dali lifted a cross into the Pride box. Moorhouse hesitated before coming out to meet the ball, allowing Okwuchukwu to get there first. The San Diego forward headed it in, however, Monroy called a foul and awarded a free kick to the Pride.

The referee was soon called to the monitor to have a second look. After a brief review, the goal was given as Okwuchukwu got there first. It was a good decision and the game was even at 1-1.

A dream debut for 19-year-old Chiamaka Okwuchukwu! 🇳🇬✨The Nigerian nets her first NWSL goal after subbing in under 2 minutes!

NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-03-29T17:38:51.683Z

“I think that sometimes that happens,” Hines said about the goal. “You know, quick throw, delivery, confusion at the back. We’ll review it, we’ll address it, and we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The goal was the first conceded by the Pride this season after a pair of clean sheets.

Immediately after the goal, Hines made his second change of the game as Prisca Chilufya came on for Watt.

The Wave had a chance to strike again in the 68th minute when Cascarino played Kimmi Ascanio behind the Pride back line. However, her touch was too heavy, though it went off a Pride defender for a corner. Orlando cleared on the ensuing set piece to escape the danger.

In the 70th minute, Chilufya played the ball wide for Banda who took it into the Wave box. Cascarino challenged the striker from behind, knocking her over. Monroy initially allowed play to continue to see if Chilufya would gain an advantage, but the ball went out of play and the referee pointed to the spot.

Marta stepped up to take the penalty, sending Sheridan the wrong way. However, her penalty was off the inside of the post. It was only the second Marta penalty to be saved or missed since joining the Pride.

“I tried to read which side she would jump,” Marta said about her penalty. “And I read right, but my touch on the ball was so bad. It just hit my ankle and I’ll, I can’t believe, because it was almost perfect. She just jumped to one side and then the ball go to the other side.”

As the Pride tried to build another attack, Monroy stopped play after receiving word from the video assistant referee that Sheridan had come off her line early. Replays showed the goalkeeper was slightly off her line, eerily reminiscent of when Pedro Gallese came off his line against New York City FC in the 2020 MLS Cup playoffs in the same stadium.

“God gave me another chance,” she said about the decision. “He said do better than this one.”

Monroy went to the monitor to make sure the penalty had to be retaken and pointed to the spot for a second time. Marta stepped up again and, as Sheridan dove to her right, the Brazilian sent a panenka towards goal. The ball bounced off the bottom of the crossbar and in to give the Pride a 2-1 lead.

MARTA WITH THE PANENKA ‼️MARTA WITH THE PANENKA ‼️MARTA WITH THE PANENKA ‼️

NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-03-29T17:51:40.926Z

“I was a little bit confused if I go to the right or the left,” Marta said about her second attempt. “So when you are confused, you put it like that, that I did. Just chip in the middle and then expect for the best.”

The players headed to the sidelines in the 76th minute for a hydration break and Hines took the opportunity to make his third substitution. Ally Lemos came into the game for Angelina.

In the 88th minute, Okwuchukwu lifted the ball over Sams and sent Kyra Carusa behind the Pride back line. It looked like the attacker was free on goal but Abello came flying in from behind and took the ball off of her foot. It likely would’ve been either a goal or red card if Abello got it wrong, but the challenge was successful and the Pride kept their 2-1 lead.

As the fourth official showed eight minutes of second-half stoppage time, Hines made two final changes. Zara Chavoshi and Bri Martinez came into the game for Dyke and Banda.

The Pride controlled possession in stoppage time, seeing out the game. San Diego had more possession (55.6%-44.4%) and better passing accuracy (85.5%-80.1%). However, the Pride had more shots (9-5), shots on target (4-1), and crosses (10-9). Both teams won three corner kicks.

