Orlando Pride
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC: Final Score 2-0 as Pride Advance to NWSL Playoff Semifinals
The Pride defeated the Reign at home to advance to the NWSL playoff semifinals for the second consecutive season.
The Orlando Pride took another step towards defending their NWSL crown tonight, defeating Seattle Reign FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. Haley McCutcheon gave the hosts the lead in the 21st minute and Luana converted from the spot in the dying moments giving Orlando its fourth consecutive playoff victory over the last two seasons.
Pride Head Coach Seb Hines didn’t make any changes to the lineup that drew 1-1 with the Reign Sunday evening. Anna Moorhouse was in goal behind a back line of Kerry Abello, Rafaelle, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke. McCutcheon and Angelina were the defensive midfielders behind Jacquie Ovalle, Ally Lemos, and Marta. Ally Watt was still out with an injury suffered during warmups of the previous game, so Julie Doyle started up top again.
The Pride came out strong, creating several quality chances. While Seattle held more possession and created more shots, the bend-but-don’t-break defense kept the visitors off the board. When the Reign did find a good opportunity, Moorhouse came up big, with a little help from the crossbar. In the end, McCutcheon’s goal held up, and Luana’s penalty conversion sealed the win.
While the Reign got into the Pride third multiple times in the opening minutes, it was the hosts that created the better chances. Angelina took the game’s first shot in the fifth minute. Receiving the ball near the top of the Seattle box, the midfielder took a couple of touches to create space before firing a shot right at Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
Five minutes later, Ovalle dribbled down the left and sent a cross into the box. The ball was headed towards McCutcheon, but Jordyn Bugg got to it first, sending her clearance over the crossbar. The Pride couldn’t create anything from the ensuing corner kick, and the game remained scoreless. Ovalle tried to do it herself in the 12th minute when the Mexican international dribbled into the Seattle box and fired. However, she couldn’t get around the ball, sending it wide of the near post.
The visitors finally got their first chance in the 14th minute when Nerilia Mondesir sent a low cross into the box, where Jordyn Huitema did well to shield her defender. The ball fell nicely for Sofia Huerta, but the defender’s shot was right at Moorhouse.
The Pride had a great chance to open the scoring in the 17th minute when Dyke found Doyle open in the box. However, the forward lost her balance as she shot, scuffing the ball towards goal and allowing Dickey to make the easy stop.
In the 21st minute, the Pride scored a much-deserved goal. Doyle and Marta combined with a give-and-go, with the captain sending a great through ball to free Doyle down the right. Doyle then sent a low cross to McCutcheon near the penalty spot. It wasn’t a pretty strike, but the defensive midfielder tucked it inside the far post to give her team the 1-0 lead.
“Just being opportunistic in the box, honestly,” McCutcheon said about her goal. “And after we played them last, we talked about taking more risks. And so just shoot it on first-time bounce and good things happen.”
“The goal was everything that we talk about. Moving the ball from one side of the field to the other, some really good interchange, really good execution of the cross,” Hines added. “And a really good finish from Haley, who keeps scoring in the playoffs or towards the end of the season.”
It was McCutcheon’s third goal in her fourth NWSL playoff appearance for the Pride. She’s now scored three of her seven goals for the Pride in the postseason.
“I think I just take an extra moment to realize my role on this team,” McCutcheon said about her playoff success. “I think that we all stepped up tonight, and we all step up in the big moments. But especially for me, I’ve just tried to take on that responsibility. And I think playoff McCutchen is back and in full effect.”
The visitors tried to get back into the game, creating a chance in the 31st minute. Maddie Mercado did well to chest down a long ball into the box and lay it off for Mondesir. The attacker had time and space but didn’t get much on the shot, allowing Moorhouse to make an easy stop.
Moorhouse went down on the play, requiring treatment. When play resumed, Seattle created another chance. In the 35th minute, the Pride were unable to clear, resulting in Mercado being sent down the left. She sent a cross into the box for Huitema, but it was just beyond the striker’s reach and off Abello for a corner kick. Huitema headed down the ensuing set piece, but Mondesir was unable to control it. It fell to Huitema, who got a shot herself, but she couldn’t get much on it and Moorhouse collected.
After 45 minutes of action, Seattle had the advantage in possession (55%-45%), shots (6-4), shots on target (3-2), and passing accuracy (84%-78%). Meanwhile, both teams attempted seven crosses and won one corner kick.
The Pride looked to start the second half strong, creating a chance inside the first minute after the restart. Ovalle received a throw-in and dribbled inside before finding Lemos approaching the top of the box. The young midfielder shot from distance, forcing Dickey to dive to her right to make the stop.
