The Orlando Pride are enjoying a fantastic year in the NWSL, topping the league table and remaining undefeated in 2024. But all that consistency may be put to the test with the arrival of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The Pride will face North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park, a match that promises to be a true test. This will be the second time this season that these two teams will meet at home. The previous match ended in a draw, with Courage's defense being tested as they hit the goal five times out of 21 shots.
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This showdown is not only a clash of two powerhouse teams, but also a platform for some of the most exciting players in the league. College midfielder Ashley Sanchez and Pride striker Allie Watt are two of the stars who are shining bright. Sanchez's ability to create play and control the midfield, and Watt's speed and accuracy in attack will undoubtedly make him key players who will influence the outcome of this match.
In the first meeting between the two teams this year, the Pride were already dominant, winning 4-1 with two goals from Barbara Banda and strikes from Ally Watt and Julie Doyle. The second meeting ended in a scoreless draw at WakeMed Soccer Park. The draw was the first time this season that the College have dropped points at home, showing how competitive and unpredictable this game can be. The challenge now for the Pride is to maintain their unbeaten record despite the absence of several players who have been called up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Pride will be without at least eight players due to international commitments, including Brazilian stars Adriana, Raffaele and Angelina, captain Marta, and Zambia's Grace Chanda and Barbara Banda. Defender Emily Sams, originally called up to the U.S. team, was added as an Olympic alternate due to injury. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse will also return from her first call-up to the England team after taking part in qualifiers for the 2025 Women's European Championship.
Despite these absences, the Orlando Pride remains confident. Their recent win over the fellow undefeated Kansas City Current showed the team's resilience and depth. Despite being down one player in the game following the ejection of Carrie Lawrence, the Pride managed to hold on and was highlighted by the saves of Anna Moorhouse, who made seven saves to tie her season record.
Additionally, the Pride signed four new players ahead of the Summer Cup. Cori Dyke, Bibiana Villacorta, Summer Yates and Allie Watt all signed contracts through 2025 with an option for 2026. Dyke has already made 11 appearances in her debut season. Villacorta is recovering from an injury that ended last season, and Yates is the team's third-leading scorer with four goals in 2024. Watt has also become an important cog in the team, scoring two goals in 15 appearances.
The Summer Cup will be a historic milestone, bringing together 14 teams from the NWSL and 6 from LIGA MX Fémenil for a tournament of 33 matches. Group E, which includes Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage, is expected to be one of the most competitive. Non-Olympic players will help even the playing field and make each match unpredictable. The situation is no different for Courage, who will also miss players such as Casey Murphy (USA), Kerolin Nicoli (Brazil), Sydney Collins (Canada), Feri Rauch (Germany) and Courtney Vine (Australia) to play in Paris.
Courage enters the Olympic break in good form, having won three straight games and picked up points in their last four games, including a scoreless draw against the Pride. Their season record of 8 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw shows they can be a formidable opponent even without key players.
So what can we expect from this match? It will be a hard-fought battle, no doubt about it. The Pride will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record and prove they can overcome adversity. Meanwhile, the College will be looking for a chance to stop their losing streak and consolidate their momentum. With a lot of talent on the pitch and many stories of overcoming, this match is sure to be a show not to be missed. Get ready. The Summer Cup has only just begun and emotions are already running high. Who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: women's soccer has never been so vibrant and competitive.
