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SkoPurp Soccer Episode 64: Washington Spirit Rewind, the NWSL Shield, Portland Thorns Preview, and More

The Pride capture the 2024 NWSL Shield with a win over Washington and prepare for Portland.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have done it! The 2024 NWSL Shield belongs to Orlando after a 2-0 home win over the second-place Washington Spirit that wasn’t easy. The Spirit came in with a lot of resolve, and on a rainy night with a slick field, anything could happen. Sometimes it almost did. But, in the end, Barbra Banda earned a penalty, Marta scored it, Anna Moorhouse (and others) made some huge stops, and Adriana’s foot provided some breathing room, even though she wasn’t credited with a goal.

We broke down the game, checked our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Player of the Match. David Rohe provided some insight from his trip down from Tallahassee to see the game, as well.

Our mailbagbox this week asked us about longitude and latitude, cheating cheaters who cheat, and when the Pride most tested our loyalty. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we looked ahead to Orlando’s trip out west to play the Portland Thorns. With Hurricane Milton threatening Florida, the team had to go spend some extra days in the Pacific Northwest, so the Pride will be battling hotel legs, a new time zone, a letdown after winning the shield…oh, and also the Portland Thorns, who the Pride have only beaten once on the road. Ever. We discuss the Thorns’ season to date, the series history, our key matchups for Friday night, and our final score predictions.


Here’s how Episode 64 went down:

0:15 – The Pride took care of the league’s second-place team and claimed the Shield without putting us through any unnecessary drama over the last few games of the season.

19:21 Our mailbagbox gets scientific this week. We learned to always trust Jimmy Buffett songs.

39:22 – The Pride have a lot going against them on this trip to Portland. Can they keep the positive results going?

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Podcasts

PawedCast Episode 449: Philadelphia Rewind, Cincinnati Preview, and More

The Lions completed their season sweep of Philly behind some Muriel magic, and now both men’s teams head to Cincy.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City made it two straight wins by completing a season sweep of the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night. The Lions continue to get impressive performances from Luis Muriel, who completely changed the game after coming on at the break. Muriel is red hot and is putting his teammates in position to score rather than doing it himself.

We broke down the win over the Union, looked back at our score predictions from our last show, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

This episode’s mailbagbox asked us about possible new lineups and TV theme songs. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

After the mailbagbox, we reminded everyone that OCB finishes the regular season on the road Sunday and the Young Lions would select their playoff opponents in the first round if they manage to finish where they’re currently sitting. The top three finishers in each conference pick their first-round opponent and whoever is left from the bottom four will play the fourth-place team. It’s a big match Sunday and we could see a few senior Lions make an appearance.

Finally, we looked ahead to Orlando City’s road game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. The Lions will need to deal with a team trying to turn around recent results as the postseason approaches. Cincy has some bright stars that the Lions will need to extinguish with solid defense and Orlando won’t have Duncan McGuire, who will serve a suspension for yellow card accumulation. We provide our key matchups and score predictions.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.


Here’s how No. 449 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City wasted some opportunities against the Union but still got the job done, thanks in large part to Luis Muriel giving his teammates layups.

24:52 – The mailbagbox has visuals that our listeners can’t see, but we can describe them.

40:50– The Young Lions play for the right to pick their playoff opponent and the senior Lions have a key matchup at FC Cincinnati.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 63: Houston Dash Rewind, Washington Spirit Preview, and More

The Pride complete their sweep of the Dash and look to lock up the top playoff seed when the Spirit visit.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride returned from their road trip and found out there’s no place like home. The team returned to a massive crowd and celebrated with a three-goal performance and a 3-1 win over the visiting Houston Dash, completing a sweep of the season series. Three different players scored for the Pride, and one of them wasn’t Barbra Banda, but the Zambian international did pick up an assist. The win put the Pride on the brink of claiming the 2024 NWSL Shield, but there are some big obstacles still in the way.

We broke down the game, checked our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Player of the Match.

Our mailbagbox this week asked us about hockey rules in soccer, mascots for the Pride, Viviana Villacorta, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

After the mailbagbox, we looked ahead to Orlando’s home match Sunday against the second-place Washington Spirit. The Pride would claim their first trophy with a win and lock up home field in the playoffs (until the final). We discuss the Spirit in detail, preview the game, and provide our key matchups and score predictions.


Here’s how Episode 63 went down:

0:15 – The Pride put a crooked number on the scoreboard and got another win, although Barbra Banda still isn’t back to scoring regularly.

19:52 Our mailbagbox asks us for answers and provides answers for others’ questions.

36:20 – The Pride get ready for a massive match against the Spirit. Our preview.

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Podcasts

PawedCast Episode 448: FC Dallas Rewind, OCB Set for Season Finale, Philadelphia Preview, and More

Lions get their first win in Dallas and prepare for Philly, while OCB looks to clinch a home playoff match.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City bounced back from its loss in Columbus in a big way, dominating host FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium en route to the Lions’ first-ever victory in that building. The men in purple built a 3-0 lead and weathered a late onslaught by Dallas in a 3-1 game that could have been a laugher if Duncan McGuire had been a bit more lethal down the stretch. Still, Orlando played a great road game and got the job done in Big D.

We broke down the win, looked back at our score predictions from last week, and made our selections for Man of the Match.

This episode’s mailbagbox asked us to choose from three things that were equally great and wanted to know what it’s like to cover an Orlando City game. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

After the mailbagbox, we looked ahead to an important game for OCB on the road Sunday against FC Cincinnati 2. The Young Lions could finish anywhere from third to eighth in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, but a strong game could see OCB host a playoff game. A poor outing could mean another difficult trip north for the Young Lions in the postseason.

Finally, we looked ahead to Wednesday’s home match against the Philadelphia Union. The Lions are in a position to go for a rare season sweep of the Union, which can put the ball in the net with the best of them. Orlando will need to stay organized and composed defensively and look for opportunities to strike. We provide our key matchups and score predictions.

Be sure to rate and review our show wherever you get your podcasts. Remember, we’ll read any five-star reviews we get on Apple Podcasts on the next show.


Here’s how No. 448 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City dominated Dallas, even if things got a little dicey near the end.

27:46 – The mailbagbox calls and OCB hits the road looking for three more points.

51:46– The Lions return home to host the Union Wednesday. Our preview.

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