It appeared as though the Reign might find an equalizer in the 54th minute when Ainsley McCammon sent Jess Fishlock behind the Pride back line. The halftime substitute had a breakaway, sending her shot wide. It wouldn’t have counted anyway as the flag went up for offside.
Angelina fouled Fishlock in the Pride third in the 59th minute, giving the visitors a free kick. It was taken short, eventually ending up back with Fishock, who shot from the top of the box. However, Rafaelle got a piece of the ball, sending it wide. The Reign were unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick, ending the threat.
Two minutes later, Fishlock laid the ball back for Mercado and the attacker was fouled by Lemos. The stoppage saw Sally Menti come on for McCammon and it was nearly a genius change by Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey. Menti stepped up and sent her free kick off the crossbar, inches from tying the game.
Hines made his first change of the game in the 65th minute. It was a defensive change as right back Oihane came on for Doyle.
In the 73rd minute, Fishlock played a beautiful diagonal ball across the field for Maddie Dahlien making a run down the left. The second-half substitute got into the box, taking a shot that was blocked by Dyke. It went right back to the attacker, who shot again, but this one didn’t cause much trouble for Moorhouse.
Moorhouse was called into action in the 76th minute when Mercado received a long diagonal ball as she entered the Pride box. The attacker turned Dyke to create a shot on goal, but Moorhouse got her left foot to the ball, blocking the attempt.
Rafaelle’s clearance was right back to the Reign, who mounted another attack. Huerta found Mercado in the Pride box, and the attacker turned Dyke again. This time the shot was right at Moorhouse, ending the attack.
Hines made his second change of the game during the next stoppage, replacing Dyke with Carson Pickett.
Marta intercepted a pass in the 82nd minute and dribbled towards the end line. Jordyn Bugg caught up with the Pride captain, putting her arms around Marta’s waist. The attacker went down and wanted a penalty, but referee Abdou Ndiaye disagreed.
Hines made his final two changes immediately after the no-call, replacing Lemos and Ovalle with Luana and Simone Charley.
Charley had a chance to put the game away in the 86th minute when Marta brought down a ball and was knocked forward by a defender. Charley was behind the back line, but Menti did well to catch up and send the ball over the end line for a corner kick. Luana lost the ensuing short corner out of play, ending the attack.
Charley had another chance in the 88th minute when Angelina sent her down the right. The forward cut back when she reached the end line, creating enough space for a shot. However, the attempt was wide of the near post.
Dahlien sent a cross into the box for Menti in the 90th minute, but as the attacker wound up for a volley, Abello stepped in front. Menti’s leg slammed into Abello as the left back cleared the ball, ending the attack.
The fourth official showed five minutes of second-half stoppage time, and Seattle stayed on the attack, desperately looking for an equalizer. Late substitute Emeri Adames took a chance in the fourth minute, releasing a shot from distance. It didn’t cause much concern for Moorhouse, who made the easy stop.
A long ball into the Pride box in the sixth minute of stoppage time was headed out by Pickett, falling to Marta’s feet. The Brazilian sprinted the other way, apparently looking to run the clock out. But it was more than that as she fought through traffic to maintain possession.
She darted towards the other end of the field, tapping the ball past former Pride defender Phoebe McClernon to get behind the back line. As she entered the box, shielding the ball from McClernon, Samantha Meza tripped her. Ndiaye pointed to the spot immediately, awarding the Pride a very late penalty.
“I hate to kick the ball to nobody, so I like to have the ball with me,” Marta said. “I prefer to hold the ball. And, sometimes, you just need to make a way, or find a way, to keep the ball and be strong. At that time, it was more mental than physical, and I did this stuff many times in my career. So there was nothing that I never did before. And it’s nice to show that I can still can do that. Because I don’t know if people believe or think that I can still do stuff like that. So maybe they’ll keep giving me space and let me stay in situations like that. And then I’m gonna keep improving and try to help my team.”
“It’s crazy. Like, that was crazy,” McCutcheon added. “If that’s not on all of the highlights and the top 10 whatever, she is unbelievable. And I think that at that moment in the game too, we’re just looking for any possibility to shut out the game and to have her run, I don’t even know, 80 yards and beat three defenders and win a pen. And then, not to mention, give that to Lou (Luana) and let her have that moment, just the awareness and the love that she has for her teammates, it’s everything to this group, and it drives this group.”
