Orlando Pride Faces Seattle Reign in a Critical NWSL Clash

SEATTLE, Washington — The Orlando Pride, currently riding high with a 3-0-0 record and 9 points, are set to take on Seattle Reign FC (1-1-1, 4 points) tonight at 9:00 PM CST at Snapdragon Stadium. The match marks the first meeting of the NWSL season between the two teams, with the return game scheduled for November 1.

The Pride come into the matchup after a commanding start to their season, which includes wins over the Chicago Stars and NJ/NY Gotham FC. They are looking to maintain their momentum against Seattle, who has split their last three matches.

“We have built really good momentum,” Pride head coach Seb Hines said. “Our focus is to maintain our aggressive style and set the tone early in this match.”

The teams have faced off 18 times since the Pride joined the NWSL in 2016, with Seattle holding a slim edge with a 7-4-7 record over Orlando. Historically, the Reign have been tough at home, claiming six wins, with the Pride managing only one win in the Pacific Northwest.

In their previous encounter on November 2, 2024, the Pride claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory in Orlando, with standout performances from Ally Watt and Marta, who both scored in the match. However, the Pride are aware of the challenges that Seattle presents, especially playing on the road.

“It’s always tough to play in Seattle; they have a solid home crowd that can create a hostile environment,” said Pride defender Emily Sams. “We need to stick to our game plan and focus on what we do best.”

In terms of lineups, the Pride will be without players Kristen Hamilton and Rafaelle due to injuries. However, they boast a robust defensive lineup, including Kerry Abello, Kylie Nadaner, Emily Sams, and Cori Dyke, who previously ranked as the best back line in the league last season.

The Reign, meanwhile, are under the new management of Jonas Eidevall, who took the helm this season. The Reign are still finding their footing, having recently faced a nail-biting 2-1 loss against Angel City FC.
“The players have done phenomenally so far, we need to continue that rhythm into this match,” Eidevall commented ahead of the game.

Seattle will also be missing key squad members, including veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock and defender Megan Rapinoe, both sidelined with injuries. This absence could provide the opportunity for Orlando to be more aggressive in their attacking strategies.

Statistically, the Pride lead the league in goals scored with ten and have only conceded one goal in their first three matches, demonstrating a potent offense and solid defense.

As the teams prepare for battle, fan attention will be on the performance of key players like Barbra Banda, who scored multiple goals earlier this season, and Marta, who is expected to lead the Pride with her experience and skill in midfield.

“It’s going to be an exciting game,” noted Sams. “It’s crucial for us to keep winning, especially at this stage of the season. We must treat every game as a final.”

The match will be broadcast on ION and live-streamed via Amazon Prime, allowing fans across the U.S. to tune in for what promises to be a thrilling clash between these two rival teams.