“San Diego are a very good team, very good organized ball possession. I thought we did really well at times. But, you know, they were able to pick us off, but not really create too many opportunities,” Hines said. “So our attitude and the desire to get behind the ball once they did get through our initial press is something that we take a lot of pride in. But goals change games, and to get the first goal was brilliant. Another set piece goal that we worked very, very hard on. Obviously, they get themselves back into the game, which obviously we don’t want to happen, and then show our character again to come back.”

Orlando is off to a blazing start to the 2025 NWSL season. The Pride had never won their first game of the season, but they’ve now won three straight. They’ve outscored their opponents in those games 10-1, placing them atop the NWSL standings.


The Pride are off next weekend for the international break. They’ll return to action on April 12 when they travel west to take on Seattle Reign FC.

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Orlando Pride

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

The Pride return home to face San Diego Wave FC, looking for their third-straight win to start the season.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to your match thread as the Orlando Pride (2-0-0, 6 points) return home to face San Diego Wave FC (1-0-1, 4 points). This is the first of two games these teams will play this season. The return game in San Diego is scheduled for Sept. 26.

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 six times in their existence. The Pride have only lost once in those games, posting a record of 3-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 at home.

The most recent meeting was on June 7, 2024 in San Diego. Julie Doyle gave the Pride the lead in the 36th minute before a second-half equalizer by Makenzy Doniak resulted in a 1-1 draw. 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 first meeting in 2023 was 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 Haley McCutcheon scored just before halftime to give the Pride the lead. Adriana scored her first goal of the season in the 69th minute to put the game away as the Pride won 3-1.

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

The first-ever meeting was on Aug. 13, 2022  in San Diego. The lone goal in the game came from the penalty spot after a Julie Doyle cross hit the arm of Kaleigh Riehl 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 was on Sept. 25 in Orlando and the Pride got off to a great start. Doughety 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

The Pride have gotten the NWSL regular season off to a flying start. After drawing 1-1 and falling on penalties to the Washington Spirit in the Challenge Cup, they thrashed the Chicago Stars 6-0 and defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0 Sunday evening. It’s the first time in club history the Pride have recorded back-to-back shutouts (or wins) to start a season.

As you might expect, Barbra Banda has been a problem for opponents so far this season. She netted a brace in the season opener and created issues for Gotham, even though she didn’t get on the scoresheet.

Unfortunately, the Pride lost another key player with center back Rafaelle listed as out for this game. The Brazilian only played 45 minutes against Washington and moved up to 62 minutes against Chicago. It was expected she would play even more against Gotham, but her time was scaled back to 45 minutes again due to injury.

In all three games, the Pride went back to the back line that was the best in the league last year. Emily Sams moved over the center back alongside Kylie Nadaner and Cori Dyke came in at right back. You can expect that back line to start today.

Another issue is the knee injury to Doyle, suffered in the win over Chicago. While Ally Watt had already taken her spot in the attacking midfield, Doyle was a key substitute. However, her absence leaves a substitution spot open for Prisca Chilufya, who we’ve heard a lot about but have yet to see play much with the Pride.

Today, the Pride look to make it three wins out of three as they welcome the Wave to the City Beautiful. The Wave had to figure out what to do when their leading striker, Alex Morgan, retired during last season. They traded for Mexican international Maria Sanchez last year and made a possibly bigger move this off-season by acquiring Canadian international Adriana Leon.

Both Sanchez and Leon have gotten on the scoresheet this season, but they’ve been topped by 22-year-old Tacoma, WA native Gia Corley. The young attacker joined the Wave from German club TSG Hoffenheim this off-season and has quickly made a name for herself in Southern California.

While the Wave have plenty of attacking threats, they’ve yet to scare anyone. They drew 1-1 in their season opener against Angel City FC and won 3-2 in their home opener against the Utah Royals. With the Wave traveling across the country and playing a noon kickoff, the Pride are expected to handle today’s opposition.

“We’re at home. We want to set the tone early,” Pride Head Coach Seb Hines said about today’s game. “I know San Diego have had a lot of goals early on in games. We have to negate that with our defensive responsibilities and our pressing triggers, but also play our game, which is ball possession, trying to create opportunities to score, and so it leads us to an exciting game on Saturday.”