“Yes, she could have kicked it away and we squeeze up and then try to defend a throw-in. Or, you know, another ball that gets kicked along into our box,” Hines said. “But to carry it from the distance she did, and ultimately win a penalty as well, that’s who she is. That’s why she’s arguably the greatest player in the world. And to do that in the 95th minute, when we were hanging on towards the end. She wants to show that she’s still got it. She’s still trying to show that she is the player that she was years ago. So, to have that player that can carry the ball and lead — those sorts of actions are really impressive. And I’ve said this multiple times, we’re just pleased that she’s here representing the club.”
Marta initially picked up the ball as the Pride’s primary penalty taker, but immediately handed it to Luana. Handing the ball to her club and country teammate was something she was happy to do.
“I was looking to do something for Luana, not only in this game, but before too. So I had the opportunity to give the ball to her and let her take the penalty,” Marta said. “Also, I know she’s an amazing penalty taker. She does well. She did tonight. You guys saw it. And I just come to her and told her take and finish this f***ing game. And I’m so happy that she converted the penalty, and we ended the game this way. She deserves it. We deserve it.”
“Handing the ball over to Lou epitomizes Marta as an individual,” Hines said. “You know, not putting herself above the team and giving the ball to Lou to have her moment. So, it’s a really inspiring moment for the team and everyone associated with the club.”
The Brazilian stepped up and put her attempt into the left corner of the goal, sealing the victory and scoring her first career NWSL goal.
At full time, Seattle had the advantage in possession (54.7%-45.3%), shots (17-9), shots on target (8-4), crosses (14-10), and passing accuracy (80.1%-76.7%). The Pride ended the game with more corner kicks (3-1) and, most importantly, more goals.
“Really good performance from start to finish,” Hines said. “It was a very unique situation, playing a team that we only just played last week, trying to figure out if Seattle would change anything, whether it’s system or personnel. But I thought we managed it really well in all phases of play. Credit to the players, because they’ve worked so hard to get to this point. They’ve faced so many challenges along this journey to get to the postseason. A big objective of ours was to host a playoff game, finish in that top-four spot, and take value in that top-four spot. So, everyone plays a part, from the players, the staff. The crowd was phenomenal tonight and really got behind the team. And it took everyone, it took a village to get three points tonight.”
“What a performance from the whole group from start to finish,” McCutcheon added. “I think we were just locked in and to have that late penalty and have Luana have that moment, it’s just a dream come true for us. So we’re excited.”
With the quarterfinals behind them, the Pride will now wait to see who, when, and where they’ll play next. If NJ/NY Gotham FC knocks out the top-seeded Kansas City Current, the Pride would host Gotham in the semifinal. If the Current win, the Pride travel to Missouri to face Supporters’ Shield-winning Kansas City.
Regardless, the Pride season extends to next weekend, when they’ll play for an opportunity to compete in their second consecutive NWSL Championship Game.
Orlando Pride
Road To NWSL Playoffs Starts in July for Orlando Pride
The Pride’s season resumes next week, and with six games on the July calendar, it will be a critical month for the team.
Our month-long wait is nearly over, as the Pride’s season will resume next week when they travel to California to play Angel City. The Pride will join Orlando City B (OCB) and make it two local teams in action, as the Young Lions and the rest of MLS NEXT Pro are still channeling their inner Elton John and singing “we’re still standing,” though after their loss on Sunday OCB is no longer doing it better than they ever did. Oh well, hopefully the Young Lions will start a new win streak this weekend.
The Pride, however, are still on a winning streak, as they won their last two games before the June hiatus by defeating San Diego 1-0 and Bay FC 3-1. With their next game away at Angel City, they have a chance to make it three wins in a row against the California teams, and that would kick off what is going to be an important month of July for Orlando.
The Pride will play six games in July (more than every other team in the league except Gotham and Washington), and by month’s end they will have gone from 40% through the season to 60%. They have one of the league’s easier schedules in July, based on the records of their opponents, and with half of those games against teams above them in the table they can take a big step toward solidifying a playoff spot if they can perform well during the upcoming month.
The Pride’s next six games are:
- July 3 at Angel City
- July 10 vs. Kansas City
- July 15 vs. Boston
- July 18 at Utah
- July 24 vs. Chicago
- July 31 at North Carolina
Those six opponents combine for the following stats:
| Statistic | Orlando’s July Opponents |
|---|---|
| Points Earned per Match | 1.34 |
| Goal Differential | -12 |
| Top 30 Players* | 11 |
*Top 30 players according to the goals added ranking by American Soccer Analysis , excluding goalkeepers
That -12 goal differential is heavily influenced by Chicago’s -19, but Boston also has a negative goal differential and both Angel City and Kansas City are only slightly positive. The -12 ranks 14th across all of NWSL and the 1.34 points earned per match ranks 10th, so this upcoming stretch of games is a critical one for the Pride to take advantage of.
