ORLANDO, Fla. (March 20, 2026) – The Orlando Pride (0-1-1, 1 point) drew 1-1 against Denver Summit FC (0-1-1, 1 point) at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday evening in the first-ever matchup between the two sides.
Jacquie Ovalle had initially put the Pride ahead in the 12th minute, but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up. German forward Melissa Kössler then opened the scoring for the 2026 expansion side in the 24th minute after being played through on goal by Ayo Oke. Orlando nearly leveled the match on two separate occasions with shots from outside of the box. First, Summer Yates hit the crossbar in the 32nd minute before Ovalle’s long-range effort in the 42nd minute forced a diving save from Denver’s Abby Smith, who made a career-high 10 saves on the night.
The Pride finally found an equalizer in the 61st minute through Barbra Banda, celebrating her 26th birthday on the night. Ovalle was involved once more, fielding a cross from the right wing that Banda headed in for her second goal in as many games this season. The goal also marked Ovalle’s first assist of the year and her third while donning the Pride kit.
Next up for the Pride is a two-game road trip, first traveling to Martin Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, to take on Chicago Stars FC (8 p.m. ET; Victory+) before facing defending NWSL champions Gotham FC on Sunday, March 29 (7 p.m. ET; Victory+).
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“Yeah, we want to win games at home, but it’s never a lack of effort. I think the effort was there today. I think there was a good response from last week’s disappointing result. We’re creating a lot of chances, but we’re getting punished for errors at the back. I think when you give teams an opportunity, like we have done in the last two games, they’ll punish us and they have done. We have to be more switched on, cut off the angles better and not allow teams any opportunities to get up in the game.”
The Pride will travel to Martin Stadium to face Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday, March 25. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Victory+.