ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2026) – The Orlando Pride (11-14-3, 36 points) fell 2-1 to Gotham FC (16-5-7, 55 points) on Sunday afternoon at Inter.co Stadium in their final home match of 2026.
Gotham opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Midge Purce rose to meet a cross from Guro Reiten and powered a header just beneath the crossbar.
The visitors added a second goal in the 62nd minute following a corner kick. After Jaelin Howell’s header struck the crossbar, Tierna Davidson reacted quickest to the loose ball and converted from close range.
Solai Washington reduced the deficit just three minutes later after capitalizing on a turnover in midfield, holding off two defenders before racing through on goal and calmly slotting home to make it 2-1 in the 65th minute.
Scoring Summary:
22' Midge Purce (Guro Reiten) – GFC 1, ORL 0
62' Tierna Davidson – GFC 2, ORL 0
65' Solai Washington – GFC 2, ORL 1
Interim Head Coach Yolanda Thomas:
"I told her [Solai Washington] after the last game that was probably most complete, I think she played about 60 [minutes] last game, most complete 60 minutes and it wasn’t just about the scoring but everything she does in between. So, she’s found a way to figure out how to be an impactful player for 90 minutes now. Earlier in the year she had periods and then she dropped off. So, she’s a young player with incredible potential and bodes well for the Pride organization going forward. So, we’re happy that she can kind of build that momentum and that confidence and she’ll come in ready next year."
Orlando Pride Forward Marta:
"Of course, the result was not what we wanted, you know, we knew from the beginning that Gotham came here to take 3 points. They are in a fight for the Shield and it’s normal. It was a hard game, but I think we had very good moments and if we had put the ball in the net in those moments, those situations that we created, especially in the first half. We had a couple in the second half too. The game should have been very different for us."
Orlando Pride Defender Rafaelle:
“I’m very grateful. I’m very thankful for everything here in Orlando. My teammates, all this stuff, the city. I love Orlando; I feel like I’m in Brazil here. That’s why I told them I’m retiring from the league here, but I might be around. I’m going to stick around. Hailie [Mace] is still going to be playing here, so I’m always going to be here in Orlando. I love everyone here, all the staff, everybody. All the fans, they’re so great. I’m just glad to end my career here in this league.”
Match Notes:
- The Pride have scored in each of their last 11 NWSL matches, marking the club's longest scoring streak since finding the net in 16 consecutive league games from Sept. 18, 2023, to June 8, 2024.
- Solai Washington's strike was her second goal of the 2026 campaign and her second in as many matches for Orlando.
- Coming on as a second-half substitute, Kylie Nadaner made her first appearance for the Pride since Aug. 29, 2025.
- Viviana Villacorta made her first appearance of the 2026 campaign, entering as a second-half substitute.
- Interim head coach Yolanda Thomas made one change to the starting lineup from the club’s previous matchup against the Houston Dash, inserting Ally Lemos into the starting XI.
- Barbra Banda (excused absence), Sanne Lekven (ankle) and Zoe Matthews (hip) all missed the match.
Next Match:
The Pride will now hit the road for their final match of the 2026 campaign, taking on Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, November 1, at Lumen Field (5 p.m. ET | ESPN).