The Pride will play this game without Simone Charley (ankle), Luana (illness), Amanda Allen (shoulder), Aryssa Mahrt (knee), Doyle (knee), and Rafaelle (thigh).

Meanwhile, the Wave are only missing Hillary Beall (thigh) and Trinity Byars (knee).


Official Lineups

Orlando Pride (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Anna Moorhouse.

Defenders: Kerry Abello, Kylie Nadaner, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke.

Defensive Midfielders: Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat.

Midfielders: Angelina, Marta, Ally Watt.

Forward: Barbra Banda.

Bench: McKinley Crone, Carson Pickett, Summer Yates, Bri Martinez, Zara Chavoshi, Ally Lemos, Viviana Villacorta, Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya.

San Diego Wave FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan.

Defenders: Perle Morroni, Kristen McNabb, Kennedy Wesley, Hanna Lundkvist.

Midfielders: Kenza Dali, Maria Sanchez, Savannah McCaskill.

Forwards: Gia Corley, Adriana Leon, Delphine Cascarino.

Bench: Trinity Armstrong, Kimmi Ascanio, Melanie Barcenas, Kyra Carusa, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Favour Emmanuel, DiDi Haracic, Quincy McMahon, Makenzy Robbe.

Referees

REF: Adorae Monroy.
AR1: Joe Suchoski.
AR2: Jeremy Smith.
4TH: Kyle Cividanes.
VAR: Corbyn May.
AVAR: Maggie Short.


How to Watch

Match Time: 12 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV: ESPN.

Streaming: ESPN+.

Social Media: For live updates and rapid reaction, follow @themaneland.bsky.social on Bluesky and the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride).


Enjoy the game. Go Pride!

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Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Final Score 2-0 As Pride Take Three Points Away From Home

The Pride stayed unbeaten with a road shutout win over Gotham.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride (2-0-0, 6 points) continued their strong start to the NWSL regular season with a 2-0 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC (0-1-1, 1 point) at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. The Pride took an early lead through a Lilly Reale own goal and doubled the advantage just before halftime with a Marta penalty. That was all the Pride needed to claim all three points.

Pride Head Coach Seb Hines deployed the same starting lineup as the Challenge Cup draw and season-opening win. Anna Moorhouse started in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Kylie Nadaner, and Emily Sams. Morgan Gautrat and Haley McCutcheon were the defensive midfielders behind Angelina, Marta, and Ally Watt with Barbra Banda up top.

While Gotham dominated most of the statistical categories, the Pride were never in any real danger. The visitors created few chances throughout the game, but the back line did a solid job with their bend-but-not-break strategy. As a result, Moorhouse had few saves to make and the Pride held onto their 2-0 halftime lead throughout the second half.

The Pride got off to the best possible start when they won a foul near the top of the Gotham box inside the first minute. Marta’s free kick was flicked on by Banda and heading towards the back post. Before it could reach McCutcheon, Reale knocked the ball past Ann-Katrin Berger and into her own net.

The goal was followed by a lengthy review to determine if McCutcheon — who was in an offside position — was involved in play or if Nadaner committed a foul in the buildup. The decision was for the goal to stand and the Pride took an early 1-0 lead.

“We talk about it all the time. Can we get that first goal in the game? So we always want to start fast whether we’re at home or away,” Hines said. “Regardless of the opponent we’re playing against, that first goal is really important to us. And to get it within one minute of the game was really rewarding.”

It was the second own goal in two league games for the Pride. Chicago Stars center back Hannah Anderson netted an own goal early in the second half in the season opener on March 14.

The Pride nearly scored a second goal in the 14th minute when Marta lifted the ball forward and into the Gotham half for Banda making a run. The striker took possession behind the back line and dribbled into the Gotham box but took a heavy touch and was unable to keep it on her foot. Berger came off her line and the two collided, resulting in a foul on Banda.