And, of course, during this critical stretch of games Barbra Banda has to depart for the rescheduled Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament that begins in late July. FIFA’s rules say that club teams must release their players for the tournament by July 20, but we do not know yet if Banda will want to depart earlier to help Zambia prepare for the tournament (which will also be a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, so it is a huge deal). If she stays until the July 20 deadline, she will be there for four of the Pride’s six July games, but it is possible she will want to leave a little earlier, which could mean missing the Pride’s game in Salt Lake City on July 18.
Banda is only one player, but as every Pride fan knows, she is a force, as she is leading the Golden Boot race and is one of the league’s top candidates for Most Valuable Player at this stage of the season. She has scored 11 of the Pride’s 18 goals — a tidy 61% — and if you add in her one assist, that makes 12 goal contributions. In other words, she is contributing to two out of every three Pride goals.
The NWSL’s summer transfer window opens on July 14, so it is possible that the Pride could have someone lined up to come in and be available as Banda departs, but the more likely scenario is that the Pride rely on their current attackers, who had a month to continue to recover in June, through July.
Jacquie Ovalle was nearing full health as of the final game before the June break, and while Marta did not play in that game, she was dressed (and she went to Brazil and played in the second of the two friendlies against the USWNT), so hopefully with more than a month in between games she will be fully fit for the upcoming July slate. Solai Washington was called up for Jamaica during the June international window as well, and if all three of those players are healthy then the Pride’s depth will be much better equipped to try to cover for Banda’s absence. Zambia finishes the group stage on Aug. 2, but depending on how it does, the Pride could be without their superstar forward until potentially after Aug. 16, the day of the WAFCON final.
This places more urgency on getting results while Orlando is whole, and in particular during those first few games in July. The Pride have already defeated Angel City once this season, so hopefully they can repeat that accomplishment, and then a week later Kansas City comes to the City Beautiful for the next edition of one of the league’s marquee matchups. Boston arrives for a midweek game the following week, and the Pride will want to avenge their poor performance from their first matchup.
Banda is likely to be available for all three of those games, depending on her recovery from a leg injury suffered against Bay FC, and hopefully the Pride can pick up at least six points. However, we know the Pride will be Banda-less for the Chicago and North Carolina games to close out July, with the August games being evaluated on a game-by-game basis depending on how Zambia performs.
Hopefully, the Pride honor Independence Day by creating their own fireworks all throughout July, starting with their game in Los Angeles on July 3. A great July will set the team up for another opportunity to make a run in the NWSL playoffs and to hoist another championship banner in Inter&Co Stadium.
Vamos Orlando!
Orlando Pride
Getting Back to Business With Orlando Pride
What I want to see from the Orlando Pride coming off the break.
We’re only a little over a week away from the Orlando Pride’s first match back from the NWSL summer break. The Pride will travel across the country to take on Angel City at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. We will have a preview of that match next week. For now, I want to focus on the bigger picture and what I want to see from the Pride as the team returns to NWSL play.
Banda is Back (For a Bit)
Barbra Banda will be with the club at least until players leave for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which begins July 26. Since it is inevitable that Banda will be called up by Zambia for the competition, that still leaves at least the first two matches back if not three matches before her departure. Banda will be motivated to pad her goal total before heading out.
Banda currently leads the NWSL Golden Boot race with 11 goals. Her closest competition is Temwa Chawinga and Ashley Sanchez, who have seven goals each. Chawinga will also participate in WAFCON with Malawi, meaning Sanchez is the only one of the two who can close the gap while Banda is away. Of course, if Banda were to bag a hat trick or a brace in each of the matches before departing, it might not be close enough to worry about Sanchez.
Find More Offense
As far as I know, there should be no reason why Banda, Marta, and Jacquie Ovalle cannot be on the pitch at the same time. It’s not something we’ve seen due to various absences, and I’m very much looking forward to it happening. As I mentioned above, I know it will be for a limited time because of Banda’s international duty, but I’ll take what I can get.
That makes it all the more important for Marta and Ovalle to develop chemistry for when Banda is away. Of course, in some ways they have similar skill sets and could really use a speedy target striker to feed. The Pride don’t have a like for like to replace Banda — not that any team does — but they will need some sort of solution.
I’ll keep asking for 2024 Julie Doyle and Summer Yates to show up until they finally show up. Perhaps some newer players like Solai Washington, Nicole Payne, Simone Jackson, or Seven Castain can take advantage of the opportunity. Most likely, Seb Hines spreads things around like he did when Banda was injured last season. The team needs to score goals unless the defense can return to 2024 form as well. Speaking of that…
Team Defense Must Improve
I’ve already mentioned my wanting the Pride to play with a chip on their shoulder, and Sean Rollins wrote about how Hines can use the break to shore up the back line. Improving the defense starts on the back line, but it doesn’t end there. In 2024, the Pride defended as a team and they must return to that type of play.
