The Orlando Pride have broken their winless streak with a 2-1 victory over San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium. This marks their first win since June 13, lifting them from seventh to fourth in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) standings, and setting them back on track for a potential playoff berth.
The match got off to a quick start with Jacquie Ovalle scoring her first goal for the Pride just eight minutes in, only for San Diego’s Dudinha to level the score two minutes later with a strike from distance. The second half saw a vital contribution from substitute Carson Pickett, who netted the decisive goal in the 54th minute, restoring Orlando’s lead after a high-quality pass from Oihane.
Pride’s goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse redeemed an earlier error by making several crucial saves in the second half, helping to maintain her team’s advantage. Despite more aggressive attempts from San Diego, Orlando held firm, with their defensive efforts proving instrumental in the win.
Head Coach Seb Hines expressed pride in his team’s performance, noting the significant relief felt by the players after securing the victory. He emphasized the importance of scoring the first goal and spoke highly of the team’s resilience and strategy execution, particularly in switching the point of attack to create scoring opportunities. This sentiment was echoed by Pickett, who recognized the victory as long overdue and a much-needed morale boost, seeing it as a foundation to build momentum.
Orlando still faces a tight competition in the NWSL standings, only four points clear of the playoff threshold but within reach of climbing further. Their upcoming fixtures include an international match against Club America and a league clash with the Houston Dash.
The Pride’s victory in San Diego, their third in four road games against the Wave, is a significant step, demonstrating the team’s potential to reclaim a higher position in the league and continue their pursuit of postseason ambitions. The win not only marked a strategic triumph but also reignited the team’s belief in their capabilities moving forward.