Following the missed chance by Banda, Gotham got its first decent look of the game. In the 20th minute, Ella Stevens tried to volley a cross into the box but barely got a touch on it. A minute later, Jaelin Howell took control of a clearance and sent a long-distance shot well over the target.

In the 26th minute, Marta intercepted the ball near midfield, going the other way with Banda. Playing it forward for the striker, Banda played the ball to Marta in the Gotham box. It looked like Marta’s shot was on target, but Berger did well to get down to block it with one hand. The ensuing corner kick by Angelina was cleared away and it was another missed opportunity for the visitors.

A poor pass from Tierna Davidson to Berger in the 30th minute nearly resulted in a chance for the Pride. As Banda pressured the Gotham goalkeeper, she played a short pass to the top of her own box that was intercepted by Watt. The attacker dribbled towards the end line and tapped it to Banda before it crossed out of play. However, the flag went up for offside.

Gotham had a good chance in the 31st minute when Stevens sent Esther Gonzaelz into the Pride six-yard box. Rafaelle did well to keep up with the attacker and got a touch to the shot, causing it to travel wide.

The ensuing corner kick was short to Sarah Schupansky, who sent a dangerous cross into the box. Looking to make up for her early own goal, Reale got her head to the ball and directed it towards the far post. Fortunately, the attempt went wide.

The Pride doubled their advantage just before halftime when Gautrat found Banda near midfield and the striker made a long run into the Gotham third of the field. Angelina was left alone on the far side and Banda found her teammate. As Angelina took a touch inside, Jess Carter left her leg out, catching the Brazilian. Referee Brad Jensen immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the Pride a penalty.

Angelina initially stood with the ball at the penalty spot as the video assistant referee looked at the play. Following confirmation, Marta stepped up to take the spot kick. The Pride captain took the penalty confidently, sending Berger the wrong way and giving her team a commanding 2-0 lead.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Gotham had more possession (54%-46%) and shots (7-3) in the first half. However, the Pride put all three shots on target while Gotham only put one of its seven first-half shots on frame. Additionally, both teams had one corner kick and three crosses, and the Pride had slightly better passing accuracy (79%-78%).

Hines made one halftime change, and it was a surprising one as Cori Dyke came into the game for Rafaelle. It wasn’t a surprise to see Rafaelle depart before full time as she returns to full fitness. However, she played 45 minutes against Washington and 62 minutes against Chicago. So it was a surprise to see her come off at halftime.

“It’s disappointing for Raf because she was building good momentum, getting good minutes,” Hines said about the substitution. “It’s just caution. We don’t want to have any sort of setbacks either. So we’re not taking any risks with her.”

The substitution caused a shift in the back line. Dyke took over at right back and Sams moved over to her natural center back position alongside Nadaner. It’s the same change Hines made in the team’s first two games of 2025.

The Pride started the second half how they finished the first, going on the attack. Just over a minute after the restart, Marta sent Banda behind the Gotham back line. The striker dribbled to the top of the box and near the middle before firing a shot that forced Berger into a good save. However, the flag went up for offside on the initial pass, so it was not an official shot or save.

Trailing 2-0, Gotham was the better of the two teams for the next 15 minutes. However, the hosts only created two shots in that time and neither caused any trouble for Moorhouse.

A giveaway by Dyke in the back in the 59th minute created a chance for Gotham when a fancy pass by Schupansky found Taryn Torres. However, the midfielder didn’t get much on the shot from just outside the box.

Hines made his second change in the 61st minute as Prisca Chilufya came into the game for Gautrat.

Shortly after the substitution, Gotham created its best chance when Gabi Portilho sent a beautiful ball into the box that found the head of Jaelin Howell. The attacker redirected the ball towards goal, but the attempt was over the crossbar.

