One win down, two to go as the Orlando Pride seek to become the first repeat champions in the NWSL since the North Carolina Courage did it in 2018 and 2019.
The Pride defeated Seattle Reign FC 2-0 in a thrilling playoff matchup on Friday night at Inter&Co Stadium, controlling the game from start to finish and never allowing Seattle to mount a serious threat.
Orlando opened the scoring with excellent team play in the 21st minute. Marta started the move with a pass out wide to Julie Doyle, who delivered a low cross to Haley McCutcheon. McCutcheon’s shot was perfectly placed, sliding past goalkeeper Claudia Dickey to put the Pride up 1-0.
“I just take an extra moment to realize my role on this team. 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,” McCutcheon said. “And so, yeah, I think playoff McCutcheon is back and in full effect.”
Seattle fought back in the second half, outshooting the Pride 11-4 after halftime. Pride coach Seb Hines made several defensive-minded substitutions, allowing his team to absorb pressure without allowing the Reign to claw back into the game.
Then, in the dying moments of second-half stoppage time, Marta stepped up when her team needed it. The Brazilian captain earned a penalty after an impressive run that took her from deep in her own defensive end all the way into the box. Samantha Meza fouled Marta in the box, and it was Luana who took the kick. Luana’s shot to the goalie’s right was just a bit too high for the diving Dickey, cementing a 2-0 victory for the Pride with her first career NWSL goal.
“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 then let her take the penalty,” Marta said about her decision to let Luana take the penalty.
“I just came to her and told her, ‘Take and finish this (expletive) game,’ and I’m so happy that she converted the penalty, and we ended the game this way. She deserved (it). We deserved (it).
Now the Pride wait for thj Kansas City Current and Gotham FC to face off on Sunday, with a match against the winner next in line for Orlando. They will be on the road against the Current if they win, taking on the best team in the league in a rematch of the 2024 semifinal that Orlando won 3-2.
This year Kansas broke the record for most points in a season, beating Orlando’s mark of 62 it set last season. On paper, this is the best matchup for neutrals looking for an exciting match, but the Pride will hope to avoid a tough road trip.
If Gotham wins, Orlando will host the team that beat them 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium back in August. Gotham has been one of the hottest teams in the league since the summer break, and the Pride will hope to have home-field advantage in the semifinal if they want to progress on to the second championship final in as many years.
Orlando is not too focused on its next opponent, however. The Pride, often overlooked this season, believe they have what it takes to repeat as champions and refuse to be counted out.
“We still have the same players here, the same mentality, and still work so hard and still believe,” Marta added. “Because it seems that most of the players outside don’t believe in the Pride, but the Pride is still the champions. And [they] need to have a little bit more respect about it.”
Orlando Pride player Luana (8) scores a goal against the Seattle Reign in an NWSL playoff quarterfinal match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Friday. Orlando won the match 2-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)