It was a heartbreaking Sunday afternoon in Orlando when the Pride‘s hopes for back-to-back NWSL championships came crashing down as Gotham FC escaped with a late 1-0 victory in their semifinal.
“The result is a hard one to take. I don’t think it’s a reflection on the performance. I thought we were brilliant tonight. I thought, even toward the end, we were going to be the team that scores the first goal, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Pride coach Seb Hines said. “This is a cruel game. You don’t always get what you deserve, but it’s going to be a motivator for us.”
Orlando had finished fourth during the regular season with 40 points while Gotham wound up eighth with 36.
Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle (13) screams and leaps over Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (bottom) during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marta (left) leaps to control the ball in front of teammate jacqueline Ovalle (13) during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (30) leaps to stop a goal attempt by Orlando late in the match during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Kerry Abello leaps for a header during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (top) makes a save during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle falls during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marta leaps to control the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle (13) moves the ball past Gotham players during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle kicks at goal during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Gotham player Jess Carter (27) kicks beside Orlando player Marta during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Simone Charley controls the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Carson Pickett kicks during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Gotham FC players celebrate after a goal during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marta kicks the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The winning goal goes into the net past Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Seb Hines yells during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marta, right, moves the ball past Gotham player Jess Carter, left, during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marta controls the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players Marta (left) and Jacqueline Ovalle (13) try to stop Gotham player Jess Carter (27) during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players appear stunned and dejected after losing the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle (13) screams and leaps over Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (bottom) during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Neither team could break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, but Orlando was threatening throughout the first half. The Pride outshot Gotham 5-3 and had two great chances to score. Jacquie Ovalle had the best of the opportunities in the 33rd minute, but she was unable to make solid contact and missed out on a wide-open net.
Gotham found a way through, scoring the winning goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Gotham was awarded a free kick just outside of the box, and Jaedyn Shaw took the shot. The ball made its way through Orlando’s defense untouched, settling in the back of the net.
Orlando quickly earned a free kick of its own, with Marta delivering a beautiful pass for Oihane. But Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger stepped up with a massive save, keeping the ball out and securing the win.
“At the end of the day, I’m very proud of this team, very proud about what we showed in this season. And we can’t lose this feeling,” Marta said. “We should be looking behind to take what we can improve next year and [we are] looking forward to doing much better.”