In the 66th minute, Banda beat Gonzalez and was taken down just outside the Gotham box. Angelina’s free kick was cleared, but the Pride soon retook possession. Angelina found Marta, whose shot was blocked. Banda and Chilufya worked the ball around to Watt who shot from the left of goal, but the attempt was into the arms of Berger, ending the attack.

Hines made two more changes in the 79th minute. Summer Yates and Ally Lemos entered the game for Watt and Marta.

Immediately after the changes, Bruninha sent a cross into the box that found the head of Khyah Harper, who was playing in her first NWSL game. The rookie’s header was on target, but Moorhouse made an easy catch.

Gotham had a chance in the 84th minute when Yates blocked a cross out of play for a corner kick. Bruninha’s set piece found the head of Davidson, who outjumped McCutcheon. However, the center back was falling backwards and sent the attempt over the top.

The final Pride substitution came in the 88th minute when Zara Chavoshi came on for Angelina. It was the rookie’s professional debut.

“She played a lot of minutes during preseason, and obviously the league is very different. It’s higher risk, bigger rewards, and a lot more competitive,” Hines said about Chavoshi’s debut. “So just buying that time, finding the right moment to put her in. We felt today was a good time to put her in towards the end as Gotham were delivering more balls into the box, playing a little bit more direct.”

Gotham created a shot in the third minute of stoppage time as the hosts looked to get back into the game. Stevens sent a ball into the box that Gonzalez tried to bicycle, but missed. It went straight to Cece Kizer, who played the ball wide for an oncoming Reale. The defender took a first-touch shot from a tight angle, but it was right to Moorhouse.

At full time, Gotham had the advantage in possession (60%-40%), shots (15-6), corner kicks (6-2), crosses (20-9), and passing accuracy (79%-75%). However, despite the shot differential, both teams put four attempts on target as the Pride came away with the 2-0 win.

“It was a great game. We started off really well, obviously taking an early lead,” Hines said. “I thought we played some really good stuff. Not consistently, but I think there was some really good moments. And we created some really good opportunities to score. Maybe on another day, we capitalize on them. But I think toward the end, it really shows what type of team this is. Coming to a hostile environment, coming to Gotham’s home opener. This is a very good team who narrowly missed out on the playoff final last year, and we showed our character towards the end, making sure that we keep the clean sheet. It’s very easy as the game goes on, and them pushing forward, to lose concentration. But I thought we were phenomenal towards the end to get the shutout. So again, really pleased, couple of goals, another clean sheet, and we continue our momentum.”

“I was definitely relieved that we saw in the game and got the three points and kept our clean sheet,” Abello added. “It probably wasn’t our best, cleanest performance. I thought we were really threatening, but we were definitely under it towards the end of the game. But I was really proud that we saw out the win and got three points.”

The Pride set a bunch of team records last season and they’ve already set a new one. This is the first time the team has had back-to-back clean sheets to start a season.

“It’s been a real focal point of our game model, you would say. We don’t want to concede, it hurts when we concede, and you can see that with the attitude of the players,” Hines said. “It’s not just one or two players. It’s a full collective effort to keep the ball out of the net. You know, you can see the efforts from every single player, not just the stars, but the players coming off the bench. And having their roles and responsibilities to keep the ball out of the net.”

“We said it all last season, everyone knows the job that they have to do, and everyone’s very comfortable in doing that job. Makes my life incredibly easy,” Moorhouse added. “The back line are incredible at keeping chances to a minimum, and keep threatening chances to a minimum. And it’s really, really enjoyable to be involved.”

While it’s still early in the season, the Pride sit on top the NWSL standings with every team having played two games. They’re tied on points with the Kansas City Current, but have a four-goal advantage in the goal differential tiebreaker, largely thanks to their 6-0 win over the Chicago Stars in the first game.


The Pride return home next weekend for an afternoon tilt as they welcome San Diego Wave FC to Inter&Co Stadium for a rare noon kickoff.

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