{"id":49331,"date":"2025-11-17T03:11:42","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T03:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/49331\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T03:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T03:11:42","slug":"pride-dethroned-at-home-by-gotham-fc-in-nwsl-semifinal-orlando-sentinel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/49331\/","title":{"rendered":"Pride dethroned at home by Gotham FC in NWSL semifinal \u2013 Orlando Sentinel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It was a heartbreaking Sunday afternoon in Orlando when the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandosentinel.com\/2025\/11\/13\/orlando-pride-using-underdog-status-as-fuel-for-run-at-repeat-title\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pride<\/a>\u2018s hopes for back-to-back NWSL championships came crashing down as Gotham FC escaped with a late 1-0 victory in their semifinal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe result is a hard one to take. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s 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\u2019t meant to be,\u201d Pride coach Seb Hines said. \u201cThis is a cruel game. You don\u2019t always get what you deserve, but it\u2019s going to be a motivator for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandosentinel.com\/2025\/11\/15\/nwsl-defending-champ-pride-aim-to-keep-going\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Orlando<\/a> had finished fourth during the regular season with 40 points while Gotham wound up eighth with 36.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle (13) screams and leaps over Gotham...\" class=\"size-article_inline\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22897_3834b2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Marta (left) leaps to control the ball in...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22964_e8b0e6.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (30) leaps to stop a goal...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22977_6c97d2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Kerry Abello leaps for a header during the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22979_0b76c2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Kerry Abello leaps for a header during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22980_aa1281.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (top) makes a save during the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22888.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse (top) makes a save during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle falls during the NWSL semifinal playoff...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22928_baf907.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle falls during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Marta leaps to control the ball during the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22907_4bde2b.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Marta leaps to control the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle (13) moves the ball past Gotham...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22891_a7d854.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle kicks at goal during the NWSL...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22944_ed34ff.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Jacqueline Ovalle kicks at goal during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gotham player Jess Carter (27) kicks beside Orlando player Marta...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22910_59852c.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gotham player Jess Carter (27) kicks beside Orlando player Marta during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22899_9b4f68.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Fans cheer during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Simone Charley controls the ball during the NWSL...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22950_70bfd7.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Simone Charley controls the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Carson Pickett kicks during the NWSL semifinal playoff...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22955_278cee.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Carson Pickett kicks during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gotham FC players celebrate after a goal during the NWSL...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22973_4ab77d.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gotham FC players celebrate after a goal during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Marta kicks the ball during the NWSL semifinal...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22968_2d4255.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Marta kicks the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The winning goal goes into the net past Orlando goalkeeper...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22969_ac3ab1.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando coach Seb Hines yells during the NWSL semifinal playoff...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22943_b7d9e9.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando coach Seb Hines yells during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Marta, right, moves the ball past Gotham player...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22885_feb16b.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando player Marta controls the ball during the NWSL semifinal...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22890_8905ba.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando player Marta controls the ball during the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando players Marta (left) and Jacqueline Ovalle (13) try to...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22963_0bb060.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22983_158995.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gotham FC players celebrate after winning the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Orlando players appear stunned and dejected after losing the NWSL...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TOS-L-2025PrideGothamPlayoffs22981_b7b629.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Orlando players appear stunned and dejected after losing  the NWSL semifinal playoff match of Gotham FC at Orlando Pride at Inter&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Gotham FC won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 24<\/p>\n<p>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&amp;Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, November 16, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s defense untouched, settling in the back of the net.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the end of the day, I\u2019m very proud of this team, very proud about what we showed in this season. And we can\u2019t lose this feeling,\u201d Marta said. \u201cWe should be looking behind to take what we can improve next year and [we are] looking forward to doing much better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It was a heartbreaking Sunday afternoon in Orlando when the Pride\u2018s hopes for back-to-back NWSL championships came crashing&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":49332,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[28,1335,139,141,140,3968,2062,109,110],"class_list":{"0":"post-49331","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-orlando","8":"tag-florida","9":"tag-orange-county","10":"tag-orlando","11":"tag-orlando-headlines","12":"tag-orlando-news","13":"tag-orlando-pride","14":"tag-soccer","15":"tag-social","16":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}