I was inspired by the USMNT’s pressing against Paraguay and Australia. I’m in no way saying that I want or expect the Pride to play Mauricio Pochettino’s system, but I want to see more aggressive play in the midfield to win the ball back after they give it away. Ideally, the Pride will quit giving the ball away in their own half, but I’m realistic enough to ask for baby steps.
Winning the ball back quickly is not just the job of the back line or the defensive midfield. I need everyone tracking back to help out. The Pride have allowed 17 goals so far, which is tied for the most with the Kansas City Current among teams above the playoff line. Given the Pride will be without Banda for a while, shoring up the defense is extremely important.
What are you looking to see from the Pride as the NWSL season returns? Let us know in the comments.
Orlando Pride
World Cup Break Offers Orlando Pride Chance to Stabilize Rebuilt Back Line
After a season of injuries, position shifts, and defensive reshuffling, the Pride have a chance to settle their back line.
Seb Hines has spent much of the 2026 NWSL season rebuilding the Orlando Pride back line. The FIFA World Cup break now provides the first extended opportunity for the team to settle a defensive unit that has undergone significant personnel and positional changes.
Defense has been one of the team’s defining strengths in recent seasons. The Pride built much of their success on consistency at the back with a settled group of players who understood their roles and rarely needed adjustments. This year, however, that stability has been tested.
The departure of center back Emily Sams, Kylie Nadaner’s pregnancy, and an early-season injury to Kerry Abello forced Hines into changes before the team had the chance to establish continuity. Rather than working from a fixed defensive base, the team has been forced to adjust.
At the start of the season, Hines paired Rafaelle with Hailie Mace in central defense. Mace has experience at center back from her time in Kansas City, but the position isn’t her natural role. On the outside, Cori Dyke began the season at left back, while Oihane started on the right.
As the season progressed, Hines continued to adjust his back line. In early May, Mace moved back into her natural right back position. Dyke shifted into central defense alongside Rafaelle, and Oihane moved to the left side. The changes provided more comfort for Mace, but also required players to adjust to new roles with games coming quick and fast.
Making things more difficult were injuries to Rafaelle that forced Hannah Anderson into the lineup. While the veteran played well, it was yet another change the back line had to get used to while trying to stay in a playoff position.
Between late April and mid May, the Pride lost four of five matches, conceding multiple goals in each defeat. That run included a 4–2 home loss to the Washington Spirit, as well as back-to-back defeats to expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC.
The performances showed a back line still searching for consistency and chemistry in its defensive setup. With different combinations being used across the back line, the Pride had little time to get used to their new positions and partnerships before the next game arrived.
Following the loss in Denver, the Pride opted to remain on the road rather than return to Orlando before facing San Diego Wave FC on the West Coast. The decision appeared to pay off. The Pride earned a 1–0 win over San Diego before returning home to close the first half of the season with a 3–1 victory over Bay FC.
Those results suggested that Hines may have finally found the back line he’ll go with as the season continues. Dyke has grown more comfortable alongside Rafaelle in central defense, Mace’s return to right back has added stability on the flank, and Oihane has shown quality when playing on either side.
In the team’s most recent game against Bay FC, Hines was able to make adjustments that didn’t hinder the team’s performance. Abello started at left back and Oihane moved back to her natural role at right back. Meanwhile, Dyke and Rafaelle remained the center back pairing and continued to look more comfortable together.
Despite the recent successes, the group has still had limited time to build consistency together. Most of the changes were made during the season rather than in preseason, meaning relationships and understanding across the back line have had to develop in real time.
That’s what makes the World Cup break particularly valuable.
Instead of focusing entirely on match preparation from week to week, the break gives Hines and his staff a rare stretch of time to work on organization and consistency across the back line. It also allows players to become more familiar with one another in their current roles, rather than constantly adjusting to new combinations.
For a team that has made several midseason changes, that kind of continuity can’t be built in games alone. Training time becomes especially important for communication, spacing, and defensive coordination — the small details that often decide whether a back line is stable or exposed.
The Pride entered the break with some momentum, having won two of their last three games and showing signs of improvement defensively. But the first half of the season has also made clear how long it can take to get used to positional changes, even if the personnel remain the same.
If the Pride are going to climb up the NWSL standings, it will largely depend on how well this current group can settle during the break.
For a team that has spent months adapting on the move, the timing of the pause may prove to be exactly what the defense